Butter Chicken is kind of a misnomer. I think of chicken cooked in butter when I hear the name. Instead, this mildly spicy and rich dish produces chicken with a buttery texture. The chicken is cooked in a tomato sauce flavored with onion, garlic, ginger, and curry powder. Make the dish as mild or spicy as you like. I have seen recipes that add cardamom, paprika, turmeric, chili powder, and cinnamon. But I like to use a really good curry powder because that combines all of these flavors into one addition. Serve it with a green salad made with avocados for a cooling contrast, and some simple brown rice.

• Butter Chicken
• Brown Rice Pilaf
• Avocado Green Salad
• Blender Pots de Creme

_{Photo © 2010 Linda Larsen, licensed to About.com, Inc.}

St. Patrick's Day Recipe Exchange

About.com's Food Guides are creating a virtual recipe exchange for St. Patrick's Day! Our Eastern European Food Guide, Barbara Rolek, offers these delicious recipes.

The dough in this no-knead, one-rise recipe for Hungarian Beer Bread can be formed into rolls or loaves, but I like them as sticks or pretzels best. Their crunch makes them good candidates for cocktails or, what else, more beer! Translate this into a healthier snack by using white whole-wheat flour instead of all-purpose.

If you swap beef for pork in this hearty Polish recipe for Smoked Pork Butt and Cabbage, you have a dead ringer for corned beef and cabbage. Leftovers can be turned into soup or another meal over noodles.

If you're looking for an easy make ahead dessert that is light and springlike, Pavlova is the answer. This delicious and beautiful dessert was created in honor of Anna Pavlova, the famous ballerina. The meringue is supposed to resemble a ballerina's tutu. You can top it with just about anything, from fresh spring fruits like raspberries, to shaved chocolate or caramel sauce. A classic topping is kiwifruit and passionfruit, a beautiful and unusual combination. Read How to Make Meringues for more information and lots more recipes.

_{Photo © 2010 Linda Larsen, licensed to About.com, Inc.}

St. Patrick's Day Recipe Exchange

About.com's Food Guides are creating a virtual recipe exchange for St. Patrick's Day!

Today's tips come from Donna Pilato, About.com Guide to Entertaining. Discover how to Enjoy St. Patrick's Day Even If You're Not Irish, and learn how to make A St. Patrick's Day Party for the Whole Family.

Wordless Wednesday on About.com

_{Photo © 2010 Linda Larsen, licensed to About.com, Inc.}

Irish Soda Bread is one of those recipes, along with other quick breads, that everyone should know how to make. It was originally intended to 'pad' a dinner with a super quick and easy bread. The bread didn't need a long rising time, and the ingredients were always on hand. This loaf is tender and moist and slightly sweet. For a twist on tradition, try Irish Soda Bread Drop Biscuits or Chocolate Chip Irish Soda Bread. Be sure to read How to Make Quick Breads before you begin.

_{Photo © 2010 Linda Larsen, licensed to About.com, Inc.}

St. Patrick's Day Recipe Exchange

Today my favorite recipes are the focus of the St. Patrick's Day Blogathon.

Crockpot Corned Beef and Cabbage is a super easy recipe that lets you cook tender corned beef in the slowcooker. The cabbage is added at the end of cooking time so it stays slightly crisp. And for a twist on the classic St. Patrick's Day recipes, Corned Beef and Cabbage Tarts are fabulous. These delicious individual little tarts combine red cabbage and cubed corned beef with Gruyere cheese in tender and flaky pastry for a great treat.