As we celebrate Thanksgiving this week, we give thanks, hopefully, for our many blessings, family, and friends. As we gather around the holiday table, with the centerpiece being that luscious big bird, don’t forget the cranberries — sauce,…

With Thanksgiving on the horizon and Christmas right behind, I bet you’ve noticed that panettone is starting to make its annual appearance. Even devoted Irish cooks have discovered this rich Italian Christmas cake that’s sold in…

September 16, 2022: In case you haven’t heard, or simply aren’t counting, let me remind you that there are exactly 100 days until Christmas! Before you start ordering gifts for friends who love to cook (or for those who sinply love Ireland), consider my new cookbook, Festive Flavors of Ireland,…

     Irish whiskey is a popular ingredient in desserts, where its distinctive taste complements a wide range of flavors. The combination of whiskey and chocolate is especially delicious, and when caramel and nuts are added (you can substitute walnuts, if you wish), this tart simply screams “Easter.”…

IRISH SODA BREAD

MAKES 1 LOAF

Every Irish cook has a recipe for this delicious cake-like bread, but this is my favorite. I’ve used it in several of my cookbooks (to order, visit irishcook.com) and even turned it into “mini” soda breads by baking it in a cupcake pan (makes about 24).…

If you love a bowl of oatmeal topped with fruit for breakfast, you’ll love this crumble that puts the fruit on the bottom and the oats on top. A warm fruity crumble is always a welcome dessert, and this one comes with a little kick from crystallized ginger. You’ll find recipes like this in my…

Serious tea drinkers and wellness enthusiasts celebrate “National Hot Tea Month” in January. During the month, many extol the virtues of tea drinking for health reasons: Studies show that drinking tea can counteract tiredness and benefit work performance; can support cardiovascular health; and…

After two rather miserable years of smaller gatherings and quieter celebrations, we can all only hope that Christmas 2021 will be the merriest of all — fingers crossed! I assume the Christmas cakes have been baked by now, but there’s still loads of time to make a yummy…

It’s official: the festive season has begun! Holiday parties, family gatherings, and all manner of get-togethers are already marked on our December calendar, a sure sign that you’ll need a few fresh recipes. Whether you’re a guest looking for a perfect offering…

The temperatures are still mild in most parts of the United States, but cooler weather will be here before we know it. Cool temperatures also bring hearty pots of soups, many featuring flavors from autumn vegetables like butternut squash, leeks, potatoes and cabbage. When traveling though Ireland…

WILD MUSHROOM-BLUE CHEESE TOASTIES

SERVES 6

This quick supper recipe comes from award-winning chef Kevin Dundon, proprietor of Dunbrody House in County Wexford. It’s part of a collection of recipes from Kerrygold, the cheese and…

Did you know August is National Goat Cheese Month? Frankly, I didn’t, but a friend who follows a “National Day Calendar” that celebrates foods on a monthly and daily basis reminded me to promote goat cheese before I’m too late. No problem, as I’ve enjoyed goat cheese countless time during my…

Everyone loves a good portion of fish ‘n chips, but not everyone appreciates the added fat and calories that come with it. Here’s where poaching comes in — a simple, healthier, and flavorful way to prepare fish with no batter, no breading, and no hot oil. When you return to…

What’s not to love about spring vegetables!  Everyone welcomes asparagus, spinach, and pencil-thin spring onions for salads, soups and side dishes, but I love them in cheese-filled tarts and quiche. Make your own crust, use refrigerated or frozen pie crusts, prepared puff pastry, or make one…

You like cheesecake. Your mother likes carrot cake. Your son likes brownies. If you’ve ever faced a dessert dilemma — or just looking for a fresh idea for your next special occasion meal or afternoon tea — dessert in a jar is your solution. In addition to making an impressive presentation, these…

The March equinox (this year Saturday, March 20, at 5:37 a.m. EDT) marks the moment the sun crosses the celestial equator, the imaginary line in the sky above the Earth's equator, from south to north. In simpler terms, it marks the official start of the spring season in the Northern Hemisphere, a…

Ever since the early 1980s when I first discovered carrot cake, I’ve been intrigued by the many iterations the little sweetie assumes. I thought about it again recently and dug out my carrot cake “file” filled with recipes shared by friends, neighbors, and chefs — no two were…

In Ireland, February 1 is the feast day of Saint Brigid, a woman whom many believe should be granted equal billing with Saint Patrick as Ireland’s female patron saint and that her feast day should be declared a national holiday. Saint Brigid’s…

Did you know that January is celebrated as “National Hot Tea Month”? I didn’t! As a member of a tea-loving Facebook group, I discover all sorts of information that only passionate tea-lovers know and share. And as the author of Teatime in Ireland, I do know that tea plays…

For obvious reasons, Christmas 2020 will be scaled back a bit, so for many the “big Christmas cake” won’t happen this year. Not to worry: for those like me who still love holiday baking, these mini fruitcakes will fill the bill. Same great flavor, same great taste, just sized down to fit the “new…