My Family’s Comfort Food Holiday Feast Menu

by Evin // December 24, 2024 // No Comments

My parents took turns making holiday feasts, so this menu is a mix of my favourite recipes from each of their usual repertoires. If you’re an OG reader, you’ll remember I created a post listing all my mom’s usual dishes... Continue reading →

Fresh Bell Pepper Salad with Grilled Sausage

by Evin // May 1, 2024 // No Comments

Today, on our walk around town we popped in to the English Market to buy some fresh O’Flynn’s Sausages to grill at home for an easy lunch. Two pork-free sausages were available today, the Lamb & Rosemary and the Boerewors, so we bought three of... Continue reading →

Air fried kale leaves on a plain white background

How to Make Kale Chips in an Air Fryer

by Evin // January 16, 2024 // No Comments

Kale chips are a healthy and delicious alternative to traditional potato chips. My cousin Katie makes THE BEST ones and I could eat a whole head of kale prepared in this way. Ok, two heads. Surprisingly, they’re easy to make... Continue reading →

Brussels Sprouts on Your Table: 25 Ways

by Evin // December 12, 2023 // No Comments

Growing up, broccoli was my favorite vegetable. I would eat those little trees every day happily. Then, I discovered the multifaceted flavour of the Brussels sprout. Since then, I’ve grown to love almost every vegetable, but Brussels sprouts remain in... Continue reading →

My Favorite 3 Parsnip Recipes

by Evin // December 5, 2023 // No Comments

Parsnips have a unique sweet and earthy flavor that is similar to a carrot but with a slightly nuttier and sweeter taste. They are a great addition to soups, stews, and purees, and can be roasted or mashed to bring... Continue reading →

Prawn & Watermelon Salad. Photo by Taylor Kiser

Refreshing Prawn & Watermelon Green Salad

by Evin // May 16, 2023 // No Comments

A good summer salad should have a mix of textures, like juicy fruit, crunchy vegetables, and creamy cheese or dressing. Bright and tangy ingredients with fresh herbs like mint or basil add a burst of flavor. You’ll notice the mint... Continue reading →

Burrata, fig, arugula, and pecan salad. Photo by Evin Bail O'Keeffe

Fig, Burrata & Rocket Salad

by Evin // February 14, 2023 // No Comments

Nestled beside the railroad tracks amidst the best antique shops Howard Avenue has to offer, there is a little Italian deli called DeliClub in Kensington, Maryland. Whenever I am in the area, I stop in and hope their fig, burrata... Continue reading →

Homemade Pumpkin Pie with Cinnamon Crust

Pumpkin & Comfort Food Recipes for Autumn

by Evin // October 29, 2022 // No Comments

With Autumn enveloping us like a favorite woollen cardigan, it is time to cook with pumpkin, spice, and everything nice. Warm and cosy dishes at the table, crisp leaves falling from the golden trees, and a gentle chill in the... Continue reading →

Chilled Crab Salad on Fresh Greens

by Evin // July 12, 2022 // No Comments

This is a great dish to prep in the morning and store in the fridge if you’re having friends over for lunch or dinner. It’s easy to serve atop fresh greens at the right time and will be chilled to... Continue reading →

Homemade chunky cranberry sauce in a glass bowl with a spoon

Homemade Cranberry Sauce

by Evin // November 23, 2021 // No Comments

I can’t believe I’m even writing this down, but someone was impressed I make my own homemade cranberry sauce when I mentioned it and I had to tell them it’s SO easy. And fairly essential in Ireland where canned cranberry... Continue reading →

Cream of Pumpkin Soup with Cinnamon Croutons

by Evin // September 28, 2021 // 1 Comment

This is a delicate autumn dish that incorporates comforting flavors and ready-to-use ingredients. For vegetarians, substitute your preferred vegetable broth for chicken broth. Recipe courtesy of my sage friend Sara. You can use butternut squash if pumpkin isn’t available in your region.... Continue reading →

Green with Envy: Homemade Salad Dressings

by Evin // July 27, 2021 // No Comments

A bite of crisp lettuce is refreshing and hydrating, which makes anyone's mouth water on a muggy summer day. There are so many types of salad greens, and even more dressing options. That makes it easy to have your daily greens in a salad without becoming bored with the same flavors day after day. Continue reading →

Sun-dried Tomato and Herbs Orzo Salad | EvinOK

Vegan Sun-dried Tomato and Herbs Orzo Salad

by Evin // July 20, 2021 // No Comments

When we were living in California, one of our favourite treats from the Italian deli markets was a flavour-filled orzo salad. They varied, but always went well with anything from roast chicken to grilled fish. After moving to Ireland, I... Continue reading →

Chilled Beetroot Soup

by Evin // July 13, 2021 // 4 Comments

It was July 2011 in Cork City and a typically mild day. My belly was just starting to get bigger as I reached the third trimester of my pregnancy. I was craving some weird foods. My stomach was repulsed by normal... Continue reading →

Homemade Buttermilk Ranch Salad Dressing

by Evin // June 22, 2021 // 2 Comments

I miss Ranch Salad Dressing. Whenever family or friends visit, we ask them to bring Hidden Valley Original Ranch Dressing Mix Packages. Though, now Mr Bell’s in Cork city stocks the Wishbone bottled version. A far cry from the American foods available... Continue reading →

Cooking with Ramps, aka Allium tricoccum

by Evin // May 13, 2021 // No Comments

The settlers of the southern Appalachian Mountains were among the first to use the term “ramp” to describe the potent little plant otherwise known as Allium tricoccum. Indigenous to the southeastern United States, it is almost an exclusive group who knows... Continue reading →

Quick Pickled Fennel and Radishes | EvinOK

Quick Pickled Fennel & Radishes to Serve with Fish

by Evin // May 11, 2021 // No Comments

This recipe is a perfect pairing for anyone who loves fish! Whether it’s lox, poached fish, or tuna salad sandwiches, this is a tangy yet subtly sweet addition. I love quick pickling for small batches that I use within a... Continue reading →

Mushrooms – Good Things Come In Small Packages

by Evin // September 8, 2020 // No Comments

Mushrooms can so easily be overlooked in the grocery market. Not only are they small, but also a pale khaki color. At first glance, it makes you wonder who first thought of picking a mushroom from the dirt in a... Continue reading →

Make Ahead Vegan Tomato and Corn Salad for Picnics

Make Ahead Vegan Tomato & Corn Salad for a Picnic

by Evin // August 11, 2020 // No Comments

During the restrictions when we were self-isolating, I found myself relying more and more on the herbs grown on our balcony. My parsley and cilantro/coriander were inconsistent in their robustness, but the mint, chives, and scallions were always reaching for... Continue reading →

vegetables and salads