Slow Food and Mystery Dining

Slow Food is offering a mystery dining tour on Tuesday, 13th with some of Corks best restaurants. The evening will kick off with a glass of bubbly in Interior Living in McCurtain Street. From there you will be walking to your first location for starter....then to the mains......and then to desserts .... read more here

Chocolate Anyone ??

Anita invited me over tonight and so I was thinking what to bring...I know she loves chocolate so I decided to try something new....a chocolate mousse terrine....For that I roasted and skinned some hazelnuts and processed them together with a tablespoon of flour and some caster sugar until well combined. Eggwhites were whisked with Creme of Tartar and some more caster sugar until stiff. Folded the nut flour into the eggwhites, poured it all into a square tin and baked it for about 20 minutes. White and milk chocolate was melted separately and each was mixed with dissolved gelatine and an egg yolk each. I added some vanilla extract to the milk chocolate. The meringue was cut into slices and then put on the bottom of a loaf tin (I used individual ones) and then layered with the two types of chocolates - separated by another slice of hazelnut meringue). All that was put in the fridge to set and this morning a very attractive terrine smiled at me....hope that Anita will love this type of mousse
Anyhow....I have no idea what else is on other than that the Crosshaven Week and the Arts Week in Kinsale are at their height this weekend and that I will cook dinner tomorrow night for Lorraine, Jill and Wendy (still owe Wendy a proper dinner since the last time, she had to eat between piles of fabric for hand puppets ;-) . So watch this space for a review of the weekend.

All of you out there.....have fun at the weekend....and enjoy good food and wine...

What's on

One could think I don't like Mondays......as this week was full of Mondays.....no kidding. Didn't do much during the week - not even cooking, apart from the odd pasta dish. But now I got the weekend ahead of me......and hopefully the weather fairies have a bit pity on me and send down some proper sunshine...anyway.....what else is on???

• Oxygen starts today (I think) and I really cross my fingers for the weather (purely selfless of course). The lineup looks very impressive once more with Amy Winehouse, Paddy Casey, Kings of Leon and REM being among the bands....the first campers have already arrived, I heard.
• For the brave ones.....the Lee Swim is on tomorrow. Originally held in 1914, the 2005 event drew 110 swimmers and crowds in excess of 5,000. The 2006 event drew 250 swimmers. This year the Lee Swim Organising Committee is planning for 400 swimmers! 'Take Off' is at 5:15
• Kinsale Art Week is on as well and runs until next week. The Art week will kick of with a spectacle of Fire on Water..
• The Lisselan Golf Open Week kicks off on Sunday in Clonakilty....
• The Farmers Market in Mallow is on this Saturday (runs bi-monthly)

I will not be doing much really. Will go to the Farmer's Market in Mallow, paying Urru a visit in the process and will head towards Clonakilty in the afternoon to pay Marjorie and Gordon a visit (the poor souls invited me for the weekend - little do they know :-). Haven't been to Clon in a long time (the last time was a flying visit) so I am really looking forward discovering all the treasure of the place.

That's for me now....have a great weekend and I hope you'll let me know how your weekend went.

By the way, Deborah from Tast.ie let me know that there is a OpenCoffeeClub-BBQ on next week - Wednesday to be precise and they are looking for some volunteers. Read more how to participate here

What's on

Finally the weekend is here (and I am not wishing my life away :-). I just need a break. Week was very busy. John's little boy will be christened at the weekend and he asked me to provide the chocolates for little favours. So I made white vanilla truffles and milk chocolates filled with hazelnut truffles. A few years ago, a friend of mine went to the States to visit his sister and I beg him to get me some stuff from Wilton as they do not ship outside US (now you can get it in Brennan's). Anyway, he got me some moulds for chocolates. But now they are getting old (were just dead cheap stuff to begin with) and it is a nightmare to get the chocolate out of the mould. So if anyone knows where I can get professional second hand moulds...I'll take them. I also need a tempering machine as the 'cheap' method doesn't work anymore (adding cold chocolate to the melted one)...Since I love making them, I think I should invest in some good equipment....anyway, what else is on...

