Simple and tasty food.
This week I am still dreaming about the past and cooking from my lovely old antiquated cookery books. The latest grand dame of the kitchen is Maura Laverty and her book ‘Full and Plenty’, which was fondly known as a doorstopper due to it’s hefty size and weight. This book was first published in 1960 and was the first ‘real’ Irish cookbook. Before that, the only cookbook Irish people owned, …
So, I finally dusted down the old recipe book, donned my 1950’s style apron, put on some Frank Sinatra and began my journey back in time. Wouldn’t this dish look very impressive at a dinner party in the 1950’s? I chose this particular recipe for Chocolate Meringue Tart, because it looked so decadent and delicious. I was also kind of intrigued by the concept. Chocolate, meringue and pastry, I wasn’t too sure if …
The idea of the gastro pub always interested me and I really enjoy going to them. However gastro pubs in Ireland are a rare breed. Some are called gastro pubs but are essentially pubs serving reasonably edible food. The Exchequer on the other hand, is for me, a genuine gastro pub that serves delectable drinks and above all, knows its food.
Don’t worry, I’m still cooking! However, I do make it out of the kitchen from time to time. Last Saturday I was lured away by a fabulous food and gardening festival called Bloom. The festival has been an annual event for the last 5 years, but this was the very first time I had ever been. Bloom happens in the beautiful Phoenix Park in Dublin and is basically a showcase of the best of Irish produce. It’s also about …
Last week I was given something very special. My grandmother gave me her first ever cookbook ‘Good Housekeeping’ which was given to her by her Mother. The book dates back to the nineteen fifties and the old yellowed pages are splattered and stained. The spine is coming apart from over-use and the pages are clinging on by just a few threads. The book is crammed with hand written recipes and …
As kids we had a childminder called Mary and she was a great cook. Her bakewell tarts were the stuff of legend. I could never look, let alone eat, shop bought bakewell tarts because none of them would ever taste as amazing as Mary’s. There was something about Mary’s tarts! I loved the crispy lattice pastry she layered on top and the vibrant red jam oozing around the edges. I adored the almondy smell that permeated …