1. food and drink
2. desserts and baking

Homegrown
ade
to Homem
ipe Book
A Rec
Our natural obsession.
Contents
04
05
06
08
10
11
12
14
15
Fun in the sun
How to choose the
perfect summer wine
Sweet potato, chorizo and Irish
goat’s cheese tart
Fishermans salad with
warm Irish potatoes
How to throw the perfect
Halloween party
How to carve the perfect
pumpkin
Bonfire Irish toffee apples
All you need for a Girls Night In
Shaken and stirred
16
18
19
20
22
24
26
28
30
Irish chicken with avocado,
tomato and green beans
Eat well in winter
Cooking can be a family activity
Creamy homegrown
colcannon mash
St Valentine – in the heart
of Dublin!
Our natural obsession.
A BeCreative Editorial Production:
www.becreative.ie
Editor: Tara Leigh tara@becreative.ie
Contributors:
Mark Corcoran, Meghan O’Dowd
Photography: Angela Halpen
info@angelahalpin.com
Irish sirloin steak with
salsa verde
Advertising: Eoin Healy
ehealy@independent.ie (01) 705 5403
Easter treats
Design: INM Design Studio
studio@production.ie
Irish cauliflower ham and
cheese bake
Repro: Independent Newspapers,
(Ireland) Ltd, 27-32 Talbot Street, Dublin 1
Ireland’s picni hotspots
WWW.RRAI.IE
Chef
Stephen Gibson
Wine expert
Kevin Flanagan
Cocktail mixologist
Alan Glynn
Stephen Gibson
is one of Ireland’s
most experienced
chefs having worked
around the world in
a variety of Michelin
starred restaurants.
He went on to open
the French styled bistro Pichet (www.
pichetrestaurant.ie) with Nick Munier of
MasterChef fame.
In the Tesco Homegrown supplement,
Stephen creates recipes using
Homegrown fresh Irish food.
As editor of the Irish
Independent Fine
Wine & Food Guide
Kevin Flanagan has
visited some of the
greatest vineyards
in the world. In the
Tesco Home Grown
supplement, Kevin helps choose some
superb wines that Tesco carry, matching
them with the recipes, so you can enjoy a
meal to remember.
Alan Glynn is
one of Ireland’s
most talented
mixologists with
a string of awards
and accolades to
his name. He can be
found most nights
manning the cocktail bar in 37 Dawson
Street, Dublin (www.37dawsonstreet.ie)
and believes that cocktails can be just as
good - if not a better - accompaniment to
food as wine.
Turn to page 15 and 16 for Alan’s
delicious cocktail recommendations.
03
Fun in the sun
The company of family and friends, the sounds of
children playing and the smell of burgers cooking
– there is just something special about picnics and
barbecues.
When trying to work out what to cook at a
barbecue, try to make sure you are getting
a variety of foods. Not everyone likes
hamburgers and hot dogs and barbecues
are the perfect opportunity to experiment
and get creative with a variety of dishes.
If you turn to page 6 you will find a
delicious recipe for a Sweet potato,
chorizo and Irish goat’s cheese tart and
on page 9 you will find a mouth-watering
recipe for Fisherman’s salad with warm
Irish potatoes – a perfect dish for those
long summer evenings!
Picnic
Checklist
When dinner’s over…
3 Sunscreen
3 Sun hat
3 Sun glasses
Toddlers will enjoy…
• Blanket – it should be large enough
to comfortably hold all picnic-goers
and food. A light one that folds
small is a bonus.
We all know that the Irish climate can
be unpredictable. What was once
a bright warm day can quickly turn
damp and dreary. It is important to
prepare for all types of weather and to
keep the car close by in case you need
to run for shelter!
3
3
3
3
3
Waterproof jacket
Wellies
Umbrella
Spare socks
Towel
• If you purchase some tarp you can
lay it under the blankets.
• Alternatively, you can get blankets
with a waterproof back.
04
Here are some great family games which can be enjoyed after the meal is finished
Face Painting
Face painting is a great way to excite the
kids. To create homemade face paint you
will need (for each separate colour)
e
e
e
e
1 teaspoon corn starch
½ teaspoon cold cream
½ teaspoon water
food colouring
Stir together the corn starch and cold
cream until well blended. Add the water
and mix well. Add food colouring one drop
at a time until you achieve the colour you
want. Use small paintbrushes to apply to
the children’s faces.
Kids aged 6+ will enjoy …
Scavenger Hunt
Divide into teams. You will need to create
a list of items that the teams need to
find – you can include picnic items, such
as a plate or a plastic fork. Give each team
the list of clues and a bag. The team that
comes back first with the items in their
bag wins!
Plate Portraits
You will need some paper plates and some
markers, colouring pencils or crayons. Invite
everyone to take a paper plate and draw a
portrait of someone else on the plate with
the art materials provided. Display the plate
portraits later, and have a contest to see
who can recognise the guests depicted in
the drawings. Give awards for the funniest,
most accurate and most creative attempts.
The whole family will enjoy…
Three Legged Race
Have each child find a partner, preferably
someone with similar height. Tie the
right leg of one partner to the left of the
other. Next determine the boundaries for
the race. The first team to make it to the
finish line wins! Don’t forget to take lots of
pictures, as this is a great photo moment!
Tug-of-War
All you need is a long piece of strong rope.
Make a knot in the middle of the rope;
draw a marker on the ground. Divide into 2
teams and let the pulling begin. The team
that pulls the other team the furthest away
from the marker in the middle wins.
How to choose
the perfect
summer wine
Summer is the time to enjoy light,
refreshing and crisp wines while soaking
up the sunshine and enjoying barbecues
out in the garden. White wines are a
summer classic, choose wines that are
medium-bodied and clean, so it doesn’t
overwhelm those light summer dinners.
Popular grape varieties for summer
include pinot grigio, chardonnay,
sauvignon blanc and riesling. Bubbly
drinks like Prosecco and champagne
(see pages 22/3) are also perfect for
celebrating long summer evenings.
Pinot Grigio is a light Italian wine that
has citrus and floral notes. It has wonderful
pear and melon notes and when chilled,
helps to alleviate the summer heat.
Rosé wines are a summer favourite.
A rosé is a type of wine that incorporates
some of the colour from the grape skins
and may be the oldest known type of wine.
Rosé wines come in still, semi-sparkling
or sparkling varieties that will appeal to
any taste.
During the summer, steak will most
likely be on the menu during barbecues
and grilling sessions. There are plenty of
light and medium bodied red wines that
compliment steak. (See our Tesco
Chianti on pages 24/5).
Remember wine is liquid sunshine
(literally)! So whatever the weather get out
and enjoy your favourite summer wine.
Add lemon and lime slices, or three parts wine to one part sparkling water
to make a wine spritzer that is low on alcohol but high on refreshment.
Try mixing orange, apple or pineapple juice with Prosecco.
Or add strawberries and mint. Delicious!
