tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48873148937127811422024-03-19T02:28:40.745-07:00The Game Bird Food ChroniclesCelebrating seasonal foodAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17431495084119577263noreply@blogger.comBlogger409125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4887314893712781142.post-3145479342168233802017-01-17T15:56:00.000-08:002017-01-17T16:17:04.782-08:00Recipe: Mustard Creamed Leeks & Cannellini Beans with Morteau Sausage<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nx-XKZofN98/WH6uTxGBdgI/AAAAAAAAM2Y/IhWMyvFhH5gbO3nxdRFurzmNmqa6uW4fQCEw/s1600/leeks%2B2%2B-%2BCopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nx-XKZofN98/WH6uTxGBdgI/AAAAAAAAM2Y/IhWMyvFhH5gbO3nxdRFurzmNmqa6uW4fQCEw/s400/leeks%2B2%2B-%2BCopy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IE;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">This is an incredibly simple dish to make and one that showcases that most noble of winter vegetables - the leek.</span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IE;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #666666;"></span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IE;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span lang="EN" style="color: #666666; font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Leeks possess a gentle flavour which is far more subtle and refined than that of other members of the allium family such as onions and shallots but because they can be a little trickier to cook they don’t seem to enjoy the same popularity. Here I have paired leeks with cannellini beans in an indulgently creamy sauce to which I have added a good dollop of wholegrain mustard. I find that the mustard adds a piquancy that helps cut through the richness of the overall dish and also marries well with the wonderful smokiness of the meaty Morteau sausage.</span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IE;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span lang="EN" style="color: #666666; font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">You can use dried cannellini beans if you wish... but to be honest tinned beans work just as well. This is a delicious albeit indulgent supper dish perfect for when you are in need of some comfort food.</span>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">INGREDIENTS:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">1 Morteau sausage</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">25g butter</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">2 large leeks, washed and sliced into rounds</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">A sprig of fresh thyme</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">1 tin of cannellini beans, drained and well rinsed</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">50ml dry white wine</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">200ml double cream</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">1tblsp of wholegrain mustard</span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7PB3fpaNCI0/WH6uUZa58PI/AAAAAAAAM2k/IX0QPsYIZRQC2XXTAPWe1ZGkSFTmGniHQCEw/s1600/leeks%2B5%2B-%2BCopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7PB3fpaNCI0/WH6uUZa58PI/AAAAAAAAM2k/IX0QPsYIZRQC2XXTAPWe1ZGkSFTmGniHQCEw/s320/leeks%2B5%2B-%2BCopy.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">METHOD:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Place the sausage in a saucepan of simmering water and poach for 35-40 minutes making sure that the water covers the sausage.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Separately (when the sausage is almost cooked) melt the butter in a medium saucepan over a moderate heat. When the butter is melted add the sliced leeks and thyme. Season well with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Sauté for 3-4 minutes until softened but not coloured.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Add the wine and cannellini beans to the saucepan with the leeks. Increase the heat slightly and cook for a couple of minutes until most of the wine has evaporated. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Add the cream and wholegrain mustard and allow to bubble for 3-4 minutes until the cream has reduced and thickened slightly. Remove the sprig of thyme and discard. Taste and adjust seasoning as necessary.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Drain the sausage and slice. Serve with the creamed leeks. </span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9NW1FQTsGfs/WH6uUPRU4jI/AAAAAAAAM2g/7qpwT0ZreEYhUU685fc-_3aizwnoIH6TACEw/s1600/leeks%2B-%2BCopy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9NW1FQTsGfs/WH6uUPRU4jI/AAAAAAAAM2g/7qpwT0ZreEYhUU685fc-_3aizwnoIH6TACEw/s320/leeks%2B-%2BCopy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17431495084119577263noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4887314893712781142.post-18387286986803315472017-01-10T12:53:00.000-08:002017-01-10T12:53:46.661-08:00Restaurant Review: The Green Barn, Athy, County Kildare<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XlG5EsusiCA/WHVHpJThGNI/AAAAAAAAM1Q/7bgZ0faPLbMfPcCuc2mU6ofX8MXzQeCHgCEw/s1600/Baked%2BSt.%2BTola%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-XlG5EsusiCA/WHVHpJThGNI/AAAAAAAAM1Q/7bgZ0faPLbMfPcCuc2mU6ofX8MXzQeCHgCEw/s400/Baked%2BSt.%2BTola%2B3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IE;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I love the hustle and bustle of the city coming up to Christmas but if I’m being honest I tend to avoid dining out during December. There are a number of reasons for this – firstly a lot of restaurants have festive themed menus geared towards groups and whilst this is understandable and I’m all for seasonal eating, there is a limit to the number of ‘innovative’ variations of turkey and ham that I can eat.</span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IE;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span lang="EN" style="color: #666666; font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #666666;">
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="color: #666666;"> </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Secondly, I’m not a particularly patient person and I find it tedious having to battle through crowds and to queue for parking. It’s often easier to steer clear of the city centre or to wait until everything settles down in the New Year. With this in mind, I decided to broaden my horizons and visit somewhere new for lunch recently.</span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xQB7LaedCsw/WHVHqeh9JLI/AAAAAAAAM2E/oBzQotJ1qhktjpLev8sB-w6avVkGbGwJQCEw/s1600/Green%2BBarn%2BInterior%2B7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xQB7LaedCsw/WHVHqeh9JLI/AAAAAAAAM2E/oBzQotJ1qhktjpLev8sB-w6avVkGbGwJQCEw/s320/Green%2BBarn%2BInterior%2B7.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Green Barn</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://burtownhouse.ie/green-barn-shop/">The Green Barn Restaurant</a></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> is located just inside the front gates of <a href="http://burtownhouse.ie/"><strong>Burtown House</strong></a></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> off the M9 near Athy, County Kildare and is set in lush parkland overlooking the walled kitchen garden of the main house.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="color: #666666;"> </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The restaurant is located in a large open barn-style structure which has a rustic New England feel to it. I found the space immediately appealing and loved the high ceilings and exposed beams. Tables have a rough wooden texture which some people might find disconcerting but I loved the artsy feeling that they evoked. They are decorated with individual vegetable plants growing in pots – a nice touch and a reminder of the restaurant’s farm-to-fork philosophy.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_-89HZOMrVk/WHVHqwxwR3I/AAAAAAAAM2E/8uAouTNeZ3kgfHAI1JdaHMdlk5jGi1EtACEw/s1600/Smoked%2BMackerel%2BPate%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_-89HZOMrVk/WHVHqwxwR3I/AAAAAAAAM2E/8uAouTNeZ3kgfHAI1JdaHMdlk5jGi1EtACEw/s320/Smoked%2BMackerel%2BPate%2B3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Smoked Mackerel Pate</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The Green Barn aims to serve only the freshest seasonal produce and this means that much has come straight from the organic gardens each morning. Whilst these sentiments are laudable, they can become a little hackneyed and aspirational if the food fails to deliver but during our meal we found that the produce spoke for itself and delivered with a bang on the flavour front.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Our meal started with a little tasting plate of </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Smoked Mackerel Pâté and Hummus</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> which was served with a couple of crunchy croutons. I love smoked mackerel so this little preamble to our meal hit all the right notes with me. I loved the way that the pâté had not been over processed and retained some texture which contrasted nicely with the mealy and deeply satisfying to eat hummus.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KYgKdBuL_ac/WHVHpoxP2YI/AAAAAAAAM2E/ki0s3XyvRFonb8tptcqCCmsLjdU-YGTxACEw/s1600/Breads%2Bwith%2BDips.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="319" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KYgKdBuL_ac/WHVHpoxP2YI/AAAAAAAAM2E/ki0s3XyvRFonb8tptcqCCmsLjdU-YGTxACEw/s320/Breads%2Bwith%2BDips.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Breads & Dips</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I always seek out bread and immediately fell in love with the </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Homemade Breads served with Kale & Feta Dip, Hummus, Garden Pesto</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> (€6.50) which we ordered along with our starters. This was some of the best bread that I have eaten in the past twelve months with a lovely chewy crumb and crusty exterior. The accompanying dips were each thoroughly delicious. The garden pesto in particular was the stuff that dreams are made of and I licked the bowl clean.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="color: #666666;"> </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">In one respect we probably didn’t need to order the homemade breads as my companion’s starter of </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Cabbage & Coconut Soup</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> (€6.50) came served with crusty bread and a flavoured butter. It was served in a brown paper bag which I found charming. The soup itself was an unusual combination of flavours and along with the cabbage and coconut contained a good hint of fresh ginger acting as the flavouring backbone of the soup. This was a lovely wholesome dish.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-haAsiTDX3vY/WHVHpg1f7UI/AAAAAAAAM2E/HD-BvYFQ_A4nSeEcAy7-m9a_LMqqVTZkgCEw/s1600/Cabbage%2B%2526%2BCoconut%2BSoup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-haAsiTDX3vY/WHVHpg1f7UI/AAAAAAAAM2E/HD-BvYFQ_A4nSeEcAy7-m9a_LMqqVTZkgCEw/s320/Cabbage%2B%2526%2BCoconut%2BSoup.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cabbage & Coconut Soup</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">My Baked St. Tola wrapped in Toasted Sourdough with Mushrooms & Winter Squash</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> (€7) was another great dish where a generous portion of creamy St. Tola goat’s cheese was served wrapped thin slices of toasted sourdough which provided textural crunch against the soft cheese. Sweet squash and meaty mushrooms balanced the richness of the cheese to create a dish that was a pleasure to eat. In many ways this dish was simple in its conception but effectively illustrated the versatility of vegetables.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="color: #666666;"> </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I chose the </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Free Range Chicken, Leek & Tarragon Pie served with Burtown Salad</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> (€16) for main course and was delighted with the puff-pastry topped pie which arrived served in its own dish. Generous chunks of chicken were enrobed in a flavoursome sauce which contained a lovely gentle anise flavour courtesy of the tarragon that had been used.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="color: #666666;"> </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Unfortunately the sauce had slightly split but the wonderful flavour was undeniable and in an overall sense I enjoyed the dish but felt that the pie didn’t sit well against the accompanying smear of beetroot purée which although tasty served to mess the outside of the pie dish. A rainbow coloured salad containing fantastically fresh vegetables and seeds completed the dish.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wFMJOqxjvc0/WHVHqdDhFAI/AAAAAAAAM2E/Lmpzko5KtNIEFVX_bHwOTl8tRAho8RceQCEw/s1600/Chicken%252C%2BLeek%2B%2526%2BTarragon%2BPie%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wFMJOqxjvc0/WHVHqdDhFAI/AAAAAAAAM2E/Lmpzko5KtNIEFVX_bHwOTl8tRAho8RceQCEw/s320/Chicken%252C%2BLeek%2B%2526%2BTarragon%2BPie%2B3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chicken, Leek & Tarragon Pie</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">My companion’s </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Homemade Beef Burger</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> with Fresh Herbs, Sautéed Onion in our Sourdough Bap, topped with Caramelised Red Onions & Parmesan served with Herbed Potatoes, Garden leaves & Aioli (€16) was a hugely successful dish containing flavoursome and meat. The burger was served slightly pink (as I prefer) and was succulent to eat. It was packed with the herbs with Rosemary to the fore but not overpowering the flavour of the beef. It was served in a burnished bronze brioche roll sitting on sticky sweet caramelised onions. Wisps of grated parmesan added some umami saltiness which complemented the beef perfectly. This was a great burger and one that I would travel to sample again.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">After quite a substantial meal we decided to share a dessert between us. Desserts are laid out on a large table on attractive cake stands and together create an attractive gastronomic tableau. In the main baked goods including pies, cakes cheesecakes are offered.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y6C-Uav8Nuw/WHVHpFBDstI/AAAAAAAAM2E/y-M0FydGBOQI1G1goBt0fF6Q0waUf7M8wCEw/s1600/Beef%2BBurger%2B5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="319" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y6C-Uav8Nuw/WHVHpFBDstI/AAAAAAAAM2E/y-M0FydGBOQI1G1goBt0fF6Q0waUf7M8wCEw/s320/Beef%2BBurger%2B5.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Homemade Beef Burger</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Torn between the rather nice looking moist </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Carrot Cake</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> €5.00 I eventually plumped for the </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Coconut & Lime Cake</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> (€5.50) which was served with crème fraiche on the side. This gluten-free offering was moist, full of tropical flavours and in its simplicity looked extremely pretty.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="color: #666666;"> </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I really enjoyed my lunch in the Green Barn Restaurant. The setting is beautiful and the service is friendly and delivered with a cheeriness that is infectious and puts you in a good humour. The food is unpretentious and un-fussy but most importantly it is packed with flavour and leaves you with a sense of wellbeing. This is one to visit. The Green Barn is open for lunch during the week and for dinner on Saturday evenings.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong>The Green Barn Shop & Restaurant</strong></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Burtown Little</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">County Kildare</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><u>Telephone:</u> 0598623865</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><u>Website:</u></span><a href="http://www.burtownhouse.ie/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">www.burtownhouse.ie</span></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coconut & Lime Cake</td></tr>
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</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17431495084119577263noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4887314893712781142.post-77050410134470440762017-01-03T14:01:00.000-08:002017-01-03T14:01:25.272-08:00Recipe: Beef & Mushroom Pasties with Onion Marmalade & Cashel Blue Cheese<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xCIoyJJUDdI/WGwdKjIsqMI/AAAAAAAAM0w/tiEiYumL6hMPx75CKjb9PSYerRz1uqunACEw/s1600/15871830_1259005744165122_8409880414894187456_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xCIoyJJUDdI/WGwdKjIsqMI/AAAAAAAAM0w/tiEiYumL6hMPx75CKjb9PSYerRz1uqunACEw/s400/15871830_1259005744165122_8409880414894187456_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IE;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Whilst I love traditional Cornish pasties, I have to admit that I have completely fallen for this pimped up version containing sirloin beef, sautéed mushrooms and onion marmalade. The pasties also contain nuggets of Cashel Blue cheese which is one of my favourite Irish farmhouse cheeses. Made by the Grubb family in County Tipperary since the early 1980s Cashel Blue is considered one of the best blue cheeses out there. I regularly use it in my cooking and baking as I find its earthy, nutty notes complement the flavours of so many other ingredients.</span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IE;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span lang="EN" style="color: #666666; font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oMq6GaZQP9I/WGwdKxNjlkI/AAAAAAAAM00/t_NR-HeGeF0pU1xqxwBtTeAEUfp5ol6fwCEw/s1600/15871956_1259006927498337_3670542137388010569_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="319" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oMq6GaZQP9I/WGwdKxNjlkI/AAAAAAAAM00/t_NR-HeGeF0pU1xqxwBtTeAEUfp5ol6fwCEw/s320/15871956_1259006927498337_3670542137388010569_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IE;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span lang="EN" style="color: #666666; font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">This recipe combines the Cashel Blue with beef - another of my favourite foods. I have also included some sautéed mushrooms and a little onion marmalade which I think adds a little sweetness which balances out the other flavours. You can make your own onion marmalade but to be honest I use a commercially produced one. Alternatively a couple of spoons of fruit chutney would also work well.</span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IE;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span lang="EN" style="color: #666666; font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b style="font-weight: normal;">
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Although you can use puff or shortcrust pastry to make the pasties but I prefer the taste and texture of hot water crust pastry which is relatively easy to make. Lard is often used when making this pastry but I feel that butter results in a superior tasting crust. The only thing that you need to remember if using it is that you need to roll the pastry while it is still warm/hot because it becomes increasingly difficult to manipulate as it cools.</span>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tWaJnojExTI/WGwdJl4sihI/AAAAAAAAM0U/26IuaOtBM2sEDP98jpzAlliCFL_pD3q5QCEw/s1600/15780728_1259006467498383_4873768052859817999_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tWaJnojExTI/WGwdJl4sihI/AAAAAAAAM0U/26IuaOtBM2sEDP98jpzAlliCFL_pD3q5QCEw/s320/15780728_1259006467498383_4873768052859817999_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">INGREDIENTS:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Filling:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">1tblsp vegetable oil and a small knob of butter</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">125g button mushrooms, sliced</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">250g sirloin beef, chopped into small 1cm dice</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">200g potatoes, peeled and chopped into 1cm dice</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">50g onion marmalade</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">1 tblsp of finely chopped thyme</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">A few splashes of Worcestershire Sauce</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">75g-100g Cashel Blue cheese, broken into 2cm ‘nuggets’</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Sea salt and freshly ground pepper to season</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Hot Water Crust Pastry:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">400g plain flour</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">½ tsp salt</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">125g chilled butter</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">150ml water</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">To finish:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">1 egg beaten to glaze</span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MAqmf_Oe8nk/WGwdJ4LiN4I/AAAAAAAAM0c/VCuf5IsI7jgphmOcXWi7N33sjYzSJ7ZFACEw/s1600/15780997_1259006850831678_6058933913452664328_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="319" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MAqmf_Oe8nk/WGwdJ4LiN4I/AAAAAAAAM0c/VCuf5IsI7jgphmOcXWi7N33sjYzSJ7ZFACEw/s320/15780997_1259006850831678_6058933913452664328_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">METHOD:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Filling:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Preheat the oven to 200C/Fan Oven 180C/Gas Mark 6. Line a large baking tray with some non-stick baking parchment and set aside.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Melt the oil and butter in a small frying pan over a moderate to high heat and add the mushrooms, Season with a little sea salt and freshly ground pepper and fry until they have softened slightly and turned a golden brown colour. Remove from the heat, drain on some kitchen paper and allow to cool.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Place the chopped beef and potatoes in a mixing bowl and add the cooled mushrooms. Next add the onion marmalade and chopped thyme. Season well and add a couple of splashes of Worcestershire Sauce. Mix together to disperse everything evenly but try not to break up the cheese. Set aside while you make the pastry.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FnOTqWTwILc/WGwdJngLVZI/AAAAAAAAM0Y/QrUGwxUJzfMlwGWUB1DliK5WNV8kd3djACEw/s1600/15780750_1259004697498560_8025921989543242327_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FnOTqWTwILc/WGwdJngLVZI/AAAAAAAAM0Y/QrUGwxUJzfMlwGWUB1DliK5WNV8kd3djACEw/s320/15780750_1259004697498560_8025921989543242327_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Hot Water Crust Pastry:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Sift the flour and salt together. Separately place the butter and water into a medium sized saucepan, place over a high heat and bring up to the boil. Immediately remove from the heat once the butter has melted and add the flour stirring with a wooden spoon until the mixture comes together.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead briefly until smooth but do not overwork.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Using a large rolling pin, roll out the dough until it 3 or 4mm thick. Using an upturned side plate as a guide, cut out 4 or 5 circles (approximately 20cms in diameter).</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Dividing the mixture evenly, place mounds on one half of each circle, leaving a good edge clear all around the circle. Brush around the edge of each pasty with a little beaten egg and bring the one side over to meet the other edge thus encasing the filling. Pinch and crimp the edges together to ensure that they are well sealed and place on the prepared baking tray.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Brush the pasties with a little more egg wash and cut a small slit in the top of each to allow steam to escape.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Bake in the preheated oven for ten minutes and then lower the heat to 180C/Fan Oven 160C/Gas Mark 4 and continue to bake for a further 25-30 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The pasties can be served hot or cold but I like to eat them when they are still slightly warm and the Cashel Blue oozes out seductively.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #666666;">Makes 4-5.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AIjZjDuDXMY/WGwdJVy3QZI/AAAAAAAAM04/biMwK-o1SaMfkFgm4ZYmOGgBecaxyhq8gCEw/s1600/15726596_1259005044165192_2193868996337043588_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AIjZjDuDXMY/WGwdJVy3QZI/AAAAAAAAM04/biMwK-o1SaMfkFgm4ZYmOGgBecaxyhq8gCEw/s320/15726596_1259005044165192_2193868996337043588_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
</b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17431495084119577263noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4887314893712781142.post-15691592796707331662017-01-02T12:42:00.000-08:002017-01-03T13:07:53.714-08:00Recipe: Cranberry Poached Pears<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EbxEwWSrpAw/WGwRs5f3rgI/AAAAAAAAMzw/7f2McFL2IsYx36PjCGOHa3JRBCgrY099gCEw/s1600/15781665_1259009517498078_5041490131370300151_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EbxEwWSrpAw/WGwRs5f3rgI/AAAAAAAAMzw/7f2McFL2IsYx36PjCGOHa3JRBCgrY099gCEw/s400/15781665_1259009517498078_5041490131370300151_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IE;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I had quite a few fresh cranberries left over after Christmas this year and wanted to use them in a way that celebrated their wonderful pink colour.</span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IE;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span lang="EN" style="color: #666666; font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><div dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-cd74f6da-6611-6ab8-35cc-df91aaa5917f" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Whilst I love using fresh cranberries in my baking, making muffins, breads and cakes etc., I decided that I wanted to ring the changes a little and use them in a dessert instead. I also wanted a dessert that was lighter than the often rich and stodgy desserts regularly eaten over the festive season. These Cranberry Poached Pears fit the bill perfectly and along with tasting delicious were also incredibly simple to make.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"></span><br />
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dlQbdXzOYko/WGwRtdh0GbI/AAAAAAAAMz4/fKlPesrLFLo3ZyJ5sMwnKzANvvXTKmIWACEw/s1600/15823156_1259009830831380_7485016418867563505_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="319" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dlQbdXzOYko/WGwRtdh0GbI/AAAAAAAAMz4/fKlPesrLFLo3ZyJ5sMwnKzANvvXTKmIWACEw/s320/15823156_1259009830831380_7485016418867563505_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Cranberries can be quite sour so I sweetened them with a little sugar and simmered them to make a syrup into which I place some peeled and cored pears. I gently poached the pears for twenty minutes until just cooked before removing them from the poaching liquid which I then strained and reduced to thicken slightly. Really the only work involved was peeling the pears and checking on the poaching pears occasionally.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">INGREDIENTS:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">200g fresh (or frozen) cranberries</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">125g caster sugar</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">1 star anise</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">1 cinnamon stick</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The peel and juice of 1 orange</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">700ml cold water</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">6 slightly under-ripe pears peeled and cored but try to leave the stalks intact</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">METHOD:</span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Put all the ingredients, except the pears in a medium-sized deep saucepan and place over a moderate heat. Slowly bring up to simmering point and allow to bubble gently , stirring occasionally until the sugar has dissolved and the cranberries have started to pop and soften.</span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-REeScYG1q9Q/WGwRtfaJI_I/AAAAAAAAM0A/wta9FNUsUd8kb5XDgi5uDzhAZ9g4O87NQCEw/s1600/15822587_1259010007498029_5894602891947799406_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="319" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-REeScYG1q9Q/WGwRtfaJI_I/AAAAAAAAM0A/wta9FNUsUd8kb5XDgi5uDzhAZ9g4O87NQCEw/s320/15822587_1259010007498029_5894602891947799406_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Gently place the pears into the cranberry poaching liquid so that they are submerged. If you have enough room place them snugly side-by-side so that just the stalks are pointing up. Poach in the simmering water for 20-30 minutes or until the pears have softened but not too much – they should still have some texture.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Remove the pears with a slotted spoon and place in a clean bowl. Strain the poaching liquid through a sieve into a clean saucepan and place over a high heat. Discard any solids including the orange peel and spices that collect in the sieve. Allow the poaching liquid to bubble and reduce by half over a high heat and then pour on top of the pears in the bowl.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Allow to cool to room temperature and then over and refrigerate overnight before serving. The pears are lovely with served with a little lightly whipped double cream or a scoop of vanilla ice-cream</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #666666;">Serves 6.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KyQ9e9SrRJ4/WGwRs9M745I/AAAAAAAAMz0/tEa38oJl2JgJrQ5PtKlbjktHdYZY62IegCEw/s1600/15780701_1259009594164737_1826662350338231030_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="319" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KyQ9e9SrRJ4/WGwRs9M745I/AAAAAAAAMz0/tEa38oJl2JgJrQ5PtKlbjktHdYZY62IegCEw/s320/15780701_1259009594164737_1826662350338231030_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
