Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Whole Foods Virginia Beach!

Berry season is in full swing, so why not create a patriotic dish to serve at your next gathering?  I made this super simple Berry American Flag that will be perfect for your 4th of July party!   The kids at our party gobbled up the fruit.  It’s amazing that just adding a skewer and design can make kids excited about healthy eating.

Ingredients:

• Skewers
• Blueberries
• Strawberries
• Angle Food Cake*

I chose to use a pre-made Angel Food cake from Whole Foods for convenience and to ensure my nephew was able to eat the cake due to dietary restrictions.

Directions:

Simply insert 7 (or so) blueberries on the top left hand side of your flag, followed by a piece of angel food cake then a strawberry.  Continue this pattern until you have created a flag.

Note:  Due to the size of my strawberries, I added 2 half-skewers of blueberries to fill-in empty space.  You could also use raspberries in place of or in addition to the strawberries.

I’ve seen some flags that use marshmallows for the white stripes, but I wanted to eliminate any artificial products.  We served organic vanilla yogurt on the side if anyone wanted a dip, but you could also use cool whip.

I hope everyone is having a great St. Patrick’s Day!

I’ve been cooking corned beef and cabbage on St. Patrick’s day for 3 years now. Although the cost of the meal pains me, it always turns out great!  The platter is always cleared and we typically have very little soda bread leftover.  My kids both ask for seconds and those of you with young kids know how impressive that is.

Corned Beef and Cabbage Recipe:

Ingredients:

• 1 corned beef brisket with spice packet (~3lb)
• 1 medium – large onion, cut into wedges
• 5-6 potatoes, peeled cut into quarters
• 1 pound carrots, cut or 1 bag baby carrots
• 3 -4 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 bay leaf
• 2 Tbs sugar
• 2 Tbs cider vinegar
• 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
• salt to taste
• 1 cabbage, cut into wedges
• 3 cups water

Directions

1. Place cut onion, potatoes, and carrots in crockpot. Combine water, garlic, sugar, vinegar, bay leaf, S/P, and spice packet in a small bowl. Pour over vegetables. Top with corned beef and cabbage.  Note: mine always seems to be almost overflowing with the cabbage.
2. Cook on low until meat and vegetables are tender about 8 hours.
3. Remove bay leaf before serving!

Irish Soda Bread Recipe:

Ingredients:

• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 4 Tbs sugar
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup margarine, softened
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1 egg

Additional ingredients during baking:

• 1/4 cup butter, melted
• 1/4 cup buttermilk

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375°.
2. Grease baking sheet.
3. In large bowl, mix flour, sugar, baking soda, baking powder, salt and margarine. Then stir in 1 cup of buttermilk and the egg.
4. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead slightly. Form dough into a round and place on prepared baking sheet. In a small bowl, combine melted butter with 1/4 cup buttermilk; brush loaf with this mixture. Use a sharp knife to cut an ‘X’ into the top of the loaf.
5. Bake in preheated oven for 45 to 50 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the loaf comes out clean. Continue to brush the loaf with the butter mixture while it bakes for best results.

Note: I freeze remaining buttermilk for later use.

The soda bread was cut in half before I got to the picture 🙂

See Melanie’s Irish Bread Recipe for another great addition to your dinner!

How did you celebrate St. Patrick’s Day?

Thanks to All Recipes for a basis to these recipes!