Ogio Pinot
Grigio
Tesco
Country: Italy
Region: Umbria
No summer is complete without Pinot
Grigio and this Ogio Pinot Grigio is a
medium dry white wine that shows
aromas of melon and citrus fruit. It is well
balanced with crisp lemon flavours and a
refreshing hint of orange blossom.
The Podere Vaglie winery where this
wine is produced was founded by
Alessandro Lumini and his family. In
1997 the company began to produce
wines from indigenous local grape
varieties. The aim is to offer a high
quality product that represents the
authentic taste and feel of the region.
The Podere Vaglie winery is situated in
the heart of Umbria, in the wonderful
hilly area of Orvieto, an area known
throughout Italy for its excellent wine
production.
Country: Portugal
Region: Vinho Verde
This wine was commended in the
Decanter World Wine Awards,
which celebrates the diversity
of wine by focussing on regional
styles and influence.
Vinho Verde really is the perfect
tipple for a hot summer’s day
– light, slightly fizzy and low in
alcohol. Vinho Verde or green
wine is so called because it is
traditionally released young and
fresh. It comes from the largest of
Portugal’s wine regions, running
from Porto right up to the Spanish
border. Just what you want
on a hot summer’s day!
WWW.RRAI.IE
05
Vinho
Verde
Irish
Goat’s
Cheese
It would be difficult to find anyone who
knows more about cheese than Barra
McFeely. The Irishman developed
his cheese credentials in Tibet,
Brazil, Chile and Argentina. He even
measured the size of Emmental holes
in his youth! So what cheese does
Barra recommend for a goats cheese
tartlet?
Chulchoill Goats Log - a
soft farmhouse goat log
with a hint of almond.
Barra
Tesco Ireland Fresh Food team
Tesco Mácon
Villages Blan
Our natural obsession.
WWW.RRAI.IE
06
Country: France
Grape: Burgundy
We found this French Chardonnay truly outstanding. On the nose this wine makes a clean, crisp
impression while the finish is creamy, clear yet complex. It complemented the sweet potato and goat’s
cheese tart perfectly, cleansing the palate of the strong goat’s cheese flavours.
Our natural obsession.
Sweet potato,
chorizo and Irish
goat’s cheese tart
Preparation time: 10 mins to prepare, 30 mins to cook
Serves: 4
Ingredients
e 75g plain flour
e 500g ready-made puff pastry
e 1 free range Irish egg, lightly beaten
e 100g Irish goat’s cheese, crumbled
e 100g baked sweet potato
e 50g chorizo (diced small)
e Small bunch of flat leaf Irish parsley, picked
e 4tbsp extra virgin olive oil
e Salt and pepper, to taste
Method
1. Preheat the oven to 200°C /400°F.
2. Lightly dust a work surface with the flour, and roll out the
puff pastry until it is 4mm thick. Cut out 4 discs with an
11.5cm round pastry cutter and then with a sharp small
knife lightly score around the pastry discs 1cm away from
the edge, trying not to cut through the pastry.
3. Brush with the beaten egg, lay the pasty discs onto a nonstick baking tray and place in the oven on the middle shelf
and bake for 15 minutes, or until crispy and golden brown.
Once cooked remove from the oven and leave to cool.
Remove the inner part with a small knife.
07
4. While you are waiting for the pastry to cook, cut the
sweet potato into small 1cm pieces. Then arrange on
the base of the tarts.
5. Sprinkle goats cheese and chorizo over the tarts and
place in the oven at 150°C for approximately
15 minutes until warmed through
6. Remove and place the pastry discs on 4 plates. Sprinkle
with chopped parsley and drizzle with olive oil before
serving.
Serve with:
A fresh leafy side salad.
Alternative:
If you are not a fan of goat’s cheese, try a good buffalo
mozzarella instead.
Helpful tip:
Cover the tart’s edges with foil if they start to overcook
and this will prevent them from over browning
and allow the pastry base to cook through.
Irish
potatoes
Tesco potatoes are
watched and monitored
throughout the year. We
start by preparing the
soil so as to optimise its
nutrients, minerals and
texture which makes for a
great tasting spud.
Sarah
Tesco Ireland Fresh Food team
Our natural obsession.
WWW.RRAI.IE
08
Casillero del Diablo
Reserva Privada
Sauvignon Blan
Country: Chile
Grape: Sauvignon Blanc
This Casillero del Diablo Reserva Privada Sauvignon Blanc boasts intense citrus and herbaceous aromas
and seafood dishes are an especially good match for it. We found it matched the Fisherman’s salad with
warm Irish potatoes recipe perfectly, the intensely crisp notes complementing the creamy texture and taste.
Our natural obsession.
Fisherman’s
salad with warm
Irish potatoes
Preparation time: 15 mins to prepare, 40 mins to cook
Serves: 4
Ingredients
e 400g mixed pre-cooked seafood such as prawns, mussels,
calamari, monkfish or tuna
e 200g New Season Irish Potatoes
e 1 red onion
e ½ lemon, juiced
e Small bunch flat leaf Irish parsley, finely chopped
e 6 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
e Salt and pepper to taste
Method
1. Wash and peel the potatoes and put in a pan of seasoned
cold water, bring to the boil and simmer for 12 mins until
tender. Drain well and set aside.
2. Thinly slice red onion.
3. Cut the potatoes into bite size pieces, then add the parsley
and red onion.
4. Mix with seafood.
5. Garnish with lemon and olive, then season to taste before
serving
09
Serve with:
This dish is great on its own, or as a side dish to some baked
cod.
Alternative:
For an added crunch, slice potatoes very thinly and fry in oil
until golden brown and crispy. Set on kitchen paper to remove
excess oil and sprinkle on the seafood salad.
Helpful tip:
If you are using fresh seafood for this dish, cook it as close
to serving time as possible. You can use many types of
seafood such as prawns, mussels, calamari, monkfish or tuna.
Dressing the salad while the potatoes are still warm is also
recommended.
How to
throw the perfect
Halloween
party
Halloween is one of the most entertaining holidays for kids and adults
alike. Throwing a Halloween party can be a lot of fun. Thankfully,
there are plenty of ideas for fun, spooky and seasonal games and
decorations that can make your party interesting for people of all ages.
It’s often difficult to keep little fingers
busy when you’re trying to entertain
a group. However, there are some easy
ways to help keep kids engaged and
having fun. Below are some fun ideas
and tips on how to make your party a
success
Treasure hunt
Bobbing for Apples
The Haunted House
One of the most common Halloween
party games, bobbing for apples is great
for both adults and children. All you
need is a basin of water, a bag of apples,
and a few towels to dry off afterwards!
Empty the apples into the basin along
with the water. The aim of the game is
to grab an apple from the basin using
only your mouth. It’s not just the kids
who will love this game – it will keep the
adults laughing too! Alternatively – why
not make your own tasty Bonfire Irish
Toffee Apples. Turn to page 13 to see
the recipe.
