A Very Irish Christmas

Ireland was so cold this Christmas that there just wasn't much point in going outside. That was fine, however, as there was plenty to be eaten inside.

We had a traditional Christmas dinner with a turkey from a local farm and stuffing made with mashed potatoes (I was informed that bread stuffing is so American). My Irish aunties also introduced me to a Cork specialty, spiced beef, which they described (accurately) as akin to pastrami but flavored with Christmas spices like cloves, allspice, and mace.

And when we did make it out of the house (to another warm, sheltered location), we rewarded ourselves with freshly baked Irish scones: crisp on the outside, soft and sweet on the inside, and layered with clotted cream and raspberry jam.

(For the Christmas turkey and spiced ham, my Aunts relied on their favorite purveyors at the old-school English Market in downtown Cork. For very civilized tea and scones, visit Hayfield Manor, where tea is served in the hotel's library and sitting room in cozy nooks next to fireplaces or overlooking the manicured courtyard.)