Locally Sourced Dinner At Home. No Fuss!

 Locally Sourced Dinner At Home 

Don't think I'd have been much of a hunter-gatherer! Not after last weekend's performance when I failed to order in good time from one of several "At Home" or "Click & Collect Offers" in the Cork area. Reached the end of the line when I found out that the well-flagged Dim Sum at O'Mahony's Watergrasshill had been sold out.

But not to worry. The official Blog Chef had her ducks all in a row. She had earlier collected a box full from Davidson's, our local craft butchers, and had no problem in producing a starter and mains. Dessert was also in the fridge, this a terrific treat from Yum Gelato that was part of an earlier purchase from Bradley's in North Main Street.

So no big deal, no fuss. And we had a lovely dinner with the satisfaction of supporting local thrown in.

Delicious Duck Spring Rolls (Davidsons)

Always enjoy these spring rolls. About as good as I've tasted since I haunted a Vietnamese food stall

while holidaying for a few weeks in Chinon on the banks of the Vienne in the Loire Valley in 2013.

Chicken Italiano (Davidsons)

Juicy boneless chicken breasts filled with cheddar cheese, smothered in tomato & herb sauce and topped with grated mozzarella and a drizzle of fresh basil pesto Cover in foil and roast in the oven for 40 mins @ 180°C. They’re saucy, they’re cheesy, they’re delicious. Just one of many specials available in Montenotte.

Belgian Double Chocolate Chip (Yum Gelato via Bradley's)

As good as it gets. Just one of the many delicious flavours available from Yum Gelato. Find them at various Neighfood collections, at Farmers Markets and in quite a few stores such as Menloe and Bradley's.

Davidson's Craft Butchers

Yum Gelato

Taste of the Week. Dark Chocolate Apple Crisp Thins

Taste of the Week
Christmas Special

Dark Chocolate Apple Crisp Thins

Lismore Food Company, who make these beauties, say that “Seven days without Chocolate makes one Weak“. I say seven days with chocolate makes my week.

These divine crisp apple thins, air dried and wrapped in the finest dark Belgian chocolate, are an epicurean delight. They have a delicious contrast between the richness of the chocolate and the tartness of the apple and are our Taste of the Week.

All week, that is. With the morning coffee, with the afternoon cuppa. And other occasions I won't mention in case someone is counting. Taste of the Week and very handy to have in the coming weeks. You might even consider dishing them out as presents. I didn’t! 
Stockists here.

Lismore Food Company

The Summerhouse

Main Street

Lismore

Co. Waterford.

+353 86 171 2813

SUPERB SAGE

SUPERB SAGE

Ham and cabbage. Irish. Old Irish even. But cooked with a modern touch by the chefs at Midleton’s Sage  it is turned into something special. And I enjoyed it there last week, enjoyed every bit of the meal.


 A Ham Hock and Green Cabbage terrine with pickle was my very tasty starter. Something different and the terrine was enhanced by the pickle (courgette and gherkin). A very different dish but on a par with the brilliant Corn Beef and Cabbage starter I enjoyed recently at Blairs Inn. Goes to show what can be done with the most humble of ingredients in the hands of chefs who know and care.


The main course was also brilliant: Roast Chicken supreme with Asparagus, Courgette and Chorizo fritters, buttered mash and a white wine cream. The chicken was top class, tender and juicy and the Asparagus was cooked to a T. The buttered mash was one of the best I’ve come across. The fritters were different and tasty and the cream topped it off.


I could have stopped there and this menu would have cost me €20! Dessert, Warm Double Chocolate Orange Tart, brought it up to €25.00. It is an Early Bird but there is a fairly liberal interpretation of early.
Wine was a lively refreshing white from Bordeaux: Chateau Haut Rian 2010, Semillon and Sauvignon Blanc blend, at €12.00 for a half bottle.


Sage is just a few yards off the Main Street in Midleton and is a lovely room. The chairs are comfortable and you have space enough on the tables. Service is friendly and attentive. Food is good and so too is the value.


They have recently introduced a 12 mile menu where all the food is local but that menu is only available at lunch-time. Could be well worth a call!