Ballymaloe Box illustrates dining “At Home” gets better and better.

Ballymaloe Box illustrates dining “At Home” gets better and better.

Starter

Dining “At Home” just keeps getting better and better. Our latest box, from Ballymaloe House, was just superb, from the beautiful presentation, to the quality of the produce, to the ease of putting it on the table once you had it At Home! 

Ballymaloe by the way are just getting into their stride on this front as this is just their second “At Home”. The meal underlined the quality that the Ballymaloe kitchen, under Head Chef Dervilla, turns out day after day, course after course.

Beef Cheek

The star factor began at Ballymaloe itself, the box coming decorated with freshly picked tulips, which, once home, were quickly found a role as a table decoration. No bother involved and no bother later on either as only the main course required any heating at all and here the meat and potatoes were each timed to come to perfection at the same time. Some “At Homes” are much trickier, more troublesome.

But first, the starter, featuring asparagus that was picked that morning by gardener Mags in the Ballymaloe walled garden along with the garlic and rocket leaves, was already cooked for us. Better give you the full description: First of our season’s Walled Garden Asparagus Salad, Wild Garlic, Lemon Olive Oil, Roast Grantstown Cherry Tomatoes and Pine Nuts. So we assembled this, according to instructions. Very easy, every simple and simply delicious along with some Ballymaloe bread and their rich Jersey Butter. A great start and that standard continued all through.

Ballymaloe Cider
also on At Home Menu

The mains: East Cork Beef Cheeks with Gremolata was the basic description. Much more than that though including Boulangéres & Thyme Potatoes, Bay Scented Carrots, Mushrooms & Tarragon and that garden salad (which we lightly tossed with their Honey & Muscatel Vinegar Dressing). Finally, the Beef was sprinkled with the Gremolata. Again, totally pleased with this one, perhaps the best beef cheeks we’ve had in a long time.

The additions here were crucial and most came in their own little glass jars. As did the dessert: Panna Cotta and Espresso Jelly with Pistachio Langues de Chat. A very impressive Panna Cotta with that jelly a star. Happy out after that, like the cat that got the cream!

We did, by the way, take decent gaps between the courses, savouring the earlier ones and looking forward to what was to come. Next was the the cheese course. And, of course, it featured an all Irish line-up: St Tola Goat (from County Clare), Coolea Cow (from hills above Ballyvourney, Co. Cork) and Crozier Blue Sheep (from the Grubb family, the same people that make Cashel blue in rural Tipperary), all accompanied by Ballymaloe Cheese Biscuits and Membrillo Paste (each perfect and perfectly suited to the plate).

And that wasn’t quite it. There was a little jar of truffles, though to be honest, they were kept to go with the mid-morning coffee on the following day!

The box also contained next week’s menu:

Ballycotton Day Boat Crab and Garden Asparagus with Lemon Aioli;

Ballymaloe White Bread and Farm Butter;

Free Range Duck Breast & Ballymaloe Pork Belly with Marsala Jus, Wild Garlic Mash;

Bay Scented Carrots & braised Garden Green Onion, Shanagarry Green salad with Rosé Vinegar & Honey Dressing.

Chocolate St Emilion with Cocoa Nib Nougatine & Cream.

Fancy that? Order online or ring 021 4652531.

Just about to tuck into dessert!

Blarney Castle Gardens Continue To Surprise

Blarney Castle Gardens Continue To Surprise

Photos 21st April 2021

Busy bee in Blarney

Tulip

First of the bluebells

Looking forward to seeing how this develops

Forbidden fruit

Je t'aime

 

Spectacular resurrection with these waterside plants

Is that a Hippo in the water?

The River Martin. Two rivers cross here, the Martin going
under the River Blarney (the bigger). See the "crossing" near the entrance.

Skeleton

The Wishing Steps

Taste of the Week. Treble by Hederman, ORSO and Riceflour GF Bakery.

Taste of the Week.

Treble by Hederman, ORSO and Riceflour GF Bakery

I've regularly thought I could get a delicious 3-course dinner from the big box that arrives when Neighbourfood delivers here. Made a deliberate attempt as I ordered it this week and hit the jackpot, on the treble.

Starter was Portuguese Fritters by Frank Hederman, mains a Chicken Borek Pie from ORSO, while the dessert was a well-named Sweet Tooth Meringue Cake by Riceflour.

Hederman's Portuguese Fritters with Hot Smoked Salmon and Tartar sauce. Frank himself calls them "dreamy light pillows of hot smoked salmon, potato, parsley, garlic and smoked chillies, bound with beaten egg and rolled in Panko bread crumbs". And they are a delicious dream and, something else, that tartar sauce is also a champion. 

