La Verdad Taqueria, 1 Lansdowne St: Today is a great day for tacos, especially at La Verdad Taqueria. Chef Ken Oringer, recipient of the 2001 James Beard Award for “Best Chef in the Northeast,” is known for his flavorful Mexican food that draws a crowd.
Best Bite: After 5pm on Tuesdays, this Mexican joint serves up $1 tacos. This is not a drill.

Red Hat Café, 9 Bowdoin Street: A former speakeasy, the Red Hat is one of Boston’s oldest establishments, open for over 100 years. http://redhatboston.com/
Best Bite: Every Monday and Tuesday night, the Red Hat serves up 10-cent wings for your gastronomical delight.

Whiskey’s Steakhouse, 885 Boylston Street: From dirt-cheap brunch options to penny-pinching sandwiches, Whiskey’s never fails to deliver a meal to warm your heart and your wallet. http://www.whiskeysboston.com/
Best Bite: Every night from 11pm – 1:30am, 99-cent pizzas available at the bar. Seems to good to be true? I know… I know.

Grendel’s Den, 89 Winthrop Street: This Harvard Square staple is known for their half price menu. Every day from 5-7:30pm, every menu item is half off. http://www.grendelsden.com/
Best Bite: During half price hours, catch the Fish of the Day with your choice of two side dishes for $5.25.

Top Secret Sandwiches, 33A The Fish Pier: Way down at the end of the Fish Pier you will find Top Secret Sandwiches, a local-yokel joint frequented by the Fort Point lunch crowd. If you can find the closet of a sandwich shop, $5 will get you a huge sandwich that can easily feed two. http://www.topsecretsandwiches.com/
Best Bite: One of their most popular sandwiches is the Turkey Cuban on warm, crispy bread piled high with turkey, ham, Swiss, chipotle aioli and house made cole slaw.

Estragon, 700 Harrison Ave: From 5:00-7:00 Monday-Thursday, Estragon Tapas Bar serves up Tapas Blitz, or a whole menu of $1 tapas to spice up your life.
Best Bite: During Tapas Blitz, you can get warm patatas bravas (called “feisty fried potatoes”) or Serrano ham on tomato-garlic toast for $1.

Dumpling King, 42 Beach Street: One of the Chinatown favorites, Dumpling King serves up tasty dumplings for the broke college crowd. If you are a fan of at-home dumpling cooking, Dumpling King sells dirt-cheap dumplings from their kitchen – 1.5 pounds of dumplings for $3.50.
Best Bite: Soup, 10 dumplings, and a drink for $5. It does not get better than that.

So before you hop on over to the Prudential Center to empty your wallet on a $40 steak, check out one of these restaurants serving excellent fare for an excellent price.

What’s your favorite inexpensive bite in Boston?

1. Trident Booksellers & Café, 338 Newbury Street: Trident serves up delicious food every day until midnight, making it one of the best places for post-dinner dinner. Voted Boston’s Best Free Wifi, Trident is the perfect place to chow down and Facebook stalk on a Thursday night. Plus, they serve Lemon Ricotta French Toast on thick Challah Bread that will make your taste buds sing. http://tridentbookscafe.com/

2. A Sweet Idea: It’s 2am and you’re craving a delicious chewy chocolate chip indulgence. You pull out your phone and text your contact, Paul. In five minutes flat, Paul comes zipping around the corner on his bike with an orange jumpsuit on to deliver you mouth-watering cookies. You have just experienced A Sweet Idea. Former IBM Engineer John created a late-night cookie empire based out of bicycle baskets and is spreading like wildfire. So call, Tweet, or text A Sweet Idea for your Saturday night snickerdoodle hankering. http://getcooki.es/

3. Tasty Burger, 1301 Boylston Street: You can’t pass this burger joint without hearing Samuel L. Jackson’s line right before he kills that guy in Pulp Fiction: “Mmm, that IS a Tasty Burger.” Tasty Burger’s hours vary between locations: The Harvard Square location is open until 4am, while the Fenway location is only open until 2am. Either way, these cheap patties are sure to satisfy your late-night burger cravings. http://www.tastyburger.com/

4. Bova’s Bakery, 134 Salem Street: At the end of a small street in the North End lies the 24-hour  gem, Bova’s Bakery. For over 80 years, this family-owned bakery has offered homemade bread and pastries all day, every day. http://bovabakeryboston.com/

