Food & Wine

Fruits of the Sea

This month our food writer is Ross Kelly, a chef at The Locke Bar’s Oyster House in Limerick. “Food has always been a passion of mine and after spending over three months in The Ballymaloe Cookery School training with Darina and Rachael Allen and many other top class chefs, my passion has grown even further [...]

Mid-week treat

Creamy Mustard Chicken

Olive oil
4 chicken breasts
2 shallots, finely chopped
1 tbls cornflour
150ml dry white wine
150ml chicken stock
200ml double cream
1tbssp wholegrain mustard
2tbls chopped fresh chives
Salt and pepper

Method:
1. Season the chicken well with salt and pepper. Heat a little oil in a frying pan and brown the chicken well on both sides. Cook for about [...]

Spring Savours

Amarula crème brulee Serves 4

2 large free-range eggs

2tsp sugar
275ml double cream
1tbsl Amarula liqueur
Crunchy Caramel Topping
165g sugar
115ml water
Method:

Beat the egg yolks and sugar together with an electric mixer until light and fluffy.
Gently heat the milk and Amarula in a saucepan [...]

yum!

Add a chilled glass of white wine, a group of girls, some scintillating conversation and you’re set!!
Fig and Blue Cheese Crostini

(serves four)

1 small loaf half-baked ciabatta bread
Olive oil
8 fresh figs
200g Bellingham Blue cheese
12 slices Parma ham
3 sprigs fresh thyme
Method:

Preheat the oven to 200°C.
Thinly slice the ciabatta bread and drizzle with olive oil. Place [...]

Chocolate, Wine & Romance

Wine is one of the most civilized things in the world and one of the most natural things in the world that has been developed to perfection. It offers a greater range for enjoyment and appreciation than possibly any other purely sensory thing – it is indeed the choice for romance and seduction and as [...]

Rachel Allen’s Quick Swiss Cheese Fondue

Serves 4.  Vegetarian
Children and adults alike love cheese fondue because it’s a bit of a novelty. Definitely something to enjoy as a family – especially when a piece of bread disappears into the cheese sauce and everyone hunts around for it with their skewer!

75ml (3fl oz) dry white wine
2 large cloves of garlic, peeled [...]

Rachel Allen’s Dark Chocolate Layered Semifreddo

Servers 6-8. Vegetarian
In cooking, semifreddo (literally ‘half cold’) refers to certain kinds of chilled or partly frozen desserts. This particular dish is ideal for a dinner party or to serve to unexpected guests as you can prepare it in advance and take it out of the freezer shortly before serving. Simply cut into slices and [...]

Event

Rachel Allen’s Roast Leg of Lamb

Se r v e s 8 – 1 0
This is a classic Sunday lunch to savour. My favourite time to eat this dish is between spring and early summer when mint and redcurrant are in season and the lamb has a mild, sweet flavour. Serve both sauces with the lamb, if you wish, or just [...]

Rachel Allen’s Sticky Cumin & Apricot Roast Carrots and Parsnips

s e r v e s 4 – 6 . v e g e t a r i a n
These are a real favourite of mine with a roast leg of lamb. The natural sugars in the vegetables work beautifully with the apricot jam to give it the perfect sticky and flavourful finish.

500g (1lb [...]