What’s going on…
Greatfood.ie have just relaunched a much-expanded discussion board, with a dedicated area for bloggers to list their own blogs at www.greatfood.ie/forum. While you’re there, check out Clodagh McKenna’s cute aprons (although much too cute for a cottage kitchen!) and take a look at the selection of cookery courses on offer throughout Ireland.
Nigel Slater, my favourite cookery writer, wrote a piece on squash and marrows in Sunday’s Observer and, seeing as I’m probably not the only one to have lots of squash to use, I thought it might come in useful. You’ll find it here. Speaking of squash, check out 101 Cookbooks for a version of Denis Cotter’s recipe for Borlotti Bean Mole with Roast Winter Squash.
The Tannery cookery school has just opened and Paul Flynn has lots of tempting courses on offer, including his Irish Adventure With Food demonstrations and practical classes focusing on winter food like turnips, kale, parsnips and slow cooked beef. I recently borrowed his cookbook from the Clonmel-based cousin and am thoroughly enjoying it – if his classes are as accessible as his writing then he’s on to a winner.
Just came across this article on 20 Cheap Eats throughout Ireland in the Sunday Tribune which mentions lots of my favourite places, including Gruel, the Farmgate Café, Ard Bia, Cornucopia, the Cake Café – and there’s another 15 to try out.
Hi Caroline, seeing as it is coming up to christmas and you being the brill foodie! I’m wondering do you know of anywhere i could purchase beef suet? Atora is one brand yet it seems to be very diffiult to find as are jam pot covers e.g Raytex. has to be the ones with the wax discs and cellophane. This is all part of L.C. Home Ec assignment so hoping you can help a desperate teacher!!
Anne, I must confess that suet is not something that I have ever bought. My Nana used to find it indigestible so we never used it in mince pies or plum pudding.When I was in Ballymaloe last year, Darina mentioned Atora – I think it seems to be the only brand on offer on the shelves – but she also said that you can buy suet from the butcher and prepare it yourself, shredding it finely and making sure that you avoid including flesh or blood veins. To be honest, I just replace it with butter in my Christmas recipes.The jam pot covers are not easy to track down either, are they? I’ve given up on using them and just store all the decent lids available for reuse. I’m not sure it fits in with your home ec class though! Where are you in the country? In Cork there are some good cookware shops that would be worth checking out – Brennans on Oliver Plunkett Street and there’s one on Carey’s Lane called Delia’s, I think.
caroline, mislaid your phone number for the recipe, phone me with itagain.regards declan