Perhaps it is no accident that I am making a truely melt in your mouth shortbread, with, what I consider to be one of the finest butters in the world. Irish Butter. I mentioned that I was born and raised in Cork. Back in the late 1770's , Cork was home to the famous"Butter Exchange" This was the largest Butter markets in the world. Every morning the farmers would bring their butters to the market in wooden containers known as "Firkins". These were made of a really good hardwood, often oak. The butter was transported to tropical parts of the orld in these Firkins.

Now, you too, can enjoy the taste of Irish Butter. When I make my shortbreads, the butter and sugar is creamed first. It looks like golden sunshine in the mixing bowl. This butter makes the perfect shortbread. Melt in your mouth shortbreads . I am so proud of them that I have put my name on the box RACHEL GAFFNEYS TRADITIONAL IRISH BUTTER SHORTBREADS....

BUNRATTY CASTLE & KNAPPOGUE CASTLE

In the beginning, my business as I mentioned earlier ,was started so that I can pass along the rich cultural heritage that makes up this fine tapestry that is known as Ireland. It is steeped in history and tradition. When you visit you cannot help but succumb to its power. I own admit that. Fine craftsmanship encompasses all areas. From music to food , buildings to fine crystal &Linens. We are a nation that has a strong work ethic and take pride in what we do. My mother and grandmother took pride in everything that went on the table. I learned from the best. In this world of fast and processed food,people are losing a keen sense of taste. What a dis-service we are indeed doing to that sense !!!! I only use the finest ingredients. No cutting corners. You CANNOT cut corners if you want to deliver a superior product.

I remember going on a school tour to Bunratty Castle,Co Clare when I was 13. What a wonderful treat for ALL the senses. In the grounds of this castle,lies Bunratty Folk Park. Here they have captured the Medieval Lifestlye. As I wandered through the park ,I came upon one of the homes where a woman dressed in medieval attire was baking in the kitchen. She was kneading dough. To some it appeared tedious and boring. To me it struck me as theraputic and methodical. She was a crafstman. The aroma was too much for me. I had the opportunity of wandering on with my friends and escape the nuns or wait to try the bread !!! Well you can guess what I chose.....I can still taste it today at the ripe age of
39. All of these little experiences ,unknown to me at the time of course were going to lead me to my passion. Its not just baking,its craftsmanship and taking pride in what we do. We owe it to our kids to re teach this.

Little did I know then that I would happen upon a castle called "Knappogue Castle" located in Quin,Co Clare. Oh but it wasnt when I lived in Ireland. Ironically it was only in the last few years that I was introduced to this magnificent feat through a working relationship with a company known as Castle Brands here in the U.S. What a wonderful story. Why do I mention this? Because on further discovery I learned that the owners are from Texas and they personally restored a castle to its former glory. I urge you to research and read for yourself the wonderful story about Knappogue Castle. They have fine whiskeys,in fact some of the worlds best and rarest. I cannot do it justice,you must read for yourself. It is inspiring and hopeful. Try a sip while you are reading and re ignite your senses. I dare you...

So what makes MY IRELAND REAL?????? I get asked questions regularly like ...Is Ireland near Scotland? Is it part of the United Kingdom? What kind of cars do we drive? And my recent favorite...what is the name of the river between Ireland and the United Kingdom?!!!

Come on people....geography ???

So lets put a few things straight here once and for all. The name of this RIVER is actually called THE IRISH SEA !!! Ireland is divided up into 4 provinces namely Ulster,Leinster,Connaught and Munster. Each of the provinces has its own counties (A county being similar to a state)

I was born and raised in Douglas,Cork which is located in the province of Munster. This is in the southern part of Ireland. Northern Ireland (Ulster) is under British rule,and is therfore part of the United Kingdom. The remainder is known as THE REPUBLIC OF IRELAND. Dublin is the capitol. I hope this helps a little........



