Dance a Jig with Saint Patrick's Day Pies

You don't have to be Irish to enjoy these St. Patrick's Day pies. Indulge in this rich Irish Coffee Pie and this Grasshopper Pie after a traditional Corned Beef and Cabbage dinner.

The luck o' the Irish will be with you when you give these pies a try.

Irish Coffee Pie

¾ c. evaporated milk

1 envelope unflavored gelatin

¾ c. sugar

¼ tsp. salt

1 TBS. instant coffee

3 TBS. Irish Whiskey

1 egg, separated

¾ c. slivered almonds, toasted

9" baked pie shell

Pour evaporated milk into an ice cube tray and place in freezer until icy around the edges. Blend gelatin, sugar, salt, and coffee in a saucepan. Beat the egg yolk with whole milk and add to gelatin mixture. Cook over medium heat, stirring until gelatin and sugar are dissolved. Remove from heat, stir in the Irish whiskey and chill until the mixture begins to thicken. Meanwhile, beat the egg white to soft peaks.

Whip evaporated milk in a chilled bowl until it forms peaks. Fold the egg white, evaporated milk, and ½ c. toasted almonds into the gelatin mixture. Turn into a the baked pie shell and chill. Garnish with whipped cream and remaining almonds.

Grasshopper Pie

1 ½ c. crumbled chocolate wafers

3 TBS. sugar

1/3 c. butter or margarine

24 large marshmallows

½ c. milk

4 TBS. green crème de menthe

2 TBS. white crème de cacao

1 c. heavy cream

Blend crumbs, sugar and soft butter. Reserve 1 tsp to use as garnish. Press the remaining crumb mixture in the bottom of a 9" pie plate. Chill while preparing the marshmallows and milk. Heat the marshmallows in the milk until melted. Stir in crème de menthe and crème de cacao. Whip cream and fold into marshmallow mixture. Pile into the chilled pie shell. Garnish with the reserved crumbs and refrigerate until ready to serve. Can also use shaved chocolate for garnish.

(Optional: Add a few drops of green food coloring to the mixture if you would like a deep green color for St. Paddy's Day)

Hope you enjoy the St. Patrick's Day Pies and here's an old Irish Blessing I wish for all of you:

Old Irish Blessing

May love and laughter light your days,
and warm your heart and home.
May good and faithful friends be yours,
wherever you may roam.
May peace and plenty bless your world
with joy that long endures.
May all life's passing seasons
bring the best to you and yours!