But don't take my word for it. Here's what Michelin Chef Miyazaki wrote on Twitter on Thursday (yesterday): “Fritters are amazing, very tasty!! Tartar sauce is nice with it also .. fritters texture reminds me of when my mother used to make crab cream croquettes when I was child. Amazing”.

We shared the four that came in the packet as a starter with a salad, the leaves from Purple Squirrel Farm. They may also be used as a main course. Lots of suggestions for using this and other Hederman products on their website. Colm O'Gorman is a regular contributor to Hederman and he created these beauties.

We were in for another very pleasant surprise with our main course: ORSO Chicken Borek Pie. Borek is a family of baked filled pastries made of a thin flaky dough such as phyllo or yufka, typically filled with meat. It is a Turkish word and the pie or versions of it are found in many neighbouring countries.

Our filling was Chicken, Apricot, Sage, Onion, Barley, Nutmeg, Sesame, Oregano, Sumac, Salt and Chilli. It turned out to be a very harmonious combination, with the chicken and apricot the leading duo. Again, you could try one of these and divide between two for a very tasty lunch! The picture above has a complete pie on the bottom with an open half of another on top.

And the pleasant surprises continued with the dessert: the Sweet Tooth Meringue Cake by Riceflour. Layers of luscious sweetness, yum from top to bottom, from first to last.

And, another surprise, at least for me! Riceflour, a gluten free bakery, is run by Spanish sisters Silvia and Olga, who you may remember from farmers markets and food festivals of a few years back. I often wondered had they returned to Spain but here they are now and I'm sure  your sweet-tooth will join with mine in welcoming this lively duo back to the food stage.

Think I'll let them have the last word on our dessert: "Sweet Tooth treat is a stunning creation which boasts decadent swathes of a whipped consistency of meringue with numerous layers of our crisp puffy pastry in the outside. Available in individual portions or as a full cake for any occasion." See their other products here.

  

Cheers on Beer, Wine and Spirits. Update #1 - Kinsale Spirit Takes To OpenSea. SuperValu Wine of the Month. And more.

 Cheers on Beer, Wine and Spirits. #210422. Update #1 Fidelty Beer Fest cancelled. News from Wines of the World, Whiplash, Galway Hooker, Thompsons, O'Briens Wines, White Hag, Bubble Bros, Greenes, Wines Direct. 

Historic Opportunity

Kinsale Spirit Company to auction Rare Irish Malt Whiskey on the NFT platform OpenSea

 

Live auction Friday 23^rd April – Friday 30^th April 2021

 

Kinsale Spirit Company goes to market with the first ever Whiskey Cask represented by an NFT (A non-fungible token) and auctioned on the NFT marketplace OpenSea. The  200-litre cask of Rare Irish Malt Whiskey, is live for auction until Friday, April 30th https://opensea.io/collection/rare-aged-irish-malt-whiskey-casks )

 

The blockchain powered platform allows the viewers and future bidders to see full traceability from when it was entered into auction. Speaking on the project, Co-Owner of Kinsale Spirit Company, Ernest Cantillon says;

 

“I’ve been a keen observer on the sidelines of the NFT world for a long time and always wanted an opportunity to get involved. I thought that combining the rapidly evolving world of blockchain to such a traditional business as whiskey would be fun – such a juxtaposition. When this whiskey was laid down nearly 20 years ago, it would have been hard to even imagine the whole world of NFTs and cryptocurrencies.”

 

Kinsale Spirit Company plans on integrating these digital auctions into their offering combining digital and physical. While opening up new channels of whiskey aficionados and avid NFT collectors and crypto currency enthusiasts.  

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SuperValu's Wine of the Month

19 Crimes Red Blend/Sauvignon Block 75cl at €10 each

Was €14.99 Save €4.99

The nose of the 19 Crimes Red Blend is loaded with jammy, ripe, sweet berry notes laced with chocolate and vanilla. While the Sauvignon Blanc delivers a crisp and delicious light body with aromas of passionfruit and lush red apples with a fresh, crisp finish.

 

Our Must Buy this month...at a fantastic price of €40 each

• Torres Sangre de Toro 6 Bottle Case 75cl.  Standard RRP €72
• Torres Viña Sol 6 Bottle Case 75cl Standard RRP €66

 

With Summer season on the way, we’ve a lovely range of Rosé to choose from including Graham Norton’s Own Rosé 75cl at €12 ( Was €14.99 Save €2.99 ) and for that perfect BBQ steak why not try some of our Premium Wine range including Pagos De Labarca AEX 75cl at only €18 ( Was €22.99 Save €4.99 ).

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KYLIE MINOGUE CELEBRATES SELLING HER MILLIONTH BOTTLE OF WINE BY RELEASING A SPARKLING ROSÉ PROSECCO HOUSED IN AN ICONIC “LOVERS” DEBOSSED GLASS BOTTLE.

