Articles

So much a part of our traditional Christmas, the edible chestnut, Castanea sativa, known as the Spanish or Sweet Chestnut, is a major food crop in some areas of Western Asia, North Africa and Southern Europe, especially the Mediterranean region.
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The first thing to say about And For Mains… is that it’s hugely entertaining. It’s not often that I sit down and read a cookbook right through from cover to cover, but that’s what I did with this terrific first cookbook from Gareth (Gaz) Smith, chef and owner of Dublin restaurants Michael's and Little Mike's, and his friend and business partner, fourth-generation butcher Rick Higgins of Higgins Family Butchers in Sutton...
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The brain behind the brand - we talk to cookery editor, and now publisher, Kristin Jensen about her new cookery imprint, Blasta Books
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While lamb is an all-year product, it’s generally associated with spring – especially Easter. But there’s a completely different and more characterful variety that comes into season later in the year: mountain lamb...
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Ireland’s Restaurant, Chef, Hideaway and Pub of the Year announced in ‘Love letter to Irish food and hospitality’ From Ireland’s best hotels, fine dining and seafood to garden stays and the most pet-friendly destination, winners of Georgina Campbell Irish Food & Hospitality Awards 2021
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With water generally abundant in Ireland I’ve often wondered why the wonderfully peppery ‘superfood’ watercress is so hard to come by, as it’s a versatile ingredient that gives a piquant extra dimension to salads and many other dishes...
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Excitement is building all over Ireland as hospitality prepares to re-open – and nowhere more so than at GROW HQ, the beautiful GIY headquarters and café just across the road from the University Hospital on the Dumore Road in Waterford, which re-opens on 7th June and is perfectly set up for atmospheric outdoor dining...
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With beef, butter and potatoes among the winners of the 2021 Irish Food Writers’ Guild (IFWG) Food Awards, food staples certainly took centre stage...
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The EU does a lot of good deeds by stealth but its citizens need to know about them...I happened on an impressive EU cookbook, Sensational! Cooking with Great European Products, by chance the other day. It seems to have become available rather than be launched with the fanfare it deserves, which is a pity. It outlines the history, purpose and value of the PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) and PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) labels, and illustrates the point with some lovely recipes by talented chefs from all of the member countries.
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Our national chocoholism is no secret– and, although it revs up to full gear at Easter, when it’s not just about eggs and symbols of spring, there are plenty of theme-free top quality chocolates all year. While Ireland’s growing reputation for quality chocolate is largely thanks to excellent mainstream producers such as Butlers, Lily O’Briens, and Lir, smaller-scale chocolate specialists are making a big impact as well. We’ve selected just ten of Ireland’s growing band of top chocolatiers, who produce everything from exquisite creations for the most discerning recipient to fun family gifts - and all of those below offer an online shopping and delivery service for your gifting needs.
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