My mother Margot Gaffney was born and raised in Waterford. As a child she used to vacation in a place called Ardmore,so as I was growing up,I too used to vacation there. It is a beautiful location just surronded by natural beauty. The beaches are never ending. The tides are calming to the senses. I used to love to watch the fishing trawlers come in,you also knew they were coming in by looking up to see sea gulls circling them from miles out hoping to swoop in and steal a little lunch !!! I used to walk out to the head,and walk to the Round Tower which is an historical site. There are approx 52 Round Towers in Ireland. When you reach the one in Ardmore,the view is magnificent overlooking the beaches and bay below. It once housed 40 soldiers when battling with the English. If only these walls could talk !!!!!!!

SHOWCASE MINNESOTA is the morning show for KARE 11 ,a CBS affiliate. I will be doing another cooking segment on March 6th. This time I will be making a Raspberry Ice Cream Shortbread cake,with an Irish Liqueur . I will also be discussing the importance of Irish Butter,namely KERRYGOLD UNSALTED BUTTER. I just love the cold weather in Minnesota !!
No problems keeping the ice cream cold, I shouldnt think............

So, today we agreed (Joan Donatelle & I ) to have more cooking classes in the Culinary School in Byerlys St Louis Park on March 6th & March 7th.
My good friend Margaret Johnson is a noted cookbook author. She is certainly no stranger to writing,having penned for 'Los Angeles Times',Dublins 'Food &Wine'. Margaret lives in New York and has published several cookbooks including one of my favorites "the Irish Spirit". So that being said I think I will make Lamb Follain. This word is from the irish word,wholesome. Yes,Irish word. This is entirely another language. It is not English with an Irish accent as most people have asked me !!!

Irish or Gaeilge is studied in school in Ireland as soon as you begin school and is a mandatory subject all the way through. There are regions in Ireland known as Gaeltacht Regions or Irish speaking regions. One of such regions is off the West Coast of Ireland. The Aran Islands. I once spent a whole weekend there with friends. It was one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. Breathtaking.

So to honour these regions we will make all things wholesome and good................
The up coming menu will be posted soon. Margaret has visited such regions also,perhaps she can share her experience with us??

The next client was all the way North in the great state of Minnesota. Little shock to the system,living in Dallas and working in Minneapolis/St Paul in the winter !!!
Lunds & Byerlys a chain of grocery stores throughout the twin cities decided to have RACHEL GAFFNEYS TRADITIONAL IRISH BUTTER SHORTBREADS grace their shelves.
Their flagship store,located in St Louis Park has become my second home now !
Both staff and customers remind me so much of home.

We have held Irish cooking classes in their culinary school and they have turned in to a fun and educational hour about Ireland. Last time I held "An Irish Favorites " class.
Joan Donatelle (Culinary School) and I cooked up a storm. This is where the Ireland I know and the Ireland of long ago mesh to make a great tapestry. We made Irish Blue cheese stuffed mushrooms,with an Irish Whiskey Marmalade sauce, Guinness Irish stew,followed by my own recipe for Irish cheeseecake using Baileys Irish Cream and RACHEL GAFFNEYS SHORTBREADS CRUMBLED to make a delicious crust. These are fun and interactive....you should try it sometime.........

With St Patricks Day (March 17th) fast approaching,people will be donning green hats,dying beer and rivers green, consuming vast amounts of bacon & cabbage and looking for Leprechauns!!!
As I discovered in my research, St Patrick was once held captive by "Niall of The Nine Hostages" King of Ireland,379-406. So my family held St Patrick hostage......So,I should make ammends !

HOW? EDUCATE PEOPLE THROUGH A FUN AND INFORMATIVE WAY ABOUT IRELAND.
You see, you have just learned a little history!

St Patricks Day 2006 saw the arrival of RACHEL GAFFNEYS TRADITIONAL IRISH BUTTER SHORTBREADS on the shelves of 'Central Market' stores throughout Texas.
I make these shortbreads,using the finest ingredients,including 'Kerrygold Unsalted Butter'
These are preservative and additive free. I want you to experience the same taste I did when my mum made them. With that in mind it took 2 long years to find a bakery that would make them to my specifications, ie using real ingredients. The process was LONG and THOROUGH.
At times disheartning. I remeber flying back to Dallas one day after a day of complete failure at the bakery. All this money for nought. IT WASNT. It was just another way of knowing what did not work and another step to knowing what did work.......2 years later, a lot of travel,late nights,early mornings,cheap hotels,lonliness,worry we had our first succesful production run!!!