</span> </span> </span> </span> </span> </span> </span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17431495084119577263noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4887314893712781142.post-27177279297039103792016-12-26T04:34:00.000-08:002016-12-26T04:34:46.125-08:00Recipe: A Trio of Mince Pies<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l4pOeCxfUio/WGENH-c0r0I/AAAAAAAAMy0/WFoG9AdFd5YhZVf9-RF2Rdohyum-2jtPACEw/s1600/Mince%2BPies%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l4pOeCxfUio/WGENH-c0r0I/AAAAAAAAMy0/WFoG9AdFd5YhZVf9-RF2Rdohyum-2jtPACEw/s400/Mince%2BPies%2B3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IE;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Variety is the spice of life and this is as true at Christmas time as it is during the rest of the year. Whilst I love traditional Mince Pies, I also like to ring the changes and vary my basic mince pies recipe to make other versions.</span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IE;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span lang="EN" style="color: #666666; font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span> </div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I am a huge fan of almonds and have always loved frangipane tarts and what could be better than combining frangipane with mincemeat to create Frangipane Mince Pies? There is something so wonderful about the combination of flavours which makes them impossible to resist. The flaked almonds add a pleasing crunch and the frangipane topping means that the individual pies do not dry out. Heavenly!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I always seem to have egg whites leftover after other baking projects so it seemed logical to use them to place a cloud-like puff of meringue on top of some mince pies. These pies are sweet but the contrast between the buttery pastry, the rich fruit filling and the light meringue is wonderful. Each recipe below makes 16 individual mince pies.</span>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span> </div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LqOyLcQEM14/WGENH2RLOpI/AAAAAAAAMy8/qPB7KOa7P2UxRfF12vK-skCIs-GLUOOKQCEw/s1600/Mince%2BPies%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LqOyLcQEM14/WGENH2RLOpI/AAAAAAAAMy8/qPB7KOa7P2UxRfF12vK-skCIs-GLUOOKQCEw/s320/Mince%2BPies%2B2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mince Pies</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Basic Pastry:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"></span> </div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">INGREDIENTS:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">175g plain flour</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">50g icing sugar</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">100g cold butter, cubed</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">1 large egg yolk</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">2 tbsp cold water</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span> </div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">METHOD:</span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Sieve the flour and icing sugar together into a large mixing bowl. Add the diced butter and using your fingertips rub into the flour mixture until it resembles fine breadcrumbs.</span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Make a well in the centre and add the egg yolk and the water and mix together with a fork to bring everything together.</span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Turn out onto a clean, lightly floured work surface and knead briefly. Form into a flat disc, wrap in cling-film and refrigerate for at least half an hour.</span></div>
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</ol>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #666666;"></span></span> </div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #666666;">Makes 350g pastry.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span> </div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZvSlv6llW0s/WGENHO2-lKI/AAAAAAAAMys/XFFNFS27gVMVy3oXko3-xGSRHj8kHfWZACEw/s1600/Making%2BMince%2BPies%2B4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="319" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZvSlv6llW0s/WGENHO2-lKI/AAAAAAAAMys/XFFNFS27gVMVy3oXko3-xGSRHj8kHfWZACEw/s320/Making%2BMince%2BPies%2B4.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Traditional Mince Pies</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Traditional Mince Pies:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"></span> </div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">INGREDIENTS:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">350g basic pastry (see recipe above)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Approximately 450g Mincemeat</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span> </div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">METHOD:</span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Preheat oven to 180C/Fan Oven 160C/Gas Mark 4. Thinly roll out the pastry on a lightly floured work-surface and using a 7cm round cookie cutter, stamp out rounds of the pastry. Use to line 16 individual patty tins.</span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Place a generous teaspoon of mincemeat into each individual pastry shell.</span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Using a pastry brush dampen the edge of each little pie with a little water or beaten egg and place another round of pastry on top. Seal the pies by pressing the edges together with the tines of a fork. Cut a little slit in the top of each pie to allow steam to escape.</span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">If you like you can stamp out star shapes and use these to top each mince pie instead.</span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Place in the preheated oven for approximately 15 minutes until light golden brown.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Remove from the oven and allow to cool. Serve at room temperature dusted with icing sugar.</span></div>
</li>
</ol>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #666666;"></span></span> </div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #666666;">Makes 16 Mince Pies.</span></span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UQ1YLJ8drwA/WGENGqZFU_I/AAAAAAAAMyg/2VJM-BfpPesHw0xZq4yFfxvxRGj4kyVEACEw/s1600/Frangipane%2BMine%2BPies%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="319" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UQ1YLJ8drwA/WGENGqZFU_I/AAAAAAAAMyg/2VJM-BfpPesHw0xZq4yFfxvxRGj4kyVEACEw/s320/Frangipane%2BMine%2BPies%2B3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frangipane Mince Pies</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Frangipane Mince Pies</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"></span> </div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">INGREDIENTS:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">175g basic pastry (see recipe above)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">100g butter, softened</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">100g caster sugar</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">2 large eggs</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">100g ground almonds</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">1 tbsp of plain flour</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">a couple of drops of almond extract</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">25g flaked almonds</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span> </div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">METHOD:</span></div>
<ol style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Preheat oven to 180C/Fan Oven 160C/Gas Mark 4. Thinly roll out the pastry on a lightly floured work-surface and using a 7cm round cookie cutter, stamp out rounds of the pastry. Use to line 16 individual patty tins.</span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Place a generous teaspoon of mincemeat into each individual pastry shell.</span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CNqliP0pSik/WGENGuVuVNI/AAAAAAAAMyc/V9pZskNOdlMlwUlKB1nAzWmdCDIdeTiPACEw/s1600/Frangipane%2BMine%2BPies%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CNqliP0pSik/WGENGuVuVNI/AAAAAAAAMyc/V9pZskNOdlMlwUlKB1nAzWmdCDIdeTiPACEw/s320/Frangipane%2BMine%2BPies%2B2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frangipane Mince Pies</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">To make the frangipane, place the butter and sugar into a mixing bowl and using a hand-held electric mixer beat together until light a fluffy. Add the eggs and beat together until fully incorporated. Next beat in the ground almonds, flour and almond extract.</span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Place the mixture into a disposable piping bag fitted with 1cm plain nozzle. Pipe the mixture onto the top of each pie (don’t overfill as the mixture will spread out during baking). Scatter over a few flaked almonds.</span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Bake in the preheated oven for approximately 15 minutes until light golden brown.</span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Remove from the oven and allow to cool.</span></div>
</li>
</ol>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #666666;">Makes 16 Frangipane Mince Pies.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span> </div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fIn1B38aq0A/WGENHAB1BWI/AAAAAAAAMyk/jGsYI0UMrr4F15avFr9UWjXWBRSXTNTwACEw/s1600/Meringue%2BMince%2BPies%2B%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fIn1B38aq0A/WGENHAB1BWI/AAAAAAAAMyk/jGsYI0UMrr4F15avFr9UWjXWBRSXTNTwACEw/s320/Meringue%2BMince%2BPies%2B%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Meringue Mine Pies</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Meringue Mince Pies</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"></span> </div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">INGREDIENTS:</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">175g basic pastry (see recipe above)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">2 large egg whites</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">125g caster sugar</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span> </div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">METHOD:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Preheat oven to 180C/Fan Oven 160C/Gas Mark 4. Thinly roll out the pastry on a lightly floured work-surface and using a 7cm round cookie cutter, stamp out rounds of the pastry. Use to line 16 individual patty tins.</span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Place the egg whites into a large spotlessly clean mixing bowl and using a hand-held electric mixer beat until the mixture forms stiff peaks.</span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Add in the sugar gradually, mixing well after each addition to create a stiff and glossy meringue. Spoon the mixture into a disposable piping bag filled with a 1cm star nozzle and pipe a swirl of meringue on top of each mince pie.</span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Place in the preheated oven for approximately 15 minutes until the meringue is tinged a light golden brown.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Remove from the oven and allow to cool.</span></div>
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<br /></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #666666;">Makes 16 Meringue Mince Pies.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #666666;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-79eynA0_Hy8/WGENF2dHbyI/AAAAAAAAMyQ/HlU-UNXsNgcRLmn-F0EvVrdOzRbGn6o8wCEw/s1600/15170911_1214082528657444_9129549602923539412_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="319" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-79eynA0_Hy8/WGENF2dHbyI/AAAAAAAAMyQ/HlU-UNXsNgcRLmn-F0EvVrdOzRbGn6o8wCEw/s320/15170911_1214082528657444_9129549602923539412_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Traditional Mince Pies</td></tr>
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</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17431495084119577263noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4887314893712781142.post-26372596405663607532016-12-14T12:59:00.001-08:002016-12-14T12:59:59.406-08:00Recipe: Dubliner Cheese Ambassador Challenge - Brussels Sprout & Dubliner Vintage Frittata <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HRCWY_B_99s/WFGwq0nGK7I/AAAAAAAAMxc/1KwnOXZtMysnXROWapTo7xJhh5-aZGdiQCEw/s1600/15542240_1235550666510630_1778965228641185465_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HRCWY_B_99s/WFGwq0nGK7I/AAAAAAAAMxc/1KwnOXZtMysnXROWapTo7xJhh5-aZGdiQCEw/s400/15542240_1235550666510630_1778965228641185465_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IE;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I knew from the start that I wanted to use brussels sprouts in my recipe for the festive-themed </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Dubliner Cheese Ambassador Challenge</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> as I remember with fondness the brussels sprout gratin that my grandmother used to make when I was a child. She would smother parboiled sprouts in a rich, creamy and very cheesy sauce and bake in the oven for twenty minutes. I have loved the sprouts/cheese combo ever since.</span></span></span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IE;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span lang="EN" style="color: #666666; font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #666666;">I have always been a huge fan of brussels sprouts and I would truly feel that I was missing out if they didn’t appear on my dinner plate alongside the roast turkey and ham on Christmas day. I recognise that not everyone feels the same about them but I believe that this has a lot to do with the fact that they are so often served overcooked. As with so many vegetables, you are better to err on the side of undercooking rather overcooking them.</span></span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tw0kBZFYxKM/WFGwpm0IJfI/AAAAAAAAMxE/lJau6oK9Rmgy2zkXXr-QrPSvm6QKghznwCEw/s1600/15391034_1232992860099744_57650909146320863_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Tw0kBZFYxKM/WFGwpm0IJfI/AAAAAAAAMxE/lJau6oK9Rmgy2zkXXr-QrPSvm6QKghznwCEw/s320/15391034_1232992860099744_57650909146320863_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Frittata ingredients</td></tr>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #666666;">Most people tend to boil or steam sprouts but they can be used in so many other ways. Sometimes I finely shred them and use them raw along with finely sliced onion and grated carrot to make a festive coleslaw which is delicious. I also like to slice and fry them with some leftover ham and roast potatoes for a St. Stephen’s Day brunch hash which, topped with a poached egg, always goes down a treat. Just let your imagination run riot and you will be surprised by the tasty dishes you can come up with.</span></span></div>
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</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The following frittata recipe is very simple to make using ingredients that most of us will have knocking around at Christmas time. I feel that you need a cheese with an assertive flavour but one that also has good melting qualities. My cheese of choice would be </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Dubliner Vintage</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> which has a lovely complex taste with an underlying nutty sweetness that goes perfectly with the salty bacon and the sweet onions in this recipe. The frittata is quick to make and would be perfect for a light lunch or supper dish during the festive season. Most importantly it tastes sensational.</span></span></span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eS1cU2yww-s/WFGwqDgb7HI/AAAAAAAAMxM/PuC6pNWo2DQ8YHSMnAm-5HRJMBCnoLVlACEw/s1600/15421027_1235552743177089_3565625580245896055_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="319" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eS1cU2yww-s/WFGwqDgb7HI/AAAAAAAAMxM/PuC6pNWo2DQ8YHSMnAm-5HRJMBCnoLVlACEw/s320/15421027_1235552743177089_3565625580245896055_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eggs and Dubliner Vintage</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Although you can allow the frittata to cool to room temperature before serving, I recommend letting it stand for no more than 5-10 minutes - then serve it in wedges whilst the </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Dubliner Vintage</span></span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #666666;"> is still warm and oozes out seductively.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">INGREDIENTS:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">2tblsp olive oil</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">4 rashers of smoked bacon sliced into lardons</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">1 sprig of thyme</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">1 medium onion, chopped finely</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">14-16 brussels sprouts, trimmed and halved</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">6 large eggs, lightly beaten</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">75g Dubliner Vintage cut into small cubes</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">METHOD:</span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Heat 1tblsp olive oil in a medium-sized non-stick, oven-proof frying pan and fry the bacon and thyme over a moderate heat until just beginning to get crispy and the bacon fat has rendered down slightly. Remove the bacon and thyme with a slotted spoon and drain on absorbent kitchen paper. Discard the thyme. Leave the remaining oil in the frying pan.</span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fOc7YEgWEkY/WFGwqxnzYdI/AAAAAAAAMxg/3Qg3QIZRfhgD_u9aPWH4WoOFGus1cviIQCEw/s1600/15542020_1235552176510479_3698011463561141702_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fOc7YEgWEkY/WFGwqxnzYdI/AAAAAAAAMxg/3Qg3QIZRfhgD_u9aPWH4WoOFGus1cviIQCEw/s320/15542020_1235552176510479_3698011463561141702_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Add loads of Dubliner Vintage</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Add the chopped onions and brussels sprouts to the frying pan. Add the rest of the olive oil to the pan and let everything fry gently over a moderate-to-low heat for approximately 10 minutes until the onion is translucent but not coloured and the brussels sprouts are beginning to soften.</span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Return the bacon to the pan and add the beaten eggs. Give the mixture a gentle stir so that the ingredients are evenly distributed. Sprinkle over the cubes of </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Dubliner Vintage</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> and let the frittata cook over a gentle heat for approximately 12-15 minutes until the eggs have set around the edges but are still slightly wobbly in the centre.</span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Place the whole frying pan under a hot grill for 3-5 minutes until the frittata puffs up slightly and turns a light golden brown colour. Remove and allow cool in the frying pan for 5 minutes before upturning onto a large plate and serving cut into wedges.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Serves 4-6 depending on appetite.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Rwrw543cx4Y/WFGwrKJS7ZI/AAAAAAAAMxk/UEhVDKviG1YuINtmmRHGnxfFOj7z_ox1ACEw/s1600/15542253_1235550256510671_9051188594702631049_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Rwrw543cx4Y/WFGwrKJS7ZI/AAAAAAAAMxk/UEhVDKviG1YuINtmmRHGnxfFOj7z_ox1ACEw/s320/15542253_1235550256510671_9051188594702631049_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brussels Sprout & Dubliner Vintage Frittata</td></tr>
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</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17431495084119577263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4887314893712781142.post-3219576126447727142016-12-09T12:15:00.000-08:002016-12-09T12:15:43.305-08:00Culinary Escape: Maryborough Hotel & Spa, Douglas, County Cork<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IE;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></span></span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IE;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kZ112MqObyE/WEsNPOsHQsI/AAAAAAAAMvw/foumJgg9P_Yyt0QOkeesGiC7vDpeqUWkACEw/s1600/Pineapple%2BCarpaccio%2B4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-kZ112MqObyE/WEsNPOsHQsI/AAAAAAAAMvw/foumJgg9P_Yyt0QOkeesGiC7vDpeqUWkACEw/s400/Pineapple%2BCarpaccio%2B4.jpg" width="400" /></a></span></span></span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IE;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">There is something for everyone at the </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Maryborough Hotel & Spa</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> located in Douglas, County Cork as I was to find out on my recent visit there. The hotel oozes elegance and is the perfect place to check in to if you are in search of some much-needed rest and relaxation but it is also close enough to Cork City if you fancy a spot of retail therapy or some sight-seeing. A chance to unwind in comfortable surroundings was my main aim and I was looking forward to casting aside some of the stresses and strains of everyday life during my short break away.</span></span></span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IE;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span lang="EN" style="color: #666666; font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><div dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-d8d0eec1-e51a-6472-88b5-f0199959a53a" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1QzUtoPfyYU/WEsNNo3cF6I/AAAAAAAAMvQ/D5xWtTXuOjo8exOk1bCbm4C4-7HsBj5qQCEw/s1600/Maryborough%2BExterior.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="319" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-1QzUtoPfyYU/WEsNNo3cF6I/AAAAAAAAMvQ/D5xWtTXuOjo8exOk1bCbm4C4-7HsBj5qQCEw/s320/Maryborough%2BExterior.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maryborough entrance</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The hotel comprises two buildings; Maryborough House, a 300 year old listed Georgian building and an interconnecting modern wing where many of the guest rooms and the hotel’s award winning spa are located. Maryborough was first opened as a hotel in 1998 and is considered one of the best in Ireland. It was awarded </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">AA Hotel of the Year for 2015</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> and under the care and attention of owners Dan and Jo O’Sullivan it continues to go from strength-to-strength.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #666666;">Maryborough Hotel is set in well-matured grounds with large trees and shrubbery surrounding the beautifully manicured and well-kept lawns. If I hadn’t known otherwise, I would have thought that I was in the middle of the countryside and not the heart of suburbia a short distance from the centre of Ireland’s second city.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5BX-z-N1TXk/WEsNOVOkvvI/AAAAAAAAMvY/FEj-kC07ZBQhe9V0dze4Q4PgdesDgYLsACEw/s1600/Maryborough%2BGrounds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5BX-z-N1TXk/WEsNOVOkvvI/AAAAAAAAMvY/FEj-kC07ZBQhe9V0dze4Q4PgdesDgYLsACEw/s320/Maryborough%2BGrounds.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maryborough grounds</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #666666;">After checking in, I was shown to my second floor executive room in the newer part of the hotel. The room was spacious and contained a large comfortable looking bed. The well-sized bathroom was kitted out with every mod con and I was looking forward to having a soothing soak in the bath later in the evening. I was also thrilled to discover that the room had its own private balcony looking out onto the back of the historic manor house. I had a couple of hours to spare before dinner so decided to sit out, sipping on a glass of the complimentary wine that had been left in my room along with some macarons and homemade shortbread biscuits which I nibbled on.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The hotel’s </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Bellini Restaurant </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">has been awarded 2 AA Rosettes and is renowned for the quality of food on offer. The restaurant is surprisingly large but due to some clever architectural planning and Art Deco inspired interiors it has a lovely sophisticated and intimate feel. It struck me that this would be the perfect place for a romantic meal.</span></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x7GPWVe4wIo/WEsNL5D8ciI/AAAAAAAAMus/HGMehSFSPnQUwZvxpwxVp7dOrZkfWcy3QCEw/s1600/Bread%2BSelection%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="319" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x7GPWVe4wIo/WEsNL5D8ciI/AAAAAAAAMus/HGMehSFSPnQUwZvxpwxVp7dOrZkfWcy3QCEw/s320/Bread%2BSelection%2B2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bread Selection</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Joining me for dinner was an old school friend who lives nearby and we each ordered an </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Alternative Bellini </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">(€12) made with gin, peach and raspberry purées, lime and sugar syrup from the cocktails listed and chatted together, catching up on all the news. We then turned our attention to the menu and decided on what to eat. The menu has been carefully designed to showcase seasonal ingredients from local suppliers who include Macroom Buffalo Cheese, Goatsbridge, Bluebell Falls and the English Market. We had little difficulty choosing from the array of tasty dishes on offer.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">A </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Bread Selection </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">was first to arrive and included white sourdough, a traditional soda bread and a particularly delicious tomato and fennel seed bread. These were served with a vibrantly coloured homemade pesto and Irish butter topped with nigella seeds - an unusual and rather addictive addition that I really liked.</span></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mo-rhulNdJ8/WEsNQOGgG_I/AAAAAAAAMwE/-2gHW3qJDI8hmH7nzHHK9TF3pYF29SnXgCEw/s1600/Scallops.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mo-rhulNdJ8/WEsNQOGgG_I/AAAAAAAAMwE/-2gHW3qJDI8hmH7nzHHK9TF3pYF29SnXgCEw/s320/Scallops.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scallops</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">My starter of </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Pan Seared Fresh Atlantic Scallops, Watercress and Spring Onion, Potato Rosti, Black Garlic Aioli</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> (€12.50) was a beautiful looking dish with three plump scallops which had been pan-seared to perfection with a caramelised exterior giving way to tenderness inside. Paired with a watercress and spring onion purée , crispy potato rosti and a punchy black garlic aioli, this dish was a delight to eat. My guest’s </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Boneless Roast Baby Quail, Soft Herb Mousseline, Caramelised Peaches, Micro Basil </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">(€11.00) was another excellent dish and one that it would have been so easy to get wrong. The main body of the quail was stuffed with a well-flavoured, velvety smooth mousse and served alongside the bird’s confited legs. The accompanying caramelised peaches cut through the overall richness of the dish.</span></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--XOMyN8EL3Q/WEsNPi_yQ7I/AAAAAAAAMv4/y0cJUbI9MFAMK8cK6SKG4x20ipCyExw8gCEw/s1600/Quail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--XOMyN8EL3Q/WEsNPi_yQ7I/AAAAAAAAMv4/y0cJUbI9MFAMK8cK6SKG4x20ipCyExw8gCEw/s320/Quail.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quail</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Next up were our main courses. My </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Pan Seared Sea Bass Fillets, Broccoli and Yuzu Purée, Steamed Prawn Dumplings, Prawn Bisque</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> (€26.50) was a fabulous dish full of interesting flavour combinations where east met west in a way that made sense on the plate. Two sizeable pieces of expertly cooked sea bass were served alongside a single ravioli stuffed with finely chopped prawn meat and a enticingly fragrant broccoli and yuzu purée. Yuzu is a small Japanese citrus fruit that tastes like a cross between clementine and grapefruit. It was inventively paired here with the broccoli to create a silky smooth accompaniment to the fish. I loved it.</span></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bik0uil500o/WEsNQKm_jrI/AAAAAAAAMwI/Tbeu1zS39mcPRaa-01MyjUGINbaSYL4BgCEw/s1600/Sea%2BBass%2B4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bik0uil500o/WEsNQKm_jrI/AAAAAAAAMwI/Tbeu1zS39mcPRaa-01MyjUGINbaSYL4BgCEw/s320/Sea%2BBass%2B4.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sea Bass</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">My guest’s</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Skeaghanore West Cork Duck Breast, Rhubarb Purée, Carrot Textures, Walnut Granola, Braised Beluga Lentils, Five Spice, Balsamic Jus</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> (€29.00) was an outstanding dish that looked absolutely beautiful. This was, for both of us, the dish of the evening. The duck had been cooked perfectly and literally melted in the mouth and was delicious with the braised lentils. Baby carrots sat on a little puddles of carrot purée whilst a slightly sharp rhubarb purée added some much needed acidity to the plate. Everything was brought together by a scattering of walnut granola and a deeply rich sauce made with Chinese five spice and balsamic vinegar.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">We ordered a side of</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Steamed Market Greens, Soy, Sesame & Mirin Glaze</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> (€4) which echoed the oriental flavours that appeared on both our main course dishes.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">We decided to share a dessert and were both delighted with the freshness and palate cleansing properties of the colourful looking </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Pineapple Carpaccio with Coconut Ice-Cream</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> (€7) with its scattering of jewel like pomegranate seeds. This was a simple dish but the perfect finish to a very enjoyable meal.</span></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gE1EtNkBTkw/WEsNM6Jyp3I/AAAAAAAAMvA/W6Rzsqrl19QJ75gIhakeFKMeHgGN8AgtQCEw/s1600/Duck.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="319" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gE1EtNkBTkw/WEsNM6Jyp3I/AAAAAAAAMvA/W6Rzsqrl19QJ75gIhakeFKMeHgGN8AgtQCEw/s320/Duck.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Duck</td></tr>
