Happy Saint Patrick's Day 2011 - Beef Brisket slow cooked in Guinness

I really enjoy cooking using the Slow pot/Crock pot.  I find it very convenient if I have been working for the day to come home to food all ready and waiting to be dished out.  It is an economical way of cooking taking into account ingredients and fuel.  This meal is ideal for a Saint Patricks Day Celebration.  It makes a rich, hearty pot roast, using a relatively cheap cut of meat that is cooked in a way to make it tender and succulent.  It also makes use of healthy pulses, barley and lentils and whatever seasonal root vegetables you have to hand.  The only liquid added to the pot is a large can,or bottle of Guinness.  It is always nice to have some extra Guinness to slurp your merry way along. 

Ingredients

1 joint of Brisket
2 or three large carrots/peeled and chunked
half a swede/peeled and chunked
2 onions or leeks/ washed/ peeled and sliced
1 parsnip/peeled and chunked
1turnip/peeled and chunked
2 sticks of celery/washed and sliced (or any combination of vegetables you like or have to hand)
2 to 3 oz of pearl barley
2 to 3 oz of lentils Green or red
1 large can or bottle of Guinness
Salt/ Pepper and herbs to your taste. 

Method

Place all the ingredients into the slow pot, and cook on high for approximately 5 hours, or on medium for about 7 hours.  I use a gravy thickener just before serving if necessary.  Serve with roast or mashed potatoes or crusty bread.

Top of the Mornin to ye.
I will leave you with a some traditional Irish blessings...

May there always be work for your hands to do.
May your purse always hold a coin or two.
May the sun always shine on your windowpane.
May a rainbow be certain to follow each rain.
May the hand of a friend always be near you.
May God fill your heart with gladness to cheer you.


Bless those minding cattle,
And those minding sheep,
And those fishing the sea
While the rest of us sleep.


“May you never forget what is worth remembering, nor ever remember what is best forgotten”

    “May the saddest day of your future be no worse than the happiest day of your past”

May your troubles be as few and as far apart
as my Grandmothers teeth.