The long days of summer are upon us, and gardens everywhere are in bloom. Admiring the pretty flowers will satisfy some, but Sláinte columnist, Edythe Preet, likes to eat her plants. Freshly picked salads from one’s own garden, even if only from a few container plantings, are one of the great gourmet pleasures. And nothing pretties a bowl of mixed greens like a confetti of … [Read more...] about Sláinte! Flower Power
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Slainte! The Meat and Potatoes of Life
An Irish saying has it that “A dinner is not a dinner at all but only an excuse for one if it does not contain a plate of meat.” It’s a good bet that America’s penchant for “meat and potatoes” was cultivated by the immigrants who flocked here from Ireland, where meals built around meat have a long history. Tracing the tradition requires journeying back to the days of the High … [Read more...] about Slainte! The Meat and Potatoes of Life
Slainte! A Stitch in Time
Every year December swoops in with a blizzard of holiday parties. There are office parties, cookie trading parties, trim the tree parties, cocktail parties, secret Santa parties, and more. But the best I’ve heard of yet is the Ugly Christmas Sweater Party. Christmas sweaters are actually quite creative and we’ve all probably owned at least one. The problem with them is that … [Read more...] about Slainte! A Stitch in Time
Brigid and Patrick: Ireland’s Alter Egos
A thought has been nagging at me for weeks now. I've wrapped my mental faculties round and round it, attempting to convince myself it's just my imagination, but try as I might, it simply won't go away. So here goes: As far as I can determine, the U.S. and Ireland are the only two countries in the world that have alter egos. Before you decide I've gone totally off the deep end, … [Read more...] about Brigid and Patrick: Ireland’s Alter Egos
Linen to Dine For
In the late 19th century the legendary French food writer Brillat-Savarin said: "You are what you eat." I say, "You are what you eat on." Think about it. A length of colorful oil-cloth is just the ticket for a picnic or barbecue. A fancy afternoon tea party calls for lace. Colorful whimsical tablecloths are a bright eye-opener at breakfast. But when a fine dining occasion … [Read more...] about Linen to Dine For