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T<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #666666;">he menu in Bellini’s Restaurant has been cleverly crafted and manages to strike a balance between old-favourites and contemporary dishes which use experimental flavours and ingredients. I was pleased to see that quite a few of the dishes on the menu are gluten-free and suitable for coeliacs.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The Maryborough has an impressive wine list with many available by the glass. From it we chose a</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Chablis AC Domaine Charly Nicolle</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> (€9.50 per glass) which was dry with an underlying steely minerality that went particularly well with my sea bass main.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">After our meal we retired to the adjoining </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Bellini’s Bar</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> for a night cap before saying our goodbyes. I headed back up to my room and after a long soak in the bath, feeling well-fed, happy and relaxed I climbed into my large bed and had one of the best night’s sleep that I have had in a long time.</span></span></span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t5L6prM5nrg/WEsNM-xWtmI/AAAAAAAAMvE/VnoyCesyXAI6GG99naC-knYNXede1likACEw/s1600/Eggs%2BBenedict%2Bfor%2BBreakfast%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-t5L6prM5nrg/WEsNM-xWtmI/AAAAAAAAMvE/VnoyCesyXAI6GG99naC-knYNXede1likACEw/s320/Eggs%2BBenedict%2Bfor%2BBreakfast%2B2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eggs Benedict</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The following morning I made my way down to breakfast in the restaurant. In addition to an impressive buffet selection which included breads, cold meats, cereal, cheese and fruit there was also a cooked breakfast menu. Although seriously tempted by the Stacked Pancakes, I eventually decided on my all-time favourite breakfast dish - </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Eggs Benedict</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> which unsurprisingly, given the wonderful quality of the food I had already eaten during my stay, was excellent. Washed down with loads of strong hot tea, I felt ready to face the day ahead.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #666666;">The hotel also has a spa with a cool, contemporary feel which provides a haven of tranquillity for guests. A number of spa treatments and are on offer and facilities include a rock sauna, vitality pool, heated lounges, lifestyle showers and an ice fountain. I didn't get the chance to visit Maryborough’s Spa on this visit but had previously tried out some of the treatments on offer and can confirm that it is well worth booking into.</span></span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uHT0Af9idqc/WEsNQnwf3RI/AAAAAAAAMwM/sr91OaudiNMb9vWIQKdKE-ftiXs1YKhNQCEw/s1600/Toast%2B%2526%2BMarmalade%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uHT0Af9idqc/WEsNQnwf3RI/AAAAAAAAMwM/sr91OaudiNMb9vWIQKdKE-ftiXs1YKhNQCEw/s320/Toast%2B%2526%2BMarmalade%2B2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Toast & Marmalade</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #666666;">I loved every moment of my short break at the Maryborough Hotel & Spa. Everything that you could possibly want is close at hand… and I felt no need to venture out, preferring instead to relax in the comfortable lounge areas and sample the wonderful food and facilities on offer. You really feel like you are a much cherished guest. Nothing is too much trouble and staff are incredibly friendly and helpful, keen to make sure that you enjoy the whole experience.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Maryborough Hotel & Spa</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Maryborough Hill</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Douglas</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">County Cork</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Telephone</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">: 0214365555</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Website</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">:</span><a href="http://www.maryborough.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: blue; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">www.maryborough.com</span></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aStk0q2M17w/WEsNOZDJjpI/AAAAAAAAMvg/-7grzcAI2_AAuS5YmfqR26cWkbfSWjQ-gCEw/s1600/Maryborough%2BInterior%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-aStk0q2M17w/WEsNOZDJjpI/AAAAAAAAMvg/-7grzcAI2_AAuS5YmfqR26cWkbfSWjQ-gCEw/s320/Maryborough%2BInterior%2B2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maryborough Hotel & Spa</td></tr>
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</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17431495084119577263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4887314893712781142.post-5305929314532567382016-12-07T10:53:00.000-08:002016-12-07T10:53:09.313-08:00Recipe: Blackberry & Damson Meringue Roulade<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3xk88cBLaXg/WEhXLSLZJgI/AAAAAAAAMuM/Eppnx75ms2Mk7Y_CF4rq_ptwrRTWwk2IgCEw/s1600/Meringue%2BRoulade%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3xk88cBLaXg/WEhXLSLZJgI/AAAAAAAAMuM/Eppnx75ms2Mk7Y_CF4rq_ptwrRTWwk2IgCEw/s400/Meringue%2BRoulade%2B3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IE;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span lang="EN" style="color: #666666; font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #666666;">The ability to make meringue is one of the key skills in any home cook’s repertoire and once you have mastered it you will be whipping up all manner of delectable desserts. Think Pavlova, Queen of Puddings etc. I also like to make meringue roulades which always look stunning. I must have made hundreds of pavlovas and meringue roulades over the years and they still remain the most requested thing that I cook or bake.</span></span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IE;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span lang="EN" style="color: #666666; font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b style="font-weight: normal;">
</b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IE;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span lang="EN" style="color: #666666; font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">INGREDIENTS:</span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IE;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span lang="EN" style="color: #666666; font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b style="font-weight: normal;">
</b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IE;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span lang="EN" style="color: #666666; font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Meringue Roulade:</span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IE;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span lang="EN" style="color: #666666; font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b style="font-weight: normal;">
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">4 large egg whites</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">225g caster sugar</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">50g flaked almonds</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Damson, Blackberry & Port Compote:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">6-8 damsons, stoned and chopped into 3cm chunks</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">150g fresh (or frozen) blackberries</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">50g caster sugar</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">50ml port</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">To Finish:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">A little icing sugar</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">250ml fresh cream, whipped</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span> </div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IdxnZcFrroc/WEhXLSOelCI/AAAAAAAAMuE/F2DIR7Ir5LIjf8GT4xc2P9fR37JVYT2nQCEw/s1600/14595674_1189398451125852_8442899649992104268_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IdxnZcFrroc/WEhXLSOelCI/AAAAAAAAMuE/F2DIR7Ir5LIjf8GT4xc2P9fR37JVYT2nQCEw/s320/14595674_1189398451125852_8442899649992104268_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">METHOD:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Meringue Roulade:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Preheat the oven to Fan Oven to 180C/Fan Oven 160C/Gas Mark 4.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Line a large swiss-roll tray/tin (33cm x 24cms approximately with non-stick baking parchment and set aside.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Place the egg whites into a large spotlessly clean mixing bowl and using a hand-held electric mixer beat until the mixture forms stiff peaks.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Add in the sugar gradually, mixing well after each addition to create a stiff and glossy meringue.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Spread the mixture into the prepared tray and sprinkle over the flaked almonds.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes until lightly browned and then remove and allow to cool in the tin.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Damson, Blackberry & Port Compote:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Place all the ingredients in a small saucepan over a moderate to low heat and heat until the sugar has dissolved. Increase the heat marginally an cool until the mixture reduces slightly and becomes jammy (about 10 minutes or so). Remove from the heat and set aside to cool completely.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><u></u></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><u>To Finish:</u></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Upturn the cooled meringue roulade onto a large sheet of non-stick baking parchment dusted with icing sugar so that the almond side is facing down.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Spoon over the cooled compote and spread out evenly. Spread the freshly whipped cream on top of the compote.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Roll up the roulade from one short end to the other in one fluid motion using the baking parchment to assist. Carefully transfer the roulade to a serving plate and refrigerate for half an hour before serving.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Serves 8-10.</span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4HzWWkRyisE/WEhXMZDfX_I/AAAAAAAAMuQ/Cs6lfQhPBd8iev8AFbn7ZA5iISprrD9JwCEw/s1600/Meringue%2BRoulade%2B5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="319" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4HzWWkRyisE/WEhXMZDfX_I/AAAAAAAAMuQ/Cs6lfQhPBd8iev8AFbn7ZA5iISprrD9JwCEw/s320/Meringue%2BRoulade%2B5.jpg" style="cursor: move;" unselectable="on" width="320" /></a></div>
</b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17431495084119577263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4887314893712781142.post-9802177032320062842016-12-05T15:04:00.000-08:002016-12-05T15:04:14.660-08:00Recipe: Cranberry Glazed Ring Doughnuts<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gIXDhwYGP1c/WEXt7XYwBcI/AAAAAAAAMto/15mscMV4yKw_1rPEgaBuX89gQx-wWVzFgCEw/s1600/Cranberry%2BDoughnuts%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gIXDhwYGP1c/WEXt7XYwBcI/AAAAAAAAMto/15mscMV4yKw_1rPEgaBuX89gQx-wWVzFgCEw/s400/Cranberry%2BDoughnuts%2B2.jpg" width="400" /></a><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IE;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Words cannot describe how delicious these doughnuts are… every time I make them, they are devoured by the hungry hoards at home within minutes. The doughnuts themselves are light with a slightly chewy crumb and are surprisingly easy to make. All that is required is the weighing out of the ingredients, a little mixing and some kneading. The finished doughnuts can be coated in cinnamon sugar or if you fancy going all out – as I have done - you can glaze them.</span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IE;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">With the festive season rapidly approaching, I decided to make a simple icing using seasonal fresh cranberries. The resulting colour is stunning and is achieved without ANY artificial colouring… it’s all completely down to the cranberries!</span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IE;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">NOTE: Unlike a lot of recipes using yeast, plain flour rather than strong bread flour is used.</span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IE;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span lang="EN" style="color: #666666; font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b style="font-weight: normal;">
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v0eFWyE_Dw8/WEXt7gLQO7I/AAAAAAAAMts/ZqdkY1MFFsQuTKCDF2oBoEbU56PhFu5LwCEw/s1600/Cranberry%2BDoughnuts%2B4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v0eFWyE_Dw8/WEXt7gLQO7I/AAAAAAAAMts/ZqdkY1MFFsQuTKCDF2oBoEbU56PhFu5LwCEw/s320/Cranberry%2BDoughnuts%2B4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">INGREDIENTS:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Doughnuts:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">450g plain flour</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">30g caster sugar</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Finely grated zest of 1 lemon</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">½ tsp salt</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">75g butter cubed</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">15g fresh yeast (or 7g dried yeast)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">225ml water</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Vegetable oil for deep-frying</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Cranberry Glaze:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">150g fresh (or frozen cranberries)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">25g caster sugar</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">100ml water</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">1tsp liquid glucose</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">250g – 300g icing sugar</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Alternative: Cinnamon Sugar</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">50g caster sugar</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">1tsp ground cinnamon</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tdol6Is97UI/WEXt7SsQs6I/AAAAAAAAMtk/QRrymmyIaCoXd5fVRIO0uDpeyGdxkgnuACEw/s1600/15219404_1214039748661722_4912467213156870114_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="319" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tdol6Is97UI/WEXt7SsQs6I/AAAAAAAAMtk/QRrymmyIaCoXd5fVRIO0uDpeyGdxkgnuACEw/s320/15219404_1214039748661722_4912467213156870114_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">METHOD:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Doughnuts:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Place the flour, caster sugar, lemon zest and salt in a large mixing bowl and stir everything with your hands to distribute evenly. Add the butter and rub into the flour using your fingertips. Crumble in the fresh yeast (or sprinkle in the fresh yeast) and mix everything with your hands again to distribute. Add the water and mix with your hands to form a soft dough.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Turn the dough out onto a clean work-surface and knead for ten minutes until the dough is smooth and springs back when lightly poked with your finger. Form into a ball and place in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with cling film and set aside to rise for about an hour or until doubled in size.</span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Tip the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface and knock back. Roll out until it is about 1cm thick. Using a 8-10cm plain pastry cutter, cut out rounds from the dough. Use a smaller cutter (about 2cms in diameter) to stamp out centres. Gather together any off-cuts and repeat until all the dough has been used up. Place onto a large baking tray lined with some non-stick baking parchment. Cover loosely with some lightly oiled cling film and set aside to rise again for approximately 45 minutes or until doubled in size.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Heat some vegetable oil in a deep-fat fryer. Once it has reached 170C, fry the doughnuts in batches for about 4 minutes, turning them over half-way through so that both sides are a deep golden brown colour and the doughnuts have puffed up.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Remove with a slotted spoon and allow to drain on some absorbent kitchen paper. Roll in Cinnamon Sugar or top with the Cranberry Glaze.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Cranberry Glaze:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Place the cranberries, caster sugar and water in a small saucepan over a moderate heat and bring up to simmering point. After a couple of minutes you will hear the cranberries popping and releasing their juices. Allow to cook for a further 3-4 minutes until the cranberries have broken down and a jammy consistency has been achieved.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Pass the cranberry mixture through a sieve into a clean mixing bowl and discard any solids that are collected in the sieve.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Mix in the liquid glucose followed by the icing sugar using a small whisk to create a smooth, but not too runny icing (NOTE: you may not need all the icing sugar).</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Dip one side of each cooked and cooled doughnut into the glaze and set aside (glaze-side up) to set.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Cinnamon Sugar:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Mix the caster sugar and cinnamon together and sprinkle into the bottom of a large flat bowl.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Toss the cooked doughnuts in the sugar immediately whilst still warm.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Makes 16 doughnuts (Glaze recipe makes enough to cover 16 doughnuts).</span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g8gt0UI_ono/WEXt70RFtFI/AAAAAAAAMt0/t-1TyH2xTEkRHAQYTfEUrhhUbd590eWOwCEw/s1600/Cranberry%2BDoughnuts%2B8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-g8gt0UI_ono/WEXt70RFtFI/AAAAAAAAMt0/t-1TyH2xTEkRHAQYTfEUrhhUbd590eWOwCEw/s320/Cranberry%2BDoughnuts%2B8.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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</b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17431495084119577263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4887314893712781142.post-48036134231006955862016-12-04T13:56:00.001-08:002016-12-04T13:56:46.413-08:00Restaurant Review: Greenes Restaurant, MacCurtain Street, Cork<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mEEfO0Nl-gE/WESPqINQiSI/AAAAAAAAMtE/jgriVIwBXlAGx0lG-0BW2aMhS3TpB_AOQCEw/s1600/Woodruff%2BSet%2BCream%2BPudding%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mEEfO0Nl-gE/WESPqINQiSI/AAAAAAAAMtE/jgriVIwBXlAGx0lG-0BW2aMhS3TpB_AOQCEw/s400/Woodruff%2BSet%2BCream%2BPudding%2B2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IE;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #666666;">Dining out can be expensive but it is something that I enjoy tremendously and a passion that I have been lucky enough to continue to indulge. During the height of the recession many restaurants changed their pricing structures and also started using cheaper ingredients in new and inventive ways in an effort to reduce costs and provide competitively priced menus. Lunch can often be a good option for those seeking a fine-dining experience at a reasonable price and a way to sample the food on offer in some of Ireland’s top restaurants at a fraction of the cost, as I found out recently.</span></span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IE;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span lang="EN" style="color: #666666; font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">During my recent visit to Cork I decided to have lunch at </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Greenes Restaurant</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> in the heart of the city. The restaurant is located down a small laneway just off MacCurtain Street at the end of which is a wonderful waterfall. The sound of trickling water had an almost hypnotic appeal and was a thoroughly unexpected feature to find in the middle of the bustling city.</span></span></span><span style="color: #666666;">
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #666666;"></span></span><span style="color: #666666;"> </span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kjrW1cSM0LQ/WESPpzHPBCI/AAAAAAAAMs8/8nNDxirlaPsSIbug9Tg6ltO_hl0QcHJXACEw/s1600/Viognier.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kjrW1cSM0LQ/WESPpzHPBCI/AAAAAAAAMs8/8nNDxirlaPsSIbug9Tg6ltO_hl0QcHJXACEw/s320/Viognier.jpg" width="319" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Viognier</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #666666;">Once inside I was greeted warmly and shown to my table in the elegantly designed dining room. Dining alone, I was delighted to be seated beside a window looking out onto the waterfall and an outside dining area –which I imagine is a popular al fresco dining spot when the weather allows.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #666666;"></span></span><span style="color: #666666;"> </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #666666;">The room has a formal feel with white linen tablecloths but a sensitive touch on the interior decoration front has resulted in a room that is sophisticated and comfortable without feeling austere. Colourful artworks hang on the walls and add a welcome burst of colour to the muted tones that predominate.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Head Chef Bryan McCarthy has created an interesting Set Lunch Menu which is served from 12.30pm to 2.30pm each day and offers phenomenal value for money at</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> 2 courses for €21.50 or 3 courses for €24.50</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">. I grazed on a flavoursome and wonderfully moist brown soda bread as I examined the menu in greater detail. All the dishes sounded tempting and after dithering over which starter to go for I asked my waitress whether it would be possible to order two and pay for the extra order in addition to the set price. This did not present a problem.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #666666;"></span></span><span style="color: #666666;"> </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-otSksMWkt8s/WESPougMI6I/AAAAAAAAMsk/QKTkTSxTWuo41bwUbmxncZuvvXJsL3I9wCEw/s1600/Goat%2527s%2BCheese%2B%2526%2BBeetroot%2B4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="319" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-otSksMWkt8s/WESPougMI6I/AAAAAAAAMsk/QKTkTSxTWuo41bwUbmxncZuvvXJsL3I9wCEw/s320/Goat%2527s%2BCheese%2B%2526%2BBeetroot%2B4.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Goat's Cheese, Beetroot</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The first of my starters to arrive was the beautiful looking </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Goat’s Cheese, Beetroot, Walnut, Raisin</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> which comprised breadcrumbed goat’s cheese bonbons with a lovely crunchy coating and beetroot in a number of guises, including a light-as-air espuma, a purée and lightly pickled cubes of beetroot. The accompanying golden raisins upped the ante and added a wonderful fruitiness to the dish that contrasted nicely against the lactic tang of the goat’s cheese. The dish was finished with an artfully placed thinly slice sourdough crouton.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #666666;"></span></span><span style="color: #666666;"> </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">My next starter – </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Pork Belly, Black Pudding, Apple, Celeriac, Cider</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> – was another excellent dish and a real crowd-pleaser. A generous cube of meltingly tender pork belly was served on a delicate looking remoulade made from impossibly fine strings of celeriac mixed in piquant dressing that I found totally irresistible. Thin batons of apple added freshness to the plate whilst puffed pork crackling which resembled little pearls were scattered on top adding textural contrast. A slightly sharp apple purée was a perfect counterfoil to the rich meatiness of the pork and the accompanying balls of breadcrumbed black pudding.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #666666;"></span></span><span style="color: #666666;"> </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_6P-FNoy6FU/WESPpkfg7LI/AAAAAAAAMs0/Xt6C_PGzQyEPFN5ONXzewIrklDeIQlZ1QCEw/s1600/Pork%2BBelly%252C%2BBlack%2BPudding%2B4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_6P-FNoy6FU/WESPpkfg7LI/AAAAAAAAMs0/Xt6C_PGzQyEPFN5ONXzewIrklDeIQlZ1QCEw/s320/Pork%2BBelly%252C%2BBlack%2BPudding%2B4.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pork Belly</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">For my main course I decided to go for the </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Hake Fillet, Sea Vegetables, Seaweed, Smoked Sausage, Dashi Cream</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> which I felt would be a lighter option after my two starters. When the sizeable piece of expertly cooked fish arrived I was seriously worried that I would struggle to finish the dish. The marvellously fresh fish was a delight to eat being cooked just to the point of being done which was no mean feat considering the thickness of the piece I was served. It tasted wonderful with the umami rich dashi cream which contrasted nicely with the smokiness of the little cubes of Morteau sausage and the saline freshness of the sea vegetables that had also been used.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #666666;"></span></span><span style="color: #666666;"> </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I decided to treat myself to a glass of </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Le Petit Balthazar Viognier (€7)</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> which I chose from the restaurant’s well stocked wine list. The Viognier was perfect with my hake and had a lovely pale yellow colour and was a balanced, slightly fruity wine.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #666666;"></span></span><span style="color: #666666;"> </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z2f5KqhbWG4/WESPqeTcJcI/AAAAAAAAMtI/p07JknwpWhUSaACyYUsr3Mh5KquxfdD1QCEw/s1600/Woodruff%2BSet%2BCream%2BPudding%2B5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="319" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Z2f5KqhbWG4/WESPqeTcJcI/AAAAAAAAMtI/p07JknwpWhUSaACyYUsr3Mh5KquxfdD1QCEw/s320/Woodruff%2BSet%2BCream%2BPudding%2B5.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Woodruff Set Cream Pudding</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I didn’t think things could get any better but the </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Woodruff Set Cream Pudding</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> is right up there for my dessert of the year. The set cream was in reality a panna cotta by another name and was one of the best versions of this ubiquitous dessert that I have ever tasted. The panna cotta was gently flavoured with woodruff, a wild herb which isn’t grown commercially and is usually foraged. It was served with a refreshing yoghurt sorbet and tangy blackcurrant gel. This was pudding heaven for me.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #666666;">I was pleased to finally have the chance to dine in Greenes Restaurant. Bryan McCarthy’s cooking is rooted in the French classics but brought bang-up-to-date with the use of foraged ingredients. He employs modern cooking techniques but this is never just for show or at the expense of the food on offer. I couldn’t believe how little the meal cost for the quality of food that I ate. I plan on visiting again soon because food like this should be experienced whenever you get the chance.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><strong>Greenes Restaurant</strong></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">48 MacCurtain Street</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Cork City</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Telephone:</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> 0214500011</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Website:</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><a href="http://www.greenesrestaurant.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">www.greenesrestaurant.com</span></a><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Greenes Restaurant</td></tr>
