While I traveled through Ireland a few weeks ago, I noticed the first signs of strawberry season emerge, with roadside stands popping up in places like Kilkenny and east Cork (transported, no doubt, from Wexford, where strawberries grow in great abundance). The “season” is officially here in the U.S., too, with the…

It’s not too late to make this delicious dessert, a riff on steamed pudding and gingerbread. Similar to a one served at the Meyrick Hotel (Eyre Square, Galway), this pudding starts with deliciously gooey pears on the bottom and finishes when the cake is turned upside down to reveal them as a deliciously gooey top! In…

There’s the turkey, of course, but oh those sides! Roasted potatoes, sweet potatoes, Brussels sprouts, boiled onions — the list goes on and on for favorite dishes to serve at Christmas. Without relinquishing any family favorites, you might want to try this recipe from my new cookbook “Favorite Flavors of…

After my last post, I received a request for old-fashioned potato stuffing for turkey. You’ll find this recipe for roast goose with potato-bacon stuffing in my “Christmas Flavors of Ireland” cookbook, easy enough to use in your Christmas turkey as well.  For some other classics, order my newest book “Favorite…

With the holiday season in full swing, there’s always room for a few new or revised recipes for tasty nibbles to serve at a drinks party, family gatherings, or cozy get-togethers. If you’re hosting this year, try this classic dip-with-a-twist. You’ll find the recipe in my “Christmas Flavors of Ireland”…

Starting today, I’ll be sharing some of my favorite holiday recipes as we countdown to one of the biggest days of the year. Christmas Pudding is first, since it takes a few hours prep and steaming time making it the one recipe you want to check off as “done.” The early prep will pay off though, because you can make it…

SERVES 8

This pudding is reminiscent of an Irish “brack,” where the fruit is first soaked in either tea or whiskey. On a recent winter visit to Dublin, I discovered this version studded with rum-soaked raisins, sultanas, and holiday fruits like dried cranberries and chopped apricots. Instead of traditional white bread, it’s made with brioche. For an extra boozy…

Steamed Cranberry Pudding

Serves 8–10

You can start making your fig and fruit-laden Christmas pudding now, but for…

I found the story quite heart-rending, especially as O'Sullivan is my maternal grandmother's name. When I first went in search of the family farm in Bounard, Rathmore, Kerry, I asked a farmer for directions and he asked: "Is that O'Sullivan Beare?" I had no idea what he meant but said "yes" anyway. After many more visits to the family farm, I found this signpost at the bottom…

I have just made a wonderful connection via The Wild Geese Irish Social Network and thanks to my Wild Geese Irish Heritage Partnership that I wanted to share with…

The word "Halloween" owes its origin to the ancient Celtic harvest feast called Samhain, which occurred on the eve of the Celtic New Year, November 1. Several foods are traditionally eaten at this time, especially Colcannon and Barmbrack, a yeast fruit…

There are over 3,000 known pear varieties grown around the world, each with a distinctive character, texture, and flavor. The most popular and recognizable pears are the yellow Bartlett, with a true pear shape, followed by the elegant, egg-shaped Anjou, (also called…

As the generous, realistic Irish woman that I am, I've decided to extend the 25% discount on the sale of my "Christmas Flavors of Ireland" cookbook to September 17, or the fabulous pseudo-holday known as "Halfway to St. Patrick's Day." With that in mind, please enjoy one of my favorite…

Members might like to experience three takes on the Irish food experience by joining chef Noel McMeel and cookbook authors Judith McLaughlin and Margaret Johnson at the prestigious James Beard House in New York. Mark your calendars for May 29! Check the menu and make reservations at…