Articles

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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A new book from Neven always causes a stampede in the book shops and this one, in particular, is destined to be a classic. All the Christmas essentials are there, with everything for the ‘big dinner’ set out reassuringly clearly for confident reference - and plenty of options on the traditional dishes, including all the accompaniments, and alternatives for those who want to do something different.
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This is really a marriage between Languedoc and Ireland. Since we moved to France from Ireland to open our Chambre d’Hote here in the Languedoc we have been very aware that, in our own small way, we are flying a flag for Ireland, not just for Ireland but in particular for Irish food.
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I love Rory O’ Connell’s new book, sounds a bit soppy but I‘m a big fan of my brother’s food, simple beautiful and delicious – Rory and I started the Ballymaloe Cookery School together in 1983 and his first book Master It ,published in 2013, was long overdue. Since then he has gained a loyal and growing fan base, both for his TV programmes and his much anticipated book number two Cook Well Eat Well.
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Over the last few years I’ve noticed a definite snootiness about using raised beds for growing food, which I find ridiculous. It’s almost like if you are not out there double digging your soil and breaking your back to suffer for your vegetables then it’s considered cheating. Personally I am all for the occasional cheat if it helps me to grow better veggies or helps me to grow them with less time and effort expended.
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