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</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17431495084119577263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4887314893712781142.post-34243257786084042032016-12-03T03:26:00.000-08:002016-12-03T03:26:00.292-08:00Restaurant Review: Wine & Brine, Moira, County Armagh<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I9EcjFllReY/WEKqIJpJa_I/AAAAAAAAMrk/wRb7GECEX84P9Xpvqwdi06BjeQu-FlchACEw/s1600/Crispy%2BHen%2527s%2BEgg%2B4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-I9EcjFllReY/WEKqIJpJa_I/AAAAAAAAMrk/wRb7GECEX84P9Xpvqwdi06BjeQu-FlchACEw/s400/Crispy%2BHen%2527s%2BEgg%2B4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IE;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Wine & Brine</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> located on the Main Street in Moira, County Armagh celebrates its first birthday on </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">5 December</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> but despite its infancy it was recently awarded a </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Michelin </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Bib Gourmand and the title of Best Local Restaurant in the UK according to the </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Waitrose Good Food Guide</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> for 2017.</span></span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="color: #666666;"> </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The restaurant was opened by </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Head Chef Chris McGowan</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> and his wife Davina at the tail end of 2015 quickly establishing itself as one of Northern Ireland’s ‘must-visit’ restaurants. I have been looking forward to trying out the food for myself and finally had the opportunity to do so recently.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rMsWac7XjDE/WEKqHcjnKxI/AAAAAAAAMrY/4pQ9hZRp5WgJ4SoC7UHwe102yljPuV1WwCEw/s1600/Cods%2BCheeks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="319" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rMsWac7XjDE/WEKqHcjnKxI/AAAAAAAAMrY/4pQ9hZRp5WgJ4SoC7UHwe102yljPuV1WwCEw/s320/Cods%2BCheeks.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cod Cheeks</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">McGowan is a chef with a serious culinary pedigree. Before returning to Northern Ireland and opening Wine & Brine, he worked for twenty years in London with top chefs such as the legendary Pierre Koffmann at La Tante Claire, Bruno Loubet, Gary Rhodes and for over a decade with County Meath born chef Richard Corrigan in his Mayfair restaurant. In fact, Corrigan’s nose-to-tail philosophy has had a huge influence on McGowan and is something that is evident throughout the menu in Wine & Brine.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="color: #666666;"> </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The Georgian building which houses the restaurant has been lovingly refurbished but still retains many of its period features. The building looks compact from the outside but opens up Tardis-like into a surprisingly large space. At the front is a well-stocked bar which leads into the spacious dining room and to the side is an open kitchen where McGowan works his magic producing food that you will just want to get stuck in and eat.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Black Pudding Sausage Roll</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The room has a contemporary but relaxed feel to it and once settled at our dark wooden table beside the blue leather banquette seating we ordered a gin and tonic each. We both decided to go for gins from Northern Irish craft distilleries; </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Boatyard</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> for me and </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Shortcross</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> for my companion and we happily sipped away and examined the menu.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The menu is divided into four sections and includes Snacks, Starters, Main Courses and Desserts. We quickly decided to order some of the Snacks which we asked to be served together. Within a short time our table was laden with three of the dishes on offer. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Bread, Curd, Brown Butter</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> (£3.50) which included superior wheaten bread with a rather curious, but tasty, sweetness to it and a small round ‘bloomer’ loaf which was served sliced in two. These were served along with wonderful goat’s curd and a large pat of almost nutty tasting brown butter. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Cod Cheeks, Oyster Mayo</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> (£4.50) was also delicious. They were cooked simply - lightly breadcrumbed before being deep-fried and served in a bowl alongside a wonderful oyster mayonnaise. I first tasted oyster mayonnaise in a Galway restaurant at the beginning of the year and with its underlying minerality and fresh taste of the sea it is something that I have become addicted to. It was the perfect accompaniment to the plump and juicy cod cheeks.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">As soon as we saw the </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Homemade Black Pudding Sausage Rolls, House Ketchup</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> (£5) listed on the menu we knew that we had to order them! Three bite-sized sausage rolls were served with a flavoursome homemade tomato ketchup which mercifully, unlike commercially produced versions, was not over-sweetened but retained a certain acidity that cut through the richness of the deeply meaty sausage rolls. The snacks are designed to share and between the two of us we polished off the lot and sat in happy anticipation waiting for our starters to arrive.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pumpkin Risotto</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">My starter - </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Crispy Hen’s Egg, Salt Cod, Pulled Ham Knuckle</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> (£7) was another full-flavoured dish comprising a soft-boiled egg that had been breadcrumbed and deep-fried, sitting on a purée of salt cod underneath which was hidden some meaty strands of pulled ham knuckle. This was a beautifully presented dish which was all about contrasts; the softness of the salt cod against the crunchy breadcrumb coating of the egg and the rich creamy yolk. I loved it.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">My companion’s </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Pumpkin Risotto, Beef Short Rib</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> (£5.50) was comfort food heaven in a bowl; full of punchy flavours and soothing textures. I particular loved the combination of the melt-in-the-mouth beef with the nutty sweetness of the pumpkin. This is the sort of food that I find impossible to resist and I kept leaning across the table to steal the odd forkful much, I imagine, to the irritation of my dining companion.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6eXTFByM4QU/WEKqICXHYoI/AAAAAAAAMrs/6PzI26oXdZMLsEWhUuJELtI1NTvH8mKJQCEw/s1600/Halibut%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="319" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6eXTFByM4QU/WEKqICXHYoI/AAAAAAAAMrs/6PzI26oXdZMLsEWhUuJELtI1NTvH8mKJQCEw/s320/Halibut%2B2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Halibut</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Main courses kept up the comfort food theme. My </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Pan-Roasted Wild Halibut, Cockles, Cured Bacon</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> (£20) was a striking looking dish which included two large pieces of perfectly cooked halibut served with tender-stem broccoli which was served steamed as a garnish on top of the fish and as a vibrant looking sauce. I also detected a gentle taste of garlic in the sauce and initially thought that it had been made using wild garlic but either way it married beautifully with the salty bacon lardons and the sweetness of the cockles to create a dish which was profoundly satisfying.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Across the table </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Pheasant, Sprout Tops, Chestnut, Bacon</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> (£16) was going down a treat. Pheasant has a tendency to dry out during cooking but here it had been sensitively handled and was still succulent. A velvety smooth chestnut purée and an almost sticky jus accentuated rather than swamped the flavour of the pheasant and both were fabulous eaten with the wilted sprout tops. This was a hearty dish but one that felt sophisticated.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FsWzxs_LQdY/WEKqIiil9WI/AAAAAAAAMr4/NVc_G1IgYtYcBHeCGfogypM9_8oJ6n4tQCEw/s1600/Pheasant%2B4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FsWzxs_LQdY/WEKqIiil9WI/AAAAAAAAMr4/NVc_G1IgYtYcBHeCGfogypM9_8oJ6n4tQCEw/s320/Pheasant%2B4.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pheasant</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Although well sated at this stage, we decided to sample a couple of the desserts. As a huge lover of anything containing lemon, I quickly decided on the </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Lemon Curd, Basil, Meringue</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> (£6) which had been artfully plated and looked sensational. Essentially this was Wine & Brine’s take on a classic lemon meringue pie with added interest provided by a drizzle of basil sauce and an intensely flavoured lemon gel.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Rhubarb Soufflé, Vanilla</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> (£7) was one of the best desserts I have had this year. The soufflé is made to order and arrived to our table standing proud. With appropriate pomp and ceremony, our waitress made a hole in the top of the soufflé and popped in a quenelle of vanilla ice-cream. Crème Anglaise was also served on the side and this also made its way into the soufflé. We spent the next few minutes savouring every last bite of this heavenly dessert which managed to evoke all the tastes of the very best rhubarb crumble. This was a wonderful finish to our meal.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O3OuLiThMvY/WEKqI1uojSI/AAAAAAAAMsE/PQb0e5_B3hgqtCsnvsbOEeX-qqyH-_UfwCEw/s1600/Rhubarb%2BSouffl%25C3%25A9%2B4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="319" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O3OuLiThMvY/WEKqI1uojSI/AAAAAAAAMsE/PQb0e5_B3hgqtCsnvsbOEeX-qqyH-_UfwCEw/s320/Rhubarb%2BSouffl%25C3%25A9%2B4.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rhubarb Soufflé</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">We had decided to forgo wine with our meal, happy to sip on the gins that we had ordered but glancing through the list I was impressed by the well-chosen and somewhat eclectic wines on offer and noted that many of them were very reasonably priced.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="color: #666666;"> </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The food in Wine & Brine strikes a perfect balance between the heartiness of home cooking and the elegance of the best fining dining restaurant. The slick but friendly service immediately puts the diner at ease and creates a homely ambience. Portion sizes are generous and considering the quality of the food that we ate, represented astonishing value for money. Moira is about 35 minutes from Belfast and a two hour drive from Dublin and is easy to reach. I urge you to book a table.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Wine & Brine</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">59 Main Street</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Moira</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Craigavon</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">BT67 0LQ</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Telephone</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">: 00442892610500</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Website:</span><a href="http://www.wineandbrine.co.uk/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: blue; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">www.wineandbrine.co.uk</span></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ORiDL4yb0uk/WEKqIAbIlmI/AAAAAAAAMro/vw3fMpfj4bgK5KuZBd-Oh8LAz3OUNb5RQCEw/s1600/Lemon%2BCurd%252C%2BBasil%252C%2BMeringue%2B4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="319" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ORiDL4yb0uk/WEKqIAbIlmI/AAAAAAAAMro/vw3fMpfj4bgK5KuZBd-Oh8LAz3OUNb5RQCEw/s320/Lemon%2BCurd%252C%2BBasil%252C%2BMeringue%2B4.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lemon, Basin, Meringue</td></tr>
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</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17431495084119577263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4887314893712781142.post-68023420305262975052016-12-01T01:11:00.000-08:002016-12-03T03:44:39.063-08:00Recipe: Mincemeat Shortcake Bars<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LKK8Rz6pRsE/WEKvdvr5M2I/AAAAAAAAMsM/HG5NxlBjf0YasSAiuJGF4cUlSZIWubYugCEw/s1600/Mincemeat%2BShortcake%2BBars%2B5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LKK8Rz6pRsE/WEKvdvr5M2I/AAAAAAAAMsM/HG5NxlBjf0YasSAiuJGF4cUlSZIWubYugCEw/s400/Mincemeat%2BShortcake%2BBars%2B5.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IE;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span lang="EN" style="color: #666666; font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #666666;">For me, Christmas is not Christmas without mince pies and from mid November onwards I jump at any excuse to make a batch or two. I love nothing more than sitting in front of a turf fire nibbling on mince pies and drinking hot tea. Whilst I love traditional mince pies, I’m always on the lookout for new recipes using mincemeat that evoke all the flavours of Christmas but are a little different.</span></span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IE;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span lang="EN" style="color: #666666; font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #666666;"></span></span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IE;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span lang="EN" style="color: #666666; font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #666666;">I often make these shortcake bars and they always seem to go down a treat with unexpected visitors during the festive period. Because of the use of self-raising flour, the pastry has a softer texture when baked than that used in conventional mince pies but it makes a nice change and people really seem to like them.</span></span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IE;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span lang="EN" style="color: #666666; font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b style="font-weight: normal;">
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span> </div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">INGREDIENTS:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Pastry</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">240g self-raising flour</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">15g icing sugar</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">125g cold butter, cubed</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">1 large egg, lightly beaten</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">30ml cold water</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">1 jar (approximately 400g or so) mincemeat</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">2tbsp brandy</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">To finish</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">2tbsp caster sugar</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span> </div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">METHOD:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">1.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Preheat the oven to Fan Oven to 180C/Fan Oven 160C/Gas Mark 4.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">2.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Line a 30cm x 20cm traybake tin with non-stick baking parchment and set aside.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">3.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Place the flour and icing sugar into a large mixing bowl and add the cubed butter. Rub the butter into the flour using the tips of your fingers until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs. Make a well in the centre and add the egg and water. Mix everything together using a fork until it comes together.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">4.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Turn out onto a lightly floured work surface and knead briefly and shape into a ball.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">5.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Divide the dough in half. Press one half of the dough into the bottom of the prepared tin flattening it out with your fingers or the back of a metal spoon to create a level surface.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">6.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Mix the mincemeat and brandy together in a small bowl and then spoon onto the pastry in the traybake tin, spreading it out evenly.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">7.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Roll the other half of the dough between two sheets of flour non-stick baking parchment paper into a rectangle the same size as the tin (i.e. 30cms x 20cms).</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">8.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Remove the top sheet of parchment paper and lift the rolled out pastry on the other sheet of parchment, flip it over to cover the mincemeat filling. Tuck in the edges of the pastry making sure that the filling is covered.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">9.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes until light golden brown. Remove from the oven and sprinkle with the caster sugar. Set aside to cool before cutting into 16 bars.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Makes 16 bars.</span><br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-48Synw_4HqM/WEKvdkZXZJI/AAAAAAAAMsQ/X8zg9lidpwk9ACnmkbp7A0aOpCmH8Jq4gCEw/s1600/Mincemeat%2BShortcake%2BBars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-48Synw_4HqM/WEKvdkZXZJI/AAAAAAAAMsQ/X8zg9lidpwk9ACnmkbp7A0aOpCmH8Jq4gCEw/s320/Mincemeat%2BShortcake%2BBars.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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</span><br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17431495084119577263noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4887314893712781142.post-47870382324175744032016-11-16T04:34:00.002-08:002016-11-16T04:34:34.684-08:00Recipe: Roasted Butternut Squash Soup with Pancetta & Thyme<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IE;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span lang="EN" style="color: #666666; font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Rnw-JaRgvzA/WCxQe1qmzHI/AAAAAAAAMlM/o_mWGN-g3fc0ccxavWwfkjTIhPJ2muJigCEw/s1600/Roast%2BButternut%2BSquash%2BSoup.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Rnw-JaRgvzA/WCxQe1qmzHI/AAAAAAAAMlM/o_mWGN-g3fc0ccxavWwfkjTIhPJ2muJigCEw/s400/Roast%2BButternut%2BSquash%2BSoup.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #666666;">As the days get shorter and the weather gets cooler, there’s nothing quite like a bowl of nourishing soup to warm you up. I love butternut squash so use it regularly along with other vegetables in the soups that I make for my family but here I have decided to showcase its unique flavour without too many additions.</span></span>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #666666;"></span></span> </div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #666666;">The roasting of the butternut squash intensifies its flavour and in my opinion is really worth doing… Plus it gives you the opportunity to crisp up some pancetta at the same time which can be used as a garnish on the finished soup. This is a lovely seasonal soup which is packed full of autumnal flavours and is incredibly easy to make.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">INGREDIENTS:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"></span> </div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Roasted Butternut:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">1 large butternut squash, cut into large chunks (no need to peel)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">2 cloves of garlic crushed</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">A few sprigs of thyme</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">1tblsp olive oil</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">A large knob of butter</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">6 slices of pancetta or smoky bacon</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Sea salt & freshly ground black pepper to season</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span> </div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">To finish:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">1tblsp olive oil</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">1 medium-sized onion, peeled and chopped</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">500ml vegetable or chicken stock</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">50ml double cream or crème fraiche</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Some fresh thyme leaves</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span> </div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pBPe_H5qxLw/WCxQe8HS7-I/AAAAAAAAMlM/v4zvBYYGEssinkTNzxXGklRxj82dBrA7wCEw/s1600/14642518_1175821012483596_345542919668763178_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pBPe_H5qxLw/WCxQe8HS7-I/AAAAAAAAMlM/v4zvBYYGEssinkTNzxXGklRxj82dBrA7wCEw/s320/14642518_1175821012483596_345542919668763178_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">METHOD:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"></span> </div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Roasted Butternut:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Preheat the oven to Fan Oven to 180C/Fan Oven 160C/Gas Mark 4.</span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Place the butternut squash, garlic and thyme in a roasting tray. Drizzle over the olive oil and toss everything together. Pinch the butter into little pieces and dot over the butternut squash.</span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Drape the pancetta over the squash, season with sea salt and freshly ground black pepper and roast in the preheated oven for 30-40 minutes until the pancetta is crispy and the squash has softened. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for 10 minutes. Remove the pancetta to a plate and set aside.</span></div>
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</ol>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"></span> </div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">To finish:</span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Scoop the softened butternut squash from its skin, once it has cooled a little.</span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Meanwhile, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a medium-sized saucepan over a moderate heat and gently fry the onion until softened but not coloured. Add the butternut squash to the saucepan with the onion and add the stock and bring up to the boil. Reduce heat and allow to simmer for ten minutes.</span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Purée the contents of the saucepan in an electric blender (do this is batches) and return to a clean saucepan. Add the cream and stir through. Taste and adjust seasoning as necessary.</span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Serve the soup in bowls. Crumble the reserved pancetta and serve sprinkled on the soup along with some fresh thyme leaves if desired.</span></div>
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</ol>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span> </div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Serves 4-6.</span></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UUZpE4OLLk8/WCxQe171j9I/AAAAAAAAMlM/YZTlMlXyBgYQVyNrHZFleu0Yq6kNfBvxgCEw/s1600/Roast%2Bbutternut%2BSquash%2BSoup%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UUZpE4OLLk8/WCxQe171j9I/AAAAAAAAMlM/YZTlMlXyBgYQVyNrHZFleu0Yq6kNfBvxgCEw/s320/Roast%2Bbutternut%2BSquash%2BSoup%2B2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17431495084119577263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4887314893712781142.post-15803477792291489192016-11-11T00:00:00.000-08:002016-11-11T01:41:22.399-08:00Restaurant Review: St. Kyran's Restaurant, Virginia, County Cavan<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SzBHhxFCr_8/WCOkWTaxVYI/AAAAAAAAMkc/DopJUZek2YIZyynknSP-WZz7NOZkj41LwCEw/s1600/Tuna%2B%2526%2BTomatoes%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SzBHhxFCr_8/WCOkWTaxVYI/AAAAAAAAMkc/DopJUZek2YIZyynknSP-WZz7NOZkj41LwCEw/s400/Tuna%2B%2526%2BTomatoes%2B3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IE;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I was reminded of the saying ‘don’t judge a book by its cover’ when I visited </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">St. Kyran’s Restaurant</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> in Virginia, County Cavan recently. From the outside the property looks unremarkable - a humble, bungalow-style building with a distinctly residential feel. I was convinced that I had taken a wrong-turn along the way but the various hospitality awards displayed around the entrance suggested otherwise.</span></span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IE;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="color: #666666;"> </span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IE;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span lang="EN" style="color: #666666; font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #666666;">
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ko-heoKtOmE/WCOkUYe-PbI/AAAAAAAAMjo/RWSUUrb8Rc0NhcekfOyd4P5GHpeqU9vlACEw/s1600/Bread%2BSelection.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ko-heoKtOmE/WCOkUYe-PbI/AAAAAAAAMjo/RWSUUrb8Rc0NhcekfOyd4P5GHpeqU9vlACEw/s320/Bread%2BSelection.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bread</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Once inside, we were greeted by Patricia, our charming waitress for the evening, who led us to our table in the spacious dining room. As we walked into the stylishly decorated room we gasped in amazement at the stunning panoramic views of Lough Ramor displayed through the large windows. This spectacular vista had been hidden from view by enormous trees on our approach to the building but was unveiled in all its glory when we entered the dining room.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="color: #666666;"> </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Head Chef at St. Kyran’s is </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Eddie Atwell</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> who many people will be familiar with after his recent appearance on the BBC’s </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Great British Menu</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> where he battled against Mark Abbott (from the Michelin 2-starred Midsummer House, Cambridge) and Chris McGowan (Head Chef/Proprietor of Wine & Brine in Moira, County Down) in the Northern Ireland heats of the competition. Up for grabs was the chance to cook at a banquet in the Palace of Westminster honouring Great Britons during Queen Elizabeth II’s reign. Eddie came up against some stiff competition and whilst he did not cook at the banquet, he certainly laid down his credentials as one of the most exciting young chefs in Ireland at the moment.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="color: #666666;"> </span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HL0vEisQeSg/WCOkUeRheVI/AAAAAAAAMjw/CjjPUqiPZOIjYd1mpg4y8zdmB1QwZ4tpwCEw/s1600/Crab%252C%2BSeaweed%2BCracker%2B4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HL0vEisQeSg/WCOkUeRheVI/AAAAAAAAMjw/CjjPUqiPZOIjYd1mpg4y8zdmB1QwZ4tpwCEw/s320/Crab%252C%2BSeaweed%2BCracker%2B4.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crab</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Originally from Craigavon in County Armagh, Eddie spent a number of years working in the UK. A Roux Scholarship finalist, he worked at the Michelin 2-starred L’Enclume before moving to Ardtara Country House and then on to St. Kyran’s where his love of using foraged and locally-sourced ingredients has been enthusiastically supported by owners Patrick and Helena Keenan.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="color: #666666;"> </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">An À La Carte</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Dinner Menu and Early Bird Menu were available on the </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Wednesday</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> evening that we visited. However, we decided to go for the 7-course Tasting Menu (€60 per person) which is available </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">on Wednesday</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> and </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Thursday</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> evenings only. The meal kicked off with a </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Selection of Breads</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> including Fennel Bread, a Malted Sourdough and a surprisingly light Wheaten Sourdough. These were served with a Fennel Butter and a very interesting Nasturtia Pesto with lovely peppery notes.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">An amuse bouche of </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Dressed Crab, Fennel & Seaweed Cracker</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> was full of clean and distinct flavours that worked well together to highlight the gentle sweetness of the crab meat. Eddie Atwell is a chef who likes to play with textures and this was apparent in this dish and those that followed over the course of the meal. Here the crunch of the cracker balanced the cool smoothness of the accompanying gels and purées to create food that was interesting to eat and perfect as an amuse bouche to tickle the taste buds.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Young Buck Blue Cheese Custard, Beetroot, Hazelnut Granola, Red Chard</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> was a beautiful dish full of the wonderful earthy flavours of beetroot which appeared in a number of guises on the plate; pickled, puréed, glazed and as a jam. Young Buck - a much celebrated raw milk cheese made in Northern Ireland was presented as a fabulous thick creamy custard that was a nice change from the goat’s cheese that beetroot is so often paired with. A hazelnut granola was particularly delicious and complemented the other elements of this dish perfectly.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">By the time the</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Seared Tuna Loin, Heirloom Tomatoes, Rocket, Olive Crumb, Tomato Jam, Egg Yolk Gel</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> arrived it was clear to us that the food being served in St. Kyran’s Restaurant is special. This is modern cooking using Irish produce where the chef wants to push boundaries… not just for the sake of it but because of a determination to explore the possibilities that these ingredients present. Here the flawlessly cooked tuna was paired with tomatoes - nothing too revolutionary at first glance - but the addition of a deeply savoury black olive crumb, a sticky tomato jam and an outstanding egg yolk gel elevated this dish to something truly memorable without being gimmicky.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Next up was one of my favourite dishes of the evening - </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Monkfish, Pearl Barley, Apple, Charred & Pickled Radish, Puffed Barley, Cockles, Cockle Cream</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> - a plate of food that thrilled us with its balanced combination of tastes and textures. The pickled radish and sweet cockles were delicious eaten together and I also loved both the pearl barley ‘risotto’ and puffed barley. Balls of crisp apple completed the dish and introduced some fruity acidity which was needed to counteract the richness of the cockle cream.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">A choice of dishes is offered for the main course on the tasting menu and being a huge lover of game I immediately decided on the </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Wood Pigeon, Hazelnut Crumb, Burnt Orange Purée, Celeriac Confit & Purée, Drummond House Garlic Crisps. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">This was a bang-in-season dish, full of the deep, rich flavours of autumn. I loved the slightly bitter edge of the burnt orange purée eaten with the gamey pigeon and the way that the hazelnut crumb brought out the underlying nutty sweetness of the celeriac. This was intelligent cooking. My companion’s</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Pan Seared Beef Fillet, Braised Blade, Onion Seed Gnocchi, Girolle Mushrooms </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">was well-thought out and, in many ways, probably the most conventional plate of food we ate during the meal. The flavoursome onion seed gnocchi was fantastic and a simple but clever addition. This was a dish designed to please and judging by the murmurs of pleasure from across the table, this was achieved.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pan-Seared Beef Fillet</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">A pre-dessert of </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Poached Rhubarb, Rhubarb Compote, Rhubarb Gel, Sorrel Syrup, Yoghurt Mousse, Brown Butter Tuile</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> presented in a small stoneware bowl was beautiful to look at and a joy to eat. Rhubarb can be a tricky ingredient as its inherent sharpness demands some sweetening but too much can kill its flavour. This was not a problem here as each of the rhubarb elements in this dessert were expertly handled and brought together as a coherent plate of food by the inclusion of an incredible sorrel syrup and a refreshing yoghurt sorbet.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">A choice of two main desserts was offered so we decided to try one each. My </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Ginger Cake, Blackcurrant Leaf & Velvet Cloud Sheep’s Milk Mousse, Poached Pear, Gin & Lime</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Ice </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">was a substantial dish which included a generous portion of a well-made traditional sticky ginger cake. This was paired with slices of poached pear and an espuma milk mousse that lightened the dish. A granita flavoured with gin and lime cut through the sweetness of the cake and was a flavour addition that I liked against the spicy ginger. My companion’s </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Wexford Strawberries, Port & Black Pepper Syrup, Crème Fraiche, Candied Macadamia, Linum Seed</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> was equally good and a dessert where the strawberries were the star-of-the-show. I particularly liked the black pepper syrup which really brought out the flavour of the fruit.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0u7NRHoAYmw/WCOkVfT4joI/AAAAAAAAMkE/h9ncii5kXxYT9cIr5WR6lbDiGSCuMuQZgCEw/s1600/Rhubarb%2B5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0u7NRHoAYmw/WCOkVfT4joI/AAAAAAAAMkE/h9ncii5kXxYT9cIr5WR6lbDiGSCuMuQZgCEw/s320/Rhubarb%2B5.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">St. Kyran’s wine list includes a good selection of well-chosen wines which, in the main are reasonably priced. It is also great to see that quite a few are available by the glass. We enjoyed a </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Four </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Sisters Shiraz</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> (€7.90 per glass €29.50 per bottle) which was full of dark fruit flavours and a peppery finish which was a lovely ‘compromise’ choice that went well with a wide variety of the dishes that we ate.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I enjoyed every aspect of my meal at St. Kyran’s. Eddie Atwell is producing some very exciting, thought- provoking food; food that is experimental but grounded by sound technique and driven by the quality of the ingredients that are used. Highly recommended.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">(Note: In addition to its restaurant, St. Kyran’s also offers elegant country house B&B accommodation).</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">St. Kyran’s Restaurant</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Virginia</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">County Cavan</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Telephone: 0498547087</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Website:</span><a href="http://www.stkyrans.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">www.stkyrans.com</span></a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17431495084119577263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4887314893712781142.post-70351482408806690322016-11-10T00:00:00.000-08:002016-11-10T01:33:37.679-08:00Recipe: Fudgy Chocolate Brownie with Homemade Popcorn Ice-Cream and Toffee Popcorn<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5Ck71oKS888/WCJTpm15HnI/AAAAAAAAMjE/rzpGYb9fM6onxL9CZcVFmM87Q7iROn6JgCEw/s1600/Brownie%252C%2BPopcorn%2BIce%2BCream%2B6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5Ck71oKS888/WCJTpm15HnI/AAAAAAAAMjE/rzpGYb9fM6onxL9CZcVFmM87Q7iROn6JgCEw/s400/Brownie%252C%2BPopcorn%2BIce%2BCream%2B6.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IE;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span lang="EN" style="color: #666666; font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #666666;">This is totally sinful and I make no apologies for it because once-in-a-while we all need something a little naughty and self-indulgent.</span></span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IE;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span lang="EN" style="color: #666666; font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span> </b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IE;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span lang="EN" style="color: #666666; font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b style="font-weight: normal;">
