Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

 JENN McKINLAY: Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Since I set LOVE AT FIRST BOOK in Ireland, I believe my feelings about all things Irish are pretty clear.

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One of my favorite memories in Ireland was when a cabbie was giving me instructions on how to drive (yes, I drove the Ring of Kerry). He said, "Remember you always want to keep your passenger safe, so you always want your passenger on the curbside of the street." I nodded. This was sound advice. Then he said, "Or as we like to remember it, keep the bitch in the ditch." LOL. Yes, I wrote that scene into the book.

How about you, Reds? Who’s been to Ireland? What did you love about it? If you haven’t been, do you plan to go and what do you want to see most?

RHYS BOWEN: Big fan of Ireland here (which you might guess as my first heroine was called Molly Murphy). John’s grandfather was Irish, his great grandfather an important figure in representing the Irish negotiations for independence at Westminster.  And one year we drove around the whole island–truly memorable. In almost four weeks we had one day of rain, which was a miracle. The scenery was spectacular, the people so warm and charming…and so quirky. I think one example sums it up best. We were staying at a B and B in Tralee. Our host told us about a hike over a waterfall that we would enjoy and gave us directions. “You drive along the loch and you’ll come to a lovely hotel. If you’ve a mind to have dinner there, it’s a lovely view over the water.”  He went on to extol the hotel then added. “Now if you come to that hotel, you’ve gone too far.”  You have to love the Irish. (Oh, and I loved LOVE AT FIRST BOOK, Jenn).

Jenn: Thank you, Rhys! I stayed in a castle in Tralee (exceeded all my expectations)!

Ballyseede Castle (my room was the windows
above the red door to the right - middle turret!!!)

HALLIE EPHRON: I have been to Ireland and absolutely loved it. LOVE the music which surrounds you at every turn. Walkable cities and towns. Gorgeous churches (see music). Verdant landscape. Absolutely a great trip. (AND they speak English!!)

Foodie that I am, I was prepared for the food to be “meh” but in fact it was sensational. I came home and bought a bottle of malt vinegar since it was so tasty on the wonderful fried fish but I’ve never used a drop. 

The Fish Box in Dingle had the BEST fish stew and fish and chips I have ever ever ever eaten. A must place to eat!

LUCY BURDETTE: I’ve had some spotty visits to Ireland–I was in Dublin for a couple of days and also spent one day at the Giant’s Causeway (hordes and hordes of tourists) and overnight at a storytelling barn in northern Ireland. However, I have ancestors from Ireland and DNA that appears Irish, so I feel the pull to return. We are going back in the fall, if the universe is willing! I love reading books set in Ireland and listening to Irish music and now I can’t wait to eat the food! Happy St. Patrick’s day everyone. For now, imagine me beating back the hordes of spring breakers in Key West:)

Tonka and the spring break girls :)

HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN: And picture me remembering not  to go into Boston today because it is FULL. And I know a lot of people are having fun, but I am not a fan of green beer or green bagels. (Green bagels. WHY??) 

Going to Ireland. Hmm. I have never been and I would absolutely adore to, it sounds magical, but I kinda think it’s not first on the list. But! You never know. 

(And do you know the musical Wonderful Town? It is the best song about the Irish–called My Darlin' Eileen. It's from 1953, and you have to imagine it– it’s sung by a chorus of (dancing)  New York cops, all Irish, who are welcoming the girl from Ohio, who happens to be named EIleen. 

You have to listen to the whole thing–it’s perfect for today! My Darlin' Eileen (From “Wonderful Town Original Cast Recording” 1953/Reissue/Remastered 2001)

And oh, I couldn't resist, here is it on  YouTube! Go to 1:12:46. SO funny.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EsxzyqJX5wY 

DEBORAH CROMBIE:

I am horrified to admit that I have never been to Ireland, although I would LOVE to go! Back when I was plotting what became NOW MAY YOU WEEP, my idea was to set it in Ireland, in a fictional version of the famous Ballymaloe cooking school–which of course I would have to attend for research. But my agent said no one was interested in books set in Ireland (one of the few times she’s been wrong) so I set the book in the Scottish Highlands instead. I wouldn’t change that book, but I’d love to get to Ireland someday, research or not!

How about you, Readers, who’s been to Ireland and who wants to go?

