Hi Cooking Moms, Dads & Friends,

Happy Friday! I hope you had a great week. I’ve been in beautiful Naples, Florida this week hanging out with my daughter Ireland. It’s spring break for University of Minnesota students so decided it was time for a girls trip to one of our favorite spots. The weather has been perfect and we’ve been enjoying the beach, sunsets, seafood and key lime pie!

We leave tomorrow and although it’s always hard to send kids back to school, I’m excited to get home and see Arlo the dog! I’m also pretty excited about St. Paddy’s Day! When I get home I’m headed to the grocery store. Time to buy my corned beef brisket! I always buy a flat cut, rather than a point cut. Flat is easier to slice and less fatty! Make sure to get a big one or even two of them. Leftover corned beef is a very good thing! My Corned Beef in the Slow Cooker turns out super tender and perfect every time! I think it's that little bit of Irish beer in it that makes it extra special.

Speaking of beer, this year you gotta make my Beer Bread. Just 4 ingredients and so good! It goes great with my Irish Beef Stew. Just throw all the ingredients in your slow cooker. It’s so easy and so good! Best stew EVER! Click Slow Cooker, Soups and Dinner for lots more recipe choices.

I'm dreaming of Colcannon Potatoes. It's a traditional Irish dish made with mashed potatoes, cabbage and green onions. I serve it piping hot with loads of butter on top. Amazing! Click Sides for more of my favorite side dish recipes.

I mentioned buying a big corned beef or even a couple of them. Left over corned beef is a very good thing! Use the extra corned beef to make my baked Reuben Dip in a Bread Bowl, Reuben Soup, my Rolled Reuben Sandwich, Reuben Quiche, and yes even Reuben Egg Rolls!

For dessert, it’s gotta be green! Like my version of Shamrock Shakes or my Fudgy Mint Cupcakes or Chocolate Mint Trifle. Yum! Click Desserts and Drinks for more fun recipes.

Join Me for My Next Culinary Trip!

In September 2019, I hosted my first culinary group and it was pretty amazing! We had a group of 35 people on the trip of a lifetime to Tuscany, Italy. We learned how to make pasta, toured Italian wineries and did so much more!

You all have been asking. Where are we going next? Well, pack your bags and your swimsuit because my next trip is in January 2021 to one of my very favorite places. JAMAICA! My family has been going to Jamaica for 20 years! We’ll explore some of my favorite places and hidden gems that most tourists don’t know about! We’ll go in search of the best jerk chicken and pork, Blue Mountain coffee and other hidden gems!

The Jamaican people are some of the most caring and kind people I’ve ever met. Bring on the reggae music and rum punch, and join in the fun! After this trip you too will fall in love with this island! This trip is going to fill up fast! Click Culinary Trip to Jamaica to read more. Brittany at Ambassador Travel is coordinating the trip, so you can call her at 920.236.7777 or email her at brittany@ambassadortravelltd.com to ask more detailed questions.

Thank You for Coming Out to See Me in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin!

Please Invite Me

I’d love to come to your town! Tell your library about me. I’ll come do a cooking demo for your company or event too. Click Hire Amy for more ideas for how we can spend time together!

Order Amy's Cookbooks on Amazon!

If you are stuck in a recipe rut, why not treat yourself or a loved one to new recipes? I have two cookbooks with lots of beautiful color pictures and each is filled with nearly 200 unique, delicious recipes. Click Amy's Books on Amazon to order.

Gotta run. My daughter and I are going to enjoy one last day strolling the beach here in Naples. If you have any restaurant recommendations or places we should see today before we leave, please share! I’ll post pictures. You can always see what I’m up to on Facebook and Instagram. Follow me!

Have a great weekend. Stay warm and cook up some memories!

Take care,
Amy, The Cooking Mom

Shamrock Shakes

Chocolate Mint Trifle