http://www.irishcentral.com/topics/Vacation IrishCentral Vacation en-us http://www.irishcentral.com/story/roots/irish-food-guide/all-ireland-winners-of-the-2013-irish-restaurant-awards-212122531.html http://www.irishcentral.com/story/roots/irish-food-guide/all-ireland-winners-of-the-2013-irish-restaurant-awards-212122531.html Wed, 19 Jun 2013 05:19:41 PDT
The Regional and All Ireland Winners of the Irish Restaurant Awards were announced at a ceremony which was held in the Burlington Hotel Dublin on Monday 10th June 2013I was invited up by Adrian Cummins, CEO of the Restaurants Association of Ireland, to do a spot of guest Tweeting for the night and you can check all the Tweets from the night here on the #FoodOscars hashtagThese annual Restaurant Association of Ireland (RAI) Awards celebrate all aspects of the Industry from Chefs and Restaurants to Food Producers, Local Food Heroes and Cookery Schools Nominations for the awards are made by readers of the Sunday Independent LIFE Magazine and by members of the Restaurants Association of Ireland READ MORE ]]> http://www.irishcentral.com/story/roots/irish-food-guide/irish-restaurant-critic-ross-golden-bannon-launches-pop-up-artisan-eatery-211372451.html http://www.irishcentral.com/story/roots/irish-food-guide/irish-restaurant-critic-ross-golden-bannon-launches-pop-up-artisan-eatery-211372451.html Thu, 13 Jun 2013 05:19:28 PDT
Irish Restaurant critic Ross Golden-Bannon who will host The Guerilla ClubA new Irish Pop-Up Restaurant, The Guerrilla Gourmet Club, was launched last week in Dublin, by Irish restaurant critic Ross Golden-Bannon with Robert Lee Mulcahy The menu has been created with Chef Gareth Mullins, executive chef at the 5 Star Marker Hotel in Dublin The pair have joined forces with the prestigious Stephen's Green Hibernian Club, who will host the event on the summer solstice, Friday 21 June at 7:00pmBased on the Irish tradition of the Meitheal, which is gaelic for "a community working together", each dinner uses well known artisan food producers (with national and international profiles) to support fledging artisan food businesses that are only starting out READ MORE ]]> http://www.irishcentral.com/story/roots/irish-food-guide/a-twist-on-an-irish-dish---oven-baked-creamy-wild-garlic-and-cheese-potatoes-recipe-200020621.html http://www.irishcentral.com/story/roots/irish-food-guide/a-twist-on-an-irish-dish---oven-baked-creamy-wild-garlic-and-cheese-potatoes-recipe-200020621.html Tue, 26 Mar 2013 05:32:43 PDT
Delicious as a side dish or on it's own with a salad for a late night snack!This is a twist on one of those great potato dishes that tastes magic, is easy to cook and you keep forgetting to make until something else reminds you and then you want it!I was down the garden today and the  smell of my wild garlic plants wafted over and ticked me on the nose "Mmm", I thought, "Oven Baked Creamy Wild Garlic & Cheese Potatoes" So I made them this evening and here's the recipe!Use a good floury potato because they'll be perfect for soaking up the cream The Red Duke of York is a fantastic all round potato being good for roasting, mashing, baking or making chips READ MORE ]]> http://www.irishcentral.com/story/roots/irish-food-guide/a-history-of-ireland-in-100-objects---a-great-free-app-199856001.html http://www.irishcentral.com/story/roots/irish-food-guide/a-history-of-ireland-in-100-objects---a-great-free-app-199856001.html Mon, 25 Mar 2013 07:02:32 PDT
To mark Ireland's Presidency of the Council of the European Union, here is a wee present from the people of Ireland to the people of the world, for St Patrick’s Day!The Royal Irish Academy, the National Museum of Ireland and The Irish Times are collaborating with the EU Presidency, the Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade and Adobe to bring you a gift of A History of Ireland in 100 objectsIt is available as an interactive app for Apple iPhone and iPad, for most Android tablets and on the Kindle Fire, from our website, as well as associated app stores You can also experience the book on your computer, smartphone or eReader by clicking on the 'eBook' button belowThe Gift is free to download until the end of March READ MORE ]]> http://www.irishcentral.com/story/roots/irish-food-guide/one-a-penny-two-a-penny-hot-cross-buns---traditional-hot-cross-buns-recipe-for-easter-192007541.html http://www.irishcentral.com/story/roots/irish-food-guide/one-a-penny-two-a-penny-hot-cross-buns---traditional-hot-cross-buns-recipe-for-easter-192007541.html Wed, 20 Feb 2013 05:16:43 PST
