Throw a Shamrockin' party

Mint chocolate chip cookies.

It doesn't take the luck o' the Irish to throw a great St Patrick's Day party. These tips and recipes will help you throw a festive celebration you'll enjoy as much as your guests - including make-ahead corned beef and a minty-green cookie recipe both adults and little leprechauns will love.

SLOW COOKER CORNED BEEF and CABBAGE

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 8 hours
Servings: 12

INGREDIENTS

8 small red potatoes
2 cups baby carrots
1 small onion, quartered
1 corned beef brisket (2kg), rinsed and trimmed
2 Tbsp pickling spice
1 tsp minced garlic
1/2 head cabbage, cored and cut into wedges

METHOD

Place potatoes, carrots and onion in slow cooker. Place corned beef brisket over vegetables. Sprinkle with pickling spice and minced garlic. Add enough water (about 8 cups) to just cover meat. Cover.

Cook 7 hours on high. Add cabbage. Cover. Cook 1 to 2 hours on high or until cabbage is tender-crisp.

Remove corned beef brisket to serving platter. Slice thinly across grain. Serve with vegetables.

SAVORY IRISH CHEESE SODA BREAD

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 40 minutes
Servings: 12

INGREDIENTS

2 & 1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup sugar
1 & 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp baking soda1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp caraway seeds
1 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp ground red pepper
1/2 cup grated Cheddar cheese
2 eggs
1 & 1/4 cups buttermilk

METHOD

Preheat oven to 180C. Mix flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, salt and seasonings in large bowl. Stir in cheese. Set aside. Mix eggs and buttermilk in medium bowl. Add to dry ingredients; stir until well blended. Spread in lightly greased 9-inch round cake pan.

Bake 30 to 40 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

Cool in pan on wire rack 10 minutes. Remove from pan. Cool completely on wire rack.

Tip: Make muffins instead of bread. Prepare dough as directed and divide among 12 greased muffin cups. Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until toothpick inserted in centre comes out clean.

MINT CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES

Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 10 minutes
Servings: 36 cookies

INGREDIENTS

2 & 1/2 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup butter, softened
1 & 1/4 cups sugar
2 eggs
1 to 1 & 1/2 tsp green food colouring
1 tsp pure peppermint extract
1 & 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

METHOD

Preheat oven to 180C. Mix flour, baking soda and salt in medium bowl. Set aside. Beat butter and sugar in large bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy. Add eggs, food colour and peppermint extract; mix well. Gradually beat in flour mixture on low speed until well mixed. Stir in chocolate chips.

Drop by heaping tablespoons about 2 inches apart onto ungreased baking sheets.

Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Cool on baking sheets 1 minute. Remove to wire racks; cool completely.

- For more St. Patrick's Day recipes, check out www.McCormick.com and visit McCormick Spice on Facebook and Pinterest.