I believe that Feasting Galore will carry the nostalgic and appetizing aroma of the Irish Kitchen to our exiles all over the world. It is my hope that to readers who cannot claim that "drop of Irish blood" may prove that home life in Ireland retains a dignity and graciousness, and that the cooking of our country is not limited - as so many seem to believe - to Irish stew and stirabout. Robert Briscoe, Lord Mayor of Dublin, (1894-1969)

{HISTORY}

From the kitchen of beloved Irish novelist, playwright, and cooking authority Maura Laverty (1907-1966) comes this vintage midcentury Irish cookbook packed full of recipes, anecdotes, and stories from the Emerald Isle. 

Published in 1961, this American first edition of Feasting Galore features 200 recipes, fabulous stories about Irish culture, and cooking wrapped up in little novel-like vignettes and a handful of Irish ballads.  Entertaining from page one starting in the bread section with a story about Brian McFeeney, his girlfriend, and his mother, Maura has an enchanting way of weaving storytelling into recipes that then transition back into stories again, so that you are not quite sure if you are reading a storybook with recipes or a recipe book with stories.

Either way, this cookbook is a delight. The stories are fun and funny. The recipes call for simple, whole ingredients. The overall spirit of the book is lively and infectious. And the pride in Ireland's hearty culinary heritage is felt on every page.  

Interesting recipes include Fairy Ring's Potato Scones, Carrot Marmalade, Boxty on the Griddle, Elderflower Lemonade, Puddeny-Pie,  Emerald Sauce, Baked Limerick Ham, Wexford Sole in Cider Sauce, Bread and Cheese Panada, Dunmurray Rice, Crab Apple and Bramble Jelly, Pickled Gooseberries, Friday Manglam, Golden Vale Pudding, Nested Eggs, Whiskey Pie, Oat Cakes and Columcille Cookies 

Photo of Maura Laverty courtesy of The Evening Star, March 16, 1947

{SPECIAL FEATURES}

 - First Edition published in 1961 by Holt, Rhinehart & Winston

 - 144 pages

 - Illustrated throughout with drawings by Bill O'Gorman

 - Chapters include 

• Bread
•  Cakes & Cookies
• Pies, Puddings & Desserts
• Soups
• Fish
• Vegetables
• Meat, Poultry, Game
• Fast-Day Feasts
• Sauces, Sweet & Savory
• Jellies, Jams, Pickles
• Irish Hospitality

{CONDITION}

In lovely vintage condition, this book is clean and bright throughout with no cooking spots, stains, or notations. There is a previous owner's name written in pen on the inside endpaper dated 1966. The spine is tight and all pages are intact.

{SIZE}

Measures 8,5" inches (length) x 5.75" inches (width) x .75" inches (thickness) and weighs 13 oz.