Hot Cross Buns - "Half for you and half for me, between us two good luck shall be!"Hot cross buns are traditionally baked for Lent, the 40 days before Easter On Good Friday they have been served to commemorate Christ's suffering on the cross However, the bun acquired mythical properties during the centuries Early literature reveals that the hot cross bun was better known as the Good Friday Bun READ MORE ]]> http://www.irishcentral.com/story/roots/irish-food-guide/-homemade-chocolate-and-irish-baileys-cream-truffles-recipe-for-st-valentines-day-189795131.html http://www.irishcentral.com/story/roots/irish-food-guide/-homemade-chocolate-and-irish-baileys-cream-truffles-recipe-for-st-valentines-day-189795131.html Tue, 05 Feb 2013 05:01:21 PST
Yum! Chocolate & Baileys Cream TrufflesWith Valentines Day just around the corner, I thought I'd share something simple yet delicious that you can make for that special person in your life! Taking the time and effort to make this yummy Valentine treat at home is a great way to show how much you really care!Beautifully balanced with a hint of bitter coffee and sweet Irish Baileys Cream, these rich little delicacies melt in your mouth and will be a very welcome way to your lover's heartThese little home-made Chocolate Truffles are so easy to make They taste divine and the secret ingredient is simply that big dollop of Tender Loving Care!Homemade Chocolate & Irish Baileys Cream Truffles for Valentines DayMy Ingredients:3 Cups Dark chocolate Chips1/2 Cup Cocoa Powder1 fl oz Cold Espresso or strong coffee1 fl oz Baileys Cream Liqueur8 fl oz Fresh CreamCocoa Powder, Dessicated coconut, Ground Almonds or Cake crumbs for coatingMy Method:1 READ MORE ]]> http://www.irishcentral.com/story/roots/irish-food-guide/irish-beef-is-selected-as-a-key-ingredient-in-2013-bocuse-dor-international-chefs-competition-187650281.html http://www.irishcentral.com/story/roots/irish-food-guide/irish-beef-is-selected-as-a-key-ingredient-in-2013-bocuse-dor-international-chefs-competition-187650281.html Sun, 20 Jan 2013 04:46:02 PST
Paul Bocuse - Probably the most famous Chef in the world!Irish Beef has been selected as a key ingredient at this year's Bocuse d’Or International Chef’s Competition The event takes place at the upcoming Sirha Food Fair, Lyon, France, 29-30 January, 2013 The international competition, named after legendary French Chef Paul Bocuse, seeks to identify the world’s top competitive chef using only the world's best food productsThe selection of Irish Beef followed a rigorous and lengthy process by the competition’s International Organisation Committee was based on its grass fed nature meaning the beef is of a high quality in terms of tenderness, taste and texture READ MORE ]]> http://www.irishcentral.com/story/roots/irish-food-guide/win-a-flight-home-to-ireland-for-the-gathering-2013-186927511.html http://www.irishcentral.com/story/roots/irish-food-guide/win-a-flight-home-to-ireland-for-the-gathering-2013-186927511.html Tue, 15 Jan 2013 05:15:51 PST
Or why not come home to Ireland yourself for the Gathering Ireland 2013!The Irish Food Guide blog in conjunction with A Taste of Donegal Food Festival invite you to Enter a Fantastic Competition to bring a loved one Home to Ireland for the Gathering Ireland 2013!We all know someone who we would love to bring home to Ireland for the Gathering Ireland 2013 You can Enter our Competition to Win a Return Flight to Ireland (Entry fee applies) for a family member or friend from anywhere in the World, plus €500 towards any Gathering Ireland event at a venue of your choice after the draw dateEntry is only €10 and you can enter as often as you like to be in with a chance to bring that special someone home Imagine the delight of your Mum, Dad, Brother, Sister, Niece , Nephew, Grandchildren, Boyfriend, Girlfriend etc if you won them a ticket home to your local Gathering event!ONLY 2,000 TICKETS WILL BE ISSUED offering you a great chance to win this fabulous prize!Closing date for Entry is 28 February 2013 and The Winner will be notified by 7 March 2013 READ MORE ]]> http://www.irishcentral.com/story/travel/the-gathering-dublin/bluffing-your-way-through-january-185888481.html http://www.irishcentral.com/story/travel/the-gathering-dublin/bluffing-your-way-through-january-185888481.html Mon, 07 Jan 2013 08:30:44 PST