5. Saus, 33 Union Street: Possibly the two most beautiful words in the English language: Homemade Nutella. The perfect place to get away from the tourist trap of Faneuil Hall, Saus cranks out Belgian waffles and French fries until 2am served with a multitude of incredible homemade sauces. From the Green Monster sauce made with habaneros to the Bacon Parm sauce, Saus is the perfect place to eat frites until the sun comes up. http://www.eatfrites.com/

6. South Street Diner, 178 Kneeland Street: If you’re craving classic diner food, look no further than South Street Diner. Open 24 hours a day, this diner has been serving up favorites non-stop since 1947. www.southstreetdiner.com

7. The Parish Café, 361 Boylston Street: What happens when specialty sandwiches from the best chefs in Boston are served all in one place? Good things, that’s what. The Parish Café serves sandwiches until 1am, making it the perfect place for late-night food if you are looking for something more than hot wings and curly fries. http://www.parishcafe.com/

8. Spike’s Junkyard Dogs, 1076 Boylston Street: Although not everyone is sold on the merits of the hotdog as a food group, Spike’s Junkyard Dogs stand in a league of their own. With hearty toasted buns and 100% beef dogs topped with everything imaginable, the Spike dog is no ordinary hotdog. Open until 2am on weekends. http://www.spikesjunkyarddogs.com

9. Moody’s Falafel Palace, 25 Central Square: Located in a hole in the wall in Central Square, this local legend serves cheap and delicious Syrian food until 3am. Be sure to bring cash, though, as Moody’s accepts cards for orders over $25. http://www.falafelpalace.net

So whether you’re awake after an 8-hour chemistry study session or a long night of Mario Party and Cheez Doodles, the Knurd has you covered for a late-night bite.

Museum of Fine Arts (MFA)
465 Huntington Avenue, http://www.mfa.org
While many college students can visit the MFA for free (for a full list of colleges and universities in the University Membership Program, click here), Wednesday nights are pay what you wish after 4pm. This spring and summer, don’t miss the Japanese samurai armor exhibit, on display until August 4th.

Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum
280 The Fenway, http://www.gardnermuseum.org
This beautiful museum contains the personal collections of art patron, philanthropist, and proud Bostonian Isabella Stewart Gardner. College students with valid ID are admitted for $5, but anyone named Isabella gets in free for life.

Institute of Contemporary Art (ICA)
100 Northern Avenue, http://www.icaboston.org
Despite being a relatively small venue, there is never a dull moment at the ICA. On Thursday nights, the museum is open for free to the public from 5-9pm. During this time, visitors are able to take advantage of guided tours or take it all in at their leisure.

Harvard Museums of Art
32 Quincy Street, http://www.harvardartmuseums.org
Just across the bridge in Cambridge, soak up the culture at one of the Harvard Museums of Art. For Massachusetts residents, the museum is free every Saturday from 10am-noon. On May 8^th, the Harvard Museum of Art will be celebrating Art Museum Day with free admission to the Arthur M. Sackler Museum.

Boston Public Library
700 Boylston Street, http://www.bpl.org
The BPL, located conveniently in Copley Square, is a treasure trove of Boston history. Not just for afternoon study breaks, the Boston Public Library has free tours available every day of the week. For more museum fun, free or discounted museum passes to the ICA, MFA, Aquarium, Museum of Science, and more are available to Boston Public Library members.

So when you find yourself on your fifth episode of The Real Housewives of Orange County, stop and ask yourself, how did I get here? Then, get yourself to a museum. Your brain (and your wallet) will thank you.

The city may be hung over today with tragedy, loss and disbelief.  Yet, what makes us Americans, what makes us Bostonians, what makes us human is our capacity to overcome and get back to business.

There’s no question things will be different for a while.  But, the best route back to normal could very well be through a museum open house or hearing a band perform a new song or laughing at a cult movie or just rediscovering why you love this city.

Support local business.  Get out and have some fun.  Here’s to Boston.

Hopkinton: Never heard of it? We forgive you. Hopkinton is best known as the starting line of the Boston Marathon. Definitely a good place to experience the excitement of the marathon, but prepare yourself to be surrounded by thousands of your closest friends. Check out The Golden Spoon or Hopkinton Gourmet for a mid-day meal, but be ready to wait; most of the restaurants in Hopkinton will be packed on marathon day.