When Life Gives You Lemons... Celia Wakefield Makes Oil-Lemon Cake

 Julia Spencer-Fleming: I think a lot of us have been feeling life is handing us lemons these days. But why, really, do we use that poor maligned fruit do mean something you don't want? Who among us doesn't feel a lift in spirits when faced with a bright yellow, sour-tart citrus that's the literal embodiment of sunshine? A lemon in the midst of winter for lemon cookies, a lemon at the height of summer for Gin and Tonics and lemonade - and of course, a lemon in spring, sliced over fresh filet of fish, tossed with green beans, or, as Celia shows us today, as the star of a delicious, show-stopping cake.

 

 

Good morning everyone, it’s such a pleasure to be with you all. Thank you Julia for keeping me on my toes recipe wise.

 

I was on the verge of sleep last night when “Zero to Sixty” went through my mind when I realized what my journey had covered over the past three months. Going from marriage to single life, loosing a companion of sixty plus years if we count dating, takes some adjustment. But in coming to this place  I want to follow on with Julia’s post from last Friday and talk a little about gratitude first. I am grateful beyond words for the love and support that has been lavished on me , the lovely memories shared of Victor and his stories, the cards, texts, calls. When I say I believe I’m blessed, I am sincere. My life has taken a sharp turn but it’s a turn with which I am at peace.

 

I think I’ve mentioned in the past that though I don’t comment every day, I do read JRW every day faithfully. I believe we are all looking for some comfort at home so whether it’s Rhys on research which certainly fits in with my passion, or Debs educating us on tea drinking. Did you hear the faint voices of Rhys and I saying “boiling water, boiling water only please” Then we have Lucy with the Key West Women’s Cookbook and I must get a copy of that. I think it was Hank who asked about china, that is the domestic sort and Hallie with SUMO oranges which brings me to a very special gift. One which I could not appreciate or love more.which brings me back to the important part of today - the recipe.

 

I don’t collect my mail every day. The box is not on the driveway or as in England where the post still comes through the letter box in the front door. No, I need to drive or walk, well drive to my box which is a BIG box, big enough for most of the items I order on line as well as all the junk we receive. There was a package a couple of days ago but not from you know who, a box from a friend, a surprise box, a heavy box. Well with all this great community of Reds and readers, my first thought was someone has sent me a book - YEA, how kind, how thoughtful. 

 

I raced back to the house, attacked the tape and nestled inside were lemons. Yes beautiful lemons, how did they know my favorite color is lemon. Or what would be my choice of fruit in a nice cool glass of Pimms? Or that I have great difficulty in passing a bakers display of lemon bars. Oh blessed lemons. Oh kind friend may your trees be fruitful for ever. While I can’t share the lemons with you to my sorrow, I can give you a great recipe for a lemon olive oil cake. Debs was talking about a cuppa and a slice of olive oil cake from her favorite bakery recently. Do keep supporting the baker but here you can be your own baker.

I can’t remember who originally put this recipe up on the NYT, I think it may be over twenty years old and if you search for it look for orange olive oil cake. But when life gives you lemons as Dorie Greenspan would say ‘bake’. 

 

INGREDIENTS:

1 ½ cups flour

1 cup sugar

½ cup medium or finely ground cornmeal - I used Bobs Red Mill cornmeal

1 ½ tsp. salt - I used a 1/2 tsp

½ tsp. Baking soda

½ tsp. Baking powder

1 ⅓ cups extra-virgin olive oil - taste your oil as it’s the star of the cake. I mixed two brands

3 large eggs, separated - at room temperature

1 ½ Tbsp.lemon zest - the original recipe calls for oranges

½ cup sugar

1/2 cup lemon juice - my lemons are large and it took 1 1/2 lemons to get the right amount of juice

1 ¼ cups whole milk

1 tsp. vanilla

 METHOD:

 

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. 

Use Cooking Spray to spray your 9” round pan and line the inside base with parchment paper,

 

In a large bowl, combine the flour, 1 c sugar,* cornmeal, salt, baking soda, and baking powder. Whisk together lightly.

 

(Celia’s recipe hack) add half of the 1/2 c sugar into a small mini processor.

* Carefully remove the zest from a large lemon and add to the processor then tip in the remaining sugar and whirl until the zest is very finely chopped and mixed into the sugar.

 

Separate the eggs and put the yolks in a medium bowl. Add the the olive oil to the egg yolks and whisk until they are combined and emulsified  

Add the egg whites, milk, lemon juice, lemon zest/sugar mix and vanilla and whisk until thoroughly combined.

* If you prefer not to use a mini prep. carefully grate 1 1/2 Tblsp lemon zest and add the remaining 1/2 c of sugar with the dry ingredients before adding the wet ones.

