Those who like to cook don’t wait for a holiday to bring out the big guns, and many of the folks associated with Plummelo tend to find any excuse for celebration, whether a regular Wednesday or a nationally celebrated holiday.

Two of our more Irish-inclined guest bloggers are planning a bit of a food extravaganza for St. Patrick’s Day. It has everything to do with fun and flavor, and not a lot to do with luck.

Robin Horrigan, guest blogger

Our house is covered with shamrocks and the local leprechauns have been getting into a lot of mischief. The head leprechaun in charge, ahem, that’s me, is planning a fun feast for dinner on the 17th.

My husband and I both love hearty Irish cuisine and always find March to be the perfect, blustery month to enjoy it. This week we roasted pre-seasoned lamb chops from Whole Foods and made Martha Stewart’s recipe for colcannon, the traditional Irish potato & cabbage casserole, to complement the meal. Tomorrow I am starting the day by baking Irish Soda Bread to go with Beef & Guinness Stew, and we’re finishing off with the Hot Nutty Irishman, an Irish coffee drink with Frangelico, Kahlua, Baileys and whipped cream while we snuggle up to watch one of our favorite movies, “Waking Ned Devine.” All leprechauns invited!

Julie Hallinan, guest blogger

I am not Irish, but my last name certainly is. I decided that was reason enough to cook corned beef and cabbage for the first time in my life, coupled with the fact that we have a special guest for dinner tonight. I found an easy corned beef, cabbage, carrot and potato recipe to prepare in the slow cooker–similar to this one. I can smell it now, fragrant after simmering all day. (Good thing I like cabbage.) Stay tuned for the reviews.

And don’t forget the Chocolate Guinness Cupcakes topped with “frothy” Baileys Irish Cream [cheese] frosting!