As winter’s final days approach, what better way to celebrate the coming of spring than with St. Patrick’s Day? Let’s take a moment to embrace the charm of the Irish with a festive table setting and a delicious recipe that’s perfect for the occasion.
Growing up, St. Patrick’s Day was always a big deal in my family. My parents, both from Ireland, made it a day of celebration, tradition, and delicious food. My mom would bake Irish bread (a staple in our household), and we’d all wear vibrant kelly green—not just any green, but the shade that screams, “I’M IRISH AND PROUD OF IT!” If we weren’t in school, we’d start the day by attending morning mass. It was a beautiful way to connect with our heritage.
Now, as an adult, I love bringing a touch of that tradition to my own family. My St. Patrick’s Day table is simple yet festive, incorporating green accents that represent the “Emerald Isle.” My shamrock runner, a cherished piece I’ve had for years, always takes center stage. It’s my only official St. Patrick’s Day decor, but it pairs perfectly with items I already own. Green is not only symbolic of Ireland but also a fresh color that welcomes the start of spring.
To make the celebration extra fun for my kids, I add a trivia game to our table. Using a shamrock template I found online, I print and cut out a shamrock for each place setting. On the back of each, I write Irish-themed trivia questions, like “What is Ireland’s nickname?” and “What parts of Ireland are Bama and Bampa from?”
The prize? A handful of $1 gold coins for each correct answer. It’s a fun, interactive way to teach my kids about their Irish heritage while keeping the festivities lively.
A Delicious Dish for St. Patrick’s Day: Chicken Puff Pastry
No celebration is complete without a delicious meal, and Chicken Puff Pastry is the perfect dish to serve. This recipe combines tender chicken breast with creamy, herbed cheese, all wrapped in flaky puff pastry. The result? A savory, elegant meal that’s as visually appealing as it is tasty.
What makes Chicken Puff Pastry so versatile is its ability to adapt to any occasion. For St. Patrick’s Day, I use leftover pastry scraps and cookie cutters to add shamrock-shaped decorations on top. It’s these little details that make the dish festive and fun.
Ingredients:
- 6 boneless chicken breasts, trimmed
- 6.5 oz container Garlic & Herb spreadable cheese
- 1 box (2 sheets) puff pastry dough
- 1 egg
- Water
- Flour
Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 375°F.
- Prepare the puff pastry: Remove the dough from the freezer about 30 minutes before you start assembling.
- Pound the chicken: Place a piece of plastic wrap over the chicken breasts and use a meat mallet to pound them until they are about 1/2 inch thick. This ensures even cooking.
- Flour your surface: Sprinkle about 1/4 cup of flour onto a clean, flat surface. Spread it out into a square roughly the size of a large pizza box.
- Roll out the puff pastry: Lay one sheet of puff pastry on the floured surface and use a floured rolling pin to roll it into a 20”x20” square. Cut the sheet into four even squares.
- Assemble the pastry: Place a chicken breast diagonally on each square of dough. Spread a heaping tablespoon of garlic & herb cheese on top of the chicken.
- Fold and seal: Fold the long sides of the dough over the chicken and seal with a little water. Then, fold up the short ends to create an envelope shape, stretching the dough if necessary.
- Decorate: Use leftover pastry scraps and cookie cutters to create festive shapes, like shamrocks, to place on top of each bundle.
- Brush with egg: Beat the egg and use a pastry brush to apply a light egg wash to the tops of the pastries. This gives them a golden, glossy finish.
- Bake: Place the pastries on a baking sheet, seams up, and bake for 15-20 minutes. Check the largest chicken breast to ensure it’s cooked through. Be careful not to overbake, as the chicken can become tough.
- Let the steam escape: Before serving, poke a few holes in the pastry with a fork to release steam. This ensures they’re not too hot to eat.
Tips for Success
- Make Ahead: You can assemble the pastries a day in advance. Just wait to brush them with egg until right before baking.
- Experiment with Fillings: While garlic & herb cheese is a classic choice, you can try cream cheese with chives or even sweet toppings like fig jam or chutney for a different flavor profile.
Serving Suggestions
Chicken Puff Pastry pairs wonderfully with a fresh salad or roasted vegetables. Its richness is balanced perfectly by lighter sides, making it an excellent centerpiece for your St. Patrick’s Day meal.
Final Thoughts
This St. Patrick’s Day, bring a touch of Irish charm to your table with simple yet meaningful decor and a delicious dish like Chicken Puff Pastry. Whether it’s trivia games, a shamrock runner, or festive food, these small details create lasting memories with loved ones. Sláinte—a toast to your health and happiness—and happy St. Patrick’s Day!
