Food & Wine Christmas Food Show

Last Sunday was the last day of the 3 day long Christmas Show put together by Food & Wine Magazine at the RDS so I thought this is the last chance and off into the car (thanks God for a lovely gentleman who drove all the way through that bad weather).

Anyway, we made it in one piece although slightly delayed which resulted in a lesser entrance fee :-). The Show took place in the main hall of the RDS and some of the stalls had absolutely nothing to do with food, cooking or anything (Redman Designs, Minty Cards, Venture Photography to name only a few) but that of course didn't stop me to enjoy myself nevertheless.

I fell in love with a cooker at the show....oh my God....Drumms had a cooker on display that took my breath away. I was even brave enough to ask for the price (only€10K) and let me tell you, I had dreams about this cooker ever since.

Anyhow, lets talk about some of the things that were new to me.....the Dungarvan Brewing Company had a stall at the show and although I don't really like beer that much - there was this amazing beer called Copper Coast Red Ale - wow...is the only way to describe it. It was fresh and earthy at the same time - these guys know how to make seriously good beer. Check their website for stockists - The Abbot Ale House, Bradley in Northmain Street in Cork have it.

Of course, wine wasn't missing at the show either... a couple of wine merchants had their best on display so I went with my little glass and tasted my way around. One wine stood out a mile....'Club Privado Baron de Ley', a Rioja with rich vanilla flavour combined with a bit of ripe fruit. A smooth finish that lasts quite a bit. You can buy the wine from enowine (€11.50 or €124 for 12).

Another stand tickled my fancy - French Gourmet Food Ltd. had a lovely range of French food like truffles (preserved in a jar), Truffle infused olive oil (not the cheap stuff), goose fat etc etc etc. They don't have a shop but do online service only.

Jamie Oliver wasn't missing (at least his stall wasn't)... If you are a fan of Jamie Oliver - why not throw a Jamie Oliver Party????? Nope, he willnot come and say pukka but you can have a Jamie at Home Party like the good old Tupperware parties... The rep for Ireland is Elaine Noble and parties can be held anywhere in Ireland. You can contact her jahireland@gmail.com

Most interesting and completely new to me was Caveman Super Foods - who producing high protein beef snacks. The meat is gradually dehydrated and sold in bags of 100g up to 1kg. I forced Terence to try it (I am a veggie as you all know) and he actually liked it (to be honest, it looks a bit like dog treats). But it is supposed to be a very good high protein snack suitable for athletes.



Marks & Spencer and Harvey Nichols had big stalls as well with their Christmas ware....if you like a bit of luxury, pay them a visit, you won't be disappointed but make sure your credit card is handy....

There were of course loads more to see and taste but too much to write it all down. Was I impressed???? No. Was I entertained??? Definitely. Did I learn new things??? Not really. Will I go again???? Yeap cause I love it :-)

Richard Corrigan: Christmas Cook-a-long

Richard Corrigan will be cooking live on Tuesday (tomorrow) a complete Christmas Dinner....and you can call in with questions. Selected viewers will cook a long Richard in their own homes. This concept was quite successful with Gordon Ramsay and it is highly entertaining. The show will be broadcasted in 2 parts starting at 7pm on RTE1 and again at 8:30.

'Live from Farmleigh House in the Phoenix Park, Richard Corrigan - with the help of Mary Kennedy - cooks the perfect Christmas dinner in real time. The show will be transmitted live in two sections, 19:00-19:30 and 20:30-21:00. The Meath master chef will interact live with the audience at home, allowing viewers to participate with their questions about this once-a-year culinary challenge. The show will also feature festive choral music.'

Some Foodie News

Nothing much happening here at my house at the moment. This year we are planning to spend Christmas Dinner at the In-Laws so I have nothing much to do. All my foodie gifts are prepared and ready get into the little hampers I am giving away this year.

You will remember that I had my two nieces over the other day and they made the wonderful gingerbread house......I am in the mood of making another one so I made the dough today and it is resting until tomorrow when I bake the pieces.....so watch this space at the weekend when you can see the pride and glory of all gingerbread houses...

Read today that Rachel Allen is fronting a campaign for O'Briens Sandwich chain. Was never really a fan of O'Briens but then....they never asked me to consult on their sandwiches...Rachel will create 'Signature Sandwiches' which will go on sale on January....let me know if one of you are trying them.....like to know what is so special on them (I am a sandwich snob - only eating sandwiches I made myself).

The Cork Evening Echo is featuring a series of Good Food Guide to Christmas. One part of todays feature is to give an 'edible gift'. I love the idea as it is my game plan this year...suggestions by the Echo is homemade fudge, bread, preserves and cookies......and guess what, they do not offer the recipes....so here are some links where you can find recipes: Fudge, Bread, Preserves and Cookies. Have fun....Let me know what you are giving away this year - edible stuff of course.....not really interested in your novelty socks :-)

When you are in princess Street these days, pay Nash a visit. Claire Nash always takes great care when creating her much sought after hampers.....a great gift for any foodie (including me by the way).

And since one can not be prepared too much....from 8th to 12th February 2010 Cork will be hosting the Good Food Ireland Week. This event is a celebration of restaurants (Good Food Ireland Members), cafes, puns and cookery schools who are committed to using local produce and to support the artisan heros of food. Watch this space for more info.

So, that's it for now. Have to admit that I am not prepared at all (apart from the foodie goodies, I have nothing done....I can see some stress clouds building up over my house in the next few days)...

