Cooking Class - St. Patrick's Day Version

I have some pictures to share with you from last week's cooking class.  Since class was the day prior to St. Patrick's Day, we decided to dress in traditional St. Patrick's Day garb:

and to cook something "Irish". 

None of us were interested in boiling cabbage for hours, not to mention the stench in the house, so we opted for Shepherd's Pie (aka Cottage Pie). 

Marilyn Monroe was our hostess, and she spoiled us with fancy Irish blend cheeses and beer from "across the pond":

(i couldn't determine which cheese i liked best.  they were both DELISH!)

And Irish beer:

(i wasn't a fan of the Murphy's Stout.  blech!)

We also had a SPECIAL GUEST join our cooking class last week.  Have you any idea who it could be? 

It was mrs. mfc, of course :)

(Daisy, mrs.mfc, Marilyn Monroe & me)

Marilyn Monroe had been to a local Irish Pub here in Smalltown, VA recently, and she made an appetizer for us like she had tried there.  Bagel chips, sliced hard boiled egg, chopped onion, capers, Neufchatel and smoked salmon.  We took a bagel chip and put a bit of everything on it.  Mmmmmm.... is all I have to say about that :)

Then, it was time to get down to business with the Shepherd's Pie!

(Daisy slicing garlic)

(Marilyn Monroe chopping mushrooms)

(what fabulous TEAMWORK!)

(Marilyn Monroe chopping onions)

(me stirring the filling - ground beef, onions, garlic, mushrooms and veggies)

(a wee bit of flour to thicken up the filling)

(into the casserole it goes!)

(Marilyn Monroe purchased these Kroger brand mashed potatoes so that we would save some time)

(ready to go into the oven)

(Daisy made some Irish Soda Bread for us to enjoy with our pie.  Mmmmm...)

(So bubbly and delicious!)

(time to open a bottle of wine and enjoy :)

And for dessert:

(CUPCAKES!!!)

Thank you Marilyn Monroe for yet another successful cooking class.  Even though Spring is here (it's going to be 72 degrees today in Smalltown, VA) I really do want to make this again before summer.  It was relatively easy, and soooo good!

If you want the recipe just message me.

T