I bought our corned beef from Costco and it was tender and absolutely delicious. Nicely seasoned but a little salty, but that's to be expected.

The soad bread was a nice addition, too. Ridiculously easy to make - I'll be doing that again.

Anonymous wrote:Corned beef and cabbage is about as authentically Irish as sweet and sour chicken is authentically Chinese.

Yes, that's why we celebrate with one cup of oat grouts simmered in a gallon of water and split between 8 people. I guess it's different if you're descended from the gentry, but by the time my Irish got to the US most of their limited culinary heritage had been destroyed, and whatever was left they were happy to abandon.

Also, I made the mistake of buying a corned beef at Trader Joe's and it was HORRIBLE. One of the spices included was so strong that it made my mouth numb and was incredibly cloying. It was also the toughest cb I've ever encountered.

Irish cheeses and apple wedges, followed by shepherd's pie.

Anonymous wrote:Sandwiches and beer, just like my Irish ancestors.

+1

It was this "quick" Shepherd's Pie by Rachel Ray...
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/rachael-ray/30-minute-shepherds-pie-recipe.html

But I got drunk at Happy Hour so we just ordered Chinese.

Sandwiches and beer, just like my Irish ancestors.

Just repurposed my leftover potatoes and cabbage (ate most of the corned beef) into bubbles and squeak with bacon. Yum!