Flavoured alcohol is a great gift but needs to be planned as it needs a few weeks maturing. I have a wonderful herb garden that gave me mint, lemon verbena, rosemary and lots of other wonderful herbs. For this flavoured vodka, I have used Lemon Verbena but the principle works with any other herb or…
It is this time of the year again – what to buy your loved ones and friends for Christmas? You don’t want to buy some ‘rubbish’ that no one needs or want but you also don’t want to break the bank. My gift guide below will make it easier to get the perfect gift for…
I love personal gifts – not the gift packs that are piling up now in supermarkets, chemists and department stores. Most of the things, you wouldn’t use and if so, it would only be one or two things from the pack. The baskets or pots might look nice but that’s about it. I love it…
Ok, so far I thought I am a good cook. I really have to revise that opinion since having eaten at last night’s Eurotoques Young Chef of the Year Award dinner. The talent amongst these chefs was so incredible that I was just a humble diner in total awe. EuroToque is a European organisation representing…
This is the last part of our cookery class and the end of our dinner party together. The hard work is done – you can relax now. Your guests are fed and it is time to wind down. I personally love it when people keep sitting at the table and talk about all and nothing.…
The Crowd Have you ever noticed that all the olive oils in supermarkets taste the same, have hardly colour and are still called Extra Virgin Olive oil?? Don’t get me wrong, they are ok for cooking but in a dressing wouldn’t we all like more from an oil? Tuscany is famous for their wine, food,…
I am just reading an interesting article in the Irish Examiner written by Joe McNamee about how many local businesses are closing in Cork City. And he is right – small businesses that have been serving the local community have almost vanished. I know, you will say, hello we have a recession, but can we…
Ahhhh desserts, the crowning end to a lovely dinner. Most people – and most chefs when it comes to that – are afraid or not comfortable to make desserts. You don’t have to be a pastry chef to make some lovely desserts but you need to keep some rules in mind: Stick to the recipe…
Cooking for vegetarians can be a challenge especially if you want to impress them at a dinner party. Most people only think of vegetables as a side dish rather than a main course. And most restaurants and hotels don’t really cater for vegetarian other than the odd goats cheese tart and chargrilled vegetables and most…