If you’re feeling adventurous – why not
turn your entire home into a haunted
house? Use candles for lighting, hang
streamers, caution tape or spooky
signs from doors, or pull apart rolls of
cotton wool to create scary spider webs
across furniture. Add some decorations
such as skeletons, bats, spiders and
pumpkins and you have turned the
entire place into a truly terrifying
haunted house.
Fancy dress competition
Throw a costume competition for your
guests. You can do separate ones for
adults and children. The best costume
can be treated to a spooky prize, and
you might find yourself in stitches with
the kind of costumes people will come
up with.
10
This is a great way to keep the kids
entertained during your party. Hide
objects around the house such as
sweets, masks, and other Halloween
items. Make a list of things they need to
find, and then let them at it!
Things to remembers
3 Always keep extra food, games,
emergency cleanup and craft
supplies handy during your party in
case there is a lull.
3 If you’re using candles, be careful of
children running around. In these
cases battery operated electric
candles may be a safer option.
3 Always try to have helpers at hand;
a party is not just for your guests,
so make sure you get time to enjoy
yourself too.
Halloween Guess Who
A game for the teens or adults,
Halloween Guess Who can be a great
ice-breaker between guests. When each
guest arrives, tape a piece of paper to
their back with the name of a Halloween
character or item written on it. The
object of the game is for each of the
guests to figure out who they are. To do
this, they will have to go around to the
other guests and ask questions about
their mystery character. Other guests
may only answer yes or no. This can last
right through the night – and keep your
guests chatting for hours!
Movie Master Game
This game is great for movie buffs and
relatively simply to set up! All you’ll
need is a few props and a vast amount
of scary movie knowledge. Set up small
scenes with props around your house,
each with a clue or homage to a scary
film (e.g. a plate of liver and beans –
from Silence of the Lambs!). Ask your
guests, in pairs, to try and guess what
the movies are for each scene. The first
pair to guess all of them correctly wins
a prize.
How to carve
the perfect
pumpkin
** It is very important that
a parent or guardian is
always there to supervise
the carving
Pumpkin carving is a recent tradition to
Irish Halloween celebrations. We show
you how to make the most of this creative
project which the whole family can enjoy
1. Useful tools for
pumpkin carving
• A metal spoon
To scrape out the interior of the
pumpkin.
• Serrated or small sharp knife
• A marker
It can be useful to draw your design or
desired face on to the pumpkin before
carving.
• Tracing paper
Using a stencil or pattern can help as a
guide to pumpkin carving.
• Cookie cutters
These can be a safe and useful way for
kids to cut unusual designs into their
pumpkins
• Rubber mallet
This rubber hammer is a safe way for
kids to break through the pumpkin
• Linoleum cutter
This will help you when engraving
and shading your pumpkin to get
a consistent result. They can be
purchased from most hardware stores.
This is for pumpkin-carving pros!
2. Next, use a large spoon to scoop out
the seeds and flesh of the pumpkin
until it is completely hollow. Now that
this is done, it’s time to get creative!
3. Designing your
pumpkin
There are so many ways to show
off your artistic skills with pumpkin
designs. Here are three of the easiest
and most impressive ways to carve your
pumpkin and turn it into a masterpiece.
2. Basic steps to
carving your
pumpkin
Faces
Carve a face into your pumpkin and
watch it develop its own character!
• All you need are two holes for eyes,
another for the nose and a banana
shape for the mouth.
• If you’re feeling more adventurous, try
including teeth or pupils too.
• Draw your desired face/pattern on to
tracing paper with a marker and cut
around the design.
• Stick the tracing paper on the pumpkin.
• With a sharp knife carve through the
tracing paper and cut out the relevant
pumpkin part.
• The great part of this is that no matter
what your ability, you can be sure
to create an impressive looking
pumpkin. Even ugly pumpkin faces are
frightening!
1. First, use a serrated knife to cut a hole
in the top or bottom of your pumpkin.
If you plan to use a candle to illuminate
your pumpkin, cutting the hole at the
top will make it easier to place inside.
If you plan on using an electric light
however, cutting the hole at the bottom
will help to hide the cord.
Cookie cutters
• Carve out the pumpkin flesh and select
a few of your favourite cookie cutters.
• Position them on the pumpkin and
tap lightly with a rubber mallet until
the cookie cutter has cut all the way
through the pumpkin.
• Don’t forget the electric light or candle
to light your pumpkin
11
Shaded designs
Although these designs are a little
more difficult to create they are
incredible to look at when lit from
the inside. Shaded designs create
a pattern on the surface of the
pumpkin which are illuminated by
the interior light.
• Using your tools, remove the
hardened exterior skin from the
parts of the pumpkin you want to
show up in relief.
• Cut your designs into the pumpkin,
but do not cut the whole way
though.
• By cutting some areas deeper they
will allow more light through the
skin of the pumpkin when lit. Only
cutting lightly into the pumpkin
will create darker patterns.
Experiment till you are happy with
the result.
Decoration
Decorating instead of carving can be
a great way to get younger children
involved in the fun.
All you will need is some glue and
an assortment of sweets to use for
decorating.
• Try things like sticking on small
marshmallows for the mouth, and
liquorice coils for eyes.
• You can even make a pointed
witches hat from black card to
place on top!
No matter which way you choose,
creating your pumpkin masterpiece
will be a fun activity for all, and will
look fantastic as a centrepiece, in a
window, or in your garden.
Irish
Apples
The secret to a perfect
candy apple is in pairing
the sweetness of candy
with the right apple.
A tart, not overly sweet
apple works very well with
sweet toffee.
Elstar and Jonagold
are all firm, crunchy tasty
apples that would be
perfect for making Toffee
Apples!
Ciaran
Tesco Ireland Fresh Food team
Spooky Cloudy Lemonade
Our natural obsession.
12
Ingredients
e 1 cup caster sugar
e 2fl oz Water
e 150ml (5fl oz) fresh lemon juice
e sparkling water
e 1 lemon, sliced
e fresh mint, to garnish
Our natural obsession.
Bonfire Irish
toffee apples
Preparation time: 10 mins to prepare, 20 mins to cook
Serves: 4
Ingredients
e 4 Irish eating apples
e 225g demerara sugar
e 110ml water
e ½tsp vinegar
e 1tsp red food colouring
e 2tbsp golden syrup
e 25g butter
e Lollipop sticks
Method
1. Combine the water and the sugar in a saucepan and heat
over a medium heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
2. Once the sugar has dissolved, add the butter, vinegar,
syrup and red food colouring.
3. Increase the heat to moderate and bring to the boil,
cooking the syrup until it reaches 138°C.
4. Skewer the apples with the sticks then dip in the hot syrup,
trying to coat as much of the apples as possible in the
syrup.
5. Leave the toffee apples to cool and harden on a lightly
oiled baking tray.
6. Serve once the toffee is hard.
Serve with:
For an added crunch roll apple in chopped nuts before it sets.
