holidays

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Before I get started on this simple, delicious, and somewhat healthy side dish (that is perfect alongside turkey for a holiday meal), let’s just look at my box of produce below. Two giant bushels of giant carrots, pulled from the dirt that day, six apples, a bunch of celery, a giant yellow onion, and a piece of ginger root, all purchased for 8 euros. If I could find quality, local, cheap veggies and fruits like this in Boston, I would be a much healthier person. I am positively jealous at how cheap much of the produce in Ireland is! I love cooking here.

vegetables

Not only was my produce haul cheap, but it was the epitome of fresh and tasty. For Thanksgiving, I decided to make carrots with a little extra flavor in the way of Bulmer’s Irish Cider (called Magner’s in America), ginger, and of course the beloved Kerrygold butter.

Irish cider

My ever-helpful husband got the job of cleaning and peeling all of these carrots.

fresh carrots

And I chopped them into carrot coins, eating about every other one. As I chopped, family members stopped by to steal their own carrot snack. These were seriously sweet.

carrots

Once the carrots were chopped, I mixed them with a few tablespoons of finely chopped ginger, added them to a clay pot, and almost covered them in Irish cider and several pats of butter. I put them in an oven at around 400 and left them there until they were bubbling yet still a little bit firm. No one likes a mushy veggie! Well, the Irish seem to, but I am happy to help change that. Winking smile

ginger carrots

These carrots were super simple to prepare, and once they were in the oven I was able to get to all of the other dinner components. With a slight spice from the ginger, a sweetness from the cider, and a richness from the butter, they were an ideal accompaniment to the meal, and I will be making them again for Christmas dinner.

Did you make or have any new sides at Thanksgiving?

Did you enter to win a sweet wine party pack from Tapeña Wines?

Tags: dinner, Food, holidays, recipes, Vegetarian

I’ve written before about how much I love visiting Europe in the winter time. It is purely magical; slightly chillier and mostly off-season, it feels more special than during touristy times. And then there are the Christmas markets. We have been to the Christmas market in Vienna, but being this is only Galway’s second year doing such a market, this is our first time visiting one here in Ireland.

Christmas markets are very popular in Germany and Austria, and there is certainly reason for this. They bring the most festive foods, drinks, and wares into one central, outdoor location. When you’re bundled up drinking a hot mulled wine while browsing the different stalls, the cold suddenly doesn’t matter. This past Friday afternoon after lunch and a walk, we made our way to the Galway Christmas market. Located in the center of town, Eyre Square, the market completely delighted us, and we will be returning again and again on our visit to Ireland.

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The weather in Galway has certainly not been very nice over the past few days, but we got lucky on the afternoon the market opened with a respite from the rain and winds. First things first. I had to get a hot buttered rum from the Winter Warmer truck, just because I could. I don’t get what the big deal is with public drinking in America. We probably have a lot more dangerous activities that are legal. A hot cup of mulled wine or rum while listening to Christmas music and browsing stalls is harmless, and a great way to warm up!

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The rum was so delicious, buttery and sweet and definitely hit the spot.

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Of course, if you don’t like rum, you can have a hot port, a glass of Beaujolais Nouveau, or another wintry beverage.

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The Christmas market features all sorts of food, like freshly made sweet or savory crepes.

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It also offers plants of all types, with lots of seasonal flowers and greenery for holiday decorating.

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A beer garden makes up a large part of the market and provides the perfect place to rest after an afternoon of shopping.

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The markets serve as a great way to stimulate the local economy. Many, if not most, of the vendors featured some sort of local ingredient or craftsperson.

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Seaweed is available in huge abundance in Ireland, and it is a popular beauty treatment both over-the-counter and in spas. The carrageenan is also sold to America to thicken sauces and dressings.

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In addition to the market stalls, food, and drink, the Christmas market also features a few fun carnival rides for kids of all ages, making it a fun place for a day out for the family.

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The Christmas markets in Europe embody the warmth and spirit of the season. They provide festive and often inexpensive treats and make the month of December something really special, giving people that boost to get outside, mix and mingle, and enjoy life, one of my favorite parts about visiting Europe.

Have you ever been to a Christmas market?

Tags: Christmas, Europe, Galway, holidays, Ireland, markets, Travel

Recipe Roundup

Can you feel it? The buzz of the holidays in the air? We certainly felt it at Trader Joe’s yesterday. It was packed, and there was a near-fight between two women because, in the very crowded check out area, one woman stepped over the other woman’s basket of groceries. Because really, there was nowhere to walk. There was an exchange of words, which made me glad I get to do my actual Thanksgiving shopping in a country that doesn’t even celebrate.

And do stores really need to be so hot? I don’t like being cold, but with all of those people, they could probably turn the heat down 5 degrees and save a ton on heating costs. Just a thought.

As I am planning my Thanksgiving menu, I thought I would share some seasonal favorites and some not-so-traditional ideas to mix things up in case anyone is looking for inspiration. If you have a favorite of your own, feel free to link back in the comments. I love suggestions!

cranberry and cheddar biscuits

Cranberry Cheddar Biscuits

http://traveleatlove.me/2010/12/new-traditions-with-woolwich-dairy/

 

butternut squash, apples, fennel

Butternut Squash and Apple Soup

http://traveleatlove.me/2010/11/butternut-apple-soup/

Cornbread Sausage Stuffing

Cornbread Sausage Stuffing (or the time I met Amanda Hesser)

http://traveleatlove.me/2010/11/a-new-york-times-potluck/

 

 

Brussels Sprouts

 

Sriracha Maple Brussels Sprouts – add a little spice to your Thanksgiving!

http://traveleatlove.me/2010/11/sriracha-maple-brussels-sprouts/

 

baked macaroni and cheese

Baked Mac and Cheese

http://traveleatlove.me/2010/12/the-obvious-choice/ 

As for wine, I’ll probably be keeping it simple and sticking with bubbly.

 

What’s your favorite all-American Thanksgiving recipe? Do you have any favorite Thanksgiving dishes that are special or unique to your family?

Tags: Food, holidays, recipes, Thanksgiving

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