Sunday, April 11, 2021

Saturday Morning Stroll Through Cork's Millennium Garden

 Saturday Morning Stroll Through Cork's Millennium Garden

Sean MacCarthy's "Eden"



Coat of Arms


Ducklings and mother at edge of the river
Bridge over Lr Glanmire Rd to Carrig House etc. Most of pics taken from here.
Approaching from the east

South bank



North bank

South

ESB Marina

Carrig House


North

New buildings on north bank

South bank

Pairc Ui Chaoimh


Solar Power (Air Synergy) Lr Glanmire Rd

Millennium "2"

Goldie lands another winner with Bosca na Farraige #4

Goldie lands another winner

with Bosca na Farraige #4


You can buy all kinds of food boxes and kits for eating at home these days. There are many excellent ones available around the country and many in the Cork area have been covered here in the blog. A large variety of cuisines are offered. Many different prices too! There is one available from Michelin starred Aimsir. It costs €210.00. The one I got last Friday from Goldie (they have a Michelin bib) cost just €35.00 and I enjoyed it very much indeed.


The initial list hardly tells the whole story:

Lobster Cocktail Marie Rose.
Smoked Haddock Kedgeree Pasty.
Chervil & Seaweed Scones.
Whipper Thermidor Butter.
Gherkin Ketchup/Ale Muster/Kraut.
'Beelionaires' Caramel Slice.

By the way, there is no cooking involved here!


This is your Lobster Cocktail Marie Rose. It is Crosshaven lobster claw and tail steamed and dressed in Goldie Marie rose sauce with a salad of iceberg, cos and fennel. Superb starter



This was our "main course", the Smoked Haddock Kedgeree Pasty. The pasty is filled with haddock and potato kedgeree. It is ready to eat cold but we got a tip to warm it in the oven for a few minutes and we were on a winner. It was delicious and even more so with the surprising Gherkin ketchup (I loved that). Not so much with the mustard kraut but that is down to personal taste rather than anything to do with quality!


You often see seaweed listed in the ingredients but it doesn't always impact on the dish. Here it did, in a delightful way. These Chervil and Seaweed scones were a favourite of mine. I managed to keep one of the four for the following day when it tasted just as well if not better. Also in the picture is the Whipped Thermidor Butter, a compound butter flavoured with all the ingredients that usually feature in a thermidor sauce that is classically served with lobster!

Goldie has won its spurs as a fish restaurant but their desserts never disappoint. This 'Beelionaires' Caramel Slice (x4) was superb, a well thought out finalé, not too heavy and not too light, just the job.

Each week, Goldie includes a "simple recipe" in each Bosca. This week, they featured their lovely Marie Rose Sauce.

What will they come up with for the coming weekend? They post it on their social media early in the week so do look out for Bosca na Farraige #5!

Thursday, April 8, 2021

FAMILIES ASKED TO JOIN SEARCH FOR IRELAND’S BEST BANANA DESSERT CREATION

FAMILIES ASKED TO JOIN SEARCH FOR IRELAND’S

 BEST BANANA DESSERT CREATION 

 


Banana importers Fyffes has issued an invitation to mums, dads and children throughout Cork and beyond to join in a search to find Ireland’s ‘Best Banana Dessert’ creation.

 

Fronting the search to find this year’s winning creations is Ireland’s well-known television cook, Donal Skehan whose programmes are a favourite amongst viewers and wannabe cooks. The popular presenter hopes to repeat the success of last year, when his task was to judge Ireland’s most creative banana bread bakers – a quest that gave widespread recognition to the talents of Ireland’s overall winner, Cobh native Gillian Carney and another Cork winner, Heather O’Sullivan from Bantry who topped the ‘Best Gluten-Free’ category.

 

Donal enjoying the help from siblings Ellie (9) and Ryan (7) Connor.

Reward will go to the overall winner and best junior baker with recognition for originality in a number of other areas. Entries are open from 14th – 19th April, with winners announced on National Banana Day itself, 21st April, an initiative devised to support the national drive to encourage healthy eating, especially amongst young and growing children.

 

Details and entries online at Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/FyffesIreland/ and Instagram –  http://www.instagram.com/fyffes_ireland/

using #FyffesGBBO21

Cheers on Beer, Spirits and Wine. With Kinsale Mead, Bubble Bros, The Corkscrew, Maharani, O'Briens Wines, Blacks, Wines of the World, St Mel's.

