Because corned beef and cabbage was on sale so incredibly CHEAP over the last week or so, our gang in the office decided to throw a little St. Patrick’s Day “pre-party” celebration of our own. We took advantage of the 97 cents per pound corned beef tip cuts deal at Foodland, as well as their “how can they make any money on that?” 17 cents per pound local head of cabbage. With that, we had a virtual Corned Beef ‘n Cabbage lunchtime FEAST for just a little over $2 per person between the five of us. Only 2 BUCKS! Sweet.
They say the highly marbleized cheaper point cuts, while having more flavor because of it, can sometimes be TOO fatty compared to the more expensive yet leaner flat cut. Thankfully with the thrifty tips we had chosen for this meal, the ratio of beef to fat was well in favor of beef, so the luck of the Irish was with us!
Diner C saved energy expense and time by precooking the corned beef in her pressure cooker at home, which only took 1 hour for 6 pounds of corned beef tips. Just an hour! This in comparison to the conventional method in a regular pot or dutch oven on the stovetop, which would have taken about 3 hours or more for the same amount. Or 6 hours or more in a slow cooker.
So that there is 6 pounds (a little less actually after cooking down) of fork tender corned beef tips. Notice next to it we have two types mustard: the classic yellow American Mustard and deli style spicy brown mustard. I prefer the spicy brown deli style for the added kick, but yellow works for me too.
And of course a pot full of tender cooked cabbage in the heavily seasoned broth from the corned beef….
Then the other very important part of this dish, the tender potatoes and carrots, which also have been cooked in the same pot with corned beef…
While personally the potatoes are enough starch for me with this dish, in Hawaii there’s always room for rice, and with that we had both white and brown rice joining the party…
Looks like the only thing missing is the Guinness Stout, but we’re “on the clock” so no having that.
Now let’s see how various folks chose to plate their Corned Beef and Cabbage…
Yes, that’s FURIKAKE sprinkled on the white rice there. Furikake Rice with Corned Beef and Cabbage? Only in Hawaii my friends. Only in Hawaii. lol Looks like this diner opted out of the carrots and potatoes.
Here this diner likes to SMOTHER their slabs (that’s really what they were) of Corned Beef with a huge pile of tasty cabbage piled over it…
Finally we have a fan of corned beef served with yellow mustard on it…
Another plating strategy…
This was my plate, where you see I’m experimenting (notice I like to do that?) by adding a Dill Pickle to the party…
The train of thought being that if a Dill Pickle goes great with a deli style Reuben Sandwich, it should work out well with this close relative of his. Did it work? Eh, not really. Perhaps a sweet dill pickle may have been better, but this one was too acidic and overpowered the corned beef. Notice I “gas” (pour a lot of) the Spicy Brown Deli Mustard. The way it brings out the complex seasonings and beefy flavor of the tender corned beef is so delicious. Whoever thought of pairing mustard with Corned Beef is a genius.
Notice I also put Furikake on my white rice just to see how it would match with the dish, and you know what? They paired with each other really well! I guess I shouldn’t be surprised about that, as L&L Hawaiian Barbecue (a.k.a. L&L Drive Inn) holds an annual St. Patrick’s Day Musubi Eating Contest, where the musubi has a slice of corned beef on it, while the rice is covered on all sides with green furikake to tie in with the holiday theme.
Looking at the way each of us served our own plate, this has me thinking: while I haven’t researched it online yet, I wonder if psychologists or scientists have ever studied human personality traits and the way that correlates to how individuals choose and plate their food in a kitchen or at a buffet line? The results of that study might turn out very interesting! On that note, my Teriyaki SPAM Macadamia Nut Ice Cream and now a Dill Pickle with my Corned Beef and Cabbage may indicated I’m a RISK TAKER. lol
What I do know is that sure was a lot of DELICIOUS food for a price that would make any Leprechaun be singin’ de’ luck of the Irish. 5 SPAM Musubi!
Well here’s to a Happy St. Patrick’s Day to all of you tomorrow. Hope you too enjoy your Corned Beef ‘n Cabbage feast!
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