“I am unbelievably humbled and thrilled by the global response to Kylie Minogue Wines. To sell over a million bottles in less than a year has been incredible, and testimony to the amazing producers and winemakers Kylie Minogue Wines have been lucky enough to work alongside. I have been incredibly touched by the joy our wines have brought to so many people in the last year, and I am excited this month to release our new 2020 Rosé vintages including a very special Sparkling Prosecco Rosé - enjoy!”

All the details, including orders, here, at Wines of the World

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Statement from Whiplash & The Big Romance:

Fidelity Beer Festival Postponed to 2022

"It is with great disappointment that we announce the postponement of Fidelity Beer Festival, due to take place this 16th & 17th July. The reaction to our event has been incredible, with Saturday's session sold out so much faster than we could've imagined and Friday tickets nearly gone too, so this has been a very tough decision.

An event of this scale requires so much forward planning, with beer & brewers flown in from around the world, so with where we're at regarding the latest restrictions & vaccine rollout, we are unfortunately unable to wait any longer.

With that, Fidelity 2021 will now take place on 15th and 16th July 2022 at The Mansion House, Dublin.

All tickets for 2021 will remain valid for the corresponding date in 2022 and we’d love it if you could join us then. We’re now even more motivated to make this the best beer event Ireland has seen and we hope it will be worth the wait. We do understand that this might not be possible for everyone, so you can request a full refund until 25th June 2021.

Ticket holders now have two options:

●     Hold on to your tickets and join us in 2022 - Friday and Saturday 2021 tickets will still be valid on the corresponding days in 2022

●     Get a refund – until 25th June 2021 you can "Contact The Organiser" to request a refund via Eventbrite or email info@thebigromance.ie using the subject "Fidelity Festival Refund"

Additional tickets that become available through refunds will be on sale from 28th June.

We want to thank you for your continued support and we look forward to seeing you in July 2022. We will sesh again!

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Galway Hooker

You can look. But you cannot touch! These are booked! But plenty more available.

New Brews: 

2 new brews incoming over the next 2 months. First, will see the start of our locally themed series that will aim to support local Irish businesses on the ingredient side. First edition will be an Elderflower Ale using locally foraged Elderflower. 

2nd brew will be closer to June, but will be a completely new type of brew for us. Let's just it'll be Neopolitan Ice Cream themed, and will be a collaboration with a huge new brewery that we have partnered with from a far distant country. Really excited for this one.

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Thompsons are calling all Gin Lovers

Calling all Gin Lovers, Friends of Gin Lovers, Siblings of Gin Lovers...you get the drift...

Introducing our newest offering, Thompson’s curated gin boxes.

Some of the best gins from around Cork and Ireland have been hand chosen by our bar staff and carefully paired with a Poachers Tonic (made in Co. Wexford) and recommended garnishes. More details here.

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Rioja Tasting with Beronia Wines - Live ZOOM May 14th

Sale Price:120.00 Original Price:141.00

This will be a live virtual tasting via ZOOM on Friday May 14th at 7pm.

If you are looking for a virtual transportation to Rioja - Spain - this is your chance.

Join Kate Barry from Wines Of the World and Fernando Cardesa Cabrera from Beronia Winery, to escape to Rioja and learn all there is to know about these beautiful wines and the different styles.

More details and order here.

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O'Briens Wine

TOP ORGANIC WINES TO TRY THIS WEEKEND

By Lorcan O'Brien | Wine Content Specialist

This week sees an exciting new lineup of spring wine offers, and to celebrate the season we bring you four of our top organic wines to try this weekend. For more info, just click on spring wine offers

1 - Château de Gairoird Organic Rosé Côtes de Provence, France

2 - Lunaria Vola Volé Trebbiano d'Abruzzo, Italy

3 - Integro Negroamaro IGP Puglia

4 - Emiliana Étnico Rapel Valley Chile

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White Hag Go Tangerine

Just when we thought we’d seen the last of the Shebeen, it comes roaring back to relevance. Conceived by a few determined Irish folk on both sides of the brexit border during covid, Tangerine Shebeen is a juicy, sweet and zesty IPA that was made for enjoying in illicit company, or secretive hideaways, while dreaming of the pub.

Tangerine Shebeen has been in the works for some time now, so we’re very excited to finally launch this zesty collab alongside our friends in Round Corner Brewing, Melton Mowbray.

Coming in a big boy 440ml can and landing at 5.7% abv it’s just a perfect ‘start of summer’ beer! Details and order here.

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Bubble Brothers Making Space For New Wines

More exciting new wines are on their way to Cork—the recently arrived Loire Valley whites from Les Frères Couillaud and the comprehensive range of champagne from Champagne Baron Albert were just the beginning of our 2021 plans—so it's time to make some space in the Little Island warehouse for the next deliveries.