NO IDEA....was so busy that the world passed me by.....

I only know that the annual Lee Swim Registration Deadline is tomorrow. The swim itself takes place 19th July....Check http://www.corkmasters.ie/ for registration info or call into Vibes & Scribes (Bridge Street or Lavitt's Quay).

I for my part will take it dead easy this weekend. Will meet with Wendy tomorrow morning (and maybe Carol and Sofie are joining us) and we will head to Fire & Ice in Midleton for some nice breakfast, brunch or early lunch....depending what time we are getting there. Will of course have a stroll through the market - haven't been there in such a long time.

And that's it for now....wishing you all a great weekend ;-)

What's on

Isn't the weather dreadful......and I have lots on that is 'al fresco'....

• The Taste of Cork is kicking off today at the City Gaol. I will be there tomorrow and hopefully manage to glance at Gino D'Campo and sample some awesome food.
• The Chamber Music Festival starts today in Bantry. This event lasts for 9 days and includes 70 musicians who will perform 35 concerts.
• Also this weekend, Mallow Garden Festival.....at the Race Course. I think I won't be going this year as the weekend is already packed enough as it is.
• Clubland is at the Marquee tonight and the fairground Sensazione opens today at the Mardyke Walk.
• Clodagh McKenna will be the main attraction in Charleville on Sunday to give some cooking tips at her demonstration.

So this weekend is all about food and wine....and I can't wait to get the weekend started ;-)

I will be starting tonight the next leg of my project and prepare the ox cheeks which need to marinade overnight. Tomorrow I will be eating my way around the Taste of Cork and on Sunday, we will have a big BBQ at my place for which I need to prepare lots of stuff, Already made the BBQ sauce but I will also marinade some chicken Indian Style and some ribs. For the veggies, I will have baby potatoes with different dips and haloumi cheese, marinaded in chili and lime.

Will tell you all about my weekend on Monday. Keep an eye out for the project cooking....never done ox cheeks before

What's on this weekend

Thanks God it's Friday. That was a long long week and every day seemed to be a Monday. Last night I watched the game.....(I feel really sorry for the Portuguese) and treated myself to a glass (okay I had more than just one glass) Palo Alto Reserva 2006. The wine received 88.8/100 from Cork'd readers. This Chilean wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenere and Syrah. The Cabernet is the dominant flavour and the colour is almost 'dirty' dark red. The label recommends to leave the wine to breathe for 15 minutes. 1 hour was more like it as the wine had a very tarty feel to it when I drank it first. Oak and sour cherries came through when I had the second glass and the tannin wasn't as harsh anymore. I think this wine will go well with some meat dishes but I wouldn't drink it again on its own. So what's on this weekend.....

1. The Buena Vista Social Club is playing tonight at the Savoy. They might be around 75 years old....but gosh they are good.
   
2. From 10pm tonight the place to be is An Spailpin Fanach (opposite Beamish) as a benefit for kids in Peru is taking place. I don't have much more information on this (heard it from a friend of the friend who is friend to the one organising it...you know what I mean ;-)
   
3. Saturday, 21st June, a Celebrity Chef BBQ will take place in the Fota Island Golf Resort in aid of the Hope Foundation. For tickets and more information call Sinead on 021 4292990. I am not sure who will be attending the BBQ as the Hope website doesn't have any information available.

Have you booked already your ticket for the Taste of Cork???? The festival will take place from Friday 27th June to Sunday 29th June. There is a really good line up of the best restaurants Cork has to offer. Sunday is a family day, kids under 12 are free.

Wishing you all a wonderful weekend.......

What's on Part 2

Almost forgot...Euro 2008 starts tomorrow. Kick-off is at 5pm and host Switzerland will face Czech Republic (I think everyone can imagine the odds for this one). I won't be watching the first match as I will be sipping on a glass of prosecco in Glencairn. But I will be watching Sundays game Germany against Poland (out of old solidarity ;-) I will be watching Tuesday Greece against Sweden as I want to see if Otto Rehhagel can repeat his success from 2004. I personally believe that either Italy or France are in for a chance to win the title but then, in 2004 I was dead surprised that Greece won the opening and the final match of the tournament.

