Wholesome Bites

There have been some great things pop up here over the past couple of weeks so I figured I’d share them with you before I get back to the recipe blogging. I call them my Wholesome Bites.

I promise I’ve a new recipe for lemon muffins to share so if you’re interested don’t forget to check back tomorrow!

Cookbooks

Paul Flynn’s Family Food

This new cookbook produced in association with Lidl is a visual delight. Paul’s book is divided into sections which allow you to decide what you want to cook based on the amount of time you have. Genius. Needless to say all the recipes are based on ingredients available in store and are fairly budget friendly. I’ve tried out a few recipes from the cookbook since I got it and it’s got a big thumbs up here. The book is available in Lidl stores nationwide for €12.99.

Bread On The Table by Valerie O’Connor

I love this book which is packed full of practical recipes with clear instructions on how to bake your own bread at home. Not just bread though as Valerie has great sweet and savoury baking recipes to share as well. The book really captures Val’s passion for great bread and food. She has photographed it beautifully and I know it’s going to be a great success. Published by The O’Brien Press it is available in bookstores nationwide at RRP €19.99.

The Ballymaloe Cookbook by Myrtle Allen (Revised and Updated 50-Year-Anniversary Edition)

This is probably the only Ballymaloe book I didn’t have so I was delighted to receive a gift of it over the weekend just past. The original is an institution. Now it has some new recipes, photographs and durable bound cover. I love it and I know that the Ballymaloe Cookbook is going to be gathering splashes and splatters happily in my kitchen for many years to come. Published by Gill & Macmillan it’s available nationwide at RRP €27.99.

Events

The Secret Garden

I was invited to this pop-up restaurant in Meeting House Square in Temple Bar a few weeks ago. It really intrigued me how they were managing to serve lunch for €10 per person and dinner for €20 of high end dining. Overall the dining experience was great, even though at times we felt like we were in a goldfish bowl because the set up was so striking that passers-by were having a great gawk.

Small wonder then to discover that “The Secret Garden” was a Lidl project which raised much needed funds for Barrettstown. If you’d like to find out more, just click on their link above.

Kerrygold Ballymaloe Literary Festival of Food And Wine

Now there’s a mouthful! Thankfully it was shortened to #LitFestIE or simply “LitFest” when discussing this great event. I was working with Kerrygold for the duration of the weekend, and I’ve written a review of how I got on over on I Love Cooking so why not head on over to get the low-down and see what I was up to!

Right, I’m tired just reading all of that! I’m off to grab another pint of tea (needs must) and write up that lemon muffin recipe that I’ve promised.

The featured image, in case you’re wondering is from a recipe for Smoked Mackerel Toast that I made this day last year.  Two years ago I was making a Chilli Barbecue Sauce.