Gourmet Club Night: Irish Dinner Party

My grandfather was born in Portlaoise Ireland and came to America when he was 27. So when we came up on year 6 of our gourmet club, I decided I had waited far to long to explore my Irish culinary roots. 

This menu represents Ireland with both traditional and modern selections

Appetizer

Assorted Irish Beers

Dubliner Cheese, Honey and Walnut Dip (best if made a day ahead. Serve with thinly sliced apples, endive leaves and celery)

http://kerrygoldusa.com/recipes/dubliner-cheese-honey-and-walnut-dip

Entree

Guinness Braised Corned Beef with 2 mustard sauces: 

Corned Beef
http://www.foodandwine.com/recipes/beer-braised-corned-beef-dinner

Morton's Whipped Horseradish
http://www.recipegoldmine.com/ccm/mortons-whipped-horseradish.html
Can be made one day ahead

Mustard Sauce
2 Cups braising liquid
1/3 Cup yellow mustard
1/3 Cup ground mustard
1 Tablespoon brown sugar
1 Tablespoon Worcestershire

Reduce braising liquid to half, then whisk in the remaining ingredients. Serve warm

Colcannon ( Irish mashed potatoes)
http://www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/colcannon/

Irish Soda bread with Irish Butter 

http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/mrs-ocallaghans-soda-bread-357498

Dessert

Apple Pie with Irish Cheddar Cheese Crust

http://kerrygoldusa.com/recipes/apple-pie-with-an-irish-cheddar-crust

Irish Coffee

http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/irish-coffee/