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…
ContinueAdded by Margaret M. Johnson on March 25, 2024 at 3:14pm — No Comments
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…
ContinueAdded by Margaret M. Johnson on March 9, 2024 at 7:16am — No Comments
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…
ContinueAdded by Margaret M. Johnson on January 10, 2024 at 12:00pm — No Comments
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…
ContinueAdded by Margaret M. Johnson on December 15, 2023 at 11:30am — No Comments
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…
ContinueAdded by Margaret M. Johnson on November 17, 2023 at 1:30pm — No Comments
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…
ContinueAdded by Margaret M. Johnson on October 19, 2023 at 3:22pm — No Comments
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…
ContinueAdded by Margaret M. Johnson on August 16, 2023 at 4:00pm — No Comments
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…
ContinueAdded by Margaret M. Johnson on June 15, 2023 at 2:00pm — No Comments
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…
ContinueAdded by Margaret M. Johnson on March 8, 2023 at 9:40am — No Comments
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…
ContinueAdded by Margaret M. Johnson on January 23, 2023 at 1:00pm — No Comments
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,…
ContinueAdded by Margaret M. Johnson on December 17, 2022 at 7:30am — No Comments
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,…
ContinueAdded by Margaret M. Johnson on November 21, 2022 at 1:00pm — No Comments
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…
ContinueAdded by Margaret M. Johnson on November 1, 2022 at 8:30am — No Comments
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,…
ContinueAdded by Margaret M. Johnson on September 16, 2022 at 2:30pm — No Comments
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…
ContinueAdded by Margaret M. Johnson on August 13, 2022 at 9:30am — No Comments
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,…
ContinueAdded by Margaret M. Johnson on June 18, 2022 at 6:58am — No Comments
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…
ContinueAdded by Margaret M. Johnson on May 23, 2022 at 8:04am — No Comments
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.”…
ContinueAdded by Margaret M. Johnson on April 11, 2022 at 7:30am — No Comments
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).…
ContinueAdded by Margaret M. Johnson on March 13, 2022 at 8:00am — No Comments
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…
ContinueAdded by Margaret M. Johnson on February 15, 2022 at 3:30pm — No Comments
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