Cheers on Beer, Spirits and Wine. 

With Kinsale Mead, Bubble Bros, The Corkscrew, Maharani, O'Briens Wines, Blacks, Wines of the World, St Mel's.

#210904

Irish Wildflower Mead from Kinsale Mead


Only a limited number of bottles of our Irish Wildflower Mead were released, all individually numbered and signed by the meadmaker. These are only available to buy direct from the meadery. This is an opportunity to try something truly unique.
This beguiling mead is fermented to a delicate sweetness showcasing the depth and complexity of the 100% Irish honey, foraged from hawthorn, white blackberry blossom, wild clover and a little nuttiness from a walnut tree. 🐝 With a label designed by local artist Fiona Boniwell, we think it's an irresistible treat.
https://www.kinsalemeadco.ie/pro.../kinsale-wildflower-mead/ *FREE SHIPPING* in Ireland until May Day.
2020 Blas Na HEireann award

*****

Bubbles Brothers
have brand new wines for you!

While you're waiting for trips to the seaside to resume, dive in to six brand new wines from the coastal end of France's Loire region. Choose from four breezy, refined Muscadets, a vibrant Sauvignon Blanc and a precise, supple Chardonnay from Les Frères Couillaud.




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We hope you had a lovely Easter weekend and for those of you that managed to get your hands on some Easter Eggs that you didn't overdo it on the chocolate. There was great excitement here as our new wines arrived from Cyprus, these are really excellent wines from one of the Islands leading boutique family wineries and you won't get them anywhere else!

Cyprus is an exciting island to make wine as it is home to some very unique indigenous grape varieties. Zambartas Winery specializes in their own native grape varieties as well as blends with some world-renowned varieties. Their wines have been awarded with numerous medals locally and abroad and the winery has become one of the leading wineries of the island which also greatly contributed to the current modern revival of the Cypriot wine industry.

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Need the perfect online event for a celebration or corporate gathering?

Looking for a unique online company event or the perfect hen party or special birthday party?

Rebel City Distillery have created a fun, engaging, and unique virtual gin tasting experience just for you! https://t.co/JFD103Txxh

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Springtime Bubbles at O'Briens
By Lynne Coyle MW | O'Briens Wine Director 


On the blog this week we have some must try Champagne and Sparkling wine suggestions. Whether you are planning to pop a cork to celebrate, for fun or to enjoy your fizz with a nice plate of food here are our top picks for your bucket list.

read more here


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St. TROPEZ SUMMER IPA IS HERE VIA BLACKS

Fresh off the canning line!

You might not be able to head to the sunny beaches of St. Tropez just yet....so we've brought this delicious Summer IPA to you!
Details and Order Here
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Wines of the World


May Bank Holiday Virtual Wine and Food Pairing – Friday April 30th Cork Delivery or Collection

Are you based in Cork and looking for some at home entertainment?

We have teamed up with Aisling – Ballymaloe Trained Chef and owner of the Tiny Turnip.

Kate from Wines of The World and Aisling from the Tiny Turnip will be offering you a virtual wine and food pairing on Friday April 30th at 7pm on our social channels @WinesIreland.

More Info and order here.

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St Mel's Brewery Shop
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Gone for groceries. Mayfield to Bradley's.

Gone for groceries. Mayfield to Bradley's. 

#walkies (with camera) 07.04.2021

Brighter days ahead (with the ESB!)

The Montenotte (above and below)





In the grounds of the former Marymount. Wellington Road.


Cork Arts Theatre, Carroll's Quay. Keepers of the flame, even these Covid days

Sign at the Abbot Ale House

Queen Anne House (early 18th century). Popes Quay

Lose this skin! Popes Quay

Iyers. Shutters down but you can still get the good stuff to take home

Smile! Popes Quay

Lunch on Popes Quay. Looks like a regular date

Popes Quay. Colour on a dull day.

North Gate Bridge. Shine a light.

Coleman's Lane (also below)


Many of Cork's medieval lanes (many no longer extant) are marked with these
signs, quite a few in North Main Street. All Elbow
Lane beers are named after local lanes.