Players up the ante at the Super Poker Event of Europe 2012(Credit:Danny Maxwell, courtesy of Poker Ireland)Ah January, named after Janus the two-headed god from Roman mythology, mostly because January is all about lying to yourself Whether it’s pretending that New Years Eve went exactly as you had planned or that empty promise that you’ll give up whatever that thing that is ruining your life is, nobody gets through January without a fib now and thenThink about it, as soon as you get into work your boss will go “Man, bet you miss being off…” and you have to hem and haw and go “No, having zero responsibility and almost choking on chocolate because I was gorging on them so fast I wasn't taking the wrapping off was a punishment, a burden and one I CANNOT WAIT TO BE SUBJECTED TO AGAIN IN 351 days READ MORE ]]> http://www.irishcentral.com/story/roots/irish-food-guide/the-best-irish-food-finds-of-2012---from-trout-caviar-to-black-pudding-185865631.html http://www.irishcentral.com/story/roots/irish-food-guide/the-best-irish-food-finds-of-2012---from-trout-caviar-to-black-pudding-185865631.html Mon, 07 Jan 2013 05:30:52 PST
Fresh Irish vegetables2012 was a great year for Irish Food! People all over the country have been taking what was originally a hobby or pastime and have been creating new small food businesses with some wonderful results These new food producers are evident at the many farmers markets, country markets and food festivals all over Ireland, north and south of the borderExisting small food companies, with assistance from their County Enterprise Boards, have been expanding their business, employing people and gaining more recognition for their products at a growing number of Irish Food Awards ceremoniesRestaurants are changing their attitude and are getting away from the one-stop-shop attitude of commercial purchasing READ MORE ]]> http://www.irishcentral.com/story/roots/irish-food-guide/tasty-foodie-dips-recipes-for-your-new-years-eve-party-185282612.html http://www.irishcentral.com/story/roots/irish-food-guide/tasty-foodie-dips-recipes-for-your-new-years-eve-party-185282612.html Mon, 31 Dec 2012 06:30:59 PST
Prawn and Cream Cheese DipWith New Year’s Eve upon us this weekend, I thought that a few tasty and easy to make "Dips" will come in handy if you are planning a house party for the occasion!These simple dips can be used with potato chips, crackers, potato wedges, cut-strips of carrot or celery, tortillas, oven chips, breadsticks, samosas, spring rolls or anything else that takes your fancy!These recipes each make enough for 10-12 people from each but you can double up to make more Happy New Year!Prawn & Cream Cheese Dip8oz Philadelphia (or other) cream cheese1/4 small onion, peeled and choppedBunch of parsley2 tbls Lemon Juice1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill1 clove garlic, peeled and chopped1/4 tspn black pepper4oz cooked, peeled prawnsMethod:Mix all together in a blender until almost smooth and chill for 1 hour before useSweet Chilli Mayonnaise3 tablespoons sweet chilli sauce8 tablespoons mayonnaiseMethod:Mix both ingredients together and serve straight awayAvocado Guacamole4 mild chillies, finely choppedA wee bunch coriander (cilantro) chopped2 tomatoes, finely choppedPinch of salt1 medium onion, chopped1-2 tbsp waterJuice of ½ Lime3 ripe AvocadosMethod:Peel & dice the avocado and leave aside READ MORE ]]> http://www.irishcentral.com/story/roots/irish-food-guide/irelands-only-community-chef-launches-new-collection-of-festive-christmas-recipes-183341741.html http://www.irishcentral.com/story/roots/irish-food-guide/irelands-only-community-chef-launches-new-collection-of-festive-christmas-recipes-183341741.html Thu, 13 Dec 2012 06:01:39 PST
