Margaret M. Johnson's Blog (154)

Easy Easter Sweet

      It’s a safe bet that you’ll find slices of this cake offered in tea rooms, coffee shops, home kitchens, and take-aways throughout the Emerald Isle. It’s a “standard” to which bakers often add a personal touch — think extra lemon (or orange) zest in the cake or fresh herbs in the drizzle — and…

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Added by Margaret M. Johnson on March 25, 2024 at 3:14pm — No Comments

Hearty Fare for St. Patrick’s Day

            Nothing warms the heart on St. Patrick’s Day more than the mashed potato-topped casserole known as Shepherd’s Pie. In a land where sheep were traditionally a primary food supply, it’s not surprising that lamb is the foundation for many Irish farmhouse dishes, especially this…

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Added by Margaret M. Johnson on March 9, 2024 at 7:16am — No Comments

In Honor of Tea

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, while others simply celebrate the culture and history of tea, its diverse…

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Added by Margaret M. Johnson on January 10, 2024 at 12:00pm — No Comments

Fruitcake Time!

Love it or hate it, fruitcake is one of Christmastime’s most iconic foods. I make no apologies for being one who loves it, and over the years I’ve amassed quite a collection of recipes from sources near and far. While we might…

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Added by Margaret M. Johnson on December 15, 2023 at 11:30am — No Comments

Cranberry Bread: A Seasonal Favorite!

Cranberries take center stage this month in both sweet and savory dishes. One of my favorites is this quick bread, sweet enough for dessert but not-too-sweet for breakfast or afternoon tea. The versatile little berry is widely available in…

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Added by Margaret M. Johnson on November 17, 2023 at 1:30pm — No Comments

Grab Some Apples for Crisps & Crumbles

From a culinary standpoint, there’s little difference between an apple crisp and an apple crumble, except for the topping: the former is generally made with a flour and brown sugar mix, the latter with an oat-based streusel (nuts are always welcome). The bonus feature of either dessert is that, in…

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Added by Margaret M. Johnson on October 19, 2023 at 3:22pm — No Comments

SUMMER HERB BONANZA

Tomatoes and basil; potatoes and rosemary; salmon and dill. Perfect partners in summer dishes, of course, so grab as many fresh herbs as you can to pair with the last of summer’s bounty. Herbs are the easiest of all edible plants to grow — whether in a small pot on your windowsill, in a…

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Added by Margaret M. Johnson on August 16, 2023 at 4:00pm — No Comments

A Tasty Journey Through 'Ireland’s Ancient East'

I recently spent 10 days visiting “Ireland’s Ancient East,” a touring region tapping 5,000 years of history in the south and eastern area of the country. Described as a touring region rather than a specific route, it was designed to offer a "relaxing, compact journey of…

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Added by Margaret M. Johnson on June 15, 2023 at 2:00pm — No Comments

In March, It’s Great to be Irish!

In some parts of Ireland, the first snowdrops, daffodils and crocuses have already appeared, a sure sign that spring and St. Patrick’s Day are almost here! For tea lovers, it’s time to think about a springtime menu that might include recipes for soda bread (make a loaf or muffins) and for…

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Added by Margaret M. Johnson on March 8, 2023 at 9:40am — No Comments

Oh-So-Easy Crumble

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 winter dessert, and this one comes with a little kick from crystallized ginger. Serve…

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Added by Margaret M. Johnson on January 23, 2023 at 1:00pm — No Comments

Happy Christmas, Happy Cookies!

One of my family’s favorite year-round cookies were my mother’s Molasses Cookies — soft, chewy, sugar-coated treats. When it came time for Christmas though, in went the ginger, cloves and nutmeg; voila, Gingerbread Cookies — soft, chewy,…

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Added by Margaret M. Johnson on December 17, 2022 at 7:30am — No Comments

Giving Thanks With Cranberry-Walnut Chutney!

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,…

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Added by Margaret M. Johnson on November 21, 2022 at 1:00pm — No Comments

Cheers to the Festive Season!

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…

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Added by Margaret M. Johnson on November 1, 2022 at 8:30am — No Comments

One Hundred Days to Christmas!

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,…

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Added by Margaret M. Johnson on September 16, 2022 at 2:30pm — No Comments

Very Berry Summer Cake

This cornmeal cake is currently my go-to summer dessert. The original recipe suggested a fruit and wine syrupy topping, but it also works deliciously as an upside-down cake with summer berries on the bottom. Serve it for at teatime with whipped…

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Added by Margaret M. Johnson on August 13, 2022 at 9:30am — No Comments

Rhubarb's Here!

     

Rhubarb makes only a brief appearance each spring, but because of its tart, bitter flavor, it makes a big impression. Rarely eaten on its own, it’s generally paired with a sweet fruit, especially berries, to balance the flavor. Rhubarb wasn’t a popular ingredient until the eighteenth century,…

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Added by Margaret M. Johnson on June 18, 2022 at 6:58am — No Comments

Strawberry Season Has Arrived

 

         Once upon a time in Ireland — at least at the time I made my first trip in 1984, and even a decade later — a salad was not a salad as we know it today: think a few leaves of iceberg and a slice or two of tomato. Perfectly acceptable at…

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Added by Margaret M. Johnson on May 23, 2022 at 8:04am — No Comments

CHOCOLATE + WHISKEY + CARAMEL = EASTER

     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.”…

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Added by Margaret M. Johnson on April 11, 2022 at 7:30am — No Comments

Celebrate St. Patrick's Day With Irish Soda Bread

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).…

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Added by Margaret M. Johnson on March 13, 2022 at 8:00am — No Comments

Oh-So-Easy Oatmeal Crumble

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…

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Added by Margaret M. Johnson on February 15, 2022 at 3:30pm — No Comments

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