Articles

Thinking back on it, it’s amazing how farming has changed in the last half century or so - for anyone growing up more than 50 or 60 years ago, organic farming was the norm; it didn’t need a label, it was just traditional farming. Then, after World War Two all that changed with the drive to increase yields dramatically and – crucially - to produce cheap food. Now we’re coming full cycle and seeing the damage that intensive production can bring with it, so good traditionally produced food (mainly, but not necessarily, ‘organic’) is regaining its well-deserved status.
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With the nation’s foodie mindset already well tuned in to sustainable living – thousands of us started allotments this year, and no allotment is complete without its bijou chicken run – the next stage is to re-learn all the practical skills that our grandparents took for granted.
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There has been great interest in the fabulous cookbook Truly Tasty (Atrium, hardback 332pp, original photography throughout; €19.95/£17.95), which was compiled by successful kidney transplant recipient, Valerie Twomey, as part of her ongoing campaign to promote organ donor awareness, with all royalties going to the Irish Kidney Association. And no wonder - who wouldn’t be glad of a bit of inspiration and guidance from the likes of Ross Lewis (Chapter One), Catherine Fulvio (Ballyknocken House & Cookery School), Derry Clarke (l'Ecrivain), Domini Kemp (Itsa4), Neven Maguire (MacNean House & Restaurant) and Rachel Allen, to mention only a few of the famous chefs who have each contributed recipes for a three-course meal to this unusual book.
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Back by popular demand - we gave a taster of Happy Heart Eat Out Month in our last e-zine and there were so many requests for more that we said, sure, why not... Small is beautiful when you’re dining out in June according to the Irish Heart Foundation (IHF), who have linked up with the HSE and safefood for this year’s Happy Heart Eat Out month. Running throughout June in hundreds of participating restaurants, workplaces and communities all over Ireland, the theme ‘For a Happy Heart...Think Small’ carries a simple message.
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The Irish Heart Foundation, safefood and the HSE have joined together for this year’s Happy Heart Eat Out month, which runs in hundreds of participating restaurants, workplaces and communities across the length and breadth of the country throughout June. Carrying the theme, ‘For a Happy Heart…Think Small’, the campaign hopes to raise awareness of portion sizes when eating out, in addition to encouraging people to choose healthy options from menus. A new Happy Heart Eat Out recipe booklet incorporating tasty and healthy recipes will be available in June, free of charge.
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With so many families now faced with reduced disposable income through wages cuts, redundancy and increased taxes, the Nutrition & Health Foundation (NHF) is asking people to see this as an opportunity to shop smart, cook smart and eat smart together, in order to establish a healthy diet for life for all the family - starting with Eat Smart Week (19th – 25th April). Now in its fourth consecutive year, this innovative initiative from the NHF aims to show that healthy eating is achievable for everyone, regardless of their cooking experience.
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Agriculture was the prevailing theme at the Irish Food Writers’ Guild Food Awards 2010. From farm to fish, just five indigenous companies were acknowledged as among the finest food producers in Ireland and contribute to Ireland’s growing international reputation for fine food and produce. Presented by one of the pioneers supporting Irish food producers and the promotion of good food in Ireland since the 1960s, Myrtle Allen of Ballymaloe House, Co Cork, the awards for outstanding products went to...
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Fast food has come in for a right royal bashing lately and, with certain noble exceptions (stir-fries, for example), quite right too. The irony is that, in true tortoise and hare fashion, traditional slow cooking methods may actually be easier on your time than rushing to get a meal on the table in a hurry. Getting organised several hours ahead leaves you free to do other things while the dinner is gently cooking away – and, with slow cooking, you can use less expensive cuts of meat in slow roasts and casseroles that are meltingly tender and have loads more flavour than the pricey prime cuts.
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No winter morning begins in our house without a bowl of porridge, enjoyed with Irish honey and a good splash of full cream milk - we make the porridge overnight, cooked on Low in an electric slow cooker (1 cup porridge to 3 of water, plus a good pinch of salt). It’s completely effortless, convenient for schoolchildren in a hurry and handy too if several people need to eat at different times.
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We have some seriously spooky stuff that the kids can help with – perfect for the mid-term break. Not only will carrots help you see in the dark, but they can be made into great ‘Halloween x-ray vision’ party fare. So why not get the kids to “give you a hand” creating Frankenstein Fingers from baby carrots, using flaked almonds as finger nails and assembling them into a pot of slimy green guacamole...
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