A.  Continue reading »

The latest in Irish Distillers’ growing range of single pot still (SPS) whiskeys has been launched. It’s the 12 year old Yellow Spot which, as it sounds, is a sibling to Green Spot. It has existed before, one of a range of coloured “spots” independently matured and bottled by Mitchell & Son, wine merchants. It was 12 years old then too. This new release shortens the odds on a Red Spot and Blue Spot appearing in the future to restore the full line up.  Continue reading »

There is a wonderful lady called Fiona Dillon who runs Hunters Lodge in Co. Carlow who is all about growing and doing it yourself, and she puts me to shame.  She gives classes on keeping chickens, growing your own veg and self sufficiency, and I have been the very grateful recipient of a basket of her "fresh from the hen's bum" eggs on many an occasion.  Continue reading »

With warm weather and a holiday weekend fast approaching, we know it’s time to make some spectacular homemade popsicles. Keep reading to see how to make these summertime treats, and get some recipes we KNOW you’ve never tried before.
Easy Fruit Popsicles: Make some popsicles to have in your freezer for summer… they’re so simple!
Berry Good Popsicles: Using yogurt and berries, these treats are a great source of calcium have less sugar than if they were made with juice.  Continue reading »

The Corona Beer & Lime Cupcakes

Until a couple of years ago, I was totally oblivious to the whole Cinco de Mayo festivities. In most parts of Mexico, it is a day like any other, no big deal. Children in Primary School mark the day with a ceremony and secondary schools across the country would have a mention of the day or an assembly, but all in all, it was to me a pretty obscure date on our civic calendar.  Continue reading »

Finally, it feels like the summer has arrived and it’s definitely time for something a bit lighter. For me, bouillabaisse is the sunny South of France in one big bubbling pot : Pernod, fennel, tomatoes, and succulent seafood. It always smells and tastes like the summer. Bouillabaisse was originally created by the fisherman in the port of Marseille using cheaper types of fish, like eel and rockfish, all the fish they were unable to sell.  Continue reading »

 
Hello fellow food lovers. As promised here is a link to the recipes published in our weekly column with The Sunday Times.

I will be posting the longer and unedited version of the column contribution every Wednesday.So if you did not get a chance to buy the paper, or, if you do not live on the lovely small green island, then enjoy the read right here on the blog.  Continue reading »

I was asked last week if I had a recipe for a gluten-free lemon cake and while I have tried some polenta cakes in the past I couldn’t remember which ones so I decided to experiment a little.  I used the lemon cupcake recipe that I posted last week as a base but replaced the dry ingredients with polenta (or cornmeal which is a finer ground version, whichever you can get is fine)  and some ground almonds.  Continue reading »

A.  Continue reading »

Last year I embarked on a visit to the Languedoc-Roussillon with fellow wine importer Gary Gubbins of Red Nose Wine. The main purpose was to visit two landmark wineries of the region, one an established icon, one a rising star, and to learn a bit more about this rising star region of southern France.  Continue reading »

The creators of GreenCrossParcel.ie, a new online shop that allows you to send classic Irish products to friends overseas, got in touch recently to ask us to help spread the word about their site.  There are a lot of online food shops  out there but this service is a little different – they are donating profits from the business to a number of Irish charities, including one that helps Irish people living abroad.  Continue reading »

The Butcher Grill – Seen their new menu yet?

Renowned Dublin steakhouse, The Butcher Grill, has just launched its new summer menu. Specialising in steak, the prime cuts of meat available at The Butcher Grill pay homage to what formerly was one of Dublin South’s best known butcher shops.
The updated bill of fare features authentic dishes all of which stay true to the Butcher Grill’s unique style.  Continue reading »

I’m of the firm belief that everyone needs a good chili recipe up their sleeve. Cheap, quick, easy – and with a healthy dose of spice – what could be better? The fact that this chili is loaded with vegetables and beans means that it is very nutritious indeed; the culinary version of a 5k run, allowing you to feel smugly virtuous about doing something that’s good for yourself as you spoon a second helping into your bowl.  Continue reading »

Following on from the news of Food & Wine Magazine’s Tullamore Dew tastings, which takes place this Wednesday and Thursday, I have also  received word of some more “Whiskey Week” events. These events will be hosted by whiskey-loving L. Mulligan Grocer and W.J. Kavanagh’s.

Single Pot Still Tasting
W.J. Kavanagh’s
Wednesday, May 23rd @ 7.30 p.m.  Continue reading »

Marinated veggies, grilled antipasto…what could be better? One of my favorite things to do in Spring and Summer is hang out with my friends in Chicago backyards, on decks…on boats when I’m lucky enough to be invited. One thing that is always a staple is a platter of fruits or veggies. It’s easy and it goes down easy with beer. Keep reading for my favorite platters to enjoy on a warm day with friends; these are twists on the grocery staple!  Continue reading »

Knowledge, moderation and interdependency — the three pillars of pleasure in food, according to Ed Hick at his talk at this past weekend’s Inishfood festival in County Donegal. He could well have been talking about the foundations of the success of the festival itself.
Knowledge means knowing the name of the person you’re buying your food from or talking about your food with. It’s tied into the idea of provenance, which we’re valuing more and more these days.  Continue reading »

A few weeks back I went down in Cork, for the launch of Sheila Kiely’s new cookbook – Gimme The Recipe. I’ve come to know Sheila through food blogging, as she writes a wonderful blog {Gimme the Recipe} that I have been following for the past couple of years. I was very excited to get my hands on Sheila’s book, as her blog is one that I regularly refer to and quite often cook from.  Continue reading »

When I have any leftover roast chicken, I like to shred it, sprinkle some salt flakes, soak it in freshly squeezed lemon and smother in olive oil to store in the fridge for quick snacking over the next few days. Today was one of those lucky leftover days, as I had been playing with some flatbread dough from a Dan Lepard recipe as well.  Continue reading »

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A South African Afternoon in Ballymaloe
Sparkling Wine, White wine, Red Wine &
Olive Oil
Followed by a traditional South African Braai
(BBQ)
with Niels Verburg, of Luddite Wines, Bot River, Walker Bay, South Africa.  Continue reading »

Who doesn’t love a tall glass of sangria with fresh juice and fruits? Nothing says alfresco dining like a glass of punchy sangria with a little bite! Read on for our favorite recipes, whether you crave red wine, white or something a little bit different!

Cool down with these zesty cocktail recipes! A couple of drinks and then it’s time to turn up the music and enjoy the party.
Sangria: A refreshing favorite made with the dry red wine of your choice.  Continue reading »