A Collection of Festive Recipes by Community Chef Brian McDermott The Christmas period can be a very stressful time for a family and sometimes the pressure of preparing a "perfect" Christmas Dinner can be too much for some Mums and DadsCommunity Chef Brian McDermott, from Donegal, has teamed up with the Craft Butchers of Ireland and produced a new "Collection of Festive Recipes" which will help to take the take the pressure off the home-cook and leave more time for festive fun! This is a new simple guide to a perfect Christmas Dinner!Brian McDermott is Ireland's first dedicated Community Chef and is passionate about food, reducing salt, tackling obesity, growing his own and supporting local produce His innovative and relaxed style of cooking is featured at food festivals from Donegal to Cork, where he shares the stage with his good friend and mentor Neven MaguireThe "Collection of Festive Recipes" booklet is being launched Wednesday 12th December and can be picked up, for free, in Craft Butchers shops all over Ireland READ MORE ]]> http://www.irishcentral.com/story/roots/irish-food-guide/my-traditional-irish-christmas-cake-recipe---variations-on-the-classic-fruitcake--180979331.html http://www.irishcentral.com/story/roots/irish-food-guide/my-traditional-irish-christmas-cake-recipe---variations-on-the-classic-fruitcake--180979331.html Tue, 27 Nov 2012 05:16:17 PST
I always make three cakes - one for Christmas Day and two to eat every day for tea, until then!Christmas cakes are made in many different ways, but generally they are variations on the classic fruitcakeThey can be light, dark, moist, dry, heavy, spongy etc They are made in many different shapes, with frosting, royal icing, a dusting of icing sugar or plainThe spices and dried fruits in the cake are supposed to represent the exotic eastern spices brought by the three Wise Men to the newborn King!  The fruit is all soaked overnight in the brandy, in a covered bowl, before use READ MORE ]]> http://www.irishcentral.com/story/roots/irish-food-guide/smorgasboard---an-irish-company-invent-a-board-game-for-foodies-180140041.html http://www.irishcentral.com/story/roots/irish-food-guide/smorgasboard---an-irish-company-invent-a-board-game-for-foodies-180140041.html Tue, 20 Nov 2012 05:16:47 PST
Do you like fun & food with friends? Then you’ll love SMORGASBOARD®, a fun new game for foodies created by Irish husband & wife entrepreneurs, Richard Kelly & Maggie Leonard who form RichArtBorn from a passion for food and a love of design, Richard & Maggie have spent the last two years developing SMORGASBOARD® and once the concept for the game was perfected, they used the Irish small business funding website FUNDIT to help get it to the production stage The game has been wonderfully illustrated by the award winning designer Steve Simpson whose work has exhibited in London, LA and New York READ MORE ]]> http://www.irishcentral.com/story/roots/april-travels-ireland/christmas-time-at-ballymascanlon-house-hotel---a-real-treat-for-the-traditional-traveler-179488241.html http://www.irishcentral.com/story/roots/april-travels-ireland/christmas-time-at-ballymascanlon-house-hotel---a-real-treat-for-the-traditional-traveler-179488241.html Thu, 15 Nov 2012 07:31:29 PST
Ballymascanlon House Hotel Ballymascanlon House Hotel is a home away from home in Co Louth so if you are looking for somewhere different to celebrate Christmas this hotel is the place to be The Ballymascanlon does exactly what it says on the tin; it provides luxury, warm hospitality and comforts all under one roof It oozes tradition and history and lacks nothing READ MORE ]]> http://www.irishcentral.com/story/roots/irish-food-guide/a-delicious-alternative-to-chicken-the-perfect-winter-recipe---irish-duck-breasts-parsnip-puree-with-a-cranberry-and-red-wine-sauce-178612501.html http://www.irishcentral.com/story/roots/irish-food-guide/a-delicious-alternative-to-chicken-the-perfect-winter-recipe---irish-duck-breasts-parsnip-puree-with-a-cranberry-and-red-wine-sauce-178612501.html Sun, 11 Nov 2012 06:01:09 PST
Irish duck breasts, parsnip purée with a cranberry and red wine sauceDuck is a very popular meat on the menu of many restaurants in Ireland today It is a tasty alternative to chicken and at this time of year it is an introductory step for conservative eaters to all of the wonderful Game meats that are now coming into season over the winter months Duck, especially if you can get wild duck, will open your taste buds to a whole new range of delicious meats like pheasant, quail, Pigeon, Grouse and even Rabbit! Great for a Christmas treat!The secret to cooking a duck breast lies in dealing with the quite large amount of fat in the skin, but  without ruining the meat To address this simply pour off the fat after you seal the skin-side, leaving a beautifully delicious and crispy skin, before you turn the breast to seal the other side READ MORE ]]> http://www.irishcentral.com/story/roots/irish-food-guide/irish-potato-chip-company-launches-spudnav-and-a-new-christmas-turkey-flavor-potato-chip-177240951.html http://www.irishcentral.com/story/roots/irish-food-guide/irish-potato-chip-company-launches-spudnav-and-a-new-christmas-turkey-flavor-potato-chip-177240951.html Mon, 05 Nov 2012 05:15:54 PST
