Irish Produce Shines in Christmas Food and Drink

 Irish Produce Shines in Christmas Food and Drink

James Whelan’s Outstanding Heritage Cure Ham

Conversation slowed around the Christmas table, a sure sign that the diners were enjoying themselves. The focus of our taste buds was the magnificent Heritage Cure Low and Slow Roasting Ham (from Clonmel butcher James Whelan), a 3-Star Great Taste winner whose judges praised its “wonderfully inviting, moist, pink slices”. In this house, we all agree.

Christmas Cake

Took the German option this year, as we did in 2022, and once again enjoyed the Stollen (above) that we bought from local baker Angela (Ryes and Shine). It got a unanimous thumbs up here, especially when paired with the Rizzardi Prosecco from O’Briens Wine.

Porter

Two of my favourite porters, Kinnegar’s Yannaroddy 4.8% ABV, and West Kerry’s Carrig Dhubh (6.00% ABV) featured in a mini-porter session, more of a delicious duet than a duel.

Festival Ales

A  pair of stalwart Cork breweries produced our ales. Kinsale KPA, by Blacks, has long been a favourite and, a few years ago, we added the ales of Elbow Lane to the shortlist. Happy to have them again this year! The Elbow Pale Ale has a traditional English character (with malt prominent), is smooth and refreshing and a great match with food.

Wine

Adega Cachi Cachín Peza do Rei Ríbera Sacra (DO) 2021 was my favourite of the festival. A vineyard that has profited from being admired by ex-US President Barrack Obama, the wine is balanced, soft easy-drinking with a long refreshing finish. Find it at Le Caveau stockists.

Christmas Cheese

Hegarty's Friesians

The Grubb family in Tipperary produce Cashel Blue, one of the great blues. Blue for sure but wrapped in that marvellous irresistible creaminess from the well-watered grass of the area. No wonder it is so popular in Ireland. Indeed, it is sold all over the world including in dozens of outlets in France (mainly in Paris). Information on stockists here.

Whitechurch village is just a few miles north of Cork City and it is here you’ll find Hegarty’s farm and Dan’s herd of Friesians. While Hegharty’s are not confined to cheddar, it is indeed this magnificent cheese that has been snapped up by restaurants and retail customers alike over the past 20 years or so. Our wedge for Christmas tells us that it is as delicious as ever!

Christmas Juice

Apple Farm Sparkling Apple Juice has long been regarded as a delightful drink in this quarter. With time running out before the big day, we ordered a case direct from the Apple Farm and made good use of it, even using the juice as a substitute for sparkling wine (especially for drivers!).

And there was a bonus. Con Traas of the Apple Farm threw in a pack or three of his Slow-dried Irish Elstar Apple Crisps, another delicious product from Tipperary. Actually, quite a few Tipp stars are in this year’s festival line-up

Turkish Delight and Christmas Chocolate

Hadji Bey, once produced in Cork’s MacCurtain Street, is still a favourite in the city. And beyond. Now made in Kildare, it is widely available and, thanks to Bradleys in North Main Street, we enjoyed the traditional original Rose gift box! Bradley’s was also the source for a selection box of delightful chocolates by Chez Emily, an Irish Belgian Chocolatier based in Dublin, another sweet highlight

Fish

Hederman Smoked Salmon, in two different ways. One evening, we enjoyed the Hot Smoked version and another the Beech Wood smoked, both top class as we’ve come to expect from the Belvelly maestro.

Speaking of Hederman, have you ever used their smoked chilli flakes? Quite a few are flummoxed when coming across these for the first time but they are versatile and can be used with eggs (scrambled or otherwise), in soups and stews and in pasta dishes. We used them with a melted Camembert - see the BBC Good Food recipe here. 

Daily Bread

The Mayfield Bloomer, by local baker Angela (Ryes and Shine), was our daily bread. By the way, did you know Angela also does a loaf version of the popular bloomer? It has a softer crust than the original (ideal for those of us whose teeth aren’t as good as they used to be!).

Stained glass window at Pearse Lyons Distillery Dublin.

Kinsale Gin - making a mark!

Season’s Spirits

  Pearse Lyons Single Malt Whiskey (5-Years) again stepped up to the mark for Christmas. Something amazingly clean about it -  the crispness of the fruit, the toast of the oak, a waft of pepper, and the clove notes, from the to lingering finish. Spice and citrus also feature in the aromas and the malt too of course.

  Kinsale Gin was another welcome spirit. This popular small-batch gin, is produced by the Kinsale Spirit Company. They hand-pick local botanicals “to produce complete perfection… Every one of our treasured 21 botanicals have been carefully chosen..”. And it shows in the aromas, floral, citrus and essential juniper and is perfectly balanced on the palate.