In late 2014, Michael Kelly got in touch to see if I’d like to review his new book; Grow Cook Eat. So I owe him an apology for taking so long to get this review done. Sorry Michael!
Mind you, it’s about the right time of the year to start considering growing your own food. I know that the weather is cold, it may be snowing where you are, but in food-growing terms many of us who like to grow our own food are busy tending to our crops that last through the Winter, and have started to chit potatoes, and propagate seedlings for the Spring. Read More →
I didn’t manage to make the Irish Craft Fair in the RDS this year, but never fear my mother went on my behalf instead. She arrived home with 2 parcels for me. One of which contained a book from the self-published author and artist, Dolores Keaveney. Read More →
A weighty tome for a weighty subject, The Irish Beef Book by Pat Whelan and Katy McGuinness evokes memories of much loved linen bound cookery books found in my Grandmother’s kitchen.
If you’ve been following Rosanne Hewitt-Cromwell’s journey from blogger to published author over the past year you know how much of herself she has poured into this book. I received a copy of the book from Mercier Press a couple of weeks ago and now it’s time to give you the Like Mam Used To Bake review. Read More →
“Save With Jamie” is a beautiful and tactile cookbook filled with plenty of food images where the recipes are written in an easy to read style. However, today I’m scratching beneath the surface to see if it measures up from a frugal food point of view. Read More →
Have you heard about Adam’s Cloud? I first heard about Benji Bennett over 3 years ago now when I chanced across his interview on Ireland AM. I cried, a lot, for this incredibly strong man who had written the first of what was to become a series of books in memory of his son Adam. That award winning book is called “Before You Sleep”. Read More →
The discussion amongst fellow food lovers in Ireland has been split right down the middle over the past fortnight. On one side the excitement from those who love to forage and make things with elderflower was evident. On the other hand I spotted more than a few “foodies” lament that they didn’t like the stuff and can’t stand the foraging movement.
Elderflower, according to more than one, is the new wild garlic. En vogue on food blogs and finding it’s pesky way into seasonal menus nationwide. Read More →
Published in April 2013, Food For Friends by Edward Hayden is well timed for summer parties and home entertaining. I was sent a copy of the book for review and here’s my thoughts: Read More →
It’s no secret that I’ve been car booting for years. When I was a little more flush and had different ideas of what direction my photography would take I collected vintage kitchen equipment. There are now 2 large boxes of this stuff crammed in the bottom of my larder that I rarely use. Since I pared back my food pictures, I started collecting cookbooks. Read More →
Stuck for a last minute present for a foodie? Looking for a book that captures modern Irish cooking and a sense of place? Then my book review for the 3rd day of my 12 days of Christmas series may be for you. Read More →
Published on 13 September 2012, Tom Kitchin’s book is published by Quadrille Press, this is my review and I tested one of his recipes from the book; pretzels.
Heart Children Ireland is an entirely volunteer run organisation who aim to provide supports in Ireland for all who are affected by a congential heart defect. Just one short sentence that makes the world of difference to families who receive a diagnosis or are on the road to receiving a diagnosis of a heart defect. Late last year we were blessed with the arrival of our youngest son. At a routine check up we were told that he had a hole in his heart which was causing a heart murmur. From the day of that examination we began to have an understanding of the work that Heart Children Ireland do.
So when Lily aka A Mexican Cook in Ireland sent a shout out for volunteers to review a charity cookbook in aid of this great charity I knew that I would like to be involved. “A Taste of Certus” packs a rake of tried and tested recipes from the staff at Certus who adopted the charity under their 2011 corporate social responsibility project into an A5, spiral bound cookbook. Can I just say, I love spiral bound cookbooks. That was a pure genius design choice, one of my little bugbears when cooking is having to weigh down pages and hold them open. None of that here. There is a fantastic page of weights & measurements to the front, including American cup measures which is extremely handy no matter what the recipe or book. The book is then divided into the courses of a meal and also includes a baking section, a Christmas recipe section and some wine recommendations.
What I like about this book is that many of the recipes have unusual flavours gathered from different countries but each and every one of them are easily tackled by the homecook and beginners. I tried out the Flapjack recipe contributed by Anna Quinn. Flapjacks were one of the first items I cooked as a child for my Brownie cookery badge (showing my age) and I have great memories of baking them in the past. I don’t know why I hadn’t thought of making them with my own children until now but I won’t be neglecting to make them again.
The book is on sale for 10 euro and can be ordered by contacting Heart Children Ireland at heartchildren@eircom.net or by phone on 1850 217 017. Heart Children will place the order with Certus and they ship the book. All the proceeds go directly to the charity. Read More →
Stuck for a last minute present for a foodie? Looking for a book that captures modern Irish cooking and a sense of place? Then my book review for the 3rd day of my 12 days of Christmas series may be for you. 