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<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IE;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span lang="EN" style="color: #666666; font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #666666;">It may sound hard to believe but I can take or leave chocolate and tend to gravitate towards citrus or fruit desserts instead. Having said that, I have always been partial to chocolate brownies and spent many happy hours in my kitchen trying to perfect a recipe for what I consider to be the ultimate brownie; one with an intensely chocolaty taste and a chewy, almost fudgy, centre. These brownies do use quite a lot of sugar, so make sure to counterbalance this with a good (slightly bitter) dark chocolate. The other key thing is not to over-bake the brownies. If they still seem slightly unset in the middle at the end of the baking time, they are probably ready because they will continue to cook and set as they cool.</span></span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IE;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span lang="EN" style="color: #666666; font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b style="font-weight: normal;">
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #666666;"></span></span> </div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #666666;">I have also included my recipe for popcorn ice-cream which is an amalgamation of various recipes that I came across on the internet. To make it, I experimented using freshly popped corn and – horror of horrors – butter-flavoured microwave popcorn and without a doubt, the microwave popcorn made the best ice-cream. As such, I would recommend putting all preconceptions aside and doing the same. My state-of-the-art ice cream maker was irreparably broken a few months back and as a stop-gap I bought an inexpensive ice-cream maker from Lidl… and I love it! Ever since I acquired it I have been experimenting with different and unusual flavours of ice-cream/sorbet. This popcorn ice-cream is definitely one of my favourites.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tgiBDQM2LmE/WCJTpSzD0qI/AAAAAAAAMi8/bbEdXB-cxlEOwgcrqv9Ftbbi0uXm-OC8wCEw/s1600/14725474_1181243608608003_8238656623407333485_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tgiBDQM2LmE/WCJTpSzD0qI/AAAAAAAAMi8/bbEdXB-cxlEOwgcrqv9Ftbbi0uXm-OC8wCEw/s320/14725474_1181243608608003_8238656623407333485_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">INGREDIENTS:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"></span> </div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Chocolate Brownies:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">265g chocolate (minimum 70% solids)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">225g butter</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">430g caster sugar</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">150g plain flour</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">20g cocoa powder</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">4 large eggs, lightly beaten</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Popcorn Ice-Cream:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">320ml double cream</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">240ml milk</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">1 bag of butter-flavoured microwave popcorn, made according to instructions</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">4 egg yolks</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">100g caster sugar</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">A pinch of sea salt</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span> </div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Toffee Popcorn:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">50g popcorn kernels</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">1 tblsp vegetable oil</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">50g light brown muscovado sugar</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">2tblsp golden syrup</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">50g butter</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">A pinch of salt</span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V-KWXogURoQ/WCJTp3gXftI/AAAAAAAAMjI/JqUTCT1BxeYZonCzqv-uHgaFS4NrSzDLQCEw/s1600/Toffee%2BPopcorn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-V-KWXogURoQ/WCJTp3gXftI/AAAAAAAAMjI/JqUTCT1BxeYZonCzqv-uHgaFS4NrSzDLQCEw/s320/Toffee%2BPopcorn.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">METHOD:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"></span> </div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Chocolate Brownies:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Preheat the oven to 170C/Fan oven 150C/Gas Mark 3. Line a 35cm x 24cm x 5cm baking tray/tin with non-stick baking parchment and set aside.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Put the chocolate and butter in a heatproof bowl and set over a pan of lightly simmering water making sure that you do not let the base of the bowl touch the bubbling water. Stir the chocolate mixture occasionally.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Remove the bowl once the chocolate has melted and add the sugar, stirring well until fully incorporated.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Sieve the flour and cocoa powder together and stir into the chocolate mixture making sure that no ‘pockets’ of dry ingredients remain. Lastly add the eggs and stir these in so that they too, are thoroughly incorporated. Pour the mixture into the prepared tin and level the surface with a spatula. Bake in the preheated oven for 35-40 minutes or until the brownies are flaky on top but still a little squidgy in the centre.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely before cutting into 24 squares.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Makes 24.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span> </div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Popcorn Ice-Cream:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Place the cream and milk in a medium-sized saucepan over a moderate heat and bring up to the boil over a moderate temperature. Remove from the heat and add the bag of popcorn. Set aside and allow to steep for 60-90 minutes to infuse the popcorn flavour into the cream/milk.</span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Strain the popcorn mixture through a fine-mesh metal sieve into a clean saucepan. Press the popcorn firmly against the sieve with the back of a metal spoon to extract as much of the cream/milk as possible and set aside.</span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Place the eggs and caster sugar in a bowl and whisk together until well combined.</span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Separately bring the popcorn cream mixture up to the boil and remove from the heat. Pour the warm cream mixture onto the eggs whisking all the time and then return everything to the saucepan and set over a moderate-to-low temperature. Stir continuously (about 15-20 minutes) until the mixture thickens and forms a custard. Add the salt and remove from the heat. Allow to cool completely before refrigerating for a couple of hours.</span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Churn the popcorn custard in an ice-cream maker according to the instructions.</span></div>
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</ol>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Makes 600ml approximately.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span> </div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Toffee Popcorn:</span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Heat the oil in a large saucepan over a moderate-to-high heat and add the popcorn, swirling the pan to make sure that the popcorn kernels are coated in oil. Cover with a tight fitting lid. The popcorn will start to pop… quite furiously at first before slowing down. Once it starts to slow down, take the saucepan off the heat.</span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Meanwhile place the sugar, golden syrup and butter in a medium-sized saucepan over a high heat for 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly until the sugar dissolves and a dark golden toffee forms. Tip in the popcorn and stir so that it so that it is all coated in toffee. Tip the popcorn out into a single layer on a parchment-lined baking tray, separating out the popcorn as much as you can, and allow to cool.</span></div>
</li>
</ol>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"></span> </div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">To serve:</span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Place a warm brownie on a plate and top with a scoop of ice-cream and a handful of toffee popcorn. Add a drizzle of chocolate sauce or some salted caramel sauce if desired.</span></div>
</li>
</ol>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P1jlsn1C3GU/WCJTpUMZJ1I/AAAAAAAAMi4/qZc_8upFpdM7HZ-DFo4Q2_1uR1-9MVX9gCEw/s1600/14716081_1181246895274341_3559950377329770715_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="319" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P1jlsn1C3GU/WCJTpUMZJ1I/AAAAAAAAMi4/qZc_8upFpdM7HZ-DFo4Q2_1uR1-9MVX9gCEw/s320/14716081_1181246895274341_3559950377329770715_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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</span><br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17431495084119577263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4887314893712781142.post-56358421676870148582016-11-09T09:18:00.000-08:002016-11-09T14:53:20.134-08:00Recipe: Pork Tenderloin, Wilted Kale, Cauliflower Purée with a Raisin & Pine Nut Marsala Sauce<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n7Xz0eauXn4/WB-5xmIectI/AAAAAAAAMic/IzZpOYh8q_MJ2AZP4m0vTVVkRP8hA02OACEw/s1600/Pork%2BTenderloin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-n7Xz0eauXn4/WB-5xmIectI/AAAAAAAAMic/IzZpOYh8q_MJ2AZP4m0vTVVkRP8hA02OACEw/s400/Pork%2BTenderloin.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IE;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span lang="EN" style="color: #666666; font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #666666;">I love pork tenderloin (AKA pork fillet) but as it is very lean, it needs to be treated with care during cooking to ensure that it does not dry out. Wrapping it in Parma ham, prosciutto or smoked streaky bacon protects the meat and also adds a little bit of fat which helps to keep the meat succulent.</span></span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IE;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span lang="EN" style="color: #666666; font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IE;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span lang="EN" style="color: #666666; font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #666666;">This dish is inspired by the punchy flavours found in the food of Venice where raisins, pine nuts and Marsala are used in many classic dishes from the region. Marsala is a fortified wine with a lovely rich flavour and can be used in a variety of sweet and savoury dishes. Rather than pair the pork with mashed potatoes I decided to sit the pork on a pillow of puréed cauliflower and some wilted kale which tasted delicious together.</span></span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IE;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span lang="EN" style="color: #666666; font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IE;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span lang="EN" style="color: #666666; font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">I</span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IE;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span lang="EN" style="color: #666666; font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">NGREDIENTS:</span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IE;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span lang="EN" style="color: #666666; font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b style="font-weight: normal;">
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"></span> </div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Pork:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">12 slices of Parma ham</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">2 x 200g-250g pork tenderloins, trimmed of fat and sinew</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">1 clove of garlic, crushed</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">2tblsp olive oil</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">50g pine nuts</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">50g raisins soaked in 150ml Marsala</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">150ml chicken stock</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">A knob of butter</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span> </div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Cauliflower purée</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">25g butter</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">300g cauliflower</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">200ml milk</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">A pinch of sea salt</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span> </div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Wilted kale:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">25g butter</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">150g kale, roughly chopped but not too small</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JoRw11koLmQ/WB-5yIUzDrI/AAAAAAAAMik/cEhH9q_iZUkXG16cEK2pe4-pfF3h8i_3QCEw/s1600/Wrapping%2Bpork%2Btenderloin%2Bin%2Bparma%2Bham.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JoRw11koLmQ/WB-5yIUzDrI/AAAAAAAAMik/cEhH9q_iZUkXG16cEK2pe4-pfF3h8i_3QCEw/s320/Wrapping%2Bpork%2Btenderloin%2Bin%2Bparma%2Bham.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">METHOD:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Pork:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Preheat the oven to Fan Oven to 180C/Fan Oven 160C/Gas Mark 4.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Lay six slices of Parma ham, slightly overlapping on a large piece of cling film. Rub one of the pork tenderloins with half of the garlic and place on the arranged Parma Ham. Using the cling-film to assist you, roll up the pork fillet so that it is encased in the Parma ham (without letting the cling film get caught up). Finally, tightly wrap the tenderloin in the cling film so that it resembles a thick sausage and allow to rest in the fridge for 30 minutes. Repeat this process with the other tenderloin.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan over a moderate heat. Remove the cling film from the tenderloins and place each of them in the frying pan. Cook until lightly browned all over and then transfer to a roasting dish. Place in the oven for 25 minutes. Remove and allow to rest in a warm place.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Meanwhile add the pine nuts to the frying pan in which you browned the tenderloins and cook for a minute, stirring all the time until they are lightly browned.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Add the raisins and all the Marsala that they were soaking in and bring up to the boil. Reduce by half and then add the stock. Allow the sauce to reduce by a half again until it has thickened slightly and whisk in the knob of butter. Taste and adjust seasoning as required.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"></span> </div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t2L-cZMhctA/WB-5x0xS-WI/AAAAAAAAMig/H9i3AAVNqI8BU8bgSlFogt_Ulpi6jsYmgCEw/s1600/Pork%2Btenderloin%2Bwrapped%2Bin%2BParma%2Bham.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="319" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t2L-cZMhctA/WB-5x0xS-WI/AAAAAAAAMig/H9i3AAVNqI8BU8bgSlFogt_Ulpi6jsYmgCEw/s320/Pork%2Btenderloin%2Bwrapped%2Bin%2BParma%2Bham.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Cauliflower purée:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Melt the butter in a medium-sized saucepan over a moderate heat and add the cauliflower, milk and salt. Bring up to the boil and then reduce the heat to a gentle simmer. Cover with a lid and allow to cook for ten minutes until the cauliflower is soft.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Using a slotted spoon transfer the cauliflower to a blender along with a couple of tablespoons of the milk and process until smooth. Taste and adjust seasoning as required. Set aside and keep warm.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Wilted kale:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Melt the butter in a medium-sized saucepan over a moderate heat and then add the kale. Season with salt and butter and stir for a couple of minutes until the kale has wilted. Set aside and keep warm.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">To serve:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Place a generous dollop of cauliflower in each bowl and top with some wilted kale. Slice the rested pork and place two or three on top of the cauliflower and kale. Spoon over some of the pine nut and raisin sauce and serve.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Serves 6.</span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l1-sxQGKDXc/WB-5xDxI_wI/AAAAAAAAMiQ/11HzVOsn0L0bO5A-9hCIKINLLopuPA0PQCEw/s1600/Pork%2BTenderloin%2B4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l1-sxQGKDXc/WB-5xDxI_wI/AAAAAAAAMiQ/11HzVOsn0L0bO5A-9hCIKINLLopuPA0PQCEw/s320/Pork%2BTenderloin%2B4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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</span><br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17431495084119577263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4887314893712781142.post-90810937959046711082016-11-08T00:11:00.001-08:002016-11-08T00:49:56.876-08:00Recipe: Plum Frangipane Tart with Buttermilk Ice-Cream<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oWuOpIeFIyo/WB-3O7ybS5I/AAAAAAAAMh0/9_5z8ZJpAJkZOLgu1EZb9pRf-15NpNCywCEw/s1600/Plum%2BFrangipane%2BTart%2B%25283%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oWuOpIeFIyo/WB-3O7ybS5I/AAAAAAAAMh0/9_5z8ZJpAJkZOLgu1EZb9pRf-15NpNCywCEw/s400/Plum%2BFrangipane%2BTart%2B%25283%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IE;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span lang="EN" style="color: #666666; font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #666666;">Frangipane tarts are so versatile and can be adapted to use whatever fruits are in season. Stone fruits work particularly well, as do pears, apples and soft fruits like raspberries. You can also use other ground nuts in place of the ground almonds in the frangipane filling to complement the fruit that is used. A particular favourite of mine is ground hazelnuts with pears. I am keeping it simple here and using a classic almond frangipane topped with sliced plums.</span></span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IE;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span lang="EN" style="color: #666666; font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b style="font-weight: normal;">
</b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IE;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span lang="EN" style="color: #666666; font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #666666;">The thing that I love most about this tart is the fact that the pastry does not require blind-baking beforehand; the filling goes into the unbaked pie shell which makes life incredibly easy.</span></span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IE;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span lang="EN" style="color: #666666; font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b style="font-weight: normal;">
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #666666;"></span></span> </div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #666666;">I have also included my recipe for buttermilk ice-cream which is lovely and refreshing and something a little different.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span> </div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YeFJAcPEfHY/WB-3PevGF4I/AAAAAAAAMh8/0d8K5M2_6tQ5ujOgPypXSlxvhNmnKnnzQCEw/s1600/Plum%2BFrangipane%2BTart%2B%25285%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YeFJAcPEfHY/WB-3PevGF4I/AAAAAAAAMh8/0d8K5M2_6tQ5ujOgPypXSlxvhNmnKnnzQCEw/s320/Plum%2BFrangipane%2BTart%2B%25285%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">INGREDIENTS:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span> </div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Plum frangipane tart:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Pastry:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">175g plain flour</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">50g icing sugar</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">100g butter, cubed</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">1 large egg yolk</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">1tblsp water</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Frangipane:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">125g butter, softened</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">125g caster sugar</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">125g ground almonds</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">2tblsp plain flour</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">1tblsp Amaretto (optional)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">To finish:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">5 plums, stoned and halved and then cut into quarters</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span> </div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Buttermilk Ice-Cream:</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">250ml double cream</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">4 large egg yolks</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">115g caster sugar</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">250ml buttermilk</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">100ml crème fraîche </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">A squeeze of fresh lemon juice</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span> </div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1-Rxbk7_aw4/WB-3OZQJ1CI/AAAAAAAAMhk/CA67nagZVPMrXkIMDzP6d4NfP552UVuhgCEw/s1600/14657498_1177837845615246_422828150449028134_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1-Rxbk7_aw4/WB-3OZQJ1CI/AAAAAAAAMhk/CA67nagZVPMrXkIMDzP6d4NfP552UVuhgCEw/s320/14657498_1177837845615246_422828150449028134_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">METHOD:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span> </div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Plum frangipane tart:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Pastry:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Sieve the flour and icing sugar together into a large mixing bowl. Add the cubed butter and rub into the flour and icing sugar using your fingertips until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs.</span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Make a well in the centre and add the egg yolk and water. Mix using a fork until the mixture comes together to form a dough. Turn out onto a lightly floured work-surface and knead briefly. Form into a ball. Wrap in cling-film and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes in order to give the pastry a chance to relax.</span></div>
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</ol>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Frangipane:</span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Place, the butter and caster sugar into a mixing bowl and, using a hand-held electric mixer, beat together until light and fluffy. Add the ground almonds and mix until fully incorporated. Mix in the eggs and then add the flour and Amaretto and mix these through also. Set aside until required.</span></div>
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</ol>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">To finish:</span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Preheat the oven to 180C/Fan Oven 160C/Gas Mark 4. Roll the pastry out thinly on a clean lightly floured work surface and use to line a 20-23cm round fluted tin with removable base or an oblong tranche tin.</span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Spoon the frangipane into the pastry shell and smooth it out to the edges in an even layer with a spatula. Arrange the sliced plums on top of the frangipane.</span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Bake in the pre-heated oven for 35-40 minutes until golden brown and the frangipane has risen slightly and feels spongy to the touch.</span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Remove from the oven and allow to cool to room temperature before serving.</span></div>
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</ol>
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<br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Serves 8.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span> </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QBPIq4HU_S8/WB-3O5lN-aI/AAAAAAAAMh4/_Cc2fB8KSXoMOGdIGrEnvg979HVo43oDQCEw/s1600/Plum%2BFrangipane%2BTart%2B%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="319" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QBPIq4HU_S8/WB-3O5lN-aI/AAAAAAAAMh4/_Cc2fB8KSXoMOGdIGrEnvg979HVo43oDQCEw/s320/Plum%2BFrangipane%2BTart%2B%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Buttermilk Ice-Cream:</span></div>
<ol style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Place the cream in a medium-sized saucepan and bring up to boiling point and then immediately remove from the heat.</span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Meanwhile whisk the egg yolks and sugar together in a medium sized bowl until well mixed together. Gradually pour the hot cream onto the egg yolk mixture, whisking continuously.</span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Return the mixture to the saucepan and place over a low-to-moderate heat. Stir constantly (about 10 minutes) until the mixture has thickened enough to coat the back of a spoon. Strain the mixture into a clean bowl and allow to cool to room temperature.</span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Add the buttermilk, crème fraîche and lemon juice and mix everything together. Refrigerate until cold and then churn in an ice-cream maker according to the instructions.</span></div>
</li>
</ol>
