O'Crualaoi Butchers in Ballincollig

O’CRUALAOI BUTCHERS

O’Crualaoi Butchers have been trading since 1957 and new shops in Fermoy, Carrigaline and Wilton have seen a rapid expansion in recent times.

Ballincollig is their first shop and I called to see their set-up recently. Here there are two sections, an inviting delicatessen and a very impressive and well laid out butcher shop.

Wasn’t on a meat buying mission on this occasion but did pick up a few things from the deli, including one of their fresh soups (mushroom). It was an excellent soup, very tasty indeed.

Much of that taste though came from the cream and butter in the mix. If you want something healthier you could try the recipe below which comes from an old Irish Heart Foundation leaflet.

Mushroom soup (for 5/6 persons)

2 oz Flora Margarine;

2 oz plain flour;

1 pint of chicken stock (fat free);

1 pint of skimmed milk;

½ lb mushrooms, finely chopped.

Chopped parsley, to garnish; salt & pepper and juice of half a lemon.

Method: Place all ingredients, except lemon juice into a large saucepan; whisking continuously over moderate heat, bring to the boil, cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Just before serving add lemon juice and stir well. Serve sprinkled with chopped parsley.

Cook’s Notes:

1-    My preference is to use low fat rather than skimmed milk.

2-    Omit the lemon juice (too strong in the taste, not for everyone)

3-    When cooked, liquidise.

4-    You could add a swirl of Crème fraiche with the parsley.

For current recipes from the Irish Heart Foundation go to: http://www.irishheart.ie

Photo: Ballincollig's Olive Tree
Check out my review of O'Crualaoi Butchers - I am cork - on Qype

Glenilen Farm in Drimoleague

GLENILEN FARM

There are yoghurts and then there are yoghurts from Glenilen Farm. Wow!

I have to admit that I have just discovered these little jars of gorgeousness. All other yoghurts fall away by comparison. If you haven't had the pleasure get on to their site http://blog.glenilen.com/ and check for your local stockists.

I found mine in O’Crualaoi’s delicatessen section in the Supervalu building on Main Street Ballincollig and it wasn't long before I was trying out the strawberry flavoured one and declaring it the best ever.

But don't just take my word for it. The success story of Glenilen Farm (in Drimoleague in West Cork) started with a small step in 1997. And the success has been marked with prizes, both national and international. The range now includes cheesecakes, yoghurts (small and large), various creams, butter and mousses.
A lot of exploring to do here. But it will be no hardship!

Check out my review of Glenilen Farm - I am cork - on Qype

IN THE NET TODAY

IN THE NET TODAY

Do you want to grow your own but don't know how to get started? Come to this workshop and learn how to sow, grow and harvest your own fruit and veg with minimal input. With both theory and practical aspects catered for you'll have the growing bug in no time! This workshop is being presented by Sinead from Dromcollogher Organic College. The workshop will include a practical element so please wear suitable clothing. €30 which includes course material, refreshments and a light lunch (please specify if you have any dietary requirements)

Growing Your Own Vegetables Organically

When:Saturday 11th April 2010 10-2.00pm

Where:The Secret Garden (centre)

Aghaneenagh, Newmarket, Co. Cork, Ireland

http://schmap.it/c1qz79

Today Nash 19 are getting a delivery of local, organic Rhubarb from Waterfall farms, and some free range eggs from Kinsale.

Kevin At Fenns Quay was talking to an American customer about beef stroganoff. “Interestingly it's usually served with noodles in the states, not rice.”  Best stroganoff I’ve ever had was on the shores of Lake Wolfgang in Austria, alongside the famous White Horse Inn. It was the main course in my Sunday lunch and, in 2004, cost me six euro and, yes, it was served with rice.

Curious Wines in Bandon’s April Contest is still on - become a fan of their Facebook page and you're in to win http://tinyurl.com/yl