If you’re celebrating the arrival of 2018 sensibly (that is, you’re NOT going to Times Square where the temperature will be somewhere between 10°F and 20°F) by heading off to or hosting a casual potluck supper, you might want to consider this delicious riff on traditional Colcannon. The recipe is a slight…

Mincemeat, a mixture of chopped dried fruits, spices, and spirits, is a favorite holiday ingredient most often found in pies and tarts. It was developed more than 500 years ago as a way of preserving meat without salting or smoking, and gradually cooks sweetened it by adding ingredients like apples, oranges, and…

If you’ve already run out of ideas for what to serve at your holiday drinks party, think “biscuits” — not your average breakfast biscuits, but these yummy bites from Kerrygold. Laden with sage and walnuts, these buttery bites are a sophisticated alternative to crackers and cheese. The recipe suggests cutting them…

I haven’t posted for a few weeks and my Irish guilt is gnawing at me! So it’s back to business as “that time of year,” aka “the holidays,” is fast approaching. I’ve already started plumping my fruit for the several varieties of fruitcake that I make, but not for this one because the fruit is boiled! I’ve had the recipe…

As promised in my last post, here’s another interesting recipe using one of fall’s most popular ingredients---pumpkin. Since most cooks find it more efficient to purchase canned pumpkin rather than to cut and scrape the flesh from a fresh one, this recipe uses pumpkin purée. You’ll find more like these in my newest…

Behold, the great pumpkin, one of fall’s most iconic images. We find the large orange fruit taking center stage in breads, cakes, puddings and, of course, on doorsteps everywhere, so a few recipes using it are in order for the next few weeks. Since most cooks find it more efficient to purchase canned pumpkin…

It’s official — autumn arrived on Friday, September 22 — and that means apples, pears, and roast pork!  I grew up with pork chops and applesauce, pork roasts cooked with apple juice or cider and, eventually, this sophisticated peppered pork loin cooked with Irish Mist and served with apple-pear chutney that seems to scream “fall.” You’ll find this and other delicious autumn recipes in my newest cookbook Favorite Flavors of Ireland. To…

My family always called this not-too-sweet apple cake “nobby” because my mother roughly chopped the apples, a method that left the top distinctly rough and, well, nobby! While she usually made it…

When we’re lucky, the tomato season can extend well into September. Some late bloomers barely ripen at all though, staying evergreen and not too tasty on their own. A great solution to making use of green tomatoes is to fry them for a delicious southern style dish served with remoulade dressing, or use them mixed with…

The combination of chocolate and fruit is one that few can resist, so when I decided to offer this recipe for warm fruit compote, I realized I posted it back in February as a suggested topping for chocolate mousse cake to serve on Valentine’s Day.

Some things simply bear repeating, and with the wealth of late…

It’s August, after all, so the problem of too many tomatoes is, well, a problem, especially if you grow your own. Even if you don’t, with so many varieties available —and you know you want…

It was thirty-three years ago this week that I made my first trip to Ireland. I planned it to coincide with the Puck Fair, one of the largest fairs in Ireland that takes place annually August 10-12 in…

I’ve seen a lot of fresh figs in markets lately and know how delicious they are with blue cheese, usually mixed in salads. But then I remembered this recipe from Peter Ward, proprietor of the legendary Country Choice market in Nenagh, Tipperary, and thought it’s worth sharing if you find figs locally. Ward is a champion…

I found this summery dish of cod and tomatoes at Encore Brasserie in Derry’s Millennium Forum. I love the simplicity of roasted fish combined with the sophistication of Spanish ham and two kinds of tomatoes.

PAN-SEARED COD WITH SERRANO HAM, TOMATO TAPENADE, AND ROASTED TOMATOES

SERVES…

Once June rolls into July, the strawberry season in most parts of the country comes to a halt. I can never get enough of them though, and I love this tasty combination of sliced fresh berries topped with strawberry purée. The elderflower mousse and brown sugar crumble can be used on other seasonal fruits, so keep the…

As most of you probably know, the astronomical summer season begins Wednesday, June 21. Called summer solstice, it’s the day when the North Pole is most inclined towards the sun, allowing residents of the Northern Hemisphere to enjoy the longest day of the year. Astronomy aside, it’s also the beginning of lazy days,…

When it comes to cooking up something special on Sunday for your favorite father, a juicy steak and a fresh salad are just the ticket. For a special touch, add an Irish-inspired sauce to the steak and some yummy buttermilk dressing to the salad. A full-bodied red wine or a cold beer completes the…

If it hasn’t made its official appearance yet where you live, you can expect rhubarb to be showing up shortly. One of the earliest spring vegetables — yes, it’s a perennial vegetable — it’s generally used as a fruit in desserts and jams. Since rhubarb is almost too tart to be served on its own, it’s the perfect companion to…

With only a few days to go before we celebrate Mother’s Day, you might want to think about giving her a real treat — breakfast in bed!  Sure, you can take her out to brunch, but breakfast in bed creates a real Hallmark moment — “you care enough to cook the very best!” Rhubarb season is in full swing now, so these…

I usually try to tie my posts to seasonal recipes or ingredients — Easter chocolate, Mother’s Day, Christmas cakes, etc. — but I deviate this week with this recipe for granola. Why? Because I love it, and yesterday I made a fresh batch to keep on hand to sprinkle on fruit and yogurt or muesli, one of my new favorite foods! You can, of course, buy a bag at a supermarket…