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<br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Makes 750-800ml approximately.</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZRTl2sAp8Vc/WB-3O_6DFlI/AAAAAAAAMhw/XgA-Cvc_WoEs4ozkkmTffAsTfSVvI-rEgCEw/s1600/Plum%2BFrangipane%2BTart%2B%25284%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZRTl2sAp8Vc/WB-3O_6DFlI/AAAAAAAAMhw/XgA-Cvc_WoEs4ozkkmTffAsTfSVvI-rEgCEw/s320/Plum%2BFrangipane%2BTart%2B%25284%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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</span><br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17431495084119577263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4887314893712781142.post-7663140791734718962016-11-07T14:45:00.000-08:002016-11-07T14:45:14.192-08:00Book Review: Simple: Effortless Food, Big Flavours by Diana Henry<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--2HOQYj3jWo/WB-oD1iIaFI/AAAAAAAAMgo/AA6NNA8xdTkrzIgyi2pSFqoz3fvwNrS4wCEw/s1600/Pork%2BChops%2Bwith%2BMustard%2B%2526%2BCapers%2B4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--2HOQYj3jWo/WB-oD1iIaFI/AAAAAAAAMgo/AA6NNA8xdTkrzIgyi2pSFqoz3fvwNrS4wCEw/s400/Pork%2BChops%2Bwith%2BMustard%2B%2526%2BCapers%2B4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IE;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Simple: Effortless Food, Big Flavours</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> is Diana Henry’s tenth book and in it she revisits many of the themes that were first set out in an earlier book - Cook Simple, which she wrote as a harried new mother with little spare time to cook the elaborate meals she had favoured before her baby son was born. Despite the demands of motherhood, Diana wanted food that was still delicious to eat but easier to prepare. Her son Ted is now 18 but the no-nonsense approach that she developed when he was an infant is something that has underpinned her recipes ever since.</span></span></b></span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IE;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span lang="EN" style="color: #666666; font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></b></span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IE;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span lang="EN" style="color: #666666; font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Born and raised in Northern Ireland, Diana Henry grew up in a family where home-cooked meals were standard. An exchange trip to France in her teens introduced her up to new flavours and her love affair with food began in earnest. On leaving school, she studied English Literature at Oxford before moving to London to pursue post-graduate studies in Journalism. In London, with its melting pot of cultures, she further expanded her culinary horizons trying out Greek, Turkish and Middle Eastern food for the first time.</span></b></span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IE;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span lang="EN" style="color: #666666; font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><b style="font-weight: normal;">
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span> </div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X6ZDQc8SGlo/WB-oB8ayVMI/AAAAAAAAMgA/OjuDLUcDevoJmW8bR-PidvrCkhysDVgsACEw/s1600/About-Diana-header-image-567x347.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-X6ZDQc8SGlo/WB-oB8ayVMI/AAAAAAAAMgA/OjuDLUcDevoJmW8bR-PidvrCkhysDVgsACEw/s320/About-Diana-header-image-567x347.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Diana Henry</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Diana is a busy woman. In addition to her weekly food column in The Sunday Telegraph, she regularly contributes to other publications and when she can, she hosts radio programs. However, her cookbooks are central to the work that she does. Although her previous books have covered topics as diverse as gastropub food and winter-inspired recipes from North America and Northern Europe, they all have one thing in common; they are written with passion. Moreover, she has a real understanding of the requirements of home cooks and this comes through in all her writing. It is easy to see why her books have won numerous awards. Her last book ‘A Bird in the Hand’, a collection of creative chicken recipes, won the prestigious James Beard award in 2016.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4BE57QAxtcQ/WB-oCnNNeSI/AAAAAAAAMgU/Ya6FAZP3xiMKYckOB23t9dMge8bIXMuSwCEw/s1600/Carrot%2BHoumous%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4BE57QAxtcQ/WB-oCnNNeSI/AAAAAAAAMgU/Ya6FAZP3xiMKYckOB23t9dMge8bIXMuSwCEw/s320/Carrot%2BHoumous%2B3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carrot Houmous</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The title of Diana’s latest book explains exactly what it is all about; flavoursome, fuss-free recipes. In many ways, food is a barometer of society’s changing tastes and fashions and the recipes in Simple reflect this. Many of them incorporate ingredients that seemed exotic a few years ago but are becoming increasingly commonplace in our kitchens. These ingredients are used in the recipes in a way that makes sense and without being contrived or pretentious.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Simple contains more than 150 recipes with chapters covering Salads and Toast as well as Pulses, Pasta & Grains. However meat-lovers need not worry because there are also chapters on Fish, Chops & Sausages, Roasts and Chicken. The book finishes with a brace of chapters entitled Fruit Puddings and Other Sweet Things. The opening chapter on Eggs includes some interesting new recipe ideas using this most humble of ingredients. I was particularly drawn to the </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Persian-Inspired Eggs with Chillies</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> – a dish full of Eastern promise - which involved pan-frying the eggs with spinach, Medjool dates and spices. An equally intriguing dish of </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Eggs with Peppers and ‘Nduja</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> (a spicy pork paste from Calabria) also managed to get my gastric juices flowing.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carrot Houmous</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I couldn’t wait to get stuck in and try out some of the recipes. In truth, I can see myself trying most of them out at some point but for the purposes of this review decided to pick a representative cross-section beginning with the </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Carrot Houmous, Roast Tomatoes & Harissa Yogurt</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> - an interesting alternative to a classic houmous.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The houmous was incredibly easy to make and used ingredients that I already had in my pantry. Carrots were peeled and chopped before being simmered in a pan of water until tender. They were then blended in a food processor together with canned chickpeas, tahini, olive oil and lemon juice. Gently spiced with cumin, the houmous was absolutely delicious and I thought the suggested accompaniments of roasted tomatoes and harissa yogurt were just perfect with it.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hbA9HxdqLLs/WB-oD1lFd2I/AAAAAAAAMgs/79fgWZX9roQ1WB2a-UYkvlpAXcYJ7Ws6QCEw/s1600/Pork%2BChops%2Bwith%2BMustard%2B%2526%2BCapers%2B6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hbA9HxdqLLs/WB-oD1lFd2I/AAAAAAAAMgs/79fgWZX9roQ1WB2a-UYkvlpAXcYJ7Ws6QCEw/s320/Pork%2BChops%2Bwith%2BMustard%2B%2526%2BCapers%2B6.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pork Chops</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The beautiful images in the book by photographer Laura Edwards further tempt the taste buds. I was irresistibly drawn to the look of the </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Pork Chops with Mustard & Capers so</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> decided to try it out for myself. Most people think of capers as a garnish – something strewn like confetti on top of smoked salmon or as part of an antipasti platter but here they were an integral part of the dish imparting saline pops of flavour to the rich and creamy sauce that accompanied the pork chops. I’m struggling to find words to describe this dish because it was just heavenly; deeply savoury, quick-to-make and… oh… SO tasty! I have made it on numerous occasions since getting my hands on Simple. A recipe for Coffee-Brined Pork Chops with Hot Sweet Potatoes also sounds fascinating so I plan to make it soon.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uPWDs7PVuK8/WB-oEWXA1AI/AAAAAAAAMg8/A96o46oIAekHm2Jmq8wuci6KR4Mnvae3gCEw/s1600/Smoked%2BSausage%252C%2BSplit%2BPea%2BPur%25C3%25A9e%2B4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uPWDs7PVuK8/WB-oEWXA1AI/AAAAAAAAMg8/A96o46oIAekHm2Jmq8wuci6KR4Mnvae3gCEw/s320/Smoked%2BSausage%252C%2BSplit%2BPea%2BPur%25C3%25A9e%2B4.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Smoked Sausage</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Next, I made the </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Smoked Sausage with Split Pea Purée & Caraway Butter</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">. It’s probably something to do with my memories of the caraway cake that my grandmother used to make, but I have always been a huge fan of anything flavoured with this fragrant, slightly bitter spice. Again, I had most of the ingredients to hand but had to buy the smoked Morteau sausage. This was poached whilst the yellow split peas simmered on the hob and everything was brought together with a sauce simply made from toasted caraway seeds and butter. This dish was, without a doubt, one of the most delicious things that I have eaten this year and I can see it becoming a new family favourite.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RpdpHzVBOGs/WB-oCo_nHhI/AAAAAAAAMg8/-2LaKnAlWNIBbCa0La8gW30jtSxvN7y-ACEw/s1600/Apricot%2B%2526%2BOrange%2BBlossom%2BFool%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RpdpHzVBOGs/WB-oCo_nHhI/AAAAAAAAMg8/-2LaKnAlWNIBbCa0La8gW30jtSxvN7y-ACEw/s320/Apricot%2B%2526%2BOrange%2BBlossom%2BFool%2B3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roast Apricot & Orange Blossom Fool</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">To finish my recipe road-test, I made the </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Roast Apricot & Orange Blossom Fool. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Here halved apricots were roasted in a dish with a splash of wine and seeds scraped from a vanilla pod before being puréed and folded through some double cream and Greek Yoghurt. Served in bowls and topped with roasted apricot halves this was a wonderfully elegant dessert. What I like so much about this recipe is the fact that it can be easily adapted to include other fruits that are in season.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Without exaggeration, I truly believe that Simple is a seminal cookery book. The recipes in it are contemporary but the ideas behind them are timeless. It is a book that sits comfortably with the realities of modern living and contains recipes that are straightforward but never compromise on taste. This is a book that truly stands out from the tens of thousands of cookery books that are published every year and I believe every kitchen should have a copy. Put it on your Christmas lists!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">This review first appeared in <a href="https://thetaste.ie/wp/simple-effortless-food-big-flavours-by-diana-henry-cookbook-review/">TheTaste</a></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Simple: Effortless Food, Big Flavours</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> by Diana Henry is available to buy <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/SIMPLE-effortless-food-big-flavours/dp/1845338979">here</a>.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Simple by Diana Henry</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17431495084119577263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4887314893712781142.post-12159580069974227032016-11-06T03:13:00.000-08:002016-11-06T03:13:03.376-08:00Restaurant Review: Eala Bhán, Sligo<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XQsr5xagXGI/WB8NuHYjQmI/AAAAAAAAMfs/TQv3flaebXwUj2PRF3itK9k_YqrkyQd9wCEw/s1600/Scallops%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XQsr5xagXGI/WB8NuHYjQmI/AAAAAAAAMfs/TQv3flaebXwUj2PRF3itK9k_YqrkyQd9wCEw/s400/Scallops%2B2.jpg" width="398" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IE;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Over the past couple of years I have eaten in and reviewed many restaurants around Ireland for TheTaste; not just those located in Dublin and the country’s larger cities but also many in our smaller towns and in the countryside. However, living in Connaught I will admit that I always jump at the chance to try out restaurants in the West of Ireland. I fervently believe that there is great food being produced </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">all </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">around this island and that this is something that should be nurtured and celebrated.</span></span></span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eala Bhán Dining Room</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IE;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">One place that is really developing a vibrant food culture is Sligo. The <a href="http://sligofoodtrail.ie/">Sligo Food Trail</a></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> was launched by local food producers and restaurateurs over the summer with the aim of showcasing the county’s rich gastronomic heritage and promoting it as a foodie destination. I love Sligo and as the Town is a relatively short drive from my home in Roscommon, I decided to visit there to have dinner in <a href="http://www.ealabhan.ie/">Eala Bhán</a></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> recently.</span></span></span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IE;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span lang="EN" style="color: #666666; font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Eala Bhán is situated in the heart of the town beside the Garavogue River - a location that, for me, has echoes of the Left Bank in Paris. White swans can often be seen swimming along the river and it is from them that the restaurant takes its name as Eala Bhán translates from the Irish as ‘the white swan’. The restaurant is owned by Sligo native </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Anthony Gray </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">who also owns Trá Bhán in nearby Strandhill. As the current President of the <a href="http://www.rai.ie/">Restaurants Association of Ireland</a> Anthony is a well-known figure in the Irish hospitality industry but it is his support of the local food scene that has seen his two restaurants go from strength-to-strength, garnering many awards along the way.</span></span></span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amuse Bouche</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #666666;">The restaurant closed for a while towards the end of 2015 due to an early-morning fire that broke out on the premises. The fire caused extensive damage but thankfully, after the necessary renovation works were carried out, Eala Bhán re-opened and it continues to be one of the town’s most popular dining spots. Inside it is decorated in neutral, muted tones. Fairy lights behind gauze curtains cast a magical glow over the elegantly designed dining room whilst quotes from the writer W.B. Yeats - one of Sligo’s most famous sons - are inscribed on the walls. I couldn’t help but smile at a large 3-D wall sculpture of a white swan ‘launching’ itself into the dining room above one of the tables and sitting opposite it during my meal I found myself mesmerised by its imposing presence.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_wzN_Tlsi14/WB8NsofPpnI/AAAAAAAAMfI/HUtXKRRZj_8av0aJuOaJ1P8UaCfH8eKdACEw/s1600/Duck%2BTrio%2B6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_wzN_Tlsi14/WB8NsofPpnI/AAAAAAAAMfI/HUtXKRRZj_8av0aJuOaJ1P8UaCfH8eKdACEw/s320/Duck%2BTrio%2B6.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trio of Duck</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #666666;">Eala Bhán opens for Lunch each day, serves Afternoon Tea and also offers Early Bird and À La Carte Menus in the evening. The restaurant prides itself on serving locally-sourced Irish food and glancing through the menu this is immediately evident, with local suppliers credited throughout. We chewed on a well-made white bread which was accompanied by homemade pesto and butter whilst we examined the menus, eventually deciding to go À La Carte.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">First up was an amuse bouche of </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Sweet Potato Soup</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> which was served in an espresso cup. It was well-seasoned, flavoursome and warming, giving us a sense of the food that was to follow. Both starters were sizeable; not that we were complaining as we had arrived with good appetites. My </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Lemon Buttered Scallops </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">(€11.95) was a lovely dish comprising three wonderfully plump and perfectly cooked scallops with a lovely caramelised exterior giving way to a soft centre, full of the sweet tastes of the sea. A saffron aioli was a fragrant accompaniment whilst a pea purée accentuated the inherent sweetness of the scallops. However, it was the slightly acidic apple chutney which, along with the lemon, counterbalanced the overall richness and brought everything alive on the palate.</span></span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pork Fillet</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Across the table, my guest’s </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Trio of Duck & Cashel Blue Cheese Ice-Cream</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> (€11.95) was a quirky dish but one that successfully showcased the wonderful quality of the duck that was used. A velvety smooth homemade duck liver pate had been well-made and was delicious eaten with the thin slices of toasty bread and red onion marmalade supplied but we both agreed that the spring roll with its unctuous filling of soft leg-meat and the thin slices of smoked duck breast were the stars of the show. Both were outstanding. I felt that the little side-salad of delicately dressed leaves and red onion was unnecessary and that the unusual and extremely moreish Cashel Blue cheese ice-cream was sufficient.</span></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eTmYnRfceuE/WB8NtjSxyhI/AAAAAAAAMfc/pONSnu4Gx7YlLBEOU7Id1cFGwuBOQjrNQCEw/s1600/Onion%2BRings%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eTmYnRfceuE/WB8NtjSxyhI/AAAAAAAAMfc/pONSnu4Gx7YlLBEOU7Id1cFGwuBOQjrNQCEw/s320/Onion%2BRings%2B2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Irish Cider Onion Rings</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Moving on to the main course, the </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Eala Bhán Pork Fillet</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> (€22.95) with its crust of crushed pistachio nuts immediately caught my eye. The pork has been supplied by Feeneys of Sligo pork fillet and had been sensitively cooked so that the meat retained moisture and was succulent. It was served on a bed of buttery mashed potato which included a generous amount of black pudding. A cherry sauce containing loads of whole cherries and an earthy parsnip purée completed the dish. To accompany my pork, I ordered a side of </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Irish Cider Onion Rings </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">(€3.50) which were amongst the best that I have ever eaten, with a crisp batter coating and a centre of sweet, hot onion.</span></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3bxd1I23eUo/WB8NtIb8GPI/AAAAAAAAMfU/5tRNfhyZjM02wVWwunS9FOs5QeDzhyb7QCEw/s1600/Halibut%2B4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3bxd1I23eUo/WB8NtIb8GPI/AAAAAAAAMfU/5tRNfhyZjM02wVWwunS9FOs5QeDzhyb7QCEw/s320/Halibut%2B4.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Halibut with Asparagus Risotto</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">For his main course, my guest decided on the Catch of the Day - </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Halibut with Asparagus Risotto</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> (€25.95). Here two pieces of halibut were served with a perfectly made, creamy asparagus risotto. The fish had been nicely seasoned and pan-fried so that its skin was delightfully crispy which contrasted nicely against the softness of the fish. Baby carrots poached in blackcurrant juice were an unusual accompaniment by we both liked how the sourness of the blackcurrants worked with the sweetness of the carrots. This was a great dish. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Twice Cooked Fat Chips</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> (€3.50) were everything that a good chip should be - well-seasoned and crunchy on the outside with a soft, fluffy centre.</span></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UVaOZuINhHg/WB8Nr4XhUnI/AAAAAAAAMe4/dY1dhCGiiZAw5Abas2uPN9AgjAT_h50QwCEw/s1600/Baked%2BAlaska%2B5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UVaOZuINhHg/WB8Nr4XhUnI/AAAAAAAAMe4/dY1dhCGiiZAw5Abas2uPN9AgjAT_h50QwCEw/s320/Baked%2BAlaska%2B5.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mini Baked Alaska</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The Dessert Menu in Eala Bhán is jam-packed with a good selection of classic crowd-pleasers. I quickly decided on the </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Mini Baked Alaska</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> (€7.95) and it did not disappoint. I love retro desserts and this one, in its simplicity ticked all the right boxes for me. It was made up of a disc of sponge cake topped with a scoop of vanilla ice-cream which was covered in Italian meringue before being blow-torched to lightly toast and colour the meringue. The contrasts presented by the toasted meringue and the cold ice-cream has always been something that I find irresistible and this was a very good version. A soft fruit coulis and fresh strawberries completed the dish.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">My guest decided on the </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Eala Bhán Eton Mess</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> (€7.95) - an interesting reworking of this classic dessert where strawberries which had been macerated in port and bananas were folded along with crushed homemade meringues into some lightly whipped cream. A warm milk chocolate sauce completed proceedings and was an unusual addition.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Eala Bhán has a carefully chosen wine list with many wines also available by the glass. From it we chose a </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">2014 Saint Florin Bordeaux </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">- a blend of merlot and cabernet sauvignon grapes which, with its soft fruits flavours, went particularly well with the duck and my pork fillet dish.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #666666;">It is not hard to see why Eala Bhán is so popular both with locals and with visitors to Sligo as the restaurant is serving some really great food. I loved the cosy but classy feel of the restaurant and the warm welcome we received from our waitress Claudine who helped make our night so enjoyable. Anthony Gray has assembled a great team around him including Head Chef Marcin Szczodrowski and Pastry Chef Elina Aleksandrova. If you are in Sligo, make sure to book a table at Eala Bhán.</span></span><br />
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This review first appeared in <a href="http://thetaste.ie/wp/swimming-along-nicely-in-sligo-eala-bhan-restaurant-review/">TheTaste.ie</a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Lunch Menu</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> 12pm – 3pm</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Sunday Lunch</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> 12:30pm – 3pm </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Early Bird</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> 5pm – 6:30pm </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">A-La Carte</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> 5pm – 9:30pm </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Afternoon Tea</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> 12pm – 3pm</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Eala Bhán</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Rockwood Parade</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Sligo</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">County Sligo</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Telephone</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">: 0719145823</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Website</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">: <a href="http://www.ealabhan.ie/">www.ealabhan.ie</a></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kgytHlflKSM/WB8NshwWXKI/AAAAAAAAMf0/G4VUiaAAQ5k5kvLUxbPWipScNWZt7oVxgCEw/s1600/Eala%2BBh%25C3%25A1n%2BDining%2BRoom%2B4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kgytHlflKSM/WB8NshwWXKI/AAAAAAAAMf0/G4VUiaAAQ5k5kvLUxbPWipScNWZt7oVxgCEw/s320/Eala%2BBh%25C3%25A1n%2BDining%2BRoom%2B4.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eala Bhán Dining Room</td></tr>
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</span></span></span></span></span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17431495084119577263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4887314893712781142.post-26906573936466891342016-11-05T03:16:00.000-07:002016-11-05T03:16:17.997-07:00Recipe: Chicken with Chorizo, Butter Beans & Kale in a Cider Sauce<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pzHYU7PUUe4/WB2wUYsHBaI/AAAAAAAAMeg/PWITfZk_GO82r0nIMOnQ8Zf_5A-P512dwCEw/s1600/Chicken%252C%2BButter%2BBeans%252C%2BKale%2B%2526%2BChorizo%2B7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pzHYU7PUUe4/WB2wUYsHBaI/AAAAAAAAMeg/PWITfZk_GO82r0nIMOnQ8Zf_5A-P512dwCEw/s400/Chicken%252C%2BButter%2BBeans%252C%2BKale%2B%2526%2BChorizo%2B7.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IE;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span lang="EN" style="color: #666666; font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #666666;">Chicken is a hugely versatile ingredient and it is incredibly popular with my family who are - to put it bluntly - fussy eaters. My children do love spicy food and I tend to cook a lot of chicken curries for them but in an effort to introduce them to other flavours I decided to create this dish using chorizo for an alternative spicy kick.</span></span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IE;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span lang="EN" style="color: #666666; font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span> </b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IE;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span lang="EN" style="color: #666666; font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b style="font-weight: normal;">
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #666666;">I also included some butter beans, a pulse which I love but I think is often overlooked. I was concerned that my gang would complain about the inclusion of the beans but they loved them. To make life easy, I used canned beans, but you can of course soak and prepare your own beans and then add them to the dish.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #666666;"></span></span> </div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #666666;">Serve this dish with crusty bread to mop up the broth-like sauce.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span> </div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">INGREDIENTS:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">2tblsp vegetable oil</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">1 chicken jointed or 6 x chicken breast, bone-in and skin-on</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">200g cooking chorizo, sliced into 5mm discs</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">1 onion, finely chopped</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">3 garlic cloves, crushed</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">3 bay leaves</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">500ml dry cider</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">250ml chicken or vegetable stock</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Large bunch of kale, roughly chopped</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">1 x 400g tin of butter beans, drained and rinsed</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Sea salt & freshly ground black pepper</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span> </div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CLmKqw2yLQc/WB2wUh16C9I/AAAAAAAAMek/kGOb-LoRs_EjmRk-z6JAUpdtvicexe3VgCEw/s1600/Chopped%2BOnions%252C%2BKale%2Band%2BChorizo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CLmKqw2yLQc/WB2wUh16C9I/AAAAAAAAMek/kGOb-LoRs_EjmRk-z6JAUpdtvicexe3VgCEw/s320/Chopped%2BOnions%252C%2BKale%2Band%2BChorizo.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">METHOD:</span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Heat the vegetable oil in a large frying pan over a medium heat. Season the chicken pieces and fry off in batches until golden brown all over ( about 3 minutes each side). Remove with a slotted spoon and transfer to a bowl.</span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Add the chorizo to the frying pan and cook for 2-3 minutes until golden. Tip into the bowl with the chicken. </span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Add the onion to the frying pan and fry over a gentle heat for 8-10 minutes until softened. Add the garlic and fry for a further minute.</span></div>
</li>
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Increase the heat and immediately add the cider, scraping the bottom of the frying pan to dislodge any encrusted sediment from the cooking of the chicken and chorizo. Let the mixture bubble away vigorously for five minutes and then reduce the heat to a simmer. Return the chicken and chorizo to the pan.</span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Add the bay leaves and stock. Cover and simmer gently for 40 minutes. Remove the lid and add the drained butterbeans. Simmer, uncovered for a further 10 minutes. Add the kale which will immediately start to wilt. Taste the sauce and adjust seasoning as necessary.</span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Serve in bowls with lots of crusty bread on the side.</span></div>
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</ol>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span> </div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Serves 6.</span></div>
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</div>
</b></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P2iGR2HJ8X8/WB2wT_WivyI/AAAAAAAAMeY/zsOSfT5UoGsZEVmaa5WPssGkXunk1tBXACEw/s1600/Chicken%252C%2BButter%2BBeans%252C%2BKale%2B%2526%2BChorizo%2B4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-P2iGR2HJ8X8/WB2wT_WivyI/AAAAAAAAMeY/zsOSfT5UoGsZEVmaa5WPssGkXunk1tBXACEw/s320/Chicken%252C%2BButter%2BBeans%252C%2BKale%2B%2526%2BChorizo%2B4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
</span></span></span></span></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17431495084119577263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4887314893712781142.post-74147483731733206522016-10-18T13:44:00.000-07:002016-10-18T13:44:18.617-07:00Recipe: Baked Cheesecake with Spiced Plums & Blackberries<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FEnemWhk0qg/WAaI5BCP9zI/AAAAAAAAMdI/FfKC13DEagAj-GCuul2WZGoi82YnEVcGQCEw/s1600/14705831_1177113465687684_866654802774468339_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FEnemWhk0qg/WAaI5BCP9zI/AAAAAAAAMdI/FfKC13DEagAj-GCuul2WZGoi82YnEVcGQCEw/s400/14705831_1177113465687684_866654802774468339_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IE;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span lang="EN" style="color: #666666; font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #666666;">Is it just me or do cheesecakes seem to have fallen out of fashion? At one time they seemed to be a permanent fixture on many dessert menus but they are not seen as regularly these days. When they are offered, they tend to be ‘deconstructed’ which always leaves me a little underwhelmed and although this seems to be the fashion these days, I have to admit that I have always preferred a no-nonsense-style wedge of cheesecake.</span></span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IE;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span lang="EN" style="color: #666666; font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b style="font-weight: normal;">