And with a new Italian Trainer for the Irish Team....wouldn't it be great if we could see them 2010 in South Africa.....I still have hope....

What's on

On Sunday, June 8th 2008 Cork will host the first Annual International Mad Pride Day. A fun filled day for all the family at Fitzgerald’s Park. The event will start around 1pm. The day will include: normality tests involving bananas and rubber chickens, roaming groups of clown doctors, live music, street theatre, circus and walkabout acts, chill out areas, games, storytelling and face painting for the kids as well as a fantastically delicious food market .

Don't forget that the Slow Food Wine & Cheese tasting starts at 3pm in Jaques Restaurant . If you haven't booked yet with Simone at Interior Living, then give Jacques a call on 4277387.

For me, I will be going to Pastis in Glencairn tomorrow and will enjoy a lovely meal with friends. Will tell you all about it on Monday.

Wishing you all a great weekend and hope to see some of you on Sunday at Jacques....;-)

What's on

Hurrah...here comes the weekend again. And a long one as well......life can be great. So, what's on.

The Bandon Music Festival is kicking off today with acts like Republic of Loose and The Blizzards lining up. The festival will continue until Sunday night.

If you are in Cork on Saturday, the Ocean to City race is on. The race is 15 nautical miles. It begins in Crosshaven, then out to the mouth of Cork Harbour, Roches Point, (boats that are suited to Ocean rowing will be going to Roches Point this year if weather conditions are favourable) back into the Harbour and down the long straight to Cobh, passing in front of the quays. It continues on past Monkstown and on to Passage West before entering Lough Mahon.

The Ocean to City Food Market will be situated in the perfect spot on Lapps Quay where local artisan producers will provide a tasty selection of food to sustain you at the finishing line of this years Ocean To City Race. The market will feature over 20 local producers and slow food traders ranging from The Crepe Man’s sweet and savory crepes to Barrie’s cooked free range meats and O’Flynn’s Gourmet Sausages. O’Conaill Chocolate will also be there with their extensive range of hot chocolates and artisan coffee.

And of course....Saturday night is our wine tasting in Grenagh.....I am already excited. We got some great wines from France and Italy...and I am preparing some awesome finger food.

And don't forget the marathon....the runners can attend a pasta party thrown by

Nash 19 where they can tuck into hand-made Martelli Pasta. If you go to cheer the runners up on Monday (starts at 9am), look out for Catherine O'Regan. She is 72 years old and will run her 86th marathon (go for it girl - I will be watching from a distance ;-).

A food market will be held in Bishop Lucy park, so if you can't make it to the market on Saturday....here is another chance.

All of you....wishing you a great weekend ahead.

What's on

Summer at Country Choice will take place tonight in Nenagh and will feature a Languedoc Wine BBQ Supper with Catherine Wallace, a wine maker from France. The evening starts at 8pm with a rose wine tasting followed by the BBQ and a talk from Catherine. For more information and booking call Peter on 087-7931113 or Anne Marie on 067-32596

Farmer's Market at Castlehyde Courtyard, Fermoy will take place on Sunday from 12 to 4pm. The Brothers of Charity are hosting an Open Day with workshops for children, entertainment, music and an art exhibition

Slow Food Ireland in association with the Irish Natural Forestry Foundation presents The Slow Food Forrest Feast 'The Munch at the Manch' to celebrate Bio Diversity Week. Guest chefs like Diane Curtin and Fingal Ferguson will cook up a storm. Guided woodland walks, traditional craft workshops and lots of music are only things on offer in the setting of the Manch Estate, Ballineen, Co. Cork. Tickets costs €25, children €12. Contact Lynn on 023-22823 or email lynn@inff.ie, info@slowfoodireland.com