The luck of the Irish has long been associated with the wearing of green. My mother is a professional artist. Truly, before I learned to properly use silverware, she taught me how to mix colors on an artist’s palette.

When mixing colors, yellow and blue make green. I like to look at it as combining a beautiful yellow sunrise with the glorious blue of water to create the “lucky” green color.

Food can be attractively colored green, too. A fine Irish celebration would be highlighted with a Crème de Menthe flavored crown mold dessert. It is refreshing and it has a stunning design. Don’t forget an Irish toast to life. So, from our table to yours, may I recommend, “May your canary yellow sunrises sing the praises of those you hold dear to the depths of your royal blue trust to make the luckiest of spring green cheerful family & friends.” (Please remember that the person making the toast should hold their glass in the their left hand, nearest their heart.) Enjoy the St. Patrick’s celebration! Kelly McBride Loft

Spring Green Lucky Menthe Mold

Prepare a crown mold.
Combine in a sauce pan (wait to heat):
½ cup of sugar
Pinch of salt

In a bowl combine:
1 – 12 fl. oz. can evaporated milk
2 pk. unflavored gelatin (dissolved in 1/4 cup of the evaporated milk)

Add the milk and the dissolved unflavored gelatin to the sugar mixture that is in the sauce pan. Heat until just boiling. Quick chill the mixture but don’t allow the gelatin to set firm until the other ingredients are added.

Mix in a mixer 1/2 cup of Crème de Menthe (which is an alcoholic beverage) combined with 1 cup of sweetened coconut milk. Add this to the chilled mixture before the gelatin sets and pour into a crown mold. Serve completely chilled and plated with the “crown” unmolded.