Kenmore Square: Kenmore is a hub for marathon action. Careful, though — the annual Red Sox game ends around 1:30 and will leave Kenmore packed with rowdy crowds. So if you are looking for a calmer viewing experience, avoid Kenmore like the plague.  For lunch, meander down Comm. Ave and grab a bite at Noodle Street or Cornwall’s.

Beacon Street: Beacon Street, especially around the Fenway T station, is a prime spot for marathon activities. Rowdy but with plenty of places to stand and watch the action, students from across the Fenway area come out in droves to watch the marathon. If you’re looking for a cheap and delicious bite on marathon day, try a mushroom, tomato, and spinach crepe from Crispy Crepes Café on A Park Drive.

Copley Square: The designated post-marathon station, Copley isn’t the best place to watch the actual race, but it’s great for watching exhausted runners drink gallons of water and regain their grip on reality. Every year, John Hancock sets up a huge video monitor by the Boston Public Library so you won’t miss a second of the action. Flour Bakery and Café on Clarendon Street is the perfect place to get away from the crowds and grab a cup of coffee or one of Flour’s famous sticky buns.

Coolidge Corner: Lively but not packed like Kenmore, Coolidge Corner is a long stretch at the 24-mile point of the race. The area is lively on Marathon Day and full of restaurants so you can watch humans at the peak of athletic ability while wolfing down a double-high cheeseburger and onion rings at the Coolidge Corner Clubhouse.

On the big day, just remember that you can’t see everything – so don’t worry about getting the best spot by the finish line, or standing at the front of the crowd when the race begins. Just grab some friends, stake out a spot, and watch whatever you can. The energy of the city on race day is enough to make it memorable and exciting.

Wicked Witch or C3PO‘s legs peeking out of your pages.

It’ll look like you spilled something all over your book with this liquid bookmark.

And, then a design that tugs at our heart and our eyeballs.

Check out our other knurdy product reviews here.

My old haunts are gone, and I need a book.  I need to spend hours rifling through the yellowed pages of well-loved tomes that reside on hand-labeled bookshelves grouped in made-up categories, in order to find that book (or more likely backpack full of books).  I need to breathe in the leather-bound air and find a quiet corner to discover a new author while acquainting myself with the resident cat.  I don’t just need a book…I need a bookstore.

Sadly, the less-than-noble chain bookseller that remains has all but overtaken the small independent booksellers, but Boston has a few strong holdouts, and I have set out to explore all of them.  Any of these independent booksellers is worthy of an afternoon bookstore crawl:

1. Brattle Book Store, 9 West St Boston, http://www.brattlebookshop.com
The Brattle has existed as Boston’s oldest and largest used bookstore for nearly 200 years.  Located on the edge of Downtown Crossing,  Brattle Book Store has three stories of used books that spill out into the adjacent outdoor sale lot.  The outdoor lot generally has the best deals, while the first two floors have the better selection.  The third floor houses rare books for the serious collector.  It’s a good thing for me they are closed on Sundays, or I would easily spend twice as much time (and money) there.

2.  Trident Bookseller’s & Cafe, 338 Newbury St Boston, http://tridentbookscafe.com/
If you are in the mood for something new and noteworthy, but not necessarily mainstream, Trident is the place to go.  The new-age bookstore and cafe has anchored Newbury St for nearly thirty years.  The cafe is a great place to relax with a magazine or meet friends while enjoying a latte or smoothie and a meal, and you can get plenty of work done in the wi-fi enabled space.  The newly added second floor offers additional seating and even more books, and the outdoor patio will be opening soon.

3.  Brookline Booksmith, 279 Harvard St Brookline, http://www.brooklinebooksmith.com/
Coolidge Corner has the best of both book worlds at the Booksmith, with a main level dedicated to new books, and a basement full of used books.  I recently purchased a signed copy of Jasper Fforde’s latest book here, while also scoring a second edition cookbook by Julia Child downstairs.  Brookline Booksmith hosts numerous author events every month, some of which are so popular they have to book them at the Coolidge Corner Theatre across the street.  Check the website to see if one of your favorite authors is coming soon!

4.  The Harvard Book Store, 1256 Mass Ave Cambridge, http://www.harvard.com/
Not to be confused with the Coop, the Harvard Book Store is an independent, locally-owned seller of new and used books.  I’ve lost hours in the basement pouring through the used books before heading back upstairs to see what’s new.  The staff is super-friendly and very helpful.  If you can’t remember the title or author of the book you’re looking for, simply give someone your best vague recollection and someone will have read it and will find it for you.  Harvard Book Store is also known for its author events, which are often sold out.  Can’t make it to the store?  Order online and have your books delivered by one of their bicycle couriers.  Ask them about the book-making robot that will print books on demand from its growing selection of more than five million titles. Harvard Book Store will get you your reading material one way or another.

