St Patricks Day is almost upon us. I am already in the mood. I have been cooking Irish food for the last 3 days ! What fun. On friday Morning March 6th,I appeared on "Showcase Minnesota" preparing Celtic Crossing Ice Cream Cake. I spent Friday & Saturday cooking in the culinary school in Byerly's,St Louis Park. Its official .....I have groupies !!!!!!
One in particular stands out, Mary O'Shea. She sits at the front of the class. Good student! Interestingly enough, Mary told me during class that she had the dilema as a child to decide to be a nun or a Vegas Dancing girl....she decided on neither !!!!


My intent was to dispel the myth about Irish Food. I wanted to bring the Ireland I know to people. Before the class begun,I made my mums Irish Soda Bread. On arrival,it was piping hot and ready to be served with some KERRYGOLD butter. As I have already mentioned,I have spent quite some time perfecting the RACHEL GAFFNEY SHORTBREAD recipe. Its flavor is so unique that we made an Ice Cream Cake from it.
I took 4 cups of RACHEL GAFFNEYS SHORTBREAD crumbs and added 2 tablespoons of melted butter. This was packed tightly into a 9" springform pan. The oven was preheated at 325 degrees and baked for approx 7 mins. Meanwhile I took 1 gallon of Vanilla Ice Cream and mixed 3/4 pint of raspberries,and 3 tablespoons of CELTIC CROSSING LIQUEUR adn mixed together. Next,this mixture was poured in to the springform pan and placed in the freezer until ready to serve.

The rich buttery taste of the RACHEL GAFFNEY shortbread combined with the tart of the raspberries and the sweet of the ice cream and liqueur was something to be savored............

Well,today I am preparing for my trip to Lunds & Byerlys in Minneapolis,Minnesota.
Thursday evening I will be prepping for my cooking segment on SHOWCASE MINNESOTA, Friday March 6th. In this segment I will be showing people how to make "Celtic Crossing" Ice Cream cake with my traditional Irish Butter shortbreads as the base.

Following the TV segment I will be hosting culinary classes in the Byerlys,St louis Park.

The Menu is as follows:

-Smoked Salmon and Crab Roulades with Walnut Vinaigrette

-Lamb Follain,made with KNAPPOGUE CASTLE IRISH WHISKEY

-Turnip Gratin

-CELTIC CROSSING Ice Cream Cake made with RACHEL GAFFNEYS SHORTBREAD

My good friend Margaret Johnson is the Author of "The Irish Spirit" Cookbook. "Recipes Inspired by the legendary drinks of Ireland" The photographs are fresh,the history accurate,the recipes depict the Ireland I know to be true. Thank you Margaret for yet another lovely book.

The classes are always fun...we cook and banter .....eat and relax...slowing down just a little to sample a bit of Ireland.....RACHEL GAFFNEYS REAL IRELAND.........

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??