Food & Drink

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 markets now, so buy a few bags to use for Thanksgiving and a few to freeze for later. You’ll find other cranberry recipes in my latest cookbook Festive Flavors of Ireland. Order signed copies at irishcook.com (Recipe below.) […] Read More

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 addition to being the quintessential autumn dessert, is that you can also add a few berries or dried fruits, as in this one that uses dates […] Read More

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 container on your patio, or tucked in-between other vegetables or flowers in garden — so grab all you can to embellish […] Read More

Depending on when you read this, there are about 150 days until Christmas! Shocking, I know, but you can get a head start on shopping for all the cooks in your family by taking advantage of the “Christmas in July” preview of my holiday cookbook Festive Flavors of Ireland. However, if you’re barely surviving the current heat wave and think it’s too early to start thinking about Christmas (shopping or eating), here’s a recipe from […] Read More

Imported asparagus are available year-round, but there’s nothing like those locally grown in its short spring season: in Ireland, traditionally beginning on April 23 and ending on Midsummer Day.  Although its delicate flavor and seasonality makes it highly desirable in the kitchen, asparagus is much more than just a pretty vegetable and has long been recognized as high in antioxidants and a good source of dietary fiber. Delicious steamed, grilled, or baked, it’s also a […] Read More

Meteorological spring, the season determined by annual temperature cycles, begins March 1 in the Northern Hemisphere. Those of us who live in the Northeast really can’t complain about dreadful winter weather this year, but the idea that spring has officially arrived is exciting, nonetheless.  And now that it’s here, we have some lovely things to look forward to — longer days, warmer weather, and for cooks, baking with traditional spring fruits and vegetables, rhubarb in particular, […] Read More