Does your family have any traditions for St. Patrick's Day? Here are a few healthier versions of Irish classics!

Corned Beef and Cabbage Dinner

Yield: 8 servings (serving size: 3 ounces beef, about 1 1/2 cups cabbage, and about 1 1/3 cups potatoes)

Ingredients

• 1 (4-pound) cured corned beef brisket, trimmed
• 16 cups water
• 2 cups chopped onion
• 1 cup chopped celery
• 1 cup chopped carrot
• 1 1/2 teaspoons pickling spice
• 3 garlic cloves, peeled
• Cooking spray
• 1 tablespoon caraway seeds
• 1 (2 1/2-pound) head green cabbage, cored and cut into 1-inch strips
• 4 pounds small red potatoes, quartered
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• 2 teaspoons butter
• 2 teaspoons grated lemon rind
• 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
• 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 cup dry breadcrumbs
• 1 (5-ounce) jar prepared horseradish, drained and squeezed dry
• 3 tablespoons Dijon mustard

Preparation

Place brisket in a large stockpot; add water and next 5 ingredients (water through garlic). Bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer 3 hours. Remove brisket from pot.

Place brisket on the rack of a broiler pan or roasting pan coated with cooking spray; place rack in pan. Strain cooking liquid through a colander into 2 large bowls; discard solids. Return liquid to pot. Add caraway seeds and cabbage; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer 20 minutes. Drain.

While cabbage is cooking, place potatoes in a large Dutch oven. Cover with water. Bring to a boil; cook 20 minutes or until tender. Drain. Return potatoes to pan. Stir in parsley, butter, rind, juice, and pepper; toss to coat.

Preheat broiler.

Combine breadcrumbs and horseradish. Spread mustard over one side of brisket. Press breadcrumb mixture onto mustard. Broil 3 minutes or until lightly browned. Serve brisket with cabbage and potatoes.

Nutritional Information

Calories:v321 (41% from fat)

Fat:14.5g (sat 4.6g,mono 6.5g,poly 0.8g)

Protein:v22.8g

Carbohydrate:v27.6g

Fiber:v10g

Cholesterol: 86mg

Iron: 4.3mg

Sodium: 927mg

Calcium: 11mg

David Bonom, Cooking Light, MARCH 2003

Whole Wheat Irish Soda Bread

Per Slice: 165 Calories, 1g Fat, 2mg Cholesterol, 31g Carbs, 7g Protein, 3g Fiber, 347mg Sodium

Yields: 1- 2 pound loaf, serves 12

Ingredients

• 2 cups whole-wheat flour (use whole grain if available)
• 2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1 tsp. salt
• 2 1/4 cups buttermilk

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Coat a baking sheet with cooking spray and sprinkle with a little flour.

2. Whisk whole-wheat flour, all-purpose flour, baking soda and salt in a large bowl. Make a well in the center and pour in buttermilk. Using one hand, stir in full circles (starting in the center of the bowl working toward the outside of the bowl) until all the flour is incorporated. The dough should be soft but not too wet and sticky. When it all comes together, in a matter of seconds, turn it out onto a well-floured surface. Clean dough off your hand.

3. Pat and roll the dough gently with floury hands, just enough to tidy it up and give it a round shape. Flip over and flatten slightly to about 2 inches. Transfer the loaf to the prepared baking sheet. Mark with a deep cross using a serrated knife and prick each of the four quadrants.

4. Bake the bread for 20 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 400° and continue to bake until the loaf is brown on top and sounds hollow when tapped, 30 to 35 minutes more. Transfer the loaf to a wire rack and let cool for about 30 minutes.

Source: EatingWell

Black and Tan Brownies

Historically, the phrase "black and tan" referred to the much-reviled auxiliary force of English soldiers sent to Ireland to suppress the Irish rebels after the 1916 Easter Rising. Eventually, a much-loved drink made with half Guinness Stout and half Harp Lager assumed the name, and now this two-toned brownie (with the addition of Guinness) shares it.

Yield: 32 servings

Ingredients

• Tan Brownies:
• 6 tablespoons butter, softened
• 1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 4.5 ounces all-purpose flour (about 1 cup)
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans
• Cooking spray
• 
  Black Brownies:
• 3 ounces unsweetened chocolate, finely chopped
• 4 tablespoons butter
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup Guinness Stout
• 4.5 ounces all-purpose flour (about 1 cup)
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Preparation

1. Place one rack in lower third of oven; place another rack in center of oven. Preheat oven to 350°.

2. To prepare Tan Brownies, place 6 tablespoons butter and brown sugar in a medium bowl; beat with a mixer at medium speed until light and fluffy. Beat in 2 eggs and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Weigh or lightly spoon 4.5 ounces (about 1 cup) flour into a dry measuring cup; level with a knife. Combine 4.5 ounces flour, baking powder, and 1/4 teaspoon salt, stirring well. Add flour mixture and pecans to sugar mixture, beating just until combined. Spoon into a 13 x 9–inch baking pan coated with cooking spray, spreading evenly with a knife or rubber spatula. Bake at 350° in lower third of oven for 15 minutes.

3. To prepare Black Brownies, melt chocolate and 4 tablespoons butter in a large microwave-safe bowl on HIGH for 1 minute or until melted, stirring after every 20 seconds until smooth. Add granulated sugar, stirring until well combined. Add 2 eggs, 1 teaspoon vanilla, and Guinness, stirring with a whisk until well combined. Weigh or lightly spoon 4.5 ounces (about 1 cup) flour into a dry measuring cup; level with a knife. Combine 4.5 ounces flour and 1/4 teaspoon salt, stirring well. Add flour mixture to chocolate mixture, stirring to combine. Pour mixture evenly over Tan Brownies.

4. Bake on the center rack at 350° for 25 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted into center comes out almost clean. Cool in pan on a wire rack; cut into squares.

Nutritional Information

Calories: 162

Fat: 7g (sat 3.4g,mono 2.4g,poly 0.7g)

Protein: 2.2g

Carbohydrate: 23.7g

Fiber: 0.8g

Cholesterol: 36mg

Iron: 1.2mg

Sodium: 87mg

Calcium: 29mg

Margaret M. Johnson, Cooking Light, MARCH 2010