The Irish Kitchen fall solidly into the third category. The recipes are wonderful, covering a wide swath of traditional Irish cooking. But the stories and photographs are truly stunning. We've been to Ireland several times and these photographs take us right back. 

This all makes sense since it comes to us from a tiny UK press run by a professional photographer with decades landscape and portrait photography under his belt. Andrew's photographs capture the soul of a nation, bringing you inside it's stunning homes, showcasing it's gorgeous landscapes, and 

introducing us to some of the artisans who carry on its traditions and way of life. 

Irish food is at it's core simple food that highlights the bounty of fish from the sea, lamb from the pastures, and produce from it's peat covered bogs. The recipes are largely takes on traditional fare but the author adds her own spin and personal touch. 

One of the choices I love about the book is the way it breaks up the chapters. Often brooks are separated into sections based on ingredients, or meals of the day. This can be a of a cold way to present food. But this book chooses to highlight food as it connects to daily life: breakfast, afternoon tea, and the pub, as well a section on Christmas cooking. It's a smart and evocative choice, again deepening it's connection with culture. 

This is the kind of fare that makes you want to curl up with a pint of Guinness and a good book. It's food to share with your friends and family. It's food to build culture and community around. And we think its just the kind of salve we need in these trying times.