Alternative:
Try chopping bananas in to 1inch pieces and dip in to the
chocolate. This would be amazing with some ice cream!
Method
1. Make the sugar syrup, by heating the
caster sugar and 50ml (2fl oz) water.
Stir until dissolved and leave to cool.
2. Fill a jug with ice and add the lemon
juice and sugar syrup. Mix well, then
add the lemon slices and top up with
sparkling water. Garnish with fresh
mint to serve, if you like.
13
Helpful tip:
Always keep a close eye on the sugar when it’s on the heat as it
dissolves quickly and has a higher chance of burning.
Sometimes going out on the town feels like too
much hassle. A night in can be just what you need
to unwind after a long week and have a giggle
with the girls. There’s plenty of ways to make
your girls night in just as much – if not
more fun – than going out.
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Including a home-cooked meal into your
girl’s night is sure to encourage some
banter around the table! Why not try
out our easy-to-make Irish Chicken with
avocado, tomato and green beans (page
17). Paired with the right cocktail this
can make the ideal recipe for that girly
gathering!
Homemade cocktails can be a lot of
fun to make – especially if you all get
together to make them. Alternatively, you
could have them pre-prepared for when
your guests arrive and show off your
perfect hostess skills.
A tasty meal, some gloriously
inventive cocktails, sweet treats and
some entertainment are all you need
to make your girly catch-up a success.
Below we take a look at some great ideas
to make your night one you’ll want to
repeat every week!
Movie night
Get a makeover
Beauty to go!
There’s nothing better when relaxing with
your girlfriends than putting your feet up
and having a good laugh – or a good cry!
Choose some films that you can watch
during your little get-together but don’t
worry too much if it loses your attention
– sometimes it can be more fun getting
to gossip with each other with a little
background noise!
Our top 5
1. The Notebook
2. Pride and Predjudice
3. A Walk to Remember
4. Sex and the City
5. 50 First Dates
A pamper-night is a classic girls’ night
theme. From giving each other a crazy
new look to having a clothes swap, you
can create a fun night you will remember
for years to come.
Why not arrange for a mobile hairdresser,
beautician (or both!) to come to your
house for the evening. Many mobile
services can offer treatments from
manicures, brow shaping and tanning to
haircutting and dyeing. So why not treat
your guests and yourself to a night of
pampering – and a new look to go with
your clothes-swap outfit!
14
Clothes Swap
A clothes swap can be a really fun idea
for your girls night in. Why not get each
of your friends to bring one or two items
of clothing they no longer want, to
swap with each other. Within just a few
minutes, everyone will find themselves
with a brand new look – and all for free!
Shaken and
stirred
While wine and
food have always
gone together, a
cocktail revolution
is taking place. So
ladies, for your next
girl’s night in, why
not serve up your dish
with a lively cocktail?
When you are pairing cocktails and
food you have to look at a number of
elements says Alan Glynn, award-winning
mixologist at 37 Dawson Street, Dublin.
“You have to look at the flavour patterns,
the boldness of the dish, how acidic and
sweet it is.
“While wine comes in the bottle
finished, when it comes to cocktails you
can play around and tweak different
flavours and aromas to match the dish.
For chicken, Alan advises to keep things
light and sweet. As red meat is a heavier
flavour, for the likes of steak and beef, you
can go bolder.
“I would use vodka and gins with
chicken as they are quite light and not
overpowering. For red meat a bourbon or
brandy works well.”
So why does Alan think cocktails are
becoming such a craze?
“The reality is they work really well with
food. You almost become a chef when you
are preparing a cocktail. I remember being
out for dinner and having a chilli dish and
I just had to create a cocktail that would
bring out the aromas of the chilli!”
Alan also admits there is a certain
theatrical aspect to it.
“It’s that whole Tom Cruise in cocktail
fascination. People love to have a bit of fun
with cocktails. That’s what it’s all about.”
15
Alan’s
recommendations
for your Girls’
Night In
Strawberry daiquiri
e 1/2 cup crushed ice
e 5 fresh strawberries
e 35ml white rum
e 2 tsp sugar
e 25ml freshly squeezed lime juice
Method
Combine all of the ingredients in a
blender. Blend until smooth. Pour into a
large, chilled glass. Serve.
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Irish
Chicken
Andrew has been buying poultry for
Tesco for years, so its little surprise he
knows the importance of having juicy
chicken.
It’s great to be able to offer
our customers not only
a great protein but also
a healthy one. We never
add water - so you enjoy
nothing but fresh chicken.
Andrew
Tesco Ireland Fresh Food team
East Coast Cooler
Our natural obsession.
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16
– Ideal with this chicken dish
Ingredients
e 50ml Plymouth Gin
e 2 whole peaches de-stoned
e ½ lemon
e 60ml Pinot Grigio
e 20 ml prosecco
Our natural obsession.
Irish Chicken with
avocado, tomato
and green beans
Preparation time: 15 mins to prepare, 30 mins to cook
Serves: 4
Ingredients
e 4 Irish chicken breasts
e 2 cloves garlic
e 1 red onion
e 1 packet of Irish rocket
e 200g fine Irish green beans
e 24 Irish cherry tomatoes
e 3 ripe avocados
e 1 large bunch Irish mint
e 1 bunch Irish basil
e 6 tblsp sunflower oil
e ½ tbsp. wholegrain mustard
e 2tbsp white wine vinegar
e 2 tbsp honey
Method
1. Place Plymouth, peach, lemon & wine
in a glass a squash down (muddle)
the lemons
2. Add ice and shake them up.
Pour over ice to a wine glass
Top with prosecco to add bubbles...
Method
1. Marinade in olive oil and garlic for 1 hour
2. Heat the honey in a pan and add the wholegrain mustard
3. Slice the onion and tomato
4. Bring a pot of water to a boil, add green beans and blanch
for 3-4 minutes
5. Make the vinaigrette by adding the sunflower oil to the
vinegar. Heat a griddle pan till hot.
6. Grill chicken for 30 mins until brown. Cut into large
chunks.
7. Brush chicken with honey mustard sauce
8. Slice avocado and combine with rocket, mint, basil,
tomatoes, onion and green beans
9. Place in a bowl and arrange chicken on top
Serve with:
Great served on its own or as a main course with potatoes.
Alternative:
Would also work well with grilled mackerel.
Helpful tip:
Prepare the avocado at the last minute and
rub a little lemon juice over the cut pieces
to stop discolouration.
17
Eat well
in winter
The dark and dreary months are the
perfect time to eat well, Catherine
Matthews, Nutritionist with Tesco
Health & Wellbeing, advises.
Winter can be long, cold, wet and hard
to stomach. It’s all too easy during these
damp months, when we are feeling a
bit blue, to comfort eat to get ourselves
through. Then, when New Year’s comes
around we are left feeling under pressure
to visit the gym and make up for our
gorging.
But it doesn’t have to be this way. Just
because it’s winter doesn’t mean you
should skip the fruit and veg section.
