Book Review: Favorite Flavors of Ireland

In honor of St. Patrick's Day tomorrow, I'm reviewing a wonderful cookbook of Margaret M Johnson! 

 

Favorite Flavors of Ireland invites readers, cooks, and armchair travelers alike on a nostalgic tour of one of Europe’s most beloved destinations. From her first visit in 1984, Margaret Johnson has forged an indelible bond with Ireland and Irish food, and she shares this unique relationship with you in her eleventh cookbook. You’ll find recipes that have become her favorites along with a few recent discoveries that are sure to please. The book brings home all the classics—Shepherd’s Pie, Bacon and Cabbage, Seafood Chowder, Bread and Butter Pudding—and provides an insightful look into the seasonal ingredients that shape the country’s cooking. With over 100 recipes and evocative photos that transport you to the Irish countryside, this colorful collection will awaken your senses to the delicious food of this warm and welcoming land and keep those Irish eyes smilin’ all through the year.


Margaret M. Johnson is author of ten cookbooks—Christmas Flavors of Ireland; Flavors of Ireland; The Irish Pub Cookbook; Irish Puddings, Tarts, Crumbles, and Fools; The Irish Spirit; The New Irish Table; The Irish Heritage Cookbook; Tea & Crumpets; Cooking With Irish Spirits; and Ireland: Grand Places, Glorious Food.

As a food and travel writer she has contributed to publications in both the U.S. and Ireland including Intermezzo Magazine; Cooking Light; Cara, the inflight magazine of Aer Lingus; Dublin’s Food & Wine Magazine; the Irish Echo newspaper; and to online sites such as thewildgeese.com, and irishabroad.com. She frequently appears at Irish food and cultural events, and when she’s not visiting her ancestral home in Ireland, she lives in Westhampton Beach, NY.

MY THOUGHTS

Let me just say, I wasn't sure if I'd enjoy this cookbook or not, I don't especially like to cook, but I do love to bake.  I was happily surprised at the content in this book.  The book takes you through all four seasons, and not only does it have recipes, but also beautiful photos of the Irish countryside and a little blurb about each season.

Come Spring you'll find Carrot Soup w/Bacon, yes please!  Wonderful sides, and delicious desserts such as Irish Cream Coffee Cake.  Summer will have you eating Nutty Brown Bread, Fish and Chips, and Blackberry Almond Cake.  Autumn brings Peppered Pork Loin Roast , Autumn Salad with apples and walnuts, and Marmalade Puddings.  Last but not least you can cozy up in the winter with Cranberry-Oat Bran Muffins, Burren Smoken Salmon on Potato Cakes and Sticky Toffee Pudding.

Hungry yet?

I have tried a few of the recipes and so far find them to be easy to read, easy to make and very well written...as well as quite delicious!  Ingredients are listed in US measurements as well at Metric.

So glad I tried this book, would make a beautiful gift!

*I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for review from Alison over at Ambassador International