Several years ago after a rigorous day of exploring County Laois, I pulled into a pub for a well-deserved pick-me-up pint. It was a wee bit early for the local drinking crowd and the long bar held only one customer, a young man who looked more like a fellow whose regular haunt would be a Dublin watering hole rather than a remote country pub. His tweed jacket hugged the … [Read more...] about Sláinte! When an Apple is Ripe, it Will Fall
Edythe Preet
Sláinte! Rhubarb:
The Sweet & Sour of Irish Pies
Often when I sit down to write Sláinte! I find myself ruminating about my Dad's favorite foods, which writing this ongoing series has revealed to me are almost always directly related to the dishes his Fermanagh-born and raised mother had prepared. This month, I drew a blank.
"What is there," I mused, "that is connected to both spring and Irish food that I have not already … [Read more...] about Sláinte! Rhubarb:
The Sweet & Sour of Irish Pies
Sláinte! Oats:
The Original Comfort Food
Call me crazy, but oatmeal cookies have never had a spot on my favorite foods list. They're too sweet. I prefer my oats prepared in such a way that I can really taste the full nutty flavor. I even enjoy eating them by the dusty flaky mouth-gumming uncooked handful. That taste quirk may be a result of genetic memory. My father's father, his father, and many of the other male … [Read more...] about Sláinte! Oats:
The Original Comfort Food
Sláinte: Christmas Is Coming & The Goose Is Getting Fat
Christmas is one of those words that immediately brings thoughts to mind. First, and foremost in these troubled times, is the hope for peace on earth. Hard on the heels of our heartfelt sentiments come the tumbling images of gifts and feasting. Deluged by jolly Santa Clauses, decorated evergreen trees, and twinkling light displays during the holiday season, it's easy to forget … [Read more...] about Sláinte: Christmas Is Coming & The Goose Is Getting Fat
Sláinte! The Irish Roots of Halloween
Ask anyone to name five favorite holidays, and it's a sure bet Halloween will be on the list. Then ask how the celebration came to be. More than likely you'll be told Halloween means All Hallows Eve the night of prayer preceding the Feast of All Saints. Yes, but there's more to it than that. The night we celebrate by dressing in outlandish costumes and traipsing about the … [Read more...] about Sláinte! The Irish Roots of Halloween