Chocolate and Guinness Cupcakes

Happy St Patrick's Day! I have been desperate to make this recipe for ages. I was inspired and given pearls of wisdom to transform the cake into cupcakes by the lovely Maria over at The Goddess's Kitchen. I was right to be desperate! - These babies can only be described as divine! They deserve all the praise they receive from bloggers. I can't wait to dish them out when I go out tonight. The recipe for Nigella's Chocolate and Guinness Cake can be found here. This made 24 cupcakes and they took about 18 mins to cook. Thank you Maria!

Just out of the Oven:

I am half Northern-Irish, and I am proud of that connection. I love visiting my family there and there is definitely something about Irish people that I connect with. It is sad that during the height of the difficulties the country had in the 80's I never entered Northern Ireland. I was 17 before I finally visited my Granny's house, just after the cease-fire. In retrospect it was a bit over the top, and we were highly unlikely to be in harms way, but I respect my Mum and Dad's decision to never risk exposing us to the troubles. But now I fly over all the time I feel sad that I missed out on so much as a child. I enjoy the warmth and generousity of spirit people have there, aswell as the beauty of the country itself. I recall that on a recent visit to see my Granny with my sister and new baby nephew, the door bell did not stop ringing with neighbours and friends calling in with presents and good wishes for the baby. We were taken back by this, some of the people we had never even met before. It was so touching, such honest and sincere kindness. So, when I think of Ireland it is never of Guinness or shamrocks but of warmth, kindness and........my lovely Granny. Back soon. Lucie x