Root vegetables, as their name
suggests, are plant roots largely consumed
as vegetables. In Ireland they tend to be in
season in the autumn and winter months,
and their earthy flavours are perfectly
suited to soups, stews, broths and other
warming dishes. Root vegetables grown in
Ireland include parsnips, carrots, beetroot
and swede, though more unusual choices
such as celeriac and Jerusalem artichokes
are becoming more popular and make
great cold-weather fare. Root vegetables
are packed with vitamins and minerals,
making them a seasonal must.
Let’s not forget those little vegetables
that divide nations, you either love or hate
brussel sprouts. Whatever your opinion is,
it is difficult to imagine Christmas without
them. Other vegetables packed with
goodness include mushrooms and kale –
an excellent source of vitamin K, important
for normal blood clotting.
Rich in carbohydrates, potatoes are a
great source of energy for the body and
they really come into their own in winter.
They sometimes get a bad rap for being
a white starch, thrown into the same
category as white rice or white bread. But
unlike those other starches, which have
indeed been stripped of healthful nutrients,
potatoes are a whole food that contains
several beneficial nutrients. They are high
in Vitamin C and potassium. A medium
jacket potato provides almost half the
RDA of vitamin C in one go. An average
potato has about 100 calories and they are
virtually fat free.
Get creative with soups! Using the wide
variety of vegetables available in Ireland
during the winter you can create a wide
variety of soups, broths and stews. These
are highly nutritious, offering as they do
a healthy, vegetarian option. Soups are a
smart way to use up any leftover vegetables
from yesterday’s dinner.
Winter isn’t the best time for fruit,
but certain Bramley apples and pears
are readily available. Whip up delicious
desserts with these fruits, such as stewed
apple and baked pears – perfect for
heating you up.
If you want to create
a scrumptious
winter treat but
you’re stuck for
ideas, turn to page
21 where you will
find a gorgeous
recipe for creamy
Homegrown
colcannon mash.
You can view more of our
articles and healthy recipes at:
www.tesco.ie/healthandwellbeing
18
Cooking can be
a family activity
Baking and cooking can be great activities
to strengthen bonds between family
members. Old recipes, passed down from
grandparents to parents and from parents
to children, can give families a real sense of
pride and identity
Participating in the preparation of
family dishes can have benefits for each
family member. While experimenting in the
kitchen, children can learn about healthy
eating and nutrition and also develop their
palate.
Having children participate in the
preparation of meals or snacks helps them
to make better eating choices and also
encourages them to try new things – picky
eaters are more likely to try the foods that
they have cooked! It also helps children to
realise that food does not just appear on
the table and familiarises them with the
cooking process.
Also, when all the little helpers are on
board, this means that mum and dad will
have to spend less time making meals. After
all cooking should not be seen as a chore.
Top Irish chef and co-owner of Pichet
restaurant, Stephen Gibson says that
parents can teach their kids basic cooking
techniques. And even if they face resistance
in the beginning, there are some great ways
to get the kids involved.
“People’s lives are very busy,” says
Stephen, “but many hands do make light
work. It is easy to get the kids involved but
the initiative must come from the parents.
If every member of the family has their own
task to take care of, preparing the meal can
become a family activity.
Stephen has fond memories of rolling
his sleeves up and helping out with the
cooking when he was a youngster.
“When I was growing up in Donegal we
all got involved - whether it was shelling
peas or actually cooking!
Kids can help with cooking as they grow
Little chefs
Children under the age of six have not
spent much time in the kitchen so
everything will be new to them. There
are a number of ways these kids can
get involved and familiarize themselves
with cooking such as:
• Washing fruits and vegetables and
tearing lettuce for a salad
• Mixing with a large spoon
• Decorating cookies and cakes with
icing sprinkles
• Sifting flour
• Cleaning tables and worktops
Novice chefs
Once a child has mastered these early
skills they can move on to some bigger
tasks. Most children between the ages
of seven and 10 should be able to:
• Measure ingredients
• Read recipes
• Set out the correct ingredients for
recipes
19
And, with adult supervision
• Stir stovetop items such as gravies and
sauces (children should be tall enough
to see into pot before trying this)
Master chefs
By their teenage years, kids will be able
to take on some more complex tasks.
Teens can get creative in the kitchen with
the ingredients they use and the recipes
they try out.
• Use different kitchen appliances
• Bring out your artistic side by
experimenting with different
colors and textures in meals
While children may feel they are
ready to take on any task in the
kitchen it is important to remind
them that certain tasks require
supervision. Be sure to remind
them of any safety guidelines
before they start a task.
“I started to cook at a young age when
my Mother gave me little jobs in the
kitchen. And I always enjoyed it. I think it
would be fairly simple to incorporate one
little thing into each meal that the kids can
be in charge of.”
While some kids may seem reluctant at
first Stephen believes that by participating
in baking they can, over time, develop a
general interest in food.
“Baking is the gateway to getting
kids involved with food. Because they
are making sweet things, the sugar, the
different baking smells in the kitchen and
the chance to dip their fingers in chocolate
should keep most kids interested. Take
a cup cake for example, they are fun to
make and the child can enjoy the treat at
the end.
“After that you can move on to all sorts
of dishes including the Sunday family
lunch!”
Irish
Cabbage
Lisa Rowan is passionate about
vegetables. She has three
requirements – that they be fresh, leafy
and good value for money!
When choosing green
sweetheart cabbage, look
for a full, leafy head with
a strong green leaf and no
yellow .
Lisa
Tesco Ireland Fresh Food team
Our natural obsession.
WWW.RRAI.IE
20
Tesco
Vina Mara Rioja
Reserva
Country: Spain
Region: Rioja
This great wine that boasts the colour of sycamore leaves, deep and purplish with the exquisite
taste of saddle leather and old tobacco. We could not imagine a finer wine to complement the robust
flavours of the Irish beef stew and colcannon. A masterpiece.
Our natural obsession.
Creamy
Homegrown
colcannon mash
Preparation time: 15 mins to prepare, 30 mins to cook
Serves: 4
Ingredients
e 4 New Season Irish potatoes, peeled and chopped
e 1 large onion, finely chopped
e ½ small Irish green cabbage, shredded
e 50ml whole Irish milk, warm
e 50ml double cream, warm
e 1tsp Dijon mustard
Method
1. Cook the potatoes in a pan of boiling water. Turn down the
heat to medium and simmer for 15 mins or until tender.
2. Meanwhile, melt half the butter in a sauté pan over a
medium heat. Add the onion and fry for 3-4 mins or until
softened but not browned. Add the Irish cabbage and a
splash of water, season, cover and cook for 6-8 minutes,
until softened.
3. Drain the cooked potatoes and tip back into the saucepan.
Add the rest of the butter, warm milk, double cream, Dijon
mustard, season well and mash until smooth.
