I experienced an extremely pleasant picnic recently. This wasn’t a ‘hang’ sandwich affair but a proper picnic on a river bank with lots of lovely food and company. It got me thinking about interesting picnic ideas and the best way to serve them up. A good picnic should be on the fancy side and include a variety [...]

Peter and I attended a really enjoyable event in Bord Bia the week before last: it was a series of presentations and workshops for Irish food bloggers, organised by Donal Skehan of the tremendous Good Mood Food blog.  We were treated to demonstrations of pork butchery and cookery, vegetarian cookery from Blazing Salads, advice on [...]

I’ve given up on risotto (and become progressively worse at making paella). Risotto is one of those fiddly dishes that, despite being advertised as a quick and easy supper, can so easily go wrong. Indeed, I’ve had serious, violent arguments about rice, leading to one party storming off in an enormous huff; all I really [...]

Has anyone noticed how the country is carpeted with dandelions at the moment – it’s totally nuts. They are a controversial weed that bring disdain to those longing for the perfect green lawn and also conjure up strange childhood memories of bedwetting if left under a pillow – that was my excuse anyway. I have [...]

I was one of the plebs caught up in the travel chaos the other week and marooned abroad because of the plume of ash. An extra week in the sun sounds rather nice doesn’t it? Well it was complete hell and there was no sun in the south of Spain because it was busy shining [...]

My sister has just informed me that she has become addicted to lamb. Consequently, she has been inventive in the kitchen again and come up with this little gem, perfect for a light Sunday lunch, if you are brave enough to eat out in the garden (well, for God’s sake it’s scorching outside).

I used to eat big white bags of Dulse as a child in Donegal, and I loved it. Currently, I’m obsessed with Japanese cooking, the benefits of miso and using seaweed. Miso is a fermented product, made from soy bean or barley, and it’s really good for your tummy (think Yakult times a zillion). Seaweed is [...]

After the excesses of Easter, I am on day two of my eat myself better and happier regime. Quoting the guy from the Fast Show, “Today I will be mostly eating raw fruit and vegetables.” However, I know that this will not suffice so I’m also having a hot meal this evening. I have chosen [...]

I planned on eating just one Easter egg over the weekend but I ended up eating two giant eggs, gorging myself on cake until I hated myself, and drinking like a sailor. Now I feel rubbish and to make matters worse I’m off to Spain soon for a much awaited holiday and have to squash [...]

I’m told that I make a very good omelette. The “secret” (at least according to my dad, who makes the most gorgeous omelettes containing nothing more than some finely chopped onion) lies in whipping the yolk and white well and adding a dash of water and a dash of milk. Once the egg hits the [...]