Get your green gear together and pour yourself a bowl of Lucky Charms because Saint Patty’s Day is on its way! Don’t get discouraged if a pot of gold or a beautiful Gerard Butler from P.S I Love You doesn’t show up at your door; Burlington has plenty to offer. Despite the fact that this town isn’t exactly the hub for Irish celebration (when we compare it to Boston), but that doesn’t mean we don’t know how to celebrate the right way.
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- Attend the SB Ireland’s annual St. Patrick’s Day charitable parade that rolls through Church Street.
The company, based in Vermont, enables people to sponsor panels on their trucks that roll through the downtown district to raise money for cancer research. So far the company has raised over $2,000,000 to donate to UVM for the cause.
- Make yourself home at Ri Ra’s
Ri Ra’s Irish Pub takes celebrating St. Patty’s Day to a whole new level. They welcome their St Patrick’s Week with live music, charity events and their Irish Pub Quiz. And while your at if, go grab one of their mouth-watering burgers and a Guinness or three (21+ only)!
- Go bar-hopping (21+ only).
 - Stock up on those plastic bins of creepy St. Patty’s Day Cookies.
We all know where to find them – Hannafords, Shaws, Price Chopper…it’s practically a gold mine! Let’s be real with ourselves, after the pubs, parties and other things people will get themselves in, they’ll taste just like your mom’s homemade batch.
- Make your Irish food-baby happy at home
Sink your teeth into some real Irish tradition and make your own concoctions. Keep your flannels on, ladies and gentlemen! These two traditional recipes are super easy and we’ve included a vegetarian option for all the herbivores on campus:
Corned Beef Hash
Ingredients:
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
5 large Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and
cut into 1/4-inch cubes
1 large carrot, coarsely shredded
2 pounds cooked corned beef, cubed
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
salt to taste (optional)
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper, or to
taste
Directions:
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Melt butter with the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat, and cook the onion just until it begins to brown, about 8 minutes; stir in the potatoes and carrot, and cook until tender, about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in the cubed corned beef, parsley, thyme, salt, and pepper. Let the mixture cook until hash is crisp and browned, stirring often, 10 to 15 more minutes.
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Irish Potato and Chive Casserole
Ingredients:
8 potatoes, peeled and cubed
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese
1 (8 ounce) container sour cream
1/2 cup butter
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup chopped fresh chives
1 pinch paprika, or more to taste
Directions:
1.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2.
Place potatoes in a large pot of water. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until tender, about 20 minutes. Drain.
3.
Combine hot potatoes, cream cheese, sour cream, butter, and salt together in a large bowl. Mash until creamy.
4.
Spoon potato mixture into a 2-quart casserole dish. Sprinkle with chives and paprika.
5.
Bake in preheated oven until bubbling, about 30 minutes.
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- Throw a Pot Luck
Open your contact list and go text crazy cause there’s always time for free food and good company. Throw an all-green pot luck with your friends, toss around some chocolate gold coins and mix up some fun cocktails to share (We’ve found a bunch here!).
- Grab an infamous Shamrock shake at McDonald’s
They’re only here once a year! Take advantage of the green goodness while you can.
- “Accidentally” overplay Flogging Molly, Dropkick Murphys and U2 when your iPod is supposed to be on suffle.
- Give a natural redhead the ego boost they deserve.
It’s practically “National I Love Redheads Day.” If you’re not a redhead, go find one to glorify and give them one massive ego boost.
- Go out in style and dec out your entire wardrobe in green
No, we don’t expect you to make yourself look like the hulk or run around dressed as a leprechaun. But come on! Dig through your friends closet and put together that all green ensemble (we’re talking nails and makeup to)! And remember…don’t forget your shamrock sunglasses at home.
- Stay responsible
The holidays get a little crazy but remember to keep a level head and have some fun!
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Photo credit:
http://www.churchstmarketplace…
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/d…
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/I…
Recipe credit
http://allrecipes.com/recipe/d…
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/I…
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