Monday, March 16, 2009

Happy St. Patrick's Day!


Since there are a few Irish ALTs, and a large number of people who like to drink beer here, there are usually a few St. Patrick's Day parties in the bars that cater to foreigners. Sadly, conflicting schedules prevented me from attending official parties around the ken, but tomorrow night I have an enkai (eating and drinking party) with my colleagues from the special ed school. I'm hoping there will be enough beer flowing to make them loose enough to don my fabulous St. Patty's hat & smile for a few photos :) Maybe I'll smuggle in some food coloring to make the beer a little more festive...
Here are some of the bigger "cuties" holding their lucky charms in front of the board I did for St. Patrick's Day. It was a lot of fun getting the students' help in translating some of the material for the board. They didn't really know what leprechauns were, but apparently they also believe in there being a treasure at the end of the rainbow.
In honor of the holiday tomorrow, I am making some Irish Soda Bread, but can't find any buttermilk in this country. Has anyone ever tried using milk+lemon or milk+vinegar as a substitute? Either one better than the other?

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

This should help you out ~ have fun :o)

Buttermilk Equivalents and Measures
• 1 cup buttermilk = 1 cup yogurt
• 1 cup buttermilk = 1 cup milk PLUS 1 Tablespoon vinegar or lemon juice (let stand for 10 minutes before using in recipe)
• 1 cup buttermilk = 1 cup milk PLUS 1-3/4 teaspoons cream of tartar
• 1 cup buttermilk = 1 cup water PLUS 4 Tablespoons powdered buttermilk
(reconstitute before using or add dry to dry ingredients and wet to wet ingredients before mixing
• 1 cup buttermilk = 1/4 cup milk PLUS 3/4 cup yogurt

Anonymous said...

I like the lemon juice one a bit more ~ but for baking... the yogurt one is best, I just don't remember if you can find yogurt there.

& Happy St. Pat's Day!!