5.  Barbara’s Bestsellers, 720 Atlantic Ave Boston, http://www.barbarasbookstore.com/stores/boston
Chicago’s best bookseller has one foot in Boston’s South Station, servicing our daily commute.  Whenever I am in South Station I can’t help but walk around and through the central island that is Barbara’s to see what they have in stock, and I always find something to read on the train.  The selection is surprisingly good for a stack of shelves that you may dismiss as just another kiosk.

6.  Ars Libri Ltd, 500 Harrison Ave Boston, http://arslibri.com/
Nestled amongst the South End’s SOWA art galleries is the largest collection of rare and out of print art books in the country.  If you are an artist, an art lover, or happen to be checking out an Open Studio or First Friday in the SOWA, you will appreciate the quantity and quality of art-related publications here.  Ars Libri is a short walk down Clarendon St from Back Bay Station to Harrison.

7.  Comicopia, 464 Comm. Ave Boston, http://www.comicopia.com/
If books of a more graphic nature are your interest, this comic book store located in Kenmore Square features several thousand trade paperbacks, and houses the largest Manga collection in New England.  Comicopia takes pride in its selection of “highbrow, lowbrow… and everything in between.”  Check the website on weekends or stop in Wednesdays at 11AM to see what’s new each week.

8.  Rodney’s Bookstore, 698 Mass. Ave Cambridge, http://www.rodneysbookstore.com/
Every major intersection in Boston (and Cambridge and Brookline) has developed its own micro-neighborhood, each with its own unique characteristics and flair.  Central Square is quickly becoming my new favorite junction, and Rodney’s is one reason I keep going back to this particular stop on the Red Line.  In addition to an outstanding collection of hard to find books, they have a large library of posters that can be printed on demand with their high quality poster printer.  If their selection doesn’t suit you, order your own custom poster.

9.  Porter Square Books, 25 White St Cambridge, http://www.portersquarebooks.com/
If there is any neighborhood that won’t let go of  its independent book store, its Porter Square.  Directly across from the T and Commuter Rail stop, Porter Square Books maintains a strong connection to the community and to print.  But it also knows how to evolve with the changing media formats, and offers ebooks as well as readers.

10.  Raven Used Books, 52-B JFK St Cambridge & 263 Newbury St Boston,  http://ravencambridge.com/
This used bookseller has been so popular in its Harvard Square location that they were able to expand to Newbury St at a time when most bookstores were closing or shifting their businesses online.  Raven’s inventory moves quickly, so check in regularly.

11.  Commonwealth Books, 9 Spring Lane & 2 Milk St Boston, http://www.commonwealthbooks.com/
As you walk the Freedom Trail through Downtown Crossing you will invariably come across Commonwealth Books.  Their catalogue includes books on art, history, philosophy, and literature, as well as old maps and prints.  Conveniently open seven days a week, Commonwealth Books is a welcome reprieve from the heavy traffic of tourists and shoppers along Washington St.

12.  Pandemonium Books & Games, 4 Pleasant St Cambridge, http://www.pandemoniumbooks.com/
Another gem of a Bookstore in Central Square, Pandemonium offers all manner of science fiction, fantasy, and horror books, and hosts a number of gaming events every night of the week.  Like their facebook page to get the most up-to-the-minute information.

13.  Lorem Ipsum Books, 1299 Cambridge St Cambridge, http://www.loremipsumbooks.com/
Lorem Ipsum Books won Dig Boston’s Best Bookstore Award for 2010 and 2011, and now it is in danger of closing.  Support this local bookstore with a visit to their online shop, or better yet, come in and play with the chicken machine before picking up your next good read.  Inman Square is only a 10-15 minute walk from Central Square straight up Prospect St.

14.  The Book Shop, 694 Broadway Somerville, http://www.bookshopsomerville.com
An unassuming used book store next to Tufts main campus, The Book Shop carries CDs and DVDs alongside their vast assortment of gently used books.  And the negotiation table is open to trade.  The Book Shop is about a 15 minute walk from Davis Square, north up College Ave and right on Broadway.

