One is a version of Irish soda bread with golden raisins. I’ve heard Irish soda bread is actually called “Spotted Dog” when it contains raisins. For the purists, a traditional Irish soda bread only contains four ingredients: flour, salt, baking soda, and buttermilk.

I also did a slow cooker version of corned beef and cabbage and gave it a bit more depth of flavor by cooking it in unsalted beef broth instead of the usual water. I cooked the potatoes and carrots as usual right with the brisket, but I did something a little different with the cabbage by steaming wedges of it in a separate pot, with some of the beef stock from the slow cooker, just before serving.

Crazy as it may sound, I’ll also made a version of a Reuben sandwich by topping sliced, toasted leftover soda bread with cooked leftover cabbage, thinly sliced corned beef and sliced Swiss cheese. Added a little simple Russian dressing as well, and it turned out even better than I thought.

Check them out on Cooking at Home, on TV or online, starting Friday this St. Patrick’s Day weekend!