St. Patrick's Day 2012

This year we had Shelley and Kevin over for a Saint Patrick's Day feast!

Our Menu:

-Smoked Brisket in Guiness
-Creamy Mashed Potatoes with Asiago and Garlic
-Biscuits
-Brocolini with Pine Nuts, Lemon and Garlic

-Mint and Chocolate Cupcakes

Here's a shot of my cupcakes all done up:

I used the Martha Stewart recipe for the cupcake itself- she has a mint chocolate recipe, but I wasn't crazy about the frosting, so I used a simple butter cream and substituted vanilla extract for mint. These chocolate cupcakes also have a teaspoon of mint extract in them. I thought that was a lot to add, but the cake is so moist and the mint is so subtle, so she really does know her stuff! I added some green food coloring to the butter cream and then topped with a bit of chocolate bar and green sparkling sugar. Steven said they looked beautiful and I have to agree. They looked like I bought them and that's a wonderful compliment. :)

Here's a sweet pic of Steven's Brisket. He's basting it.

Finally, Steven could not end the night without an Irish Car Bomb. That's Guinness beer with a shot of Bailey's Irish Cream tossed in. You drop the shot glass and then chug it. It's not my idea of a good time, but it is Steven's. So, being the good wife that I am, I documented it with photos.

About to drop the shot in:Chug, Chug, Chug!!!!

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!