Q: I'm hosting a boozy St. Patrick's Day brunch this Saturday and wanted to make alcoholic Shamrock Shakes. Can you recommend a good recipe?

Sent by Kristin

Irish food doesn’t often get the acclaim it deserves. Irish celebrity chef Rachel Allen is changing that little by little all over the world, literally. She was in Dubai last week and in NYC this week, and her fan base continues to grow like wild fire.  It’s because she presents Irish cuisine with a breath of fresh air, including modern takes on traditional dishes. St. Patrick’s Day is just around the corner so it’s the perfect time you to take another look at what she’s dishing in her latest book, Rachel’s Irish Family Food.

Are you looking for a quick dish to celebrate St. Patrick's Day? Something festive without hours worth of labor in the kitchen? Check out these two tips to turn any quiche (or baked good for that matter) into something special. More

Citrus and poppy seeds go hand in hand, as do muffins and spring. So what better way to welcome in March than with these scrumptious orange-infused poppy seed muffins? The bright and sunny flavors are guaranteed to lift your winter spirits, even if the weather is not ready to comply.
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I've never in my life come across bad mashed potatoes. (I take that back. Potato flakes and a blender are coming to mind.) But usually my taste buds do not discriminate: cream, buttermilk, garlic, and Parmesan are all welcome additions to my favorite spuds, and I will never turn my nose up at cream cheese, truffle oil, even powdered ranch. I can assure you that I will eat any mashed potatoes — all mashed potatoes — with joyful glee. However after devouring these gouda smashed potatoes for the second time, my standards may have just changed. More

A mid-day stop for flights of vodka and a caviar tasting with your mom isn't a typical day in the life. Well, at least not my life! But on a recent blustery cold New York afternoon, my mom showed me a little sunshine in the romantically lit, over-the-top glamorous dining room of The Russian Tea Room. Considering it was a work day, I wasn't able to fully partake in the vodka sipping, but I did find something just as indulgent, though less nap-inducing, on the cocktail menu. More

I have a chocolate crush. I'm rolling in the deep with it. It's even a touch embarrassing — like the times when I'm the only person at the table who orders dessert. Oh, but St. Valentine's day. That's a day I can indulge in without judgement. A day I can fill with chocolate, a day I can plan an all-chocolate dinner meal. And it's not as sweet as you may think. More

I often wonder what would happen if I could pursue all of the ideas and dreams that churned within my brain. I might be a Nobel prize winner, best-selling author, philanthropist, olympic athlete, or a beauty queen by now. I would definitely be a better girlfriend, daughter, sister, and friend. I would listen harder, talk less, and love more. I would do all of these things, if only...

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It's Valentine's Day; break out the Red No. 40! Seriously, though, the day is accompanied by a slew of artificially-colored red and pink foods. But if you'd like to stay away from the fake stuff, here are a few alternatives to consider for your homemade Valentine's Day treats: More

Q: Any ideas on making yogurt-covered pretzels? I wanted to make my beloved an edible Valentine with yogurt-covered pretzels, but my boyfriend is allergic to chocolate (brown and white). Any recipe suggestions?

Sent by Sandra