Category Archives: Food

The Healthy Plates Initiative with Uncle Ben’s

**Nope not sponsored by Uncle Ben or Aunty Bessie or any other long-lost relatives. Delighted to say I learned loads and left with a fantastic recipe**

The team working with Uncle Ben’s recently invited me to a mini workshop with renowned chef Gary O’Hanlon and esteemed dietician Orla Walsh (Athletics Ireland). They were launching a campaign to show Ireland how easy it is to make a healthier plate, in minutes. The healthy eating plate idea focuses on  food groups and the quality of food rather than the pain in the BLEEP calorie counting. Continue reading

A Childhool Favourite PIMPED – Pink Wafer & Marshmallow Ice-Cream Cake

When I was a kid Viennetta was the height of luxury when it came to Sunday after dinner treats. I suspect that is what sparked the trend (on my street) of ice-cream birthday cakes. It didn’t matter that we didn’t have the weather to go with them, they seemed fancy and different and that was good enough for us.  Our cakes were a little less extravagant looking than Viennetta. They were basically a block of ice cream with some whipped cream and smarties on top. For this recipe I’ve decided to give simple ice cream cake a bit of a makeover with a surprise inside.  The kids can of course lend a helping hand. Continue reading

Roast Pork Stuffed with Spinach, Pine Nuts and Apricots – Recipes

I recently took park in a food challenge run by Tesco with five other bloggers. The task was to come up with a summer inspired dish using a choice of meats and to keep the budget under €20. You can find the full details of the challenge here Continue reading

Bloom 2016 – Snapshot of The Food Tents & Surrounds

This weekend I’ve been checking out all that Bloom has to offer. Yesterday I gave you a snapshot of the very impressive show gardens which are open all weekend until 6pm on Monday June 6th and you can get tickets here. Today I’m giving you a flavour of what is on offer in the food village and also some of the crafts on show. You will find everything from gin to juice and this is only a small sample of a wide array of food and drink products on offer. You can of course purchase on site and take them home with you. Continue reading

The Coburg Brasserie -A Divine Dining Experience

Back in 1817 the Iveagh Gardens were known as the Coburg Gardens. Two hundred years later the name has returned as the revamped brasserie The Coburg in the Conrad hotel. An intimate group of us were invited along for a ‘taste of The Coburg’ evening which was a tailored food and drink led experience. All dishes are however available on the menu. Continue reading

Wrights Findlater – A Seafood Lunch in Howth

**I was dining as a guest of the marketing team behind the Wrights Group. What follows like any other dining experience, is fair and reflective of the visit**

I was invited for lunch in Howth and meeting Mr. Always Late (Mal) in Wrights Findlater at one o’clock. I got to Howth an hour early and went for a wander around the harbour and the little market a couple of doors up from Findlater’s. Naturally left alone in a market I spent €10 on beef jerky (apparently its a good protein source) and €5 on two cupcakes which I ate straight away.  Had I not looked at my watch and realised it was 12.55 I would have also bought the caramel popcorn and Belgian waffles I passed and the antique bathroom sign which said leithris on it. Continue reading

Coppinger Row  – Dinner With The AAFoodies

For my second food and drink led experience with #AA Foodies I found myself gathered in great company at the bar in Coppinger Row. The restaurant has been awarded two AA Rosettes and we were being treated to a journey in gin and an adventure in food. Continue reading

A Gentleman’s Tea at The Morrison Hotel

Gentleman’s Tea in The Morrison Hotel has been on my list for what seems like an age. When my wonderful friend Ruby Laine gave me a birthday gift of a voucher for the Morrison Hotel it was simply meant to be.  I booked myself in on what happened to be Good Friday.  Usually it comes served with a pint of Wicklow Wolf but given the day that was in it they were alas not able to serve me but did kindly knock €5 off the cost instead.  Continue reading