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Templeicious

Nessa Robins introduces a terrific cookbook that the students and staff of An Grianán National School in Mount Temple, Co. Westmeath, have produced to help raise funds for the school.

Templelicious is a fundraising cookbook from An Grianán National School in Mount Temple, Co. Westmeath. It is mainly a collection of recipes, from the 4th, 5th and 6th class students and the staff of An Grianán, but there are also recipes from some well known celebrities, such as Neven Maguire, Robbie Henshaw, John Heslin and James O' Donoghue, as well as inspirational quotes from some of the children's sporting heroes.

Additionally, the book includes words of wisdom, including kitchen tips, remedies and old wives' tales, from the local active age group. All in all this is so much more than just a recipe book, it’s a glance into moments the school children hold close to their hearts, while also being reflective of the community as a whole.

This project has been incredibly rewarding for the entire school. From choosing the title of the book to styling and photographing the food photos, the children have been involved every step of the way. The older end of the school submitted their recipes, while the younger end had the opportunity to recipe test these recipes before the book went to print.

The book was compiled and edited by the school's cookbook committee, comprising of Nessa Robins, local food writer and parent, and staff members, Anna Cahalin, Aine Curran, Catherine Claffey, and Carmel Keogh.

Tea and samples from the book were served when the book was launched by Neven Maguire, in the school, on the 9th of March, with members of the Westmeath Senior football team also making an appearance.

Templelicious retails at €15. If you would like to interview the children, the staff or Nessa about the book please contact the school on 090-6481085.

Marble Cake by Toni Nolan, 4th Class

I love my Granny’s marble cake. She got the recipe from her Granny. It is lovely to have with a cup of tea.

Ingredients

100g butter/margarine
100g caster sugar
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
100g self raising flour, sieved
1 tsp baking powder, sieved
50g cocoa powder

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C/fan 160°C/gas mark 4.

2. Put butter and sugar into a bowl and beat until white and creamy.

3. Lightly whisk the eggs and extract and gradually add to the creamed butter and sugar. Beat well.

4. Fold in the flour and baking powder using a metal spoon.

5. Place half of the mixture into a separate bowl and add the cocoa powder. Stir to combine. Add to a lined 6 inch round or 8 inch loaf tin, alternating between the two mixtures.

6. Bake in the oven for 1 hour and 15 minutes.

7. Leave to cool on a wire rack.

A nurse by training, Irish Food Writers’ Guild member Nessa Robins writes the popular blog Nessa's Family Kitchen, is the author of the cookbook ‘Apron Strings - Recipes from a Family Kitchen’ and writes a number of columns about food and health. She lives in Moate Co Westmeath, and she also gives classes in the area.