Butcher David contemplates a side of beef

As I said when I started writing this blog, I’m not a trained cook. I’m just someone who loves good food and I’m feeling my way towards a deeper understanding of the raw materials that I use to try and create authentic Chinese cuisine using the best of Irish ingredients.
I decided to take some time out this month to attend a few cookery courses and demonstrations that might help me improve my basic knowledge and technique.  Continue reading »

Want to know your Chablis from your Chardonnay, or your Chateauneuf from your Chateau no way?

Our Wine for Beginners course is the perfect introduction to life’s elixir, covering all aspects of wine from how to taste, understanding labels and how wine is made, through to the major grape varieties and the famous wine regions of the world.  Continue reading »

Oh no. You won’t catch me wading into that whole debate on this blog. It’s much better suited to the hit-and-run format of Twitter, I find. Or go have a look at Jeff giving the nail a sturdy whack on the head. I merely offer here some observations from my recent visit to Copenhagen.  Continue reading »

Still twiddling your thumbs trying to figure out what to make for the holiday party? Stop worrying about it and make one of these simple and delicious Thanksgiving and Christmas inspired brownie recipes. They’re the perfectly sweet finish line to your culinary 10K.  Your friends, family, and taste buds will thank you as you drift off into your food coma.
Turtle Brownies: The name says it all. The delicious candy transforms into a brownie for this decadent recipe.  Continue reading »

Sometimes, there really is not enough hours in the day. I often find it hard to make time to make dessert. Right now, I have only two more sleeps until I go to Seattle. I still seem to have quiet a lot of things to do, and am short on both time and cooking equipment! I’m really looking forward to having all my kitcheny bits back. This lemon posset was a dream to make, requiring only four ingredients and no special tools.  Continue reading »

Kayne’s Bistro at the Dromhall Hotel
 Called into Kayne’s Bistro at the Dromhall Hotel recently and enjoyed an excellent evening meal there. Was staying at the adjacent Randle’s Court and strolled over on a Saturday for a 7.00pm reservation and got a warm welcome. Soon we were comfortably seated and enjoying the rapport with a very friendly and helpful staff.
Started off with their €7.95.  Continue reading »

Enjoying some ‘Gingerbread Man’ making ahead of the ‘Winterval Festival’ in Waterford are Melanie Jephson (8), Harry Earl, (4) Katie Earl (8). Photograph Patrick Browne.

The Winterval Festival in the medieval city of Waterford is keeping with a tradition established back in medieval times when end-of-year markets sprung up as social gatherings where people could enjoy a little excess before the onset of bitter weather.  Continue reading »

Forgive me readers, but I’m up to my eyes this morning and didn’t have time to rewrite this press release. But I thought I should alert you to a nice deal in Saba restaurant today:
Today is Universal Children’s Day and award-winning Thai and Vietnamese eatery Saba invites children with discerning taste to enjoy their “Little Menu” to celebrate!  Continue reading »

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Bread. Likes: butter, your face, and bins.

I felt very slightly queasy yesterday. The soup was four days past the use-by, but I ate it anyway because I couldn’t bear to let it go to waste. Ah, I was fine. Didn’t get sick or nothing.  Continue reading »

Our reader AnneMarie asks:
Would anyone know of any places in Dublin that are serving Thanksgiving dinner this Thursday, ideally with all the trimmings? I have some hungry american ex pats to feed and I’d rather the lazier eat out option than cooking a bird!

There’s a surprising dearth of options. One reader, Aisling, suggests the Four Seasons in Ballsbridge.  Continue reading »

As we gear up for the holiday season, here’s my gift to you: a healthy recipe with three ingredients and five minutes of prep time. New York Mouth sent me some freebies last month and in preparation for their package, I spent some time scouring (more like falling in love with) their website. They distribute handcrafted, small batch, “indie” food fare. The site’s Tin Mustard description contained this open faced sandwich idea.  Continue reading »

Hello fellow food lovers,
It is wet and dreary and cold. I am trying to get all caught up on sharing a back long of The Sunday Times weekly recipes and I am loving all the light bright photos I  have been flitting in and out of all weekend. The evenings have grown so short here in Galway since the time change and now, it is almost completely dark before 5pm each evening. I feel like hibernating, don’t you? Wake me up when the crocuses and snowdrops start to bloom.  Continue reading »

Whenever I go to an upscale restaurant, I usually try to figure out the justification for the price tag. In most cases, I can’t find one and I regret the meal. However, ZED451 fulfills every expectation I have of a fine dining establishment. More importantly, their passion completely justifies the price of entry.  Continue reading »

On the 24th November I’m taking the kids for a Big Mac. We don’t have one here in Donegal Town so I’ll have to drive 30 miles to Letterkenny to get there.  Continue reading »

On the 24th November I’m taking the kids for a Big Mac. We don’t have one here in Donegal Town so I’ll have to drive 30 miles to Letterkenny to get there.  Continue reading »

Thank you to all who entered the competition for the Keogh’s Farm goodies hamper. All names from those who commented on the post and re-tweeted, on Twitter, were put into the hat. I’m happy to announce that the winner is Peggy, who commented on Nov 15th at 1.15pm. Congratulations Peggy a lovely hamper will be making its way to you, in time for Christmas. Please contact me with your postal address. NessasFamilyKitchen at gmail.com.  Continue reading »

Fabulous Fleming’s
Foie Gras
Enjoyed the most perfect dinner in Fleming’s  last week. Game, as you know, is now in season and featured on the menu. But there was so much more besides.
Eileen and husband Michael, now an Award Winning Chef Patron with vast experience, took over the Georgian building in Tivoli in 1989 and gradually set about restoring it while at the same time building up.  Continue reading »

It’s not often that I mention or promote McDonald’s on this blog, but this is a exception I am happy to make. I was born with a hole in my heart, for which I had corrective surgery in Our Lady’s Hospital, Crumlin in 1989. The surgery was a complete success, and all has been in good working order for the last 23 years. 

I barely even registered that I was having surgery, I was having such a blast in this amazing hospital.  Continue reading »

ROSCOMMON CHOCOLATES, Foods of Athenry, Irish Golden Eggs, Old Irish Creamery and The Chocolate Garden of Ireland will be among the food traders at this year’s National Craft & Design Fair at the RDS in Dublin, running from 5-9 December. This year’s event promises to be bigger and better than ever and is one of the highlights of the craft scene in Ireland each year.
Roscommon Chocolates Co is owned by Karen Gordon.  Continue reading »