The Irish have the Blarney Stone and the gift of gab. They also have a genius for turning simple, unassuming ingredients into dishes glowing with comfort and flavor.

Irish chefs have gained the respect of world food connoisseurs, but they have not forgotten their roots. So although pub food has been joined by haute cuisine, homely traditional dishes still hold their place.

After weeks of holiday desserts, a simple dish of oranges suddenly seems like heaven - or at least the food of heaven. Ambrosia is an old-fashioned Southern fruit dessert or salad.

It's a gift from the heart: a made-from-scratch, meltingly delicious home-baked treat, that is. Now you can give the gift of baking to someone you love-complete with kitchen-filling aromas and fresh-from-the-oven goodness-thanks to a truly unique gift idea that doesn't call for a high degree of culinary skill. Includes recipes for Chocolate Chunk and Old-Fashioned Oatmeal Chocolate Chip.

Most Americans will enjoy foods that, although considered a mainstay of the holiday, were unknown to the Pilgrims. Try these two authentic dishes that will add to the array of plant-based foods at your Thanksgiving meal.

It may seem heresy to suggest an alternative ending to the traditional Thanksgiving meal. But for those looking for a bit more culinary adventure, health-conscious cooks have developed a welcome variety of delicious alternatives to the revered pumpkin pie.