4. Then drain the cooked cabbage of any excess water
and stir into the mashed potato, reserving a little of the
cabbage mix to garnish the top of the colcannon
21
Serve with:
Irish beef stew. Is there anything better than cabbage and Irish
stew on a dark winter evening?
Alternative:
Why not try Irish cabbage and potato croquettes? Mix the
potatoes with the cabbage and eggs. Roll into 1 cm balls and
toss in flour. Fry in a pan until golden brown. Yum!
Helpful tip:
Try baking your potatoes as opposed to boiling. Simply
remove the skins when cooked and mash. This will allow you
to add just a little more butter.
St Valentine
St Valentine – in
the heart of Dublin!
St Valentine’s Day
- the food of love
Did you know that Dublin is the final
resting place for St Valentine? And that
lovers travel from around the world to
visit his shrine in the Whitefriar Street
Church?
It is a true story that in many ways is
stranger than fiction. It all started in 1836
when an Irish priest, Fr. John Spratt, was
given a remarkable gift by Pope Gregory
XVI. The gift included the bones of St.
Valentine.
Valentine’s reputation for marrying
Christian couples who were being
persecuted during the reign of Claudius
II quickly spread and he rapidly became
the patron saint of lovers worldwide.
There are a number of traditional foods
that have appeared over the years with
claims that they can help lovers. Asparagus
was served to 19th century bridegrooms
because of its reputed aphrodisiac powers.
Banana became popular after studies
showed the enzyme bromelain helped
enhance male performance! Chocolate is
ever popular with lovers, it was even said
to have been banned from some monastic
institutions in the distant past.
Figs were used by the ancient Greeks in
fertility rituals, while in the Orient ginseng,
almond and vanilla were all said to come
to a lover’s assistance. The deadly Puffer
Fish is considered a powerful aphrodisiac
in Japan, while even the lowly radish was
favoured by the ancient Egyptians!
Micheál Donohoe, part of the Tesco
Ireland fresh food team, suggests that
love struck males should serve up steak
for their true love next Valentine’s Day.
Micheál has always been passionate
about meat; he loves it so much he even
22
has steak for breakfast! And to prove that
good quality steak is one of the great
celebratory foods, Micheál is serving Irish
Angus steaks at his own wedding. Micheál
also believes that Tesco home grown Irish
Sirloin steak is one of the best in Ireland.
‘We only produce steaks from the heart
of the rump. It’s the best part of the rump
to cut a steak from. There is less fat so it’s
better value for money and it’s easy to
prepare and delicious.’
If you want to follow Micheál’s example
and cook a steak for your true love turn to
page 25. There you will find our mouthwatering Irish steak recipe, matched with a
full bodied Chianti Riserva.
St Valentine’s Day
wines!
Bubbles have always been associated
with St Valentine’s Day. It seems that
no Valentine celebration is complete
without it. To honour this we have selected
three different bottles of bubbly that
will appeal to just about every taste (and
wallet)!
Tesco
Bisol Prosecco di
Valdobbiadene 75cl
Tesco Premier Cr
Champagne 75cl
Country: France
Region: Champagne
This is the same Champagne that
beat the likes of Cristal, Bollinger and
Dom Perignon at the International
Wine Challenge in 2005, seeing off
competition from 160 other labels in
one of the largest and most prestigious
blind wine tastings in the world! This
Tesco Premier Cru first caused a stir in
2002 when it was rated the best bubbly
in a blind testing by Which? magazine.
So what makes this Tesco Champagne
so great?
One, it is affordable coming in at
a fraction of the price of the other
marque champagnes. Secondly it is
truly stunning champagne, soft and
caressing on the palate, avoiding that
limestone “bitterness” that can afflict
even the great champagnes. It has an
elegant quality with a delicate mousse,
hints of citrus aromas and a creamy,
lingering texture. This wine really is a
celebration and will compliment any
occasion.
Country: Italy
Region: Veneto
Grape: Prosecco
Producer : Bisol
Winemaker: Desiderio Bisol
This Prosecco was the International Wine
and Spirit Competition Silver Medal
Winner - 2012.
Prosecco, Italy’s famed sparkling
wine, hails from the Veneto region,
in the northeast and it’s typically a
fantastic value wine - as versatile as it
is economical. The dominant Prosecco
producing towns are Valdobbiadene and
Conegliano and they produce a wine
that offers delicate fruit and enticing
aromatics, lots of bubbles (spumante) or
lightly-bubbled (frizzante).
This award winning Bisol Prosecco
di Valdobbiadene is Medium Dry with
aromas of wildflowers that are balanced
on the palate by notes of pear, and a
refreshingly crisp acidity.
Valentine Tip: Prosecco has another
claim to fame, as Venice’s popular Bellini
cocktail. It was created using Prosecco
at Harry’s Bar in Venice in the 1930’s. To
create a romantic Bellini simply take a
peach that has been in the fridge for a
couple of hours and peel, de-stone and
blend it. Fill a cocktail glass a third full
with cool peach puree and top up with
chilled Prosecco. (You can use peach
juice as well).You will have created a
cocktail that will woo any heart!
Valentine Tip: Serve this exotic bubbly
in two long stemmed glasses that have
been chilled in the freezer. This will give
the glasses a frosted effect and keep
the champagne cooler for longer. And
while sipping let your lover know that
they are sampling champagne voted
the best tasting in the world!
Country: Spain
Region: Cava
Grape: Monastrell/Pinot Noir
Producer : Bodegas Marques de
Monistrol
Winemaker: Antonio Olive
The roots of the Cava industry can
be traced back to Josep Raventós’s
travels through Europe in the 1860s,
where he was promoting the wines
of the Codorníu Winery. His visits to
Champagne sparked an interest in the
potential of a Spanish wine made using
the traditional Champagne method. He
created his first Cava in 1872 and it has
been a success ever since.
To make the rosé version of the cava
we have here, small quantities of still
red wines from Cabernet Sauvignon,
Garnacha or Monastrell are added to
the wine.
The Tesco Cava Rosé is soft creamy
style with a fine and well integrated
mousse. It is very elegant on the
palate and has intense red berry fruit
flavours. It is also brilliant value making
an affordable celebration out of any
occasion.
Valentine Tip: Why not present your
Valentine with a glass of the pink bubbly
Cava, a single stemmed pink rose and a
box of dark chocolates. This simple (and
economic) combination will make a
romantic impression that will last!
WWW.RRAI.IE
23
Tesco Cava Rosé
75cl
Irish
steak
When preparing steak
you want it to be as tender
and flavoursome as
possible. Choose a steak
such as Tesco’s Finest
Irish Angus Sirloin Steak,
which is matured for 21
days for extra flavour and
tenderness. Angus beef
is world famous for its
marbling which means
your steak will be juicy and
succulent every time
Micheál
Tesco Ireland Fresh Food team
Our natural obsession.
