Clodagh McKenna's approach to sourcing food, cooking it, and serving it in the most delightful circumstances is a breath of fresh Irish air, most welcome on the American food scene. -- Coleman Andrews She is a natural cook, with her head straight on and a confident hand. Saveur McKenna is Ireland's answer to Rachael Ray or Martha Stewart, a multi-talented food & home personality at the head of a fast-growing media empire. Forbes Elevated by unexpected variations on conventional dishes: Turkey curry with basmati rice and naan bread at the holidays, spicy lamb koftas with tomato salsa and tzatziki with a chilled beer in July and lemon grass and ginger infused creme brulee for Valentine's Day... [This is] an approachable blend of unfussy comfort foods (spiced butternut squash and coconut soup, key lime pie) and dishes inspired to challenge your skills and your senses (pan-roasted John Dory fish with minted beurre blanc, banoffee pie cupcakes). Virtually all of them look delicious. -- Heidi Stevens, author, Chicago Tribune Balancing Act Column; author, Balancing Act: More than 50 essays on Juggling Life, Love and Work in a Not-always Obliging World (Agate 2014) Chicago Tribune, March 13, 2013 St. Patrick's Day at Irish food writer Clodagh McKenna's house is as far removed from the green beer bacchanalia we associate with the holiday in her latest book, she serves up cheddar cheese scones for her cabbage and bacon soup, whips up souffles made with mild Irish Coolea cheese (psst, you can substitute Gouda), and bakes lovely chocolate-mint cupcakes with green frosting.But she does pay homage to Guinness, the quintessential Irish stout, with adorable espresso-infused chocolate mousse spooned into clear shot glasses and brimming with foam okay, whipped heavy cream. You won't have the hangover to regret, only the calories.The book also takes you through the rest of the year (and occasionally around the globe), with seasonal, healthy recipes such as potted shrimp and lemon shortbread for a summer picnic, spiced apple chutney in the fall, and orange and cinnamon mince pie roulades for Christmas. -- Vicki Hyman, Best spring 2014 cookbooks: From Nazareth to rural Mississippi and beyond Newark Star-Ledger, 3/13/13 [Clodagh McKenna] is lovely and fun, and her recipes keep it simple and real. Her new book is filled with recipes that capture her charm and roots. I resisted writing about her book prior to St. Patrick's Day as much as I liked her recipes for Guinness Stew, Irish Coffee and Chocolate Mint Cupcakes. That's because I wanted to use her spring recipes for ham and asparagus for Easter. Her book offers recipes month by month. Some with a wee Irish touch and some not. There are picnic recipes for June; end-of-summer ideas for August and September; and holiday recipes for fall. The photos in the book are beautifully styled with a sweet country flair. -- Gail Giampa Providence Journal, 3/27/13
