Articles

There is a wonderful Ted Talk by New York-based chef Dan Barbour about a small farm in Spain that produces foie gras humanely (without the force feeding that the product is often lambasted for). Raising his geese in a natural environment, farmer Eduardo Sousa re-discovered that if geese are allowed to forage at will, they will naturally gorge themselves in the autumn to build up fat for the winter. The result? A ‘natural’ foie gras. The important word there is “re-discovered” because there is nothing new in this.
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This month Marilyn Bright talks to J.J. and Kay Mitchell, whose seafood restaurant in the heart of Clifden has been delighting locals and visitors alike for nearly a quarter of a century
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A popular West Cork destination for food lovers and a delightful find for visitors to the town, The Lettercollum Kitchen Project in Clonakilty is the latest phase in a wonderful food journey that began in the 80s.
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Eugene Long and his wife Sinead Frisby established their culinary credentials in the South-East some years ago at ‘Coast’ and the original Banyan, in Tramore, which attracted critics from all over while they were there - and then, in late 2010, a short move to this lovely space above Mother McHugh’s pub put the small village of Fenor firmly on the food lovers' map.
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This month Darina considers our food history, and the many fascinating old recipes that have been discovered in ‘manuscript cookbooks’ - maybe you have some tucked away in a copy book somewhere too!
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Well deserved recipient of the 2015 Irish Food Writers Guild ‘Notable Contribution to Irish Food Award’, Birgitta Curtin is not only dedicated to maintaining the highest standards for her own famous smoked salmon - much of which is organically produced by Clare Island Salmon, off the rugged coast of Co Mayo - and other equally carefully sourced products at the Burren Smokehouse and Visitor Centre
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This month Eunice shares her recipe for this gorgeous cake to celebrate the arrival of spring
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KRISTIN JENSEN - co-author of Slainte! The complete Guide To Irish Craft Beers and Ciders - introduces us to Metalman Pale Ale, from the first Irish microbrewery to can their beer instead of bottling it
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This month Martin enjoys a blast from the past and the story of how a new dish was born: Scallops Torrades
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A brace of books this month, all about the humble tuber that has become our national vegetable: the potato. Lucy Madden's The Potato Year, 300 Classic Recipes (Mercier Press, hardback; 350pp; €14.99) and Eveleen Coyle's The Irish Pocket Potato Recipe Book (G&M, hardback; colour photography throughout, 256pp; €4.99)
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