15.  Bryn Mawr, 373 Huron Ave Cambridge, http://www.usedbooksboston.com
Bryn Mawr bookstore was founded by alumni of Bryn Mawr College to raise money for future college scholarships.  All of their 30,000+ books have been donated.  This book store is only a 10 minute walk from Harvard’s main campus, less than twenty minutes from Harvard Square.

Looking for more hangouts in Boston?  Check out the Knurd’s list of Boston’s top 20 coffee houses.

Like what you’re reading, bookface?  Like the Knurd on facebook.

St. Patrick’s Day Menu
(Click on any menu item to jump directly to the recipe).

Bread
Irish Soda Bread

Breakfast
Black and White Puddings, Fried Eggs, and Boxty
or
Irish Steel-Cut Oatmeal

Lunch
Shepherd’s Pie
or
Fish Fingers with Colcannon

Dinner
Irish Stew with Beef or Lamb
or
Corned Beef and Cabbage

Dessert
Glazed Irish Tea Cake

Irish Soda Bread:  (Return to Top)
This bread is easy to make, and perfect for spreading butter and jam, or sopping up the gravy in Irish stew.  Adapted from James Beard:

Ingredients:
4 cups all-purpose flour
1 Tblsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 1/2 cups buttermilk

Directions:
Heat oven to 450 degrees. In a large bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients. Make a well in the center and pour in the buttermilk. Mix with a wooden spoon until the dough comes together. Knead the dough with your hands until velvety and smooth, then shape into a round ball. Place it in a buttered 8″ cake pan, and cut a long, deep X in the center of the dough. Bake for 15 minutes, then lower the temp to 400 degrees, and continue to bake until the top is golden brown and the bottom of the bread sounds hollow when tapped, about 30 minutes longer. Serve warm.

Black and White Puddings, Fried Eggs, and Boxty (potato pancake):  (Return to Top)
This is the Irish breakfast of champions. Black pudding and white pudding are actually sausages. I tried them in Dublin years ago and fell in love. Simply slice and fry. Try to obtain them from your local butcher. If you can’t get them, ask for some Irish bacon instead, which is cut from the back of the pig instead of the belly. As for the eggs, prepare those however you like. Boxty is a potato pancake. I use the same recipe found on chow.com:

Boxty:
Ingredients:
2 pounds (3 to 4 large) Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled
3/4 cup whole milk
1 1/4 teaspoons fine salt, plus more for seasoning the potatoes before cooking
1 large egg
1/3 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 to 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into small pieces

Directions:
Heat the oven to 200°F.  Chop half of the potatoes into large dice, place in a medium saucepan, salt generously, and cover with cold water by 1 inch.  Bring to a boil over high heat, reduce the heat to low, and simmer the potatoes uncovered until fork tender, about 8 minutes.  Meanwhile, grate the remaining potatoes on the large holes of a box grater.  Toss with 1/4 teaspoon of the salt and place in a fine mesh strainer set over a medium bowl; set aside.  When the boiled potatoes are ready, drain them, return them to the pot, add 1/4 cup of the milk, and mash until the potatoes are smooth.  With a plastic spatula, press the grated potatoes against the sides and bottom of the strainer to remove any liquid.  Add the grated potatoes to the mashed potatoes (no need to stir though).  Place the egg, remaining 1/2 cup milk, flour, pepper, and remaining 1 teaspoon salt in a large bowl and whisk until smooth, about 10 seconds.  Add the potatoes and stir until evenly incorporated.  Heat a large nonstick frying pan or griddle over medium heat. Test to see if the pan is hot enough by sprinkling a couple of drops of cold water in it: If the water bounces and sputters, the pan is ready to use; if it evaporates instantly, the pan is too hot.  Once the pan is ready, add enough butter to lightly coat the bottom when melted. Drop 3 dollops (about 1/4 cup each) of the batter into the pan and spread each to about 1/4 inch thick. Cook until the pancake bottoms are golden brown, about 4 to 5 minutes. Flip and cook the other side until golden brown, about 4 to 5 minutes more. Place on a baking sheet and set in the oven to keep warm. Repeat with the remaining butter and batter. Serve warm.

