Potato Rösti

rosti + cake 010

I have tried various ways of making rösti over the years and this for me is the easiest and tastiest method.  Most recipes suggest using raw spuds and squeezing the starchy liquid from them in a teatowel – this has never worked for me and the centre of the rösti remained quite slimey.  Perhaps this is because I like my rösti thick […]

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Crème Brûlée

Creme Brulee 1

Crème Brûlée is one of our favourite desserts in this house.  My husband loves Rum & Raisin, my son prefers his plain and I like mine with rhubarb (as you can see from the pictures below!).  With this in mind I tend to keep a small jar of sultanas soaking in dark rum and when I […]

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Butternut Squash & Pancetta Risotto

Risotto

I think a lot of people are put off making risotto for fear of overcooking or being chained to the cooker for hours on end.   Risotto really isn’t anything to be scared of – once you have everything prepared and to hand then it is simply a matter of 15/20 minutes stirring and you will […]

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Chicken and Coconut Laksa

Laksa 007

There are many different variants of and recipes for this spicy noodle soup but this one is very simple and uses ingredients that are very easy to find.  It is so delicious and fragrant and is wonderful served in small bowls for 6 as a starter or 4 for lunch.  This recipe does use 2 tins of coconut milk – if […]

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Prawn and Chilli Spaghetti

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This recipe is my version of Gordon Ramsay’s Lobster Spaghetti.  I used frozen shell-on (but de-veined) tiger prawns and approx. 3 per person if they are very large.  I used tinned chopped tomatoes because the cherry tomatoes available in local shop at the moment are rather hard and not very sweet.  In the summer I will […]

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Brown Soda Bread

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Brown soda is probably my favorite bread – it is so rustic and simple.  There is no kneading or proving so you can get a loaf ready for the oven in just a few minutes.  I love to eat soda bread with a hot bowl of soup or topped with a slice of crumbly vintage cheddar.   This recipe […]

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Pea & Feta Salad

Frittata + Pea & Feta salad 010

This is based on a salad I met and fell in love with in Avoca last summer.  I think their salad used broad beans but for me garden peas are much more readily available. It is a very simple but fresh, light salad that everyone seems to love… even some who claim  not to like peas. Quantities below are a suggestion only for […]

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Spinach & Potato Frittata

Frittata + Pea & Feta salad 005

I love the frugality of frittata – some eggs, an onion and whatever you have left over or in the fridge can be amalgamated to produce a wonderful, tasty offering in very little time.  I served this frittata with a pea and feta salad.

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Mille Feuille My Way

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This is my simple, somewhat rustic version of Mille Feuille.  It is easy to make and yet tastes fabulous and instantly makes me feel very summery.  Makes 6 servings.

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Lamb Shanks

meatballs and lamb shanks 017

The last few days (okay, years) have been freezing here in the west of Ireland and yesterday, with the wind howling outside and rain pelting at the windows, I felt like we were still stuck in the depths of winter.  When the weather is like that it I always seek comfort in something hearty for […]

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