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The Irish Dairy Board wants to remind you that corned beef and cabbage is not traditional St. Patrick’s Day fare in Ireland and recommends authentic Irish cheese for your celebrations this weekend. With all that green grass in Eire, says the board, there are a lot of happy bovines, ergo some really full-bodied cheeses. Whole Foods Market sells a couple of selections from the large Irish cheese maker, Kerrygold, including Dubliner (a cheddar) and Ivernia. I haven’t yet noshed on Dubliner, but Ivernia is really nice. It’s described as Italian-style, hard, complex and aged for three years, but that doesn’t tell you much. There are a ton of things going in its flavor profile from nutty, to pungent to slightly sweet, and goes well with everything from a tannic red to oatmeal stout. Try it for sure.

The board also recommends serving champ, a classic Irish mashed potato dish with green onions and butter. They’ve provided a modern recipe with roasted garlic and truffle oil here and recommend serving it with roast chicken, beef or pork.

And, while we’re on the subject of green, I forgot to rave about the pepper jelly from the Red Stick Farmers Market. When I was a kid, this was my family’s go-to hors d’oeuvre when "company" came over. For me, it was among life’s most disappointing appetizers. When I rounded the corner into the living room, I wanted to see Chee-tos and pigs-in-a-blankets. But as an adult, I’ve fallen in love with the stuff because it’s so Southern and retro, not to mention better than anyone expects. If you’re really into the green thing, why not give it a go this weekend. Several of the jelly/jam makers carry it.

Finally, no St. Pat’s Day gathering would be complete without an Irish whiskey tasting. With any luck, it’ll escalate into a real pub brawl over which wins out: Jameson or Bushmills. My money’s on the former.

Post your opinion and thoughts on March 17 menu ideas here.