WWW.RRAI.IE
24
Tesco
Chianti Riserva
Country: Italy
Region: Tuscany
This outstanding Tesco Finest Chianti Riserva won the International Wine and Spirit Competition
Silver Medal in 2012. It is an intense ruby red wine with aromas of plum and cherry. Its well-structured
flavour and long finish compliment the robust taste of a good steak perfectly. Try it and see!
Our natural obsession.
Irish Sirloin steak
with salsa verde
Preparation time: 10 mins to prepare, 5 mins to cook
Serves: 2
Salsa Verde is a rustic Italian herb-based sauce, which is
served cold. It is often used as a condiment in Mediterranean
countries and is subtle yet flavoursome accompaniment to a
delicious Irish steak.
Ingredients
For the salsa verde
e 2 garlic cloves
e 1 tsp capers
e ½ lemon, zested and juiced
e 2-3 anchovy fillets, chopped
e small bunch Irish parsley, roughly chopped
e small bunch Irish basil, roughly chopped
e small bunch Irish mint, roughly chopped
e 1 tsp chilli flakes
e 7 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
For the steaks
e 150g (5oz) cherry tomatoes, halved
e ½tbsp olive oil
e 2 Irish sirloin steaks
Method
1. To make the salsa verde whizz the garlic, capers, lemon
zest and anchovies in a food processor. Add the herbs and
chilli flakes, then whizz until roughly chopped. Add the
lemon juice, then gradually pour in the olive oil and then
pulse to combine.
2. Transfer the salsa mixture to a bowl and stir in the cherry
tomatoes. Season and set aside.
3. Heat the olive oil in a large pan until smoking hot. Add
the steaks and cook each side 2-3 mins (Rare), 3-4 mins
(Medium), 4-5 mins (Well Done) or until done to your liking.
4. Serve the steaks with the salsa verde spooned over the top.
Serve with:
Fine green beans smothered in garlic butter and good
homemade potato wedges. Par boil your potatoes, cut into
wedges and roast in oven with garlic.
Alternative:
For a vegetarian alternative make it without the capers and
anchovy. Delicious stirred through fresh linguine!
Helpful tip:
Always allow your steak to rest for 5 mins after
cooking. This ensures it stays juicy and tender.
25
Easter treats
Easter egg hunts are fun for young and old alike
Far more than just a time for chocolate,
chocolate and more chocolate, Easter
is a time to bring family members closer
together. This is why it is a good idea to
shift the focus from the chocolate to
family activities.
Games, parades, hikes and hunts all
allow for family members, young and
old, to interact and enjoy spending time
together.
Draw a map
There are many variations of the classic
Easter egg hunt.
Leave tell tale
bunny prints
Add letters to each egg
so kids can make words
Buy some alphabet stickers or write a
different letter on the outside of each
egg. Set the kids loose on their egg hunt
and then offer extra Easter prizes to the
kid who makes the longest word from
their egg stash.
26
Give each child a map to show them
where the eggs are. Then be a bit sneaky
by hiding another map at one of the
clues. A lot of kids enjoy riddles and
wordy clues that get their brain ticking
and lead them to more difficult places,
such as a specific novel on the book shelf
or a certain herb growing in the garden.
Make bunny footprints near each hidden
Easter egg to give the kids some easy
hints as to where the eggs are hidden.
You can make the footprints out of
colourful paper.
Alternatively,
make a piñata
For an international twist why not
abandon a hunt in favour of a piñata?
You can make your own easy eggshaped piñata from balloons and paper.
Have the children take turns hitting it
with a plastic bat while blindfolded.
The one who finally bursts it open wins
something special. Hint, if you use
sweets as the prize, make sure they
are wrapped sweets so they can still be
eaten if they fall to the floor.
How to make an
Easter Egg piñata
Before you begin make sure you give
yourself plenty of room to work
and cover your work surface
with newspaper for protection
and easy clean-up.
Things could get messy!
What you’ll need:
e
e
e
e
e
e
e
e
e
e
27
1 bowl
2 cups
1 tablespoon of salt
Newspaper
1 balloon
Scissors
Glue
Crepe paper
Sweets
String to hang the piñata
1. Make the Papier-mâché paste
In a bowl, mix 2 cups of flour, 2 cups of
water and a tablespoon of salt. Stir the
mixture until it starts to thicken like a
batter.
2. Make the Papier-mâché strips
Tear some newspaper into strips that are
about 1 to 2 inches wide and 6 to 8 inches
long. Prepare a large
number of these, because you will be
applying several layers.
3. Form the piñata base
Inflate your balloon. This will form the
body of your piñata, so make sure
you make it nice and big. Next, dip the
newspaper strips in the paste. Lay the strips
down all over the balloon in a crisscross
pattern, until covered, but leave the knot
of the balloon uncovered. Allow the first
layer to dry. Complete this step 3 to 4 times,
allowing each layer to dry before adding
another. You can then paint the piñata if
you wish.
4. Filling the piñata
Cut a hole for the sweets. If the balloon has
not yet popped, go ahead and pop it and
remove it. Since you didn’t cover the knot
of the balloon with your papier-mâché, you
should have a small hole already. Use this
hole to fill with sweets. To cover the hole
glue down some crepe paper on top. Hang
the piñata and swing away!
Irish
Cauliflower
Cauliflower can get
bruised and dry out easily.
So how do you select the
best cauliflower for your
dish? Select a cauliflower
with more leaves on it as it
protects the quality of the
product. We also ensure
our packaging allows the
cauliflower to breathe and
ensures it dosen’t dry out.
Lisa
Tesco Ireland Fresh Food team
Montes Reserva
Merlot
Our natural obsession.
Country: Chile
Region: Colchagua Valley
WWW.RRAI.IE
Merlot is often the wine of choice to go with lamb and we found this reserva lived up to its reputation.
The wine never competed with the delicacy of Irish lamb, rather it complemented it perfectly.
28
Our natural obsession.
Irish Cauliflower
ham and
cheese bake
Preparation time: 15 mins to prepare, 15 mins to cook
Serves: 4
Ingredients
e 1 large Irish cauliflower (broken into florets)
e 40g Irish butter
e 20g flour
e 425ml Irish milk
e 150g cooked Irish ham (diced)
e 150g mature Irish cheddar (grated)
e 50g bread crumbs
e Salt and pepper
Method
1. Melt butter in a thick based saucepan. Add flour, mix and
cook together to form a roux.
2. Heat milk separately and slowly whisk it into the roux.
Cook for approximately 10 mins before seasoning and
adding the cheddar and ham.
3. Blanch the cauliflower in salted water for approximately
4 mins until tender.
4. Add cauliflower to sauce and season.
5. Place in a large casserole dish. Sprinkle with bread crumbs
and bake until golden brown.
6. Serve
29
Serve with:
Roast leg of Irish lamb.
Alternative:
For a vegetarian option you can replace the ham with the little
blue cheese instead.
Helpful tip:
When making the sauce, add the warm milk very slowly
whisking all the time. If the sauce is lumpy you
can strain it before adding the cheese.