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #666666;"></span></span><br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #666666;">There are two main types of cheesecake; those that are uncooked and set with gelatine and those that are baked. I like both but will admit that I find it impossible to resist the baked variety which for me is best typified by a classic New York Baked Cheesecake with its topping of a thin layer of sour cream.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #666666;"></span></span><br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #666666;">This recipe is for a baked cheesecake with a biscuit base and is fairly simple to make. It is important not to over-beat the filling as this creates air bubbles which can cause the cheesecake to crack when it cools. Whilst this will not affect the flavour, it will affect the look of the finished cheesecake.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #666666;"></span></span><br /></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #666666;">I like to serve the cheesecake with stewed or roasted stone fruits and at this time of the year nothing beats plums which are plentiful and inexpensive, so I have also included my recipe for Spiced Plums & Blackberries.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Baked Cheesecake</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></span> </div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">INGREDIENTS:</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">150g ginger biscuit crumbs</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">65g butter melted</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">360g Philadelphia Cream Cheese</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">175g caster sugar</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">4 large eggs, lightly beaten</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">30g plain flour, sifted</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">200ml sour cream</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Grated zest and juice of 1 lemon</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">METHOD:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Preheat the oven to Fan Oven to 160C/Fan Oven 140C/Gas Mark 2. Grease and base line a 22-24cm round loose-bottomed cake tin.</span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Place the biscuit crumbs in a medium bowl. Pour the melted butter onto the crumbs and mix well. Press the mixture into the base of the prepared cake tin and chill in the fridge while you make the cheesecake filling.</span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Place the cream cheese and caster sugar in a clean mixing bowl and using a hand-held electric mixer and beat together until smooth. Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing on a low speed until they are just incorporated.</span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Stir in the sifted flour, sour cream, lemon zest and juice and then pour the mixture into the cake tin on top of the chilled biscuit base.</span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Bake in the preheated oven for 50-60 minutes and then switch off the oven but do not remove the cheesecake. Allow to cool in the oven and then remove and chill until ready to serve.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Serves 10-12</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /></div>
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MLovKWnLVkA/WAaI4jhh0lI/AAAAAAAAMc8/qZYU711tytEgQ446vaiRHntAN7hSuLiGwCEw/s1600/14572761_1177112555687775_2710269971758782508_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="319" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MLovKWnLVkA/WAaI4jhh0lI/AAAAAAAAMc8/qZYU711tytEgQ446vaiRHntAN7hSuLiGwCEw/s320/14572761_1177112555687775_2710269971758782508_n.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Spiced Plums & Blackberries</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></span></span> </div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">INGREDIENTS:</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></span>10 plums, halves and stoned</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">50g Demerara sugar</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">1 orange peeled zest and juice</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">1 cinnamon stick</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">1 star anise</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">1 vanilla pod split</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">125g blackberries, each halved lengthways</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">METHOD:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /></div>
<ol style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Preheat the oven to Fan Oven to 180C/Fan Oven 160C/Gas Mark 4.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Place the plums in a baking dish cut side upwards and sprinkle over the sugar. Break the cinnamon stick in half and add to the plums along with the vanilla pod, star anise and orange peel. Pour over the orange juice.</span></div>
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<li dir="ltr" style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; list-style-type: decimal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Place in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes until the plums have softened and the cooking juices have reduced. Remove from the oven and mix in the halved blackberries and allow to cool. Refrigerate until ready to use.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br /></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Serves 6-8.</span></div>
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</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17431495084119577263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4887314893712781142.post-83335477309347744882016-10-16T12:42:00.000-07:002016-10-18T13:22:12.122-07:00Culinary Escape: The Ice House Hotel & Spa, Ballina, County Mayo<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hlWP93NG8dM/WAZ_AxcfWuI/AAAAAAAAMb8/M1TD0OPJvzk0XqxOPD88hDs8T8kcyjf1QCEw/s1600/Breakfast%2B-%2BEggs%2BBenedict.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hlWP93NG8dM/WAZ_AxcfWuI/AAAAAAAAMb8/M1TD0OPJvzk0XqxOPD88hDs8T8kcyjf1QCEw/s400/Breakfast%2B-%2BEggs%2BBenedict.jpg" style="cursor: move;" unselectable="on" width="400" /></a><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IE;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span lang="EN" style="color: #666666; font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">So often in life it’s the little things that make a difference;- those little touches and attention to detail that turn something pleasant into a truly memorable experience. I was reminded of this during my recent visit to </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The Ice House Hotel & Spa</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> where, from the moment that you first check in, you get the sense that you have arrived somewhere special and that your needs as a guest really do matter. As I say… it’s the little things that make a difference such as the genuine welcome that you receive and the plate of freshly baked sweet treats that are placed in your bedroom.</span></span></span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IE;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span lang="EN" style="color: #666666; font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9IEo7K6uoRE/WAZ_Cg1gvHI/AAAAAAAAMck/E2ZIscvpL3Qh11ONXEg7vcJtPTzazopfQCEw/s1600/Ice%2BHouse%2BBedroom%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9IEo7K6uoRE/WAZ_Cg1gvHI/AAAAAAAAMck/E2ZIscvpL3Qh11ONXEg7vcJtPTzazopfQCEw/s320/Ice%2BHouse%2BBedroom%2B2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ice House Bedroom</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IE;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span lang="EN" style="color: #666666; font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #666666;">The Ice House is situated on the outskirts of the bustling County Mayo town of Ballina and sits perched on the banks of the River Moy which is famous for its salmon fishing. The older part of the hotel was originally the house where the ice was kept to preserve the large quantities of salmon which were exported to Scotland during the Victorian era. The old house has been seamlessly incorporated into the contemporary architecture but more importantly the building sits comfortably in the surrounding landscape and does not look out of place. The hotel, with 32 rooms including five suites, has a lovely intimate feel to it but at the same time it is decorated in an opulent style throughout and oozes luxury.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #666666;"></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">My spacious bedroom was located in the newer part of the hotel with stunning views of the River Moy through the floor-to-ceiling windows from where I could see cormorants performing rather fascinating wing-stretching exercises in the distance. The large king-sized bed was covered with a wonderful goose-down duvet, firm pillows and a beautiful blanket made at the local Foxford Woollen Mills. The luxury feel followed through to the bathroom with its almost industrial-looking polished stone sinks, large shower and freestanding bath tub. Toiletries are by </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Voya Seaweed Products</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> – an Irish company - and as I was to find out the following morning are also used in the Ice House’s award winning spa.</span></span></span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IE;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span lang="EN" style="color: #666666; font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #666666;"></span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q1UWgY1AcgA/WAZ_C9x6WQI/AAAAAAAAMcs/TfjVlCFiNfcaCWaVYsQTojIIzVgWdalCACEw/s1600/River%2BMoy%2B4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Q1UWgY1AcgA/WAZ_C9x6WQI/AAAAAAAAMcs/TfjVlCFiNfcaCWaVYsQTojIIzVgWdalCACEw/s320/River%2BMoy%2B4.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the Ice House</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IE;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span lang="EN" style="color: #666666; font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">After settling into my room, I decided to wander down to the bar which is located on the ground floor adjacent to the restaurant. I was pleased to find that the bar is well-stocked with a broad range of beers, spirits and cocktails available. I ordered a </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Shortcross Gin & Tonic</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> which, despite the fact that evening was setting in, I decided to enjoy on the balcony looking out onto the river. As I took my seat outside on a large comfortable couch in front of one of the beautiful thick black limestone tables my bartender arrived with a Foxford blanket to wrap myself in should I feel chilly… and again I thought… it’s the little things that make a difference.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #666666;"></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I </span></span></span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IE;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span lang="EN" style="color: #666666; font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">had arranged to meet an old friend for a late dinner in the hotel’s </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Pier Restaurant</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">. Part of the restaurant is in the original ice-storage room and leads out to a newly constructed glass extension where breakfast is served each morning. The restaurant has a lovely spacious feel and like the rest of the hotel has been decorated in a smart, elegant style with whitewashed walls and colourful artworks.</span></span></span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IE;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span lang="EN" style="color: #666666; font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NkXnGQ7mAOo/WAZ_BbZyhqI/AAAAAAAAMcE/MffbVIecFVw4x24iJEf8YI4xTdGiaHNuACEw/s1600/Dinner%2B-%2BHam%2BHock%2BCroquette%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NkXnGQ7mAOo/WAZ_BbZyhqI/AAAAAAAAMcE/MffbVIecFVw4x24iJEf8YI4xTdGiaHNuACEw/s320/Dinner%2B-%2BHam%2BHock%2BCroquette%2B3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crispy Ham Hock</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IE;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span lang="EN" style="color: #666666; font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Head Chef Anthony Holland</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> has designed a succinct but appetising seasonal menu that also makes room for a number of daily specials. After feasting on some well-made breads including a brown soda and an onion-flavoured white bread we were treated to an unexpected amuse bouche consisting of vegetables, pea tendrils, goat’s cheese and air-dried lamb. This small plate of food was full of distinct flavours that awakened the taste-buds and was a wonderful start to our meal.</span></span></span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IE;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span lang="EN" style="color: #666666; font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #666666;"></span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IE;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span lang="EN" style="color: #666666; font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">My starter of </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Crispy Ham Hock with Leek & Savoy Cabbage</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> looked absolutely beautiful on the plate and tasted heavenly. Soft and slightly salty meat was combined into a disc before being bread-crumbed and pan-fried until golden. It was served with a rich creamy sauce that included broad beans and pancetta lardons. My companion’s starter of </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Pan-Fried Kidneys </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">was excellent with a lovely sticky sauce that was well-seasoned and full of piquant mustard. Many people avoid offal but this dish was a perfect example of how delicious it can be when cooked well.</span></span></span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IE;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span lang="EN" style="color: #666666; font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #666666;"></span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_U9tlzsCtKg/WAZ_B5bytpI/AAAAAAAAMcQ/EQfi09PELXgKniG2a4jypdB6a6-m_agugCEw/s1600/Dinner%2B-%2BLamb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="319" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_U9tlzsCtKg/WAZ_B5bytpI/AAAAAAAAMcQ/EQfi09PELXgKniG2a4jypdB6a6-m_agugCEw/s320/Dinner%2B-%2BLamb.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pan Seared Rump of Lamb</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IE;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span lang="EN" style="color: #666666; font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Both main courses were also superb. My </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Pan- Seared Rump of Lamb</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> was accompanied by a silky-smooth butternut squash purée, root vegetables and a fantastic mini-shepherd’s pie. A cucumber and mint dressing cut through the overall richness. This was a dish that celebrated lamb in all its glory and I loved it. My guest’s </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Pan-Fried John Dory </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">was a simple dish that accentuated the sweetness of the fish. It was served with steamed broccoli, pan-juices and a pepper sauce. To accompany our mains we ordered sides of Sautéed Mushrooms and Buttered Seasonal Vegetables.</span></span></span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IE;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span lang="EN" style="color: #666666; font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IE;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span lang="EN" style="color: #666666; font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The wine list is impressive and contains an interesting selection of wines at a range of different price points. There are also a number of decent wines available by the glass. We decided to go for something a little unusual and ordered a bottle of a </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">2009 Hochar Carignan Cabernet Sauvignon </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">from the Bekaa Valley, Lebanon. This wine which is made from a blend of cabernet sauvignon and carignan grapes is full of concentrated fruit flavours that stood up particularly well to my lamb dish.</span></span></span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IE;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span lang="EN" style="color: #666666; font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #666666;"></span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JCphqNo5sc0/WAZ_BWzoIII/AAAAAAAAMcM/P5QGIFPWHZUu9EhpRpqxBAtb0D777ylkwCEw/s1600/Dinner%2B-%2BJohn%2BDory%2B4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="319" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JCphqNo5sc0/WAZ_BWzoIII/AAAAAAAAMcM/P5QGIFPWHZUu9EhpRpqxBAtb0D777ylkwCEw/s320/Dinner%2B-%2BJohn%2BDory%2B4.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">John Dory</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IE;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span lang="EN" style="color: #666666; font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">We finished our meal with a couple of crowd-pleasing desserts that were very different but equally delicious. My </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Apple Tart Tatin</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> with its crisp pastry base and caramelised fruit topping was everything that you would expect from this classic dessert whilst every element on my companion’s Chocolate Tasting Plate and in particular the chocolate pave were a chocolate lover’s dream.</span></span></span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IE;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span lang="EN" style="color: #666666; font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #666666;"></span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IE;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span lang="EN" style="color: #666666; font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I awoke the next morning after a deep sleep in my exceedingly comfortable bed and made my way down to a leisurely breakfast in the glass atrium located off the main restaurant. I chose pastries and fruit from the well-stocked continental breakfast selection which also included yoghurts, cereal, cheese, breads and juices and then ordered </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Eggs Benedict</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> from the cooked breakfast. The eggs benedict were cooked perfectly and set me up for the day ahead. Tea and toast finished my morning feast.</span></span></span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IE;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span lang="EN" style="color: #666666; font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #666666;"></span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Pbyoj6wnd78/WAZ_C4W1x6I/AAAAAAAAMco/rJFIcA_gfgMv00jVp8S6PgwoNXJA2U9tACEw/s1600/Ice%2BHouse%2BHot%2BTub%2B%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Pbyoj6wnd78/WAZ_C4W1x6I/AAAAAAAAMco/rJFIcA_gfgMv00jVp8S6PgwoNXJA2U9tACEw/s320/Ice%2BHouse%2BHot%2BTub%2B%25282%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hot Tub</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IE;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span lang="EN" style="color: #666666; font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The Ice House has won many awards for its </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Chill Spa</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> including the Best Boutique Spa at the 2014 Tatler Spa Awards. The Chill Spa is an oasis of calm and in addition to an outdoor hot tub overlooking the River Moy, there is also a quirky barrel sauna and a futuristic-looking steam room. It offers a broad range of treatments using </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Voya Organic Seaweed Treatments</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">. I had booked a Signature Massage under therapist Celine which takes approximately 60 minutes. Without a doubt this was one of the most relaxing experiences of my life and left me with a very zen demeanour for the rest of the week. I loved that way that the Chill Spa and its relaxation rooms have been designed so that they face out onto the river which gives you the sense that you are almost part of the landscape and added to my overall feeling of calm.</span></span></span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IE;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span lang="EN" style="color: #666666; font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Cicj9e--Z6w/WAZ_CWv0wiI/AAAAAAAAMcc/E7y_Pz8udikrYe8CcbPAAhMr6cNFGqnsgCEw/s1600/Ice%2BHouse%2BBarrel%2BSauna.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="319" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Cicj9e--Z6w/WAZ_CWv0wiI/AAAAAAAAMcc/E7y_Pz8udikrYe8CcbPAAhMr6cNFGqnsgCEw/s320/Ice%2BHouse%2BBarrel%2BSauna.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Barrel Sauna</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IE;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span lang="EN" style="color: #666666; font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #666666;">I thoroughly enjoyed my short stay at the Ice House Hotel & Spa and would recommend it without hesitation to anyone seeking a break from the stresses and strains of everyday life. From the moment you arrive you feel cocooned from the outside world and I found myself floating around the hotel feeling more relaxed than I have felt for ages. Service is outstanding and staff are friendly and keen to make sure that every aspect of your stay is enjoyable. Everything about the Ice House has quality stamped on it and the attention to detail makes this a place that you will remember.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The Ice House Hotel & Spa</span><br />
</b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IE;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span lang="EN" style="color: #666666; font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The Quay</span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IE;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span lang="EN" style="color: #666666; font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Ballina</span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IE;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span lang="EN" style="color: #666666; font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b style="font-weight: normal;">
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<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IE;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span lang="EN" style="color: #666666; font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">County Mayo</span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IE;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span lang="EN" style="color: #666666; font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b style="font-weight: normal;">
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span> </div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Telephone: 09623500</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Website:</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: blue; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;"><a href="http://www.icehousehotel.ie/">www.icehousehotel.ie</a></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T4vHBUvyRdc/WAZ_CeklgbI/AAAAAAAAMcg/bJwY61jssY0btSUybGSurOPU-R8ixBhPQCEw/s1600/Ice%2BHouse%2BBedroom%2B-%2BView%2Bfrom%2BWindow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-T4vHBUvyRdc/WAZ_CeklgbI/AAAAAAAAMcg/bJwY61jssY0btSUybGSurOPU-R8ixBhPQCEw/s320/Ice%2BHouse%2BBedroom%2B-%2BView%2Bfrom%2BWindow.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from my Bedroom</td></tr>
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</b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17431495084119577263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4887314893712781142.post-73927537092444040992016-10-11T14:16:00.000-07:002016-10-11T14:16:14.021-07:00Restaurant Review: Cava Bodega, Middle Street, Galway<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MMietQwxPio/V_1VHdeiVYI/AAAAAAAAMaY/SZIfnwbTxxsbrH23SiT_Nv0mznKP0_izQCEw/s1600/Scallops%252C%2BBlack%2BPudding%252C%2BCauliflower%252C%2BPanceta%2BIberica.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MMietQwxPio/V_1VHdeiVYI/AAAAAAAAMaY/SZIfnwbTxxsbrH23SiT_Nv0mznKP0_izQCEw/s400/Scallops%252C%2BBlack%2BPudding%252C%2BCauliflower%252C%2BPanceta%2BIberica.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IE;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Cava Bodega</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> is one of three Galway restaurants owned and run by husband and wife team</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> JP McMahon </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">and </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Drigín Gaffey </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">who are also responsible for the Michelin-starred Aniar and the more casual Eat Gastropub. Originally located on Dominick Street, Cava Bodega moved to its new home beside the Dáil Bar on Middle Street in late 2013 from where it continues to go from strength-to-strength, consolidating its position as one of the city’s most popular restaurants.</span></span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IE;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span lang="EN" style="color: #666666; font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><div dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-9c60aec5-b589-23c2-c117-d18bd3c66ac9" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cava Bodega Menu</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The restaurant is split over two floors with a small street level bar cum dining area and a larger downstairs dining room where the chefs work at a furious pace in the open kitchen producing dishes from the extensive menu. The décor has a raucous, eclectic feel to it, with exposed stonework, brightly painted walls and artworks depicting various breeds of pig in all their glory. Empty wine bottles serve as candle holders placed on tables made from reclaimed wood and old wine crates form the serving bar in front of the kitchen pass. I found it immediately appealing.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The menu feels a little intimidating at first, with small print covering both sides of an A3 sized card. However, after closer inspection we realised that it included both the food and a wide range of Spanish wines. Also included are a nice selection of Spanish Sherry and Irish craft beers and ciders. Despite its length the menu is divided into easy-to-navigate sections covering vegetarian, fish, meat and dessert tapas options. With relative ease we selected a number of dishes to kick off proceedings, knowing that we could always order more at any time during our meal. After discussing preferences with my dining companion, we selected an easy-to-drink </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Langa: Garnacha/Syrah</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> (Calatayud, 2015) (€30 per bottle) full of soft red fruits. This wine, like many in Cava Bodega, is also available by the glass or a 500ml carafe.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x4e45UygdxQ/V_1VHbBN6MI/AAAAAAAAMaU/emghjn3L9tMIZktyv8w_8fwWSxhHXEIfgCEw/s1600/Pinchos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="319" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-x4e45UygdxQ/V_1VHbBN6MI/AAAAAAAAMaU/emghjn3L9tMIZktyv8w_8fwWSxhHXEIfgCEw/s320/Pinchos.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pinchos</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">A large basket of </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Sourdough Bread</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> was first to arrive to the table and was served with a full-flavoured Pedro Ximenes vinegar and a fruity virgin olive oil. This was soon followed by a duo of </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Pinchos</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> - a type of open sandwich. The first of these </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Octopus, Onion Marmalade, Piquillo Pepper</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> (€6.50) was a delicious combination of tender octopus, sweet peppers and piquant, almost jammy, onions whilst the </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Smoked Duck, Plum Compote, Hazelnut</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> (€7) was also excellent with generous slices of gently smoked duck meat balanced by the acidity in the fruit compote and the crunch of the toasted hazelnuts.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">There is one dish that I always order when I visit a tapas restaurant and in many ways it has become the culinary yardstick by which I judge the quality of these popular shared-plate meals. Unfortunately I have eaten a lot of mediocre </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Patatas Bravas</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> in my time but the version in Cava Bodega (€5.50 per portion) with its spicy hit of smoked paprika and accompanying creamy sauce did not disappoint.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PFqLsHKBxN8/V_1VGfftRRI/AAAAAAAAMaE/Z6EM2ObfqZU7z4jJyVP8gUIQa7Lg-yNvACEw/s1600/Goat%2527s%2BCheese%252C%2BPiquillo%2BPepper%252C%2BWalnut%2BPowder.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PFqLsHKBxN8/V_1VGfftRRI/AAAAAAAAMaE/Z6EM2ObfqZU7z4jJyVP8gUIQa7Lg-yNvACEw/s320/Goat%2527s%2BCheese%252C%2BPiquillo%2BPepper%252C%2BWalnut%2BPowder.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Goat's Cheese</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Our next dish – a vegetarian offering was the beautifully plated </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Goat’s Cheese, Piquillo Peppers, Walnut Powder</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> (€8). This was full of simple flavours which worked together to accentuate the mild and creamy goat’s cheese which had a wonderful grassy flavour on the palate.