Columns - Irish Examiner

Sign in

2030231_1_org_Darina_Allen

Darina Allen

Learn how to cook with Darina's top recipes

Tasty burgers on wooden table

Darina Allen: How to make a beef burger and my secret to make it perfect

Smash burgers with crisp, lacy, deeply golden brown edges are all the rage, and there are numerous variations on the original

Mon, 23 Feb, 2026

Darina Allen: Three recipes to inspire you to leave the city for countryside life

Darina Allen: Three recipes to inspire you to leave the city for countryside life

Chickens, a few goats, a small flock of sheep and lots of vegetables growing, plus an endless string of hard knocks, mistakes and joyful learning

Sat, 14 Feb, 2026

Darina Allen: Three recipes inspired by my most enjoyable London meals

Darina Allen: Three recipes inspired by my most enjoyable London meals

My criteria for a good restaurant, even if I’ve had an enjoyable meal is this: Do I want to return?

Sat, 07 Feb, 2026

Darina Allen: Three recipes for homemade marmalade including one made in minutes

Darina Allen: Three recipes for homemade marmalade including one made in minutes

For those who love a really fresh tasting marmalade and/or if you are short of time, try this no cook marmalade, made in minutes

Sat, 31 Jan, 2026

Darina Allen: Delve into the versatile, curious world of winter vegetables with these recipes

Darina Allen: Delve into the versatile, curious world of winter vegetables with these recipes

Have you heard of my relatively new find, a vegetable called oca?

Sat, 24 Jan, 2026

Darina Allen: Bringing home a slice of tasty tapas from the south of Spain

Darina Allen: Bringing home a slice of tasty tapas from the south of Spain

Here are recipes for some of the many traditional tapas I really enjoyed

Sat, 17 Jan, 2026

original steamed Chinese dumplings. asian cuisine

Darina Allen: My travels throughout Asia have tantalised my palate for diverse cuisines

Asian cuisines have a rich and diverse history dating back thousands of years. It’s been shaped by a myriad of cultural influences, trade routes and regional ingredients

Sat, 03 Jan, 2026

cheese fondue

Darina Allen: Three recipes to make with leftover Christmas cheese — including Myrtle's fondue

Cheese board leftovers are the gifts that keep on giving

Sun, 28 Dec, 2025

Darina Allen: Three recipes for cooking for Christmas crowds

Darina Allen: Three recipes for cooking for Christmas crowds

"For me, the days around Christmas are perfect for informal parties around the table or tables, sometimes guests spill into another room."

Mon, 15 Dec, 2025

Darina Allen: Try these recipes for stress-free starters for your Christmas feast

Darina Allen: Try these recipes for stress-free starters for your Christmas feast

This week I’m mulling over possible starters for the Christmas feast - something light, lovely, tantalisingly fresh and easy to serve.

Sun, 07 Dec, 2025