See all the wine offers here.

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Greenes and Wines Direct

ONLINE ZOOM WINE TASTING

FRIDAY 30TH APRIL - 8PM

We are very excited about our next 'meet the winemaker' online tasting event with Roberto from Di Filippo Winery in Italy. Informative and lots fun with 2 stunning wines, artisan cheeses & charcuterie! All from the comfort of your own home!

Order now on www.greenesrestaurant.com/menus

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MTU & UCC join forces to become the newest provider of Home Economics initial teacher education in Ireland since 1952

MTU & UCC join forces to become the newest provider

of Home Economics initial teacher education in Ireland since 1952

 

 

Ireland is facing a critical shortage of home economics teachers, and today, April 22^nd,  Munster Technological University (MTU) & University College Cork (UCC) announce a new joint programme to prepare teachers – a five year course in Home Economics & Business.

 

Students will study at MTU for 3 years and UCC for 2 years in this partnership that makes MTU/UCC the first new provider of Home Economics initial teacher education in Ireland since 1952. The Department of Education & Skills (DES) and the Teaching Council have categorised the subject of Home Economics as experiencing an ongoing critical shortage of teachers. This new programme will help address this shortage, whilst also making a positive contribution to building deeper knowledge, understanding, and expertise in other key disciplinary areas for contemporary society including food education and environmental sustainability, where healthy eating and environmental responsibility pose considerable challenges for future generations. Professor Maggie Cusack, President of MTU said “the multidisciplinary nature of this programme, which is strategically aligned to the United Nations sustainable development goals, is an exciting new educational offering, and aligns with MTU’s core values of developing innovative programmes, to prepare students for professional roles. The collaborative approach between colleagues in MTU and UCC, has resulted in a truly unique offering for students.”

 

Currently St Angela’s College in Sligo is the only provider of Home Economics teacher education programmes in the State. This new MTU & UCC collaboration will be a very welcome alternative option for students nationwide.

 

Rory O'Connell cookery demo at the then CIT a few years ago.

Speaking at the launch of the programme, Dr Noel Murray, Head of Department of Tourism & Hospitality at MTU said, “this is a major new development for students wishing to pursue a career as teaching professionals in Home Economics and Business. It is the most diverse, multidisciplinary programme in the University as it includes modules from 10 different departments in MTU, as well as from the School of Education in UCC. We have designed a really innovative programme of study, so as to attract both male and female students, and I know there will be strong demand.”

 

Through the CAO, using Code CR930, students can now apply for the BA (Hons) in Home Economics & Business, which commences in September 2021, with 32 places available. The first three years will focus on developing discipline expertise in the areas of Home Economics, across the areas of food studies, textiles fashion and design, family resource management, home design, and social studies. In Business, students will study modules in core areas such as entrepreneurship, international business, management, accounting, economics, and human resource management. All these areas of study are closely aligned with the requirements of the Teaching Council of Ireland for graduates who wish to become post-primary teachers of both Home Economics and Business. The programme also introduces students to the teaching experience so as to develop fundamental pedagogical skills through the design, delivery and critique of authentic teaching, learning and assessment via micro-teaching sessions and observation of Home Economics teaching in the classroom whilst on a short placement.

 

Graduates who achieve a minimum of Second-Class Honours Grade 2 award in their MTU BA (Hons) in Home Economics and Business will automatically be offered a place on the Professional Master of Education (PME) post-primary in UCC through a ‘protected places pathway’ agreement between both universities. Completion of both programmes over 5 years, will allow graduates to meet all Teaching Council requirements to teach both Home Economics and Business to Leaving Certificate level in Irish post-primary schools.

 

Dr Brian Murphy, Director of the Professional Master of Education (PME) in UCC outlined that “this innovative and exciting collaboration between UCC and MTU offers students a unique opportunity to become Home Economics teachers both in a full university environment and outside of Sligo for the first time. We on the PME programme team in the School of Education in UCC are really excited to extend our renowned expertise in preparing post-primary teachers of the highest quality to the subject area of Home Economics. Future Home Economics and Business PME students in UCC will be truly part of a very special development in the history of teacher education and Home Economics teaching in Ireland.”

 

On progression to the Professional Master of Education (PME) programme in UCC, students will complete their initial teacher education in the UCC School of Education, an internationally and nationally celebrated centre of excellence with over 115 years experience of, and expertise in, teacher education. This, coupled with the School of Education’s dynamic School Placement partnership with over 80 second-level schools, makes this an exciting new opportunity for all current and future students interested in a career as a teacher of Home Economics and Business at post-primary level.

A live webinar sharing specific details of the new and exciting programme and opportunity, will take place on Thursday 29^th April at 7p.m. www.mtu.ie/homeeconomics