Irish Steel-Cut Oatmeal:  (Return to Top)
Despite the package labels, I’m not convinced that steel-cut oats are any healthier for you than the rolled variety, but I do love the chewy texture and slightly nutty flavor. Save your money and bypass the name-brand varieties; there is no distinguishable difference that I can tell from the cheaper store brand. This oatmeal cooks with 1 part oats to 4 parts water, and you do have to stir it often for about twenty minutes or it will stick. Twice as much water means twice the cooking time compared to rolled oats, but instant versions of steel-cut oats are now available if you want to take the shortcut. I like to add brown sugar, honey, maple syrup, or agave to the boiling water to sweeten the pot, and top it with blueberries.

Shepherd’s Pie:  (Return to Top)
Shepherd’s Pie is my all-time favorite Irish meal, and I make it often in the winter. You can prepare this casserole the day before and keep it in the refrigerator until you are ready to bake. A great choice for lunch or dinner, and the leftovers are even better the next day. Adapted from Gordon Ramsey:

Ingredients:
5-6 large potatoes (any kind works but I prefer Yukon Gold)
1/3 cup heavy cream
8 Tblsp (1 stick) butter, room temperature
2 Tblsp olive oil
4 cloves minced garlic (or just a big scoop from the jar)
1 ½ lbs ground beef
1 large carrot, grated
1 large onion, grated
fresh rosemary
fresh thyme
salt
pepper
Worcestershire sauce (several splashes)
1 small can tomato paste
16 oz (1 bag frozen corn)

Directions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees (unless you plan to bake it the next day). Peel and cut the potatoes into large dice, place in a medium saucepan, salt generously, and cover with cold water by 1 inch. Bring to a boil over high heat, reduce the heat to low, and simmer the potatoes uncovered until fork tender, 12-15 minutes. When the potatoes are ready, drain them in a colander. Melt the butter and heavy cream in the same pot (do not boil the cream), return the potatoes to the pot, and mash until the potatoes are smooth. Set aside. Heat olive oil in a large skillet on medium high heat, add garlic, stir a few seconds, and add ground beef. Stir meat for a few minutes until browned and broken into very small pieces. Add the rosemary, thyme, carrot, and onion, and stir to mix thoroughly. Add the Worcestershire sauce, stir, then add the tomato paste. Stir to thoroughly to combine all ingredients. Transfer the meat mixture to a large casserole dish and spread into an even layer. Sprinkle half the bag of frozen corn over the meat. In a separate bowl combine about 1/3 mashed potato with the remaining half of the frozen corn and mix well. Spread this mix evenly over the casserole. Spread the remaining mashed potatoes on top. At this point you can allow it to cool completely, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for later. Otherwise, bake at 400 degrees for 25-30 minutes (longer if it was refrigerated) to brown the potatoes. Remove from oven and let it rest about 10 minutes before cutting.

Fish Fingers with Colcannon:  (Return to Top)
This is basically Fish & Chips with a twist.  The Fish Fingers are my own basic version, and the Colcannon comes from Elise at Simply Recipes:

Fish Fingers:

Ingredients:
Fish fillets – use any firm white fish, such as haddock, cod, or sole
milk
flour
salt
pepper
Old Bay seasoning
vegetable oil

Directions:
Cut the fillets into finger-length strips. Season with a sprinkling of salt, pepper, and Old Bay seasoning. Add vegetable oil to your Dutch oven or deep skillet to 3/4 – 1″ deep and heat on medium-high heat. While that heats up, set up a shallow bowl of milk and a plate of flour. When the oil is good and hot, dip the fish fillets (one at a time) in the milk, then dredge in flour. Using tongs, carefully drop them into the oil. Fry until golden brown, about a minute or so per side. Remove from oil and set to rest for a minute or so on a brown paper bag. Serve immediately with lemon wedge.

Colcannon:
Colcannon is mashed potatoes with kale or other green, leafy vegetable added to it.

Ingredients:
4 potatoes (2 to 2 1/2 pounds), peeled and cut into large chunks
Salt
6 Tbsp unsalted butter (with more butter for serving)
3  cups of chopped kale, cabbage, spinach, chard, or other leafy green
3 green onions (including the green part), minced (about 1/2 cup)
1 cup cream

Directions:
Put the potatoes in a medium pot and cover with cold water by at least an inch. Add salt, and bring to a boil. Boil until the potatoes are fork tender (about 15 minutes). Drain in a colander. Return the pot to the stove and set over medium heat. Melt the butter in the pot and once it’s hot, add the chopped greens. Cook the greens for a few minutes, or until they are wilted and have given off some of their water. Add the green onions and cook 1 minute more. Pour in the cream, mix well to warm it, and remove from heat. Add the potatoes and mash, mixing them up with the greens. Add salt to taste and serve hot, with a pat of softened butter in the center.

