St. Patrick's Day Corned Beef and Cabbage and Left-over soup

St. Patrick's Day Corned Beef and Cabbage (Makes 4 servings)

1- 3-4 pound corned beef brisket
Water
2 1/2 pounds yukon gold potatoes
1- Head of green cabbage
4-5 carrots

Believe it or not - thats it.  Now for some finessing.

Get a BIG POT, you want something that everything will fit in.
Place the brisket in the bottom of the pot and add water to cover by 2 inches.
Bring to a boil then lower heat to a simmer.  Simmer for 2 1/2 hours, adding water if necessary to keep it covered.
While brisket is cooking, quarter the potatoes, slice the carrots into 4 inch pieces and quarter the cabbage.
Once the brisket has cooked for 2 1/2 hours place the cabbage on top of the brisket, then the carrots on top of the cabbage and lastly the potatoes.  Add just enough water so everyone is covered.  Continue cooking on a simmer for 30 minutes.  Check to make sure cabbage is cooked if it is still too firm let it go another 10 minutes.
Remove potatoes, carrots and cabbage to a large serving platter and cover with foil.  Remove brisket and let sit for 5 minutes before slicing against the meat grain in 1/4 inch thick slices.

Enjoy this Irish classic anytime.  The best part?  Leftovers! 
Corned beef makes a great sandwich, hash or soup. 

Left-over Corned Beef and Cabbage soup-
1 medium onion - diced
2 stalks celery - diced
1 Tbsp butter
3 cups beef stock or broth
3/4 cup quick cooking barley
1/2 pound corned beef - cut into strips
3-4 left over potatoes - chopped
2 left over carrots - chopped
1/4 head left over green cabbage - chopped

Saute onion and celery in butter until softened.  Add beef stock, 2 cups water, and barley.  Cover and bring to a boil.  Uncover reduce heat to medium low and simmer until barley is tender.  About 15 minutes.  Gently stir in corned beef, potatoes, carrots and cabbage.  Continue cooking 10 minutes.  Serve pipping hot. 

Enjoy!