It's the tuck of the Irish ! : the Irish Kitchen Trotter box

This month's Kitchen Trotter has arrived and, just in time for St Patrick's Day, it's an Irish-themed box. 

This one was stuffed full of big boxes and packets - some flapjacks, an Irish soda bread mix and some scrummy-looking biscuit bites.

There were also a trio of jars - Ballymaloe Original Relish, Irish Mist Honey and Marmalade with Irish Whisky.

There was also a sachet of Irish Spice Mix - a blend of thyme, rosemary, garlic, fennel, white pepper and chilli.

The souvenir gadget was an "It's My Lucky Day" magnet/bottle opener which has found its place on the fridge door, amongst our other globetrotting magnets and stickers !

So, what comes to mind when you think of Irish recipes? Irish stew ? Beef in Guinness pie? Potato Cakes? Well, I was wrong on all counts !

First up is Marmalade Glazed Carrots.

Next is Irish Veal Stew. (Sounds like Irish Stew to me, but I think that's usually made with lamb.)

Baileys Cheesecake with Chocolate Sauce. Ooh that sounds rather nice !

And finally, Traditional Soda Bread with Relish. I'd never thought about what soda bread actually is or where it gets its name from but it's a traditional bread made with bicarbonate of soda rather than yeast apparently.

It all sounds quite homely this time, with nothing too out of the ordinary - just a few twists on things that we already eat, so I'll be keen to see how they come out.

*** Don't miss my country-by-country globecooking recipe index ! ***