Corned Beef

It's the Arizona Cardinals' first trip to the Super Bowl, and the seventh for the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Steelers are a team rich with tradition, which includes Primanti Brothers sandwiches at Heinz Field. The Cardinals, well, their home field is in Phoenix so southwestern fare comes to mind. We asked Stephen E. Kemmet, general manager of Bulls & Bears Restaurant in downtown Hagerstown, to come up with recipes to represent the teams in Sunday's Super Bowl XLIII. Kemmet, who used to own Blue Ox Cafe in Olney, Md., offered up the former restaurant's Tuscan Tortilla to represent the red and white, and Bulls & Bears' version of the Primanti Brothers sandwich to represent the black and gold.

By E.T. MOORE FUNKSTOWN - Gritty Chicago columnist Mike Royko once waxed indignant over having been served a cheeseburger in California that contained pecans. Royko had definite ideas about a proper cheeseburger, and pecans, avocados, pineapple, et al. were certainly not part of the equation. The 10th Inning Funkstown Tavern and Restaurant, however, would have fulfilled his checklist quite adequately. The local bar and eatery's interpretation of the all-American classic is a healthy patty of asymmetrically formed beef (well-done, of course)

julieg@herald-mail.com HAGERSTOWN - The Duffer, the Golfer, fresh-roasted turkey and the Reuben with homemade dressing are coming back. Friends Monty Jones and Michael Guessford expect to reopen the former Ron's Deli at 29 N. Burhans Blvd. as Always Ron's by the end of July. The two are bringing back many of the popular sandwiches from when the restaurant was Ron's Deli, operated by Ron Stansbury, they said. Some of the waitresses who worked at Ron's for a long time also are returning.

Dijon-Glazed Corned Beef - 21/2- to 31/2-pound corned beef brisket - water - Savory Cabbage with Red Potatoes (recipe follows) For the glaze: - 2 tablespoons honey - 1 tablespoon frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed - 2 teaspoons Dijon-style mustard In Dutch oven, place corned beef brisket and add water to cover. Bring to a boil; reduce heat to low. Cover tightly and simmer 21/2 to 31/2 hours or until tender. Meanwhile, prepare Savory Cabbage with Red Potatoes.

A new version of an old favorite It wouldn't be St. Patrick's Day without corned beef and cabbage. Update a tried-and-true favorite with Dijon-Glazed Corned Beef and Savory Cabbage with Red Potatoes. Cooking a corned beef brisket is easy. Just put it into a large pan, add water to cover, then gently simmer, tightly covered, until the brisket is fork-tender. The brisket needs no attention while it simmers. Boiling does not hasten the cooking process; it only causes the brisket to be tough and dry. For the updated twist on tradition, make a simple glaze of honey, orange juice concentrate and Dijon-style mustard.

Roman Catholics in West Virginia who'd like to chow down on corned beef and cabbage on St. Patrick's Day may have to cross the Potomac River to enjoy the traditional Irish-American dish. cont. from front page Catholics in the Archdiocese of Baltimore - including Washington and Frederick counties - have been granted a special dispensation from the Catholic Church's rule of not eating meat on Fridays during Lent. But Catholics across the Potomac River in West Virginia's Eastern Panhandle haven't gotten a similar break from their bishop.

Glenna Cross, a member of the Women's Club in Hagerstown, said she learned how to cook from her mother and other family members, and from high school cooking classes. She got a lot of practice cooking for her family. Desserts were a favorite when she was a child, and they are also popular with her own children. Italian-style dishes were also regulars on the dinner table. But there were certain standards to be met. "We have an uncle who is true Italian. So I cook my tomato sauce all day long and make homemade lasagna," Cross said.

The sixth annual St. Patrick's Day Gala, a fundraiser for Washington County charities, took place at the Knights of Columbus Pangborn Council on March 13. Funds from the Tootsie Roll drive were donated to Maria Villa, United Cerebral Palsy and Star Community. Contributions for the Tootsie Roll drive were provided by patrons of Sam's Club and from members of the six Catholic churches in Washington County. Door prizes were provided by Bob Evans, Martin's food store on Dual Highway and Sam's Club.

andrear@herald-mail.com The low-carb diets so in vogue these days portray spuds as duds, but the United States Potato Board argues for the healthfulness of potatoes. One medium potato is an excellent source of potassium, rich in vitamin C and a good source of fiber for only 100 calories, with no fat and cholesterol, according to information from the Potato Board. And the body needs carbohydrates such as those found in potatoes for energy, said Lynn F. Little, family and consumer sciences educator for the Maryland Cooperative Extension in Washington County.

It takes talent to make a good Reuben. The emphasis here is on the word "good. " I've had plenty of so-so Reubens and more really bad Reubens than I care to think about. I remember the really good ones. The one I had recently at Black Eyed Susan is definitely going into my "good" category. It might even make it into the "great" category. Open for about a month, this small restaurant on Virginia Avenue offers lunch Monday through Friday and dinner Monday through Saturday.