The best Gingerbread House ever

... I love Christmas, especially when kids are involved. Since I don't have any on my own, I normally borrow the 2 girls from my sister-in-law and since I am the coolest aunt ever, they don't mind. This afternoon we decided to make a Gingerbread House (okay okay, I actually baked the gingerbread the night before) and here is the result - you have to admit, the bestest Gingerbread House ever..... :-)

A quiet Friday Night

I am sitting in front of the fire and watching the draw for the world cup in South Africa (not sure what Charleze Theron is doing there) and I am not happy.....first of all, Ireland really deserved to be in the world cup this time and second, the draw is getting too complicated (just throw all the balls in one pot and draw then).

Anyhow, just a few foodie things coming up in the next 2 weeks:

• Ballymaloe and Slow Food East Cork are celebrating Terra Madre Day with a 3 course meal in the Grain Store from 7pm this Sunday. Local producers will be introduced and talk about their food. Ballymaloe House is always worth a trip. Call Emer on 021 4646785. Live Music will be provided by The Gardeners. Tickets costs €50 per person. Hope to see you there

• Mallow Race Course will be the location to be on Sunday 13th December. They are hosting in association with Essink a Christmas Food & Craft Fair incl a race. The event kicks off at 12pm with a race taking place at 12:30. Local produce is on offer incl. handmade decorations, Christmas Cakes & Puddings, locally made candles, flowers & wreaths, local cheeses, chutneys, pates, breads and and and.....so don't miss it

• The annual Cork City Christmas Market is taking place again at the weekends up to Christmas in the Grand Parade in front of the Library. Bishop Lucy Park is open from 5pm onwards so take the little ones and have a great time.
  

Santa has been nice to me

...cause he brought me the new cookbook of one of my favourite cookbook authors (okay it was Linda). Tessa Kiros latest book is called Venezia and as her previous books, simply amazing. The photographs and the little stories set you in the mood for hopping on the next plane and discover all these little gems Tessa watch this space for some updates on the recipes.

Merry Christmas

....hope you all had a wonderful Christmas time and that the dinner was one to be remembered. I had friends over and we had a ball. I was a bit late but I was prepared with little canapes and pink champagne which was recommended by Austin from Bubble Brothers. It was a Tsarine Rose - just the right dryness without any bitterness. I loved it. For €60 a bit on the expensive side but I was spoiling myself. FYI - Bubble Brothers have an offer on Tsarine at the moment 2 bottles for €100 incl. delivery....anyhow, it is a very good champagne. I love the white Tsarine a lot and make always sure that I have at least one bottle in the house.

The turkey was a free range one (my dad didn't do any turkeys this year and all the family was giving out) which I ordered directly from a turkey farmer in Cork. I stuffed it with homemade stuffing (apple and onion) and made herb butter which was squeezed under the skin to ensure that the meat stays moist. Bacon rashers on top...and off it hopped into the oven....You have to admit that he looks just the part and according to the guys at the table.....yummy as well.

This year was the first time that I cooked a separate vegetarian dish (I normally don't bother and stick with the roasties and veggies) but since Sofie came over and being a fellow vegetarian, I made a lovely pumpkin parcel with feta cheese and mushroom gravy...hmmmmm it was a show stopper when it came out of the tin. Sofie liked it and that was almost as good as a Michelin Star (she is very critical of food :-)....the individual Christmas puddings with custard went down a treat and we all fought very hard to stay awake after the dinner. No-one wanted to eat cake with the coffee....wonder why ;-)

Hope you all are in good spirits...

Christmas Traditions

I found a lovely website where you can read up on Christmas traditions worldwide and according to this website, tradition is Ireland is as follows:

Christmas in Ireland lasts from Christmas Eve to the feast of the Epiphany on January 6, which is referred to as Little Christmas. Ireland's Christmas is more religious than a time of fun.
Lighted candles are placed in windows on Christmas Eve, as a guide that Joseph and Mary might be looking for shelter. The candles are usually red in color, and decorated with sprigs of holly.
Irish women bake a seed cake for each person in the house. They also make three puddings, one for each day of the Epiphany such as Christmas, New Year's Day and the Twelfth Night.
After the Christmas evening meal, bread and milk are left out and the door unlatched as a symbol of hospitality.
St Stephen's Day, the day after Christmas, is almost as important, with football matches and meetings going on. For children, the Wren Boys Procession is their big event. Boys go from door to door with a fake wren on a stick, singing, with violins, accordions, harmonicas and horns to accompany them. The reason for the ceremony is to ask for money 'for the starving wren', that is, for their own pockets.
Children often put out Christmas sacks instead of stockings.
It is tradition to leave mince pies and a bottle of Guinness out as a snack for Santa.

Never came across a seed cake and I never saw any bread and milk left outside.....but it sounds nice anyway :-)

Who got their own traditions?? I for example open a lovely bottle of champagne in the morning when I start the preps for the dinner...and by the time dinner is served......I have a big smile on my face ...

A German Christmas

A GERMAN
CHRISTMAS
.
Hannah Scharf, Philip Dennhardt
& Master-baker Thomas Hueneburg
will
tell their stories and present their specialities.
Hannah Heubach will bring her traditional decorations.

Taste Lebkuchen, Stollen, Biernenbrot and many other Christmas cakes & biscuits
Crawford Art Gallery Café
Thursday 27th Nov at 7.30pm
Entrance 6 euro including tea or coffee