Ireland’s
picnic hotspots
When it comes to locations for a picnic,
we are spoiled for choice
A picnic is a great way for a family to spend
the day. Parents can relax and enjoy some
food while the kids run around and enjoy
themselves. Ireland has such a beautiful
landscape and there are hundreds of
wonderful spots for a lovely picnic. So if
you are looking for the perfect spot for
your family picnic you are sure to find it
in Ireland.
Camaderry, Glendalough,
Co Wicklow
Glendalough has always been
known for its stunning landscapes,
natural beauty and its history. It
is one of the most visited places
in Ireland. On a lovely summer’s
day hikers, families and tourists
travel from far and wide to visit this
stunning, scenic area.
1
1
n
n
1
The Burren,
Co Clare
The Burren is an area of majestic
mountains and picturesque
valleys and streams. The area is
internationally famous for the array
of flora and fauna, as well as the
megalithic tombs. This is one
spot that every family must
visit at least once.
Killarney National Park,
Co Kerry
Killarney National Park is
surrounded by lakes and
mountains, including the
McGillycuddy Reeks. Muckross
House and Gardens are located
in the centre of the park. You can
explore the 26,000 acres of the park
to find the perfect
location for your picnic.
30
n
1
n
n
Glencarr Waterfall, Co Leitrim
Located outside Manorhamilton, Glencar
Waterfall is a stunning location for a
peaceful picnic. This waterfall is located
on Glencar Lake and although small, is
enchanting nonetheless.
Lough Boora Parklands, Co Offaly
These parklands are made up of stunning
lakes, woodlands and wetland areas as well
as 50km of walkways and pastureland. It is
also the home of some beautiful flora and
fauna. The area is cloaked with raised bogs
making it a very unique outdoor park.
Visit www.discoverireland.ie for more of
Ireland’s picnic hotspots
Packing
the perfect
picnic
Did you know that almost one
third of Irish food is thrown out as
waste? Not only are the recipes
in this supplement home-grown,
the ingredients can also be used
to create delicious picnic basket
options or on-the-move snacks
– meaning nothing has to go to
waste. The Fisherman’s salad with
warm potatoes (page 9) and the
Chicken with avocado, tomato
and green beans (page 17) make
for perfect additions to any picnic
baskets..
And to ensure you don’t forget
any essentials check our the picnic
checklist on page 4!
Festival Fun
We are fortunate in Ireland to have such a
wide range of food festivals to delight and
inspire. Whether North, South, East or West
you foodies will be able to find the perfect
festival for their taste. Below, we preview
four of the best.
1 Westport Festival of Food and Music
29th - 30th June
Set amidst a stunning 400 acre site in the
heart of Westport town in Mayo, Westport
Festival of Music and Food is an annual
two-day celebration of music and food. The
event promises a relaxed and friendly vibe,
first class festival facilities and the finest
local food and refreshments. Music acts
confirmed to perform include Elvis Costello
and Imelda May.
Visit www.westportfestival.com for more
1 Ballina Salmon Festival
A Walker’s
Paradise
With roughly 2,796km of coastline and
more than 30 inhabited off shore islands,
Ireland boasts an incredible array of
coastal and island walks. The following
walks are amongst the most stunning
Ireland has to offer.
n Beara Peninsula, Cork
In the Southwest, the Beara Peninsula is
a magnet for walkers. While the 196km
Beara Way takes around eight days to
complete, there are other delightful
but less time-consuming walks in the
area. The Western Loop on the sublime
Bere Island or the remote Dursey Island
Loop are great choices. On Bere Island
you’ll be rewarded with 360º panoramic
views over Bantry Bay and the Beara
and Sheep’s Head Peninsulas. And don’t
miss the striking tower of the Ardnakinna
Lighthouse.
n Inishbofin, Co Galway
The West Quarter Loop on Inishbofin,
Co Galway is another treasure. A great
introduction to the island, it takes you
along the shore, past an amazing sea cave
and along a ‘green road’ with stunning
31
13th - 14th July
For one week in July, the bustling town of
Ballina, set on the idyllic banks of the River
Moy, comes alive with the Ballina Salmon
Festival. Every year some 200,000 people
descend on the Salmon Capital of Ireland
to enjoy the seven day festival, which
boasts a jam-packed calendar of events!
www.ballinasalmonfestival.ie is where you can
find further information
views towards neighbouring Inishark Island
and mainland Galway.
n Inishturk, Co Mayo
Meanwhile Inishturk in Co Mayo provides
tranquillity for the visitor who will love the
Mountain Common loop walk. This is a chance
to take in panoramic views and the sandy
beaches bordering on crystal clear Atlantic
waters. Keep your eyes open for the ruins of the
old Napoleonic signal tower, the penal church
and the endangered spotted rock-rose.
www.mayowalks.ie is where more information
can be found
n Boyne Ramparts Walk, Navan, Co Meath
In Meath, the Boyne Ramparts walk takes
the visitor a distance of 8 km from Navan
towards Slane along the banks of the River
Boyne, parallel with the old canal. The walk
will take you to Stackallen Bridge. Beautiful
wooded scenery and wildlife can be seen
on this path.
Learn more at www.meathtourism.ie
1 A Taste of Donegal Food Festival
23rd - 25th August
This year’s Taste of Donegal Food Festival
will be held over a three day period. All
exhibitors will be present showcasing their
food. There will be cookery classes for
children and teenagers, as well as artisan
food producers and other exhibitors
showcasing their food and products. There
will also be Masterclasses by celebrity
chefs, food workshops and displays by
Associated Craft Butchers of Ireland as well
as competitions and food trails.
You’ll find more information at www.
atasteofdonegal.com
1 Galway Oyster Festival
27th - 29th September
Each year, on the last weekend of
September, Galway City comes alive with
seafood and oysters as it celebrates the
Galway International Oyster & Seafood
Festival - the world’s longest running Oyster
Festival. Throughout the Irish food festival,
there will lots of tantalising events for all to
enjoy including the Oyster ‘Olympics’ or
World Oyster Opening Championship and
foodie talks and tasting events in some of
Galway’s best restaurants.
Check out www.galwayoysterfest.com for
more details
n
Cunnigar/ An Coinigéar Walk,
Ring, Co Waterford
For bird lovers, An Coinigéar in Waterford
is awalk is worthy of note. Follow the curve
of the shore out to the long sandy spit that
sticks out into Dungarvan Bay. Try to walk
as far as the highest sand dunes to capture
the full flavour of the walk. The Cunnigar
is one of the best winter bird watching
locations in Dungarvan Bay in terms of
diversity and numbers. It is the top site in
Waterford for rare waders such as little
Ringed and Americian Golden Plover.
For more great Irish walks visit
www.discoverireland.com
Before setting off it is vital to bring:
3 Footwear suitable for the walk
3 Clothing which is suitable for all weather
3 Plenty of water
3 Your mobile phone charger in case of
emergency
Ifyou are having any doubts about doing the
walk, be sure to contact your GP.