Irish Stew with Beef or Lamb:  (Return to Top)
You can let this stew simmer for a few hours on the stove, or set it up in the crock pot before heading out to the parade, and have a hearty meal waiting for you when you get back. This recipe is my own version of the traditional Irish staple.

Ingredients:
4 Tblsp all-purpose flour
8 Tblsp butter (1 stick – cut it in half)
salt
pepper
1 1/2 lbs lamb or beef stew meat, cut into 1-inch cubes
Worcestershire saauce
3-4 cups low-sodium beef broth
3 medium carrots, cut into 1-inch pieces
3 large potatoes, peeled and cubed
2 small onions, peeled and cut into wedges

Directions:
Season the meat cubes with salt and pepper. Melt 4 Tblsp (1/2 stick) butter in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Brown the meat on all sides in the butter and splash a little Worcestershire sauce in there for good measure. Lower the heat a bit and add the remaining ½ stick of butter. When melted, add the flour 1 Tblsp at a time, stirring quickly until thoroughly combined with the butter and brown bits on the bottom. (If using a crock pot, transfer the meat to the crock, add the remaining ingredients , and cook on low 8-10 hours or high 4-5 hours) Add the onions, carrots, potatoes and enough broth to just cover everything. Give it a stir and reduce the heat to low. Cover and simmer at least an hour and a half.

Corned Beef and Cabbage:  (Return to Top)
While the Irish are quick to point out that Corned Beef and Cabbage is not a staple of Ireland, Americans will always associate this dish with St. Patrick’s Day. My version, which is also commonly referred to as New England Boiled Dinner, includes beets as a side dish.  There are many similar versions of this recipe online; this is the way my dad has always made it.

Ingredients:
4-6 lbs corned beef
peppercorns (a palmful)
mustard seed (a handful)
1 bay leaf
2 lbs (6-8) 8 small beets
olive oil
2 turnips, cut into pieces
3 lbs baby potatoes
4-5 carrots, cut into 2” pieces
2 medium onions, cut into wedges
1 head cabbage, cut into 6-8wedges

Directions:
Place the corned beef (and seasonings, if it came with one of those little packets) in your largest, deepest stock pot (at least a 12qt pot), and add enough water to cover the meat with a few inches on top. Cover and simmer for one hour, skimming off any foam that forms on top. Pour off the water, replace with the same amount of new water, and bring back to a low boil. Add the peppercorns, mustard seeds, and bay leaf. Cover and simmer 2-3 hours longer, until the meat is tender. Meanwhile, put the beets onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, lightly coat them with olive oil, sprinkle a little salt, and roast for at least an hour at 400 deg. When the beets are fork-tender, set aside to cool. When they are cool to the touch, peel the beets and slice them for serving. Getting back to the stove top, when the meat is very tender, add the turnips, potatoes, carrots, and onions and bring to a fast boil. Reduce the heat again, cover and simmer 15-20 minutes. At this point you can take out the corned beef to rest on a platter for 15 minutes before cutting. Add the cabbage, cover and simmer another 15-20 minutes. Using a slotted-spoon, scoop the vegetables out of the stock pot, drain well, and arrange around the corned beef.  Serve with stone-ground mustard to spread on the corned beef.

Glazed Irish Tea Cake:  (Return to Top)
Many desserts are called Irish, but really they are just regular desserts drowning in whiskey or liqueurs. This light tea cake is authentically Irish and won’t lower your inhibitions. You can make this one in advance too. From Spike & Jamie:

Ingredents:
3/4 cup butter, room temperature
1 cup sugar
2 tsp pure vanilla extract
2 eggs
3 oz cream cheese, room temperature
1 3/4 cups cake flour
1 1/4 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup dried currants or dates (optional)
2/3 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup powdered sugar, sifted
2 tsp fresh-squeezed lemon juice