Peter Keogh on their farm in the 1950'sThe Shamrock is widely regarded as the symbol of Ireland In 2012 the Keogh Family launched the world’s first-ever shamrock flavored food delight, "Hand Cooked Shamrock and Sour Cream Irish Potato Chip" (called 'crisps' in Ireland) These hand cooked potato chips are produced at the crisping house on the Keogh’s Family Farm in north county Dublin They slice each spud extra thick and gently hand cook them, skins and all, in fresh sunflower oil using a very old American kettle READ MORE ]]> http://www.irishcentral.com/story/roots/irish-food-guide/indian-meal-soda-bread-recipe----a-taste-of-the-last-century-176095351.html http://www.irishcentral.com/story/roots/irish-food-guide/indian-meal-soda-bread-recipe----a-taste-of-the-last-century-176095351.html Sat, 27 Oct 2012 07:30:38 PDT
Indian Meal Bread is becoming fashionable in Ireland againIndian meal (aka Corn or Maize meal) was first imported to Ireland, from America, around the early 1800's to assist when the turnips and potatoes got scarce Some people say that it was sent over here by charitable North American Indians to help the hungry Irish people during the Great Famine, hence the name "Indian Meal"During these times large quantities of it were distributed to the hungry It was also used to feed the chickens and added to turnips, which were cut by hand on the edge of a scythe, for pigs READ MORE ]]> http://www.irishcentral.com/story/roots/april-travels-ireland/lions-and-tigers-and-bears-oh-my----family-day-out-at-fota-island-and-luxury-nights-stay-at-the-garryvoe-hotel-county-cork--173274881.html http://www.irishcentral.com/story/roots/april-travels-ireland/lions-and-tigers-and-bears-oh-my----family-day-out-at-fota-island-and-luxury-nights-stay-at-the-garryvoe-hotel-county-cork--173274881.html Tue, 09 Oct 2012 05:32:53 PDT
April, Collum and Sadie with the giant giraffe at FotoIreland is just beautiful when the weather turns out Taking advantage recently of a sunny few days my husband John and I decided to take the kids to one of Ireland’s most popular outdoor attractions, Fota Wildlife Park in Cobh, County CorkAlthough I’d like to say that our five-month-old little girl, Sadie, enjoyed it, it was our 20-month old son Colum who beamed from ear to ear at the mere mention of animals The life-sized giraffe statue that greeted us before entering the park was full of youngsters eager to have their picture taken in front of it READ MORE ]]> http://www.irishcentral.com/story/roots/irish-food-guide/picking-blackberries--my-blackberry-madeira-pie-recipe-173147071.html http://www.irishcentral.com/story/roots/irish-food-guide/picking-blackberries--my-blackberry-madeira-pie-recipe-173147071.html Mon, 08 Oct 2012 10:32:56 PDT
Delicious blackberries ripening in the countrysideThere are quite a few runs of pretty good wild blackberry hedges around where I live in Donegal and as the roads are quiet enough too, they don't get infused with exhaust fumes so much But this year, while nosing around a few old back roads I hit the jackpot and found a good quarter-mile of the biggest,  juiciest, most bountiful blackberry bushes I've ever seen! I parked up the car and pulled out the wee bowl my daughter, Lily, had taken with us just in case we found some of these luscious fruits of the forest It turned out that I needed to use the basin I had in the boot of the car since the last cooking demo I had done! There were blackberries as far as my eyes could see - I was like a wee boy again - smiling to myself as we picked the berries, eating almost as many as we picked! They were so perfectly ripe they almost fell off their husks into our hands I was reminded of when my brother and I used to stay with our aunt, Nora Boyle, a few miles out of Donegal town, for two weeks during the summer months, so that Mum could have another room for the Bed & Breakfast guests READ MORE ]]>