by Darina Allen

Kyle Books, $40

Often called the Julia Child of Ireland, Darina Allen runs the world-renowned Ballymaloe Cookery School, where her Forgotten Skills courses are incredibly popular. This transporting book is a product of those classes, and it will delight anyone who wants to connect with such endangered domestic tasks as churning butter, foraging, and making homemade apple cider. Allen is an astounding teacher, and her enthusiasm for good things and old-fashioned thriftiness is impossible to resist. She shares stories, recipes, tips, and techniques that will inspire you to craft all sorts of staples that these days usually come in packages from the grocery store. Once you taste your own vinegar and bread and cheese, and get into the swing of making them, chances are, you won’t go back to the modern way. At least, that’s Darina Allen’s sincere hope.

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