This is one of those delicious meals that you get major bang for your buck.  It is a super easy meal that takes minimal effort and you get a flavorful delicious mess at the end!  You literally have to buy three things: Brined corned beef, potatoes, and one head of cabbage.  If you love cooked carrots you can throw those in too.  

    I love the Raley's corned beef.   I have tried the Trader Joe's but we gave it a C-.  I took a picture of the package in case you want to grab the exact one.  I know it is kind of cheating to buy the meat pre-brined, but it is SOOO much better that way! 
    Put the meet in your slow cooker and shove the potatoes around the side.  If it includes seasoning sprinkle this on top of everything.  Then add enough water to submerge the ingredients.  You can cook this on high for about 8 hours or low for 4.  I usually put it in before work and leave with the peace of mind that dinner is already cooked! 

My crock put doesn't have enough room to cook everything.  So when I get home I take out the meat and potatoes, put them on a platter and keep them warm in the oven.  Cut one head of cabbage into quarters and trim a bit of the bottom off.  I then cook the cabbage in the water that is left for 1 hour on high.  This lets all the yummy flavors of the brine soak into the cabbage.  
   When this is almost done you can slice the meat.  Make sure togo against the grain of the meat.  Add the cabbage to the platter, and walk out to the dining room table like you slaved away all day! 

Happy St. Patrick's Day!
  

   

  Hannukah starts tonight at sundown, so homemade challah is on the agenda for today!  I had a request from my friend Adi for some Jewish recipes.  Here you go! These recipes are for all the shiksas out there, or anyone who wants to take a stab at some traditional jewish food. Challah is a delicious, rich, egg bread no matter what time of year it is!  I will post new Jewish recipes all this week.  
     In our house, we get to celebrate both Hannukah and Christmas.  How do I do that you might ask? Lots of cooking and presents!  Hannukah dinner is a carb loaded feast! In it's roots, Hannukah is a celebration of the oil that lasted for eight days.  So oil is the concentration of the meal. As with most holidays, we celebrate by spending time with our friends and family, and giving thanks for all the blessings in our life.
        For this year's Hannukah dinner we will be celebrating at our friend's house, so I will be making homemade Challah, and noodle kugle.  I am sure some latkes will make it on the table sometime this week as well!

     I am using a recipe out of my cuisinart recipe book for my bread maker.  I have to admit I totally cheat when I make bread.  I make it often, but I always use my bread maker.  I will write the recipe so you can make it by hand or with the bread machine.  
         If you are using a bread machine, put the ingredients in the bread maker in the order they are listed and set your maker to a dough setting.  You can pick up the directions at #4.  If you are making it by hand, follow the instructions below. 

Recipe: Challah - 2 pound loaf
Ingredients:
1 cup water
1/3 cup + 2 tablespoons butter
    -Butter should be at room temperature and cut into roughly 1 tbls pieces
2 eggs
1 egg for the egg wash
1 1/4 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons + 2 teaspoons sugar
3 3/4 cup bread flour
2 1/4 teaspoons yeast (I recommend bread machine yeast)

1. Combine flour, sugar, salt, and yeast in a bowl and sit together.  Mix in water, butter and eggs. Mix until well combined.  
2. Place the dough ball onto a lightly floured surface but make sure to have a pile of flour sitting nearby.   Knead the dough by pushing the palm of your hand deeply into the dough ball, then fold the dough in half, turn a half turn and repeat. Add flour to the counter as needed so the dough doesn't stick.   Continue this process for about five minutes until the dough has become elastic.
3.  Put the dough back in the bowl and cover with a clean towel.  If the air is dry I sometimes moisten the towel.  Place the dough in a warm area and let it rise for one hour. 
4.  After this time punch down the dough and knead it a bit more, about 5 turns. 
5. Divide the dough into 3 equal portions.  With your hands roll each piece out into a long rope about 12-18 inches long.  
6. Pinch one end of the dough together and place it in the corner of your baking dish.  Use an air pan if possible. Braid the three strand of dough until you get to end.  Pinch the ends together and tuck them  under the braid a bit.  
7.  Beat an egg thoroughly with 1 tablespoon of water and baste it over the whole loaf.  This will give it a nice shiny appearance when baked. 
8. Let the braid rise for 1 hour.  During this time, preheat the oven to 375 degrees.  
9. Bake the bread for approximately 25 minutes or until the top is golden brown.  You can cut it into slices or pull off chunks to serve.