Directions:
Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Generously grease and flour a 9-inch loaf pan or cake round. Cut a piece of parchment paper to fit bottom of pan, and grease and flour the paper as well. Set aside.
Either with a stand mixer or a handheld mixer and large bowl, cream the butter, sugar and vanilla until fluffy, 3-5 minutes. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating each until fluffy. Add cream cheese. Mix until well combined. Sift the flour, baking powder, and salt together. Put the currants (or dates) in a small bowl. Add 1/4 cup of flour mixture to the currants and stir until well coated. Add 1/3 the remaining flour to the batter and mix. Add 1/3 cup buttermilk and mix. Add another third of the flour mixture and mix, followed with the remaining buttermilk. Add the rest of the flour. Mix until smooth. Use a wooden spoon to stir in the currants and flour mix. Stir until well combined. Transfer the batter to the prepared pan. Smooth surface with spatula. Bake until golden-brown and toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 75-90 minutes, depending on the size and shape of the pan (a loaf pan will take a little longer to cook than a cake round). The cake will crack on top. Let the cake rest in the pan for 10 minutes. Tap the sides of the pan (you may need to run a knife around the edges) and carefully remove the cake from the pan to a cooling rack with parchment paper UNDER the rack. Drizzle the glaze over the warm cake. Let the cake cool completely. This cake will store 3 days at room temperature wrapped in foil. Cake can also be frozen up to 3 months, wrapped airtight.

Movie Suggestions :  (Return to Top)
As promised, here’s a list of my favorite Irish movies to add to your NetFlix queue. I’d love to know which one you like best, or if your favorite Irish movie needs to be added to the list. Erin Go Bragh!

My Left Foot
In the Name of the Father
The Departed
The Quiet Man
Michael Collins
Waking Ned Devine
The Boxer
The Secret of Roan Inish
Far and Away
Once
The General
The Devil’s Own
Some Mother’s Son
Hunger
In America
Boondock Saints
Brigadoon
Darby O’Gill and the Little People
The Secret of Kells
They Crying Game
The Field
The Commitments

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For those of us looking for alternatives to all that “fun,” it’s easy to feel left out of the festivities.  Well, fear not, lassies and laddies.  We at the Knurd understand, and have put together this list of events especially designed to help you have fun that you will remember – but not regret – at the top o’ the morning.

With so many activities from which to choose, you have no excuse not to don your green garb and indulge in your own Knurdy brand of Irish pride.

Wednesday night offers a Southie-based movie, music, dancing, or stargazing.

The Hillary Reynolds Band / Hannah Christianson / Sarah Walk @ Red Room @ Cafe 939
West Coast Swing @ Fire and Ice
Stargazing @ BU Open Night @ Coit Observatory (weather permitting)
The Departed @ The Brattle Theatre

On Thursday night, attend an art museum, take an urban planning tour, and learn about farm shares in Cambridge, all for FREE.  Afterward, you have plenty of time to catch a comedy show or live performances at Boston Conservatory, BC, or the Red Room.

Graduate Showcase @ Boston Conservatory
Dominic Florio / Vince Cannady / Hana @ Red Room @ Cafe 939
Awkward Compliment Comedy Show
Urban Planning LED Tour
Farm Share Fair
Gaelic Roots Presents Matt Cranitch and Jackie Daly @ BC
Free ICA Admission

Friday has free IMAX movies all day at the Museum of Science, followed by dancing, music, or your choice of movie in either Coolidge Corner or Harvard Square.

Free Films Friday @ Museum of Science IMAX
Dance Friday @ UU Cambridge
Mount Moriah / Blessed Feathers @ Red Room @ Cafe 939
Repo Man @ Coolidge Corner Theater
Ninotchka @ The Brattle Theater

Get up early on Saturday for a morning waterfront cruise and free dance performance.  Or stay up late Saturday night with an old-school sock hop, spoken word festival and midnight cult classic.

Greene-O’Leary School of Irish Dancing @ JFK Library
Working Port of Boston Cruise
Irish Heritage Trail
Repo Man @ Coolidge Corner Theater
Circus Sock Hop
Spoken Word Festival

Sunday brings us to the St. Paddy’s Day parade in Southie, performances around Faneuil Hall, and a movie in Harvard Square.

St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Southie
St. Patrick’s Day Performances @ Faneuil Hall Marketplace
The Shop Around the Corner @ The Brattle Theater

Ongoing events like the flower show at the Seaport and a variety of plays around the city can be worked into your schedule any day this week.  Explore Boston’s Irish Heritage Trail or stop by the Visitor Center on Boston Common for a guided tour.

Irish Heritage Trail
A Raisin in the Sun @ BU Theatre
Operation Epsilon @ Central Sq Theatre
Boston Flower and Garden Show @ World Trade Center
Frank McCourt’s The Irish… and How They Got That Way @ Davis Sq Theatre
Or, visit one of Boston’s top 20 coffee houses

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