If you've ever thought the "luck of the Irish" makes absolutely no sense — we're talking about a country where a lousy season for root vegetables caused widespread famine and mass emigration — it's because it doesn't. It's an ironic statement, and if anything the Irish are known far better for their sense of irony than their inherent luck. That's not why I don't believe in luck, though. Read more

St. Patty's Day is nearly upon us, and my new favorite holiday dish is this easy Irish beef and stout stew. It's the perfect marriage of late Winter and early Spring. The beef is fall-apart tender from hours of oven braising, while the green peas added in at the last minute are a bright reminder of how gardens are finally awakening. This recipe, which I discovered thanks to Everyday Food, Read more

Since St. Patty's falls on a Thursday this year, get a head start on the festivities with some soulful weekend cooking. Bust out the slow cooker for savory corned beef, cabbage, and potatoes — and, of course, relax by sipping on stout while you're at it, whether it's in a Guinness onion soup, as an ice cream mix-in, or simply in a cold glass. Need more Irish inspiration? Be sure to check out Read more

Serve an Irish breakfast this weekend. — Chow Giant whoopie pie pan: love it or hate it? — Baking Bites A table at Top Chef's restaurant wars is up for bid in a charity auction. — Eater Make pasta e broccoli for dinner tonight. — Serious Eats Michael Voltaggio and Ludo Lefebvre prove they've paid their dues as chefs. — Daily Dish Where to eat bone marrow in San Francisco. — Grub Read more

You're probably scratching your head wondering why this picture, which looks strangely like French onion soup, is labeled Irish onion soup. Well, let me explain. It's a jazzed up variation of the classic onion and bread-topped soup that uses two important Irish ingredients: Guinness and cheddar cheese. It has the same flavors as the traditional rendition, but the beer provides a delicious Read more

It's almost mid-March, and American eaters are moving on quickly from one debaucherous holiday to the next. For St. Patrick's Day, I already know what I'm serving for dessert: Guinness ice cream! Since spotting the Food & Wine recipe, I've bought an ice cream maker and prepared it twice in one week. With the big green holiday looming seven days ahead, I can only imagine how many more times Read more

This month, some dear friends from college will be visiting me in San Francisco. Whenever I have out-of-towners, my favorite way to welcome them is with a small savory or sweet treat — always homemade, for a little personal touch. This time, I'll be making scones. After all, what puts one at ease better than a warm pile of just-baked breakfast breads? Since one of them has a sweet tooth, and Read more