Articles

There’s always a rush to the bookshops coming up to Christmas, but this is a calmer time to add to our collections - especially if we’re lucky enough to have book vouchers to use. You can never have too many good books about food, and - like the ones that this month’s recipes come from - the best ones can inspire us to travel and get the full experience too.
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The notion of gap years in a career was not totally invented by the present generation. After about two and a half years in our first jobs in Dublin, mine in Snaffles as a chef, Sile as a teacher in Basin Lane in the Liberties, we decided to throw all up and head for the world outside while we still had the liberty to do so.
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So what’s hot and what’s not on the 2018 food scene. Much energy and investment goes into predicting up-coming trends in the many areas of food production. From multinational companies to artisan producers and supermarket chains, all have a vested interest in having their finger on the pulse. Chefs too are keen to keep on top of emerging trends. So let’s have a look at what’s coming down the line.
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As we move towards sowing time, my inner critic is active again, goading me to get started on work in the veg patch. Every time I look out the window at the veg patch, or visit it to grab a leek or some parsnips for the dinner, it starts up its never-ending critical commentary.
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This month Darina talks about the myth that low fat is good for you - and why we need fat in our diet. So why not resolve to begin the new year with a better diet, enriched by food with plenty of good fats - including whole milk, cream and butter - on the menu.
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I am a massive fan of apples and the “apple a day keeps the doctor away” lessons of youth have stayed with me all my life. I’ve often thought it strange however, that such a traditional saying must surely have originated at a time when it would have been difficult to follow the advice and eat an apple each day all year round.
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We always went to Lotaville for lunch on Christmas day. Lotaville was my father’s family home, a stately Victorian Villa in Glanmire, overlooking the river Lee about 3 miles outside Cork city. It was what they call a “Gentleman’s Residence”, in about two or three acres of gardens, including a disused tennis court and large greenhouses where we were allowed to pick the delicious black grapes in September.
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The Garavogue river sweeps past this bright and airy café in the centre of Sligo town, and the floor to ceiling glass frontage - and outdoor seating - makes it a delightful spot for coffee (organic and fairly traded) or a more substantial meal. A small bar area is a good spot to sip wine from a well chosen list in the early evening - and later sometimes, if there are events eg the culturally-focused Osta Sessions.
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These tasty recipes were created for the National Dairy Council by Vanessa Greenwood of Cooks Academy Cookery School, Dublin, with the aim of celebrating the best of Irish and European cheese at Christmas. But cheese is a brilliant (and convenient) ingredient at any time what makes these recipes especially appealing is that they are such a refreshing contrast to the traditional Christmas fare - and they’re just great versatile dishes for any time, perhaps especially in winter.
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Named after the nearby English Market that supplies so much of the produce used in their kitchens, Market Lane Restaurant & Bar was once a pub. Luckily it caught the eye of business partners and hospitality professionals Conrad and Judy Howard and Tracy Corbett, who transformed the substantial two-storey premises into an attractive restaurant and bar
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