It feels safe to say that we have welcomed Spring in Ireland. The blossom is in full bounty leaving scatterings of this swift season across our feet and in our paths. Although the blossom doesn't hang around for long, it's arrival marks a change in our days as we can allow ourselves to make way for changes. Changes in what we wear, changes in what we do and changes in how we eat. Winter is the season for stews, soups and casseroles and while we spent the cold months refuelling and keeping our bodies warm, by the time spring comes we are ready for new ideas to shake up the dinner routine. It's this time of year that I struggle the most with inspiration for our meals. I have grown tired of the same recipes I have been begun to have on rotation and cooking starts to become a task rather than a moment in my day that I look forward to. Naturally I am a fan of blogs (I would be mortified to tell you how many I actually read) and there are some truly beautiful sites out there that I turn to in my moment of need. Not only do these sites provide me with endless ideas, recipes and combinations my tired wee brain could never concoct on it's own but they are also a form of escape for me. Through reading these beautiful posts I get a snapshot in to a beautiful kitchen and a life that's so different to mine. It's not a matter of being envious but being woken up from whatever slumber I have fallen in to. I have decided to share some of my favourite food blogs in case you are a victim of the seasonal slump. I know you will adore each of them but please don't blame me if you waste hours of your evening pouring yourself over beautiful pictures instead of cooking the amazing recipes you intended!
Farmette
Source: Farmette
Imen is an American who fell in love with an Irishman first and Ireland a close second. She creates her own interpretation of Irish recipes while providing a snapshot in to her life in the Irish countryside and how she has adjusted to our way of life. Her photos are always beautiful and help remind me why I'm so lucky to live on this wild island along with having such a close hand to fresh ingredients.
Manger
Source: Manger
Oh this blog leads me in to a dangerous place of envy mixed with sheer adoration. Mimi has the most wonderful way of writing that takes you on a gastronomic journey you just don't want to end. With beautiful pictures of her life in the French Médoc region with her squad of equally beautiful children (and dogs!) taken by her husband Oddur, it's enough to make you want to run away and live the life of a culinary vagabond. I blame my best friend Caoimhe for this obsession as she was the one that introduced me to the blog and we gush often of our love for Mimi (we have big dreams of attending workshops held in the family chateau once we win the lotto).
Joy The Baker
Source: Joy The Baker
Joy is like my best friend that I've never met. Her words are so familiar to me it's like she's an old pal who I can't wait to see again when she invites me over for pasta and wine. She is super talented and inspires me to step out of my tiny box a little and to not worry about the mess. I also love her weekly Sunday posts that make me laugh as well as teaching me about things I would never have learned on my own. She is awesome.
Local Milk
Source: Local Milk
If Joy is the best friend I never had then Beth is the cool girl I would be too terrified to even talk to. She has such style and is a true wordsmith as well as a recipe guru. She travels the world with her husband and baby hosting workshops that I can only dream of attending but make do with following her on Instagram. I might not always make the recipes she suggests but I try and give most them a whirl. Even so, her pictures and words alone have me returning to her magical world (and have me planning my next adventure!).
The Smitten Kitchen
Source: The Smitten Kitchen
Deb's site is my go-to when I want a quick recipe that I know will satisfy my rumbling tummy. Her recipes are approachable which is exactly what I need after I've slugged all day behind a computer and it's a plus when every recipe is one I want to try. I would definitely recommend her blog for the days when you want something that's not intimidating using ingredients that you will definitely have in your cupboards.
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