Among the first of the new Irish breweries to release beer into the wild in 2014 was the Independent Brewing Company, based in the Connemara Gaeltacht village of Carraroe, running a 10hL kit with all brewing and bottling – refreshingly – happening on site. The plan is for three beers, of which two had emerged at time of writing.
I opened Independent Gold Ale first: 4.5% ABV and, according to the nicely informative label brewed with Magnum, Hallertauer Mittelfrüh, and Chinook. Continue reading »
Published February 12th, 2014
It’s snowing outside here in Shankill – well lightly but it is real snow. In Urumqi it’s -19 degrees C, too cold for Dermot to venture out but Shan tells me he loves to play with the texture of a snowball gathered from the window ledge and stares in intense concentration as it dissolves in […]. Continue reading »
Published February 12th, 2014
David Bryson, Morambro Creek, a photo by CorkBilly on Flickr.
David Bryson, Morambro Creek, just one of many wine visitors to Cork last year. Click image for similar pics. Continue reading »
Published February 11th, 2014
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Published February 11th, 2014
Image via Sweetly Scrapped
So I’m totally going to contradict myself with this blog post. Firstly, I hate Valentine’s Day. After New Year’s Eve it is probably my least favourite ‘holiday’ of the year. Measuring love by how big and overpriced a bunch of roses you buy/receive doesn’t really scream romance. BUT, on the other hand I do like that there is a whole day each year dedicated to telling the one that you love that you…well…love them. Continue reading »
Published February 11th, 2014
…to a slightly new challenge! For some years now i have been saying that i would like to get better at bread making, and be able to just ‘whip’ up a loaf or two.
Well this is the year to start getting better at it and do it more often! I already make brown soda bread every week, being a favourite in our house. But today i tried one of Mr Paul Hollywood’s bakes from his very good ‘How to Bake’ book, Ale Bread Rolls. Continue reading »
Published February 11th, 2014
A Couple of Old World Whites
Burg Ravensburg, Kraichgau Baden, Riesling Trocken 2012, 11.5%, €16.40 Karwig Wines
Riesling, often mis-pronounced (the Ries rhymes with the dies in diesel), is the best known grape of Germany. Whatever you call it, this superb bottle from Karwig’s is a gem and Very Highly Recommended.
Kraichgau (in the Baden region) is a small district south-east of Heidelberg and the Ravensburg family, winemakers since 1251, is rated as one of the top producers. Continue reading »
Published February 11th, 2014
Published February 11th, 2014
Published February 11th, 2014
Oh no. You've forgotten, haven't you? Well here's your advance warning – Friday is February 14th, also known as Valentine's Day. Or Mammys Birthdays in Maison Babaduck. Yes, both my Mammy and the Mammy in Law celebrate their birthdays on February 14th. What are the chances?
So, back to the matter in hand. Valentine's Day. A day of love, romance, lots of cards, presents, dinner, fine wine and the like. Continue reading »
Published February 10th, 2014
There’s an hour before bedtime. We call it crazy-hour in this house. This evening it was marked by the two boys running around in circles, shouting and giggling. All I can do is watch and embrace the madness. As himself doesn’t get home until close to bedtime it can be hard to try to eat a full dinner while the crazy-hour is underway. I try to eat my main meal during the day with the boys and then have a lighter supper after they go to bed. Continue reading »
Published February 10th, 2014
This colorful warm salad is perfect to brighten even the darkest winter days. The roasted squash and cherry tomatoes taste even sweeter thanks to a tart lemon and maple dressing. The creamy feta is the perfect partner for the sweet roast vegetables and zingy dressing, and the roasted hazelnuts give a yummy crunch. It’s a really healthy salad too, so ideal if you want something tasty but something relatively good for you. Continue reading »
Published February 10th, 2014
We can get so blasé about food these days.
Bread or beans or beef or bananas – from the bleurgh to the bon appetit – it’s just stuff we eat, right?
And when things are a bit Mother Hubbard, we can nip to the supermarket, grab a takeaway or use our nearest ‘net connection to hunt and gather without leaving the couch – point, click, sorted. Continue reading »
Published February 10th, 2014
Fresh from West Cork
In the heart of the city!
A big welcome from Walter.
Have you visited the Fresh from West Cork stall in the English Market? With over thirty producers from the area participating (more joining all the time), it’s like have a mini-farmers market every day in the heart of the city.
Walter Ryan-Purcell is the friendly face of the project and he’ll guide you through the many tempting products on offer. Continue reading »
Published February 10th, 2014
Of all the beers in the Kona range, Pipeline Porter is the one which came particularly recommended to me. Though brewed at Craft Brew Alliance headquarters in, presumably, Oregon, this one gets an extra point of authenticity for the inclusion of genuine Hawaiian coffee. It smells pleasantly of creamy coffee with perhaps an additional Tia Maria-esque liqueur whiff. Continue reading »
Published February 10th, 2014
I’m firmly of the opinion that the Celtic Tiger years ruined the Irish pub. Too many good traditional pubs were gutted and turned into identikit late-night bars with crap music and ride-you-sideways pricing. To be fair, there were many awful pubs out there too, some of which had toilets that were barely above the outside shed standard. But overall, somewhere along the way, we forgot about the pub experience. Continue reading »
Published February 9th, 2014
Menu for Chateau Montelena Dinner ©Kevin Thornton #Thornton’s Restaurant
Chateau Montelena Chardonnay 2002 Amazing with Apple ©Kevin Thornton#Thornton’s Restaurant
Bo Barret and my self ©Kevin Thornton#Thornton’s Restaurant
Bo Barret, Mareta and Nigle ©Kevin Thornton#Thornton’s Restaurant
Kaie, Bo Barret, Marita,Heidi Barrett,Morgan, Nigel©Kevin Thornton#Thornton’s Restaurant
Kaie, Bo Barret, Marita,Heidi Barrett,Morgan, Nigel and Kevin ©Kevin Thornton#Thornton’s Restaurant
. Continue reading »
Published February 9th, 2014
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Published February 9th, 2014
The week was going so well right up to the point where the wisdom teeth and modern forms of torture that it brings started kicking in. Scrap food, eating out, anything that has involved opening my mouth any more than a half inch at a time. My plans for some new chicken and beef dishes for this week’s blog entries may hold off for another few days yet. Continue reading »
Published February 9th, 2014
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Published February 8th, 2014
