Product Description

Ireland is a land of contrasts, striving for economic and industrial growth, yet still a profoundly traditional rural and agricultural country. The interplay between these two forces gives Ireland much of its charm, and in this book Darina Allen draws on the many different aspects of Irish life in which food plays an important part. Published to tie in with a BBC TV series, the book presents traditional recipes from all over Ireland, both country and town, served at all kinds of occasions, including country fairs, markets and dances, Hallowe'en, Easter and Christmas celebrations, and religious ceremonies, weddings, christenings and wakes.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #300222 in Books
• Published on: 1995-09-21
• Original language: English
• Binding: Hardcover
• 288 pages

Antony Worrall Thompson, Daily Express, March 04
will make your mouth water and entice you to cook some magical food. A real treat!

Daily Telegraph, April 2004
As well as the wonderful food, her book is rich in anecdote, folklore and history

About the Author
Darina Allen is Ireland's foremost cookery writer and founder of the presitigious Ballymaloe Cookery School in County Cork. She has made numerous appearances on television and radio both nationally and internationally. Her most recent book for Kyle Cathie is Ballymaloe Cookery Course which was published in 2001.

Customer Reviews

A rich and wonderful book
More and more I wish I had not taken for granted my grandmother - that she would always be there to pass on what she had learnt as a cook and as a doting Nan.
Darina and her contributers are different cooks from my Nan, but they share the same values - which are precious.
Darina has been clever enough to capture knowledge, before it is lost forever, that has been passed down for generations. This book, which gives great insight into methods and secrets of senior generations is a gem. It is a book you want to read from cover to cover. It is rich in recipes and history.
You won't cook everything (anyway I'm not yet up to trying the pig tails) but I have adopted many recipes that my family and friends look forward to. They are comforting to eat and cook.
As a cook book addict - I feel like I am coming home when I read and cook Darina & Co.s recipes.

definitely my cup of tea
I'm very happy that Darina Allen compiled this book. It sets the scene of a way of life that my father used to tell me about - teacakes cooked on the griddle, potato cake, real Irish stew - and, of course, champ! In a wonderful introduction, Allen describes the advent, if you can call it that, of so-called "fancy shop-bought things" and how this began the decline of traditional recipes. What follows is a labour of love for Allen, a compilation to salvage over 300 recipes that reflect the Irish way of life, its farming heritage and cooking skills. The book is complete with wonderfully evocative photography and notes. And having tried some of them, I can vouch that the recipes are easy and tasty.

A wonderful journey through the delights of Irish cookery.
Darina Allen's passion for cookery, and the use of the finest locally produced ingredients is a delight to read. The recipes are easy to follow, and the end result well worth the effort. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys cooking.