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Portions are generous in Cava Bodega and at the outset our waiter had advised that five or six dishes would be more than adequate for two people but we decided to forge ahead and order a trio of savoury plates. The first of these - </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Scallops, Black Pudding, Cauliflower, Panceta Iberica, Pistachio </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">(€14) comprised three fantastically plump scallops which had been perfectly pan-fried with a lovely caramelised crust and soft, sweet centres that tasted of the sea. They sat on a bed of creamy cauliflower purée. Meaty, iron-rich black pudding and a strip of salty Iberico ham completed the dish whilst a pistachio crumb and a cauliflower crisp provided textural contrast. Quite honestly, I would go back to Cava Bodega for this dish alone.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fZUutwm2TJ0/V_1VFQ1bdjI/AAAAAAAAMZ0/yq8AA3tTHVkmVwJUqac13istFQi6pjsdwCEw/s1600/Beef%2BSteak%252C%2BBroccoli%252C%2BJerusalem%2BArtichoke.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="319" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fZUutwm2TJ0/V_1VFQ1bdjI/AAAAAAAAMZ0/yq8AA3tTHVkmVwJUqac13istFQi6pjsdwCEw/s320/Beef%2BSteak%252C%2BBroccoli%252C%2BJerusalem%2BArtichoke.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beef Steak</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The scallops were followed by </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Beef Steak, Broccoli, Jerusalem Artichoke, Hazelnut, PX Sherry</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> (€14.50). Here a substantial piece of pan-fried beef was served with a silky-smooth Jerusalem artichoke purée, crunchy toasted hazelnuts and a to-die-for dressing made from Pedro Ximenes sherry. Although this was a seemingly simple dish, it more than delivered on the flavour front. Like so much of the cooking in Cava Bodega, the focus of this dish was on the outstanding quality of the ingredients that had been used.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Our final savoury dish was the</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> Moorish Chicken, Piquillo Sauce, Black Olive Soil</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">(€9.50). Although my hunger was waning I found it impossible to resist the crispy-coated tender chicken with its accompanying piquillo pepper ‘ketchup’ and the black olive crumb which was used almost like a seasoning. This was an uncomplicated dish but deeply satisfying to eat.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y2tl52YpANc/V_1VGiZ0EwI/AAAAAAAAMaM/73-ZNY_Xcfcd7HyJ-lDnCGOktxBPVRH2QCEw/s1600/Moorish%2BChicken%252C%2BPiquillo%2BSauce%252C%2BBlack%2BOlive%2BSoil%2B5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-y2tl52YpANc/V_1VGiZ0EwI/AAAAAAAAMaM/73-ZNY_Xcfcd7HyJ-lDnCGOktxBPVRH2QCEw/s320/Moorish%2BChicken%252C%2BPiquillo%2BSauce%252C%2BBlack%2BOlive%2BSoil%2B5.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moorish Chicken</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I will admit that by this stage our appetites were well sated but I’m a total dessert diva and insisted that we choose at least one. In the end we chose three to share between the two of us!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Desserts offered include the classic almond Santiago Tart and Crema Catalana but we were immediately tempted by the </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Churros, Chocolate Sauce, Chocolate Ice-Cream, Honeycomb</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> (€6 small/€12 large). Churros are deep-fried fritters which are a popular street food throughout Spain and Latin America. They are also commonly served for breakfast with cups of hot chocolate. Here the churros were presented along with a velvety-smooth chocolate ice-cream and a fabulous chocolate sauce flavoured with PX sherry to create a delightful dessert. Chunks of an excellent honeycomb completed this crowd-pleasing dish.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Churros</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Our second dessert</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> - Leche Frita, Orange, Sorbet </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">(€8) was another traditional Spanish offering consisting of wedges of thick – almost solid – custard which are bread-crumbed before being deep fried. In many ways my stark description does this fantastic dessert a huge disservice as it does not describe the sheer pleasure that is obtained from biting into the warm creamy custard set against the contrasting coolness of the sorbet and the juiciness of the slices of fresh orange.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The final dish of the evening, </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Sorbet, Rosé Cava, Berries, Liquorice Meringue</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> (€9) finished our meal with an elegant flourish and in many ways was, for me, with my sweet tooth, the dish of the evening. I absolutely loved the minimalism of this dessert comprising scoops of fruity sorbet and berries onto which dry rosé cava was poured. Shards of liquorice-laced meringue highlighted the natural sweetness of the berries and introduced an unexpected taste.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leche Frita</td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #666666; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Cava Bodega hit all the right notes with me. There was an exuberance to the whole experience that made it a place that I want to visit again. The primarily produce-driven cooking is innovative, based on using carefully sourced ingredients. The cooking seems rustic but you soon realise that a lot of care and consideration has gone into each plate of food that is produced. Service is unpretentious and delivered in a brisk but friendly manner. I was in total awe of the waiters who climbed up and down the restaurant’s two sets of stairs between the dining rooms with the speed and agility of mountain goats. Put succinctly, Cava Bodega has the feel- good factor and it is easy to see why it is such a hit with Galway diners.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Cava Bodega</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">1 Middle Street</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Galway</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Telephone</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">: 091539884</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Website</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">: </span><a href="http://www.cavarestaurant.ie/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">www.cavarestaurant.ie</span></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZHYDLdshskU/V_1VHT-_NfI/AAAAAAAAMag/vsoQuC89EWYvIQZM07RXvN4rsadAgRVFwCEw/s1600/Sorbet%252C%2BRos%25C3%25A9%2BCava%252C%2BBerries%252C%2BLiquorice%2BMeringue%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="319" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZHYDLdshskU/V_1VHT-_NfI/AAAAAAAAMag/vsoQuC89EWYvIQZM07RXvN4rsadAgRVFwCEw/s320/Sorbet%252C%2BRos%25C3%25A9%2BCava%252C%2BBerries%252C%2BLiquorice%2BMeringue%2B3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sorbet, Rosé Cava</td></tr>
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</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17431495084119577263noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4887314893712781142.post-85579692151562271102016-10-07T13:59:00.000-07:002016-10-10T14:33:33.173-07:00Restaurant Review: China Sichuan, Dublin 18<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LoYaHQKTBSk/V_wEuM9jxTI/AAAAAAAAMXg/EZpy-4L2tBoT0V85wgXwhAVeIJKgMlqJwCEw/s1600/Hon%2BYu%2BGuozi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LoYaHQKTBSk/V_wEuM9jxTI/AAAAAAAAMXg/EZpy-4L2tBoT0V85wgXwhAVeIJKgMlqJwCEw/s400/Hon%2BYu%2BGuozi.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IE;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Despite the fact that I lived nearby for many years, </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">China Sichuan</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> is a restaurant that I only visited for the first time recently. Run by </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Kevin Hui</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">, the restaurant has garnered many awards over the years and is a popular mainstay on the Dublin dining scene. Originally owned by Hui’s parents and located in Stillorgan, the restaurant moved to purpose-built premises in the Sandyford Industrial Estate a few years ago. This somewhat unlikely setting does not appear to have diminished the restaurant’s appeal and on the Wednesday evening that I visited the restaurant was thronged with diners eagerly tucking into their meals. The aromas were enticing and I couldn’t wait to sit down and order something to eat.</span></span></span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IE;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span lang="EN" style="color: #666666; font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IE;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span lang="EN" style="color: #666666; font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DgWqb3lcD78/V_wEv-DTpzI/AAAAAAAAMYE/_atGRfBEk2AEfoIeNVe9RQQrWA089cf_wCEw/s1600/Singapore%2BSling%2B%25282%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DgWqb3lcD78/V_wEv-DTpzI/AAAAAAAAMYE/_atGRfBEk2AEfoIeNVe9RQQrWA089cf_wCEw/s320/Singapore%2BSling%2B%25282%2529.jpg" width="319" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Singapore Sling</td></tr>
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</b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IE;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span lang="EN" style="color: #666666; font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #666666;">Inside, the restaurant is decorated in a sleek, modern style, without any of the kitsch décor favoured in so many other Chinese restaurants. We were greeted warmly as we arrived and asked whether we would prefer to be seated in the main dining room or in the outside glass-covered terraced area. We quickly decided on the latter and were shown to our table.</span></span>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IE;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span lang="EN" style="color: #666666; font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #666666;"></span></span> </b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></div>
<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IE;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span lang="EN" style="color: #666666; font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #666666;">In Ireland we are most familiar with the preponderance of sweet and sour sauces and rice-based dishes that are found in the Cantonese region of China. However, given the size of the country, it is not surprising to learn that Chinese cookery is in fact far more complex than the food that many of us are used to. The country is divided broadly into eight regions, each with its own cultural reference points, indigenous ingredients and specific dishes. The Sichuan province in the south-west of the country is known for its assertive, punchy flavours and interesting use of spices, tea and chilli sauces which find their way into many of the dishes on the menu in China Sichuan.</span></span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IE;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span lang="EN" style="color: #666666; font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b style="font-weight: normal;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L0VAf_vVAsI/V_wEugNU0cI/AAAAAAAAMXk/7jyM5_08YykOak9YiwBj4zEJzAnvGuXUQCEw/s1600/Jasmine%2BSmoked%2BPork%2BRibs%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="319" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L0VAf_vVAsI/V_wEugNU0cI/AAAAAAAAMXk/7jyM5_08YykOak9YiwBj4zEJzAnvGuXUQCEw/s320/Jasmine%2BSmoked%2BPork%2BRibs%2B2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jasmine Smoked Baby Ribs</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">In addition to a full à la carte menu there was a smaller Value Menu (available Monday – Wednesday at 2 course for €20 or 3 courses for €25) and also a truncated à la carte selection menu available on the night that we visited.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Although tempted by the very reasonably priced Value Menu we opted to go for the latter and also decided to order a cocktail each from the drinks menu. Made with Bombay Sapphire Gin, Cointreau and pineapple juice, a </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Singapore Sling</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> (€10.50) was a fruity little number that cooled the heat of the </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Spicy Beansprouts</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> that we had as an opener to our meal. My guest’s classic cocktail, an </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Old Fashioned</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> (€10.50) was full of whiskey and was a suitably boozy affair that put a smile on his face.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Both starters were excellent. My guest’s </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Jasmine Smoked Baby Back Organic Pork Ribs</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> (€9.00) were meaty with a lovely fragrant and fruits sauce with a nice amount of garlic. Ribs can be a little dry and are often swamped in a sauce that deadens the subtle flavour of the meat, but here they had been cooked with care so that the flavoursome meat fell from the bone.</span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IMRSvAEciaQ/V_wEv6U_C6I/AAAAAAAAMYA/c1W1JavyD8YETNEJTzzLl6h028UoxnIUwCEw/s1600/Rabbit%2Bwith%2BRoasted%2BGreen%2BTea%2BLeaves%252C%2BChilli%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IMRSvAEciaQ/V_wEv6U_C6I/AAAAAAAAMYA/c1W1JavyD8YETNEJTzzLl6h028UoxnIUwCEw/s320/Rabbit%2Bwith%2BRoasted%2BGreen%2BTea%2BLeaves%252C%2BChilli%2B2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pan-Fried Rabbit</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">My </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“Hon Yu Guozi” </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">(€9.50) consisted of poached chicken wontons in a light red oil chilli broth and was top-notch. This was a bracing dish not for the faint-hearted and full of pungent but sweet garlic which gave way to fiery heat on the palate. I’m not normally a fan of excessively spicy food but this soup was superb and left me feeling that all was right with the world and is a dish that I would order again without question. I thought it was absolutely fantastic and full of layered, nuanced flavours.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">China Sichuan has a reputation for serving a wide range of fish and meats and mains included lobster, rack of lamb and an intriguing </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Pan Fried Rabbit with roasted Green Tea Leaves & Chilli</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> (€18.50). Here small chunks of perfectly tender rabbit were dusted in flour and then pan-fried with roasted green tea-leaves which puffed up and created fragrant textural contrast that made each bite a joy to eat. Judicious use of chilli added background heat whilst toasted sesame seeds lent the dish a delicate smokiness. This was thoughtful cooking where the chef was quite evidently in tune with the inherent qualities of the ingredients being used.</span></span></span><div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gaYRgrCIocM/V_wEtgj7aHI/AAAAAAAAMYI/vXHN4SB0WRk-LTFneiBUbFa9ot_xo_iywCEw/s1600/Crispy%2BChilli%2BBeef%2BShreds%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gaYRgrCIocM/V_wEtgj7aHI/AAAAAAAAMYI/vXHN4SB0WRk-LTFneiBUbFa9ot_xo_iywCEw/s320/Crispy%2BChilli%2BBeef%2BShreds%2B3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">3 Pepper Rib-Eye Beef</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">My</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> 3</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Pepper Rib Eye-Beef</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> (€22.50) was another corker of a dish comprising tender strips of rib-eye beef seasoned with ground black pepper, five spice powder and Sichuan pepper and pan-fried with dry chilli. This was a powerful dish but again the flavour of the main ingredient – the beef – shone through. I loved the crusty exterior of the meat which gave way to meat that was still pink in the centre. This was a sophisticated dish and I loved it. With our main courses we shared portions of </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Steamed Rice</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> (€3.00) and </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Fried Noodles </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">(€5.00) both of which had been expertly cooked.</span></span></span><span style="color: #666666;">
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #666666;"></span></span><span style="color: #666666;"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I adore desserts and love to finish a meal with something sweet but if I’m honest I should admit that as a general rule, I tend to give them a miss in most Chinese restaurants as I find them derivative and uninspiring. However, the menu description of the desserts in China Sichuan sounded too good to pass over and I was delighted with </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Karen’s Cherry Bombe</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> (€7.50) when it arrived. Named after the restaurant’s pastry chef, the ‘bombe’ was essentially a baked Alaska with a core of cherry ice-cream covered in blow-torched Italian meringue. A garnish of cherry-flavoured chocolate ganache and some griotte cherries completed the dish.</span></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l3tw02tIXWY/V_wEszryhaI/AAAAAAAAMYI/IjAKfKso2E4YcqHCi0RPbKTtc6uguYwqQCEw/s1600/Cherry%2BBombe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l3tw02tIXWY/V_wEszryhaI/AAAAAAAAMYI/IjAKfKso2E4YcqHCi0RPbKTtc6uguYwqQCEw/s320/Cherry%2BBombe.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cherry Bombe</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The other dessert, </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Passionfruit Marshmallow </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">(€7.50) was of a similarly high standard and consisted of coils of cloud-like marshmallow and shell-shaped raspberry meringues finished with an intensely flavoured passionfruit espuma. This was delicious and I could feel all my preconceptions about desserts in Chinese restaurants melting away with each mouthful.</span></span></span>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #666666;"></span></span> </div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="color: #666666;">I was hugely impressed by my meal in China Sichuan. Service throughout was superb; attentive without being intrusive. I can be a difficult customer because I tend to ask a lot of detailed questions about the ingredients used and cooking methods employed but the knowledgeable staff seemed thrilled to share their enthusiasm for the food. The food that I ate was truly remarkable on many levels and I particularly enjoyed the modern take on classic Sichuan cuisine. This is high-end cooking that has managed to stay true to its roots and judging by the packed dining room, I’m not the only one who thinks so.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span> </div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">China Sichuan</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The Forum</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Ballymoss Road</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Sandyford Industrial Estate</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Dublin 18</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span> </div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Telephone</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">: 012935100</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Website</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">: </span><a href="http://www.china-sichuan.ie/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">www.china-sichuan.ie</span></a><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-z9VHAG3dAyY/V_wEvO77l7I/AAAAAAAAMYI/7OZ6mcLtLdciowbzgQb35VnUM-pOtvI-gCEw/s1600/Passionfruit%2BMarshmallow%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-z9VHAG3dAyY/V_wEvO77l7I/AAAAAAAAMYI/7OZ6mcLtLdciowbzgQb35VnUM-pOtvI-gCEw/s320/Passionfruit%2BMarshmallow%2B2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Passionfruit Marshmallow</td></tr>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17431495084119577263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4887314893712781142.post-45565145962574718642016-10-01T15:05:00.000-07:002016-10-13T15:06:23.778-07:00Article: Fall in Love with Lough Erne Pop-Up Dinner 2016<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gNIkqme2j-I/WAABQkReTtI/AAAAAAAAMbc/vH9i_WenF285se0xGeFEmkQK_UuEwD3_wCEw/s1600/Roast%2BBeef.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-gNIkqme2j-I/WAABQkReTtI/AAAAAAAAMbc/vH9i_WenF285se0xGeFEmkQK_UuEwD3_wCEw/s400/Roast%2BBeef.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IE;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Anyone who loves food - and Irish food in particular - will know that 2016 has been designated as </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Northern Ireland’s Year of Food & Drink</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">. Over the course of the past few months there have been many exciting events promoting the North’s vibrant food scene. This initiative has successfully shown that Northern Ireland has many talented chefs and top-class restaurants who are supported by some of the best food producers to be found anywhere in the world.</span></span></span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dSpYRYcwgeY/WAABO4nQxPI/AAAAAAAAMbA/lufQhe1qFBwoXkdom5uRPOnxJWsNhmuQgCEw/s1600/Canapes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dSpYRYcwgeY/WAABO4nQxPI/AAAAAAAAMbA/lufQhe1qFBwoXkdom5uRPOnxJWsNhmuQgCEw/s320/Canapes.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Canapés</td></tr>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IE;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span lang="EN" style="color: #666666; font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Fermanagh’s food and drinks producers are also playing their part in the Year of Food & Drink. The county is home to many of Northern Ireland’s top restaurants and this coupled with its beautiful countryside makes it a popular holiday destination for many. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Fermanagh Lakeland Tourism</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">, in conjunction with the local restaurant industry recently organised </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Fermanagh Restaurant Week</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> which concluded last weekend with the two-day long </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Festival Lough Erne</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">.</span></span></span></b></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-IE;"><span style="font-family: "calibri";"><span lang="EN" style="color: #666666; font-size: 12pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "calibri" , "sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #666666;"><b style="font-weight: normal;">
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">One of the highlights of the week was a pop-up dinner hosted by </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Lough Erne Resort </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">which took place in the impressive surroundings of the recently refurbished Enniskillen Castle. Needless to say, I was thrilled to be invited to the dinner and along with the other guests was treated to a truly delicious meal devised by </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Noel McMeel</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">, Lough Erne’s charismatic and talented Executive Head Chef.</span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iD-f9DjxFpQ/WAABPhliGmI/AAAAAAAAMbI/Nh5UrmIgNG0Xlyw5VpYitnolBRmNaqFWgCEw/s1600/Corned%2BBeef%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="319" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iD-f9DjxFpQ/WAABPhliGmI/AAAAAAAAMbI/Nh5UrmIgNG0Xlyw5VpYitnolBRmNaqFWgCEw/s320/Corned%2BBeef%2B2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Corned Beef</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The evening kicked off in a stylish way with a Drinks Gathering in Enniskillen Castle to the sounds of the Arco String Quartet playing in the background. Guests sipped on glasses of </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Prosecco </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">and a fruit punch made using </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">MacIvors Artisan Cider. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Given my love of Irish gin, I particularly enjoyed the </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Pimm’s & Lough Erne Gin Cocktail</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> made using Pimm’s No. 1 and the recently launched Boatyard Distillery Gin. Tasty canapés including </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Local Tomato Essence & Poteen Shot with Dublin Bay Prawn & Toomebridge Eel </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">and </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Fivemiletown Goat’s Cheese, Garden Green Salad, Dulse & Yellowman</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">, made using locally sourced ingredients, set the gastronomic tone for the evening which carried through to the meal that followed.</span></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KNEGKMqGgGs/WAABQP338UI/AAAAAAAAMbQ/twvWCAeea2At-WJ6l3fOMEJqO1dPxxLuQCEw/s1600/Pork%2BBelly%2B%2526%2BPrawns%2B2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KNEGKMqGgGs/WAABQP338UI/AAAAAAAAMbQ/twvWCAeea2At-WJ6l3fOMEJqO1dPxxLuQCEw/s320/Pork%2BBelly%2B%2526%2BPrawns%2B2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pork Belly</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Entitled ‘</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Fall in Love with Lough Erne’ </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">the dinner took the form of a three-course meal made up of a series of sharing platters. The first-course platters were already laid out on the tables as guests took their seats in the upstairs gallery area in the Castle which was our dining room for the evening. Breads, meats, seafood, salads amongst many other local delicacies packed each table and in no-time-at-all the assembled diners were tucking in and passing around the generously laden platters. The great thing about sharing meals and communal eating of this type is that all tastes and sizes of appetite are catered for and understandably this contributed to the great atmosphere in the room.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The meats were outstanding and included </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Pat O’Doherty Braised Pork Belly </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">(heavenly with the </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Spiced Apple Chutney</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> by </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Erin Grove Preserves</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">), a fabulous </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Corned Beef & Cabbage</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> and </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Tedford’s Potted Ham</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> but for me the standout dish of this first course was the </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Keenan’s Whiskey Cured Irish Salmon</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">with Crispy Capers</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">. The curing process had tenderised the top-quality salmon so that it literally melted in the mouth. Accompanying the seafood and meats were some of Noel McMeel’s signature breads from Lough Erne Resort including a wonderful </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Curry Bread</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Rocket Salad</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> and an </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Orchard Baby Beets & Apple Salad</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> completed this spread.</span></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZEgZi0iO_OQ/WAABQrSWyjI/AAAAAAAAMbg/mjVBVPbXEwEiBnzxHTqIpzjLfOL0rgCYACEw/s1600/Whiskey%2BCured%2BSalmon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZEgZi0iO_OQ/WAABQrSWyjI/AAAAAAAAMbg/mjVBVPbXEwEiBnzxHTqIpzjLfOL0rgCYACEw/s320/Whiskey%2BCured%2BSalmon.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Whiskey cured Salmon</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Mains Platters included </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Kettyle Sirloin of Irish Beef</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">, </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Pat’s Deep Dish Boxty</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">, </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Roast Carrots</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> and were accompanied by a piquant </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Horseradish Slaw</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> and rich </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Beef Gravy</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">. The beef was superb and had been cooked simply but perfectly to highlight its sublime flavour. If this were to be my last meal on earth, I would die a happy woman.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666;"><span style="color: #666666;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The meal finished with another seemingly simple but delectable dish of </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Fermanagh Strawberries,</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Chantilly Cream</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> and a buttery </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Shortbread Biscuit</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "calibri"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">. Too many chefs tend to overcomplicate dishes and in my opinion the sign of a great chef is one who knows when to reign in these tendencies and who recognises when great ingredients should be allowed to speak for themselves. This takes skill and a true love of the produce being used. Noel McMeel is lucky in that he has a bountiful local larder to choose from but he is also a chef who understands the beauty of the ingredients that he uses. I thoroughly enjoyed this meal and I look forward with great anticipation to the rest that Northern Ireland’s Year of Food & Drink has to offer.</span></span></span>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ty9wLzvgM9c/WAABPi_UA9I/AAAAAAAAMbM/xurXBw7VTnA20vp7gCQ09c3IkryR0pzPQCEw/s1600/Fermanagh%2BStrawberries%2B3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ty9wLzvgM9c/WAABPi_UA9I/AAAAAAAAMbM/xurXBw7VTnA20vp7gCQ09c3IkryR0pzPQCEw/s320/Fermanagh%2BStrawberries%2B3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fermanagh Strawberries</td></tr>
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