 

Pour the combined liquid ingredients into the dry ingredients, whisking until the lumps are gone.  

 

Pour the batter into the prepared cake pan and bake for about 1 hour, or until it is golden brown on top and a toothpick comes out clean. (My cake took 45 minutes and I did cover the top with foil for the final 10 minutes.

(If the cake becomes too brown before it is done cooking, lightly tent it with foil to prevent further browning.) 

 

Allow the cake to cool in its pan for 5 minutes before inverting onto a cooling rack.

 

Making the Topping - this is where you can use your imagination to serve as is, to ice, to drizzle as I did, to shake some confectioners sugar over with a stencil pattern.

 

I combined 1/4 cups of water with 1 1/2 cups of sugar in a pan and heated it till the sugar had melted then I added lemon slices and cooked them gently for 20 plus minutes. 

I removed the slices from the lemon syrup, reduced the syrup to thicken then added about a 1/4 C of confectioners sugar which I mixed well then drizzled it over the cake and decorated with the cooked lemon pieces. (I might not do the lemon drizzle next time.

 

Amanda Hesser recommended Creme Fraiche or sour cream mixed with a little brown sugar, Sliced Oranges, or lemons.

Ear Worms We Know And Love

JULIA SPENCER-FLEMING: There’s been a lot of talk in the news the past few months about brain worms (yuch!!) but I want to steer the conversation in a different direction. You might say I want to bring it right round baby, right round, like a record baby right round round round.

Did I ear worm you?

Some of us are more susceptible than others, but everyone gets a tune stuck in their head once in a while. Honestly, I’m constantly humming or singing two bars of the last thing I heard in a show/ Alexa streaming/ an ad. Sometimes I wake up with a song already going in my head - what’s up with that? Is there some truth to the old conspiracy theory about radio receivers in dental fillings?

There are songs that for some reason or another seem destined to become earworms. Karma Chameleon. Oklahoma. Pretty much anything by Shakira. Then there are others that are more tailored to an individual. Lacking any other input, for instance, I will hum phrases from Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro Overture. I will do this over and over and OVER again, something I don’t notice at all, but, sadly, anyone around me will experience. I have to be very alert when traveling by train because of this.

How about you, Reds? Are you afflicted by ear worms? What tunes are your triggers?

DEBORAH CROMBIE: I am, although probably not as much as more musical folks. I have been watching The Voice this season for the first time in a couple of years (Adam Levine is back as a coach, yay!) and a recent contestant–from Dallas, no less–sang a gorgeous version of Dream a Little Dream of Me and I’ve had it stuck in my head ever since!

LUCY BURDETTE: This mostly happens to me around Christmas. There are a few truly dreadful holiday songs that get stuck in my head if I hear them. I won’t say the whole thing out loud for fear of reactivating for me or for you–but hint, Mommy and Santa Claus. And anything to do with those blasted chipmunks!

HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN: Oh, isn't it so funny how this happens to all of us? Because: It’s a small world after all. AHHHHHHHH why did I type that?

 

Once I started singing Super Trouper in the car when Jonathan was driving me to the airport for book tour, but I don;t know all the words, so I would just sing the first two lines, over and over, and finally Jonathan said: honey, do you know the REST of the song? Which I did not.

 

Don't get me started on Kars for Kids. (Which I think I read somewhere, was composed specifically to stick in your head.)

And, news you can use, I also heard that if you have an immovable earworm, start singing Jingle Bell Rock, and that will erase it.

JENN McKINLAY: LOL. I’ll get you for that ear worm, Hank! Like Julia, I sing all the time without realizing it. Hub does, however, and frequently suggests I change up my top 40 hits, which inexplicably include Bobby McGee, Shake It Off, and Here Comes the Sun. No idea why.

RHYS BOWEN: I think I’m the queen of the earworms. I hum all the time when I’m concentrating on something (but not when I’m writing). Since I sing in a church choir it’s often one of the hymns we are practicing that’s stuck in my head.  If not I find that what I’m humming/singing has to do with what I’ve been talking or thinking about. Disputing some statement in the news? I find myself singing “It Ain’t Necessarily So.”  

But the writer of Kars for Kids should be hung, drawn and quartered. Ditto the writer of It’s a Small World.

HALLIE EPHRON: Ear worms R us, too. For the longest time the theme for Masterpiece Theatre was stuck in my head. In competition with Shake It Off. And, of course, I am constantly Defying Gravity… quite inspirational.

It’s so nice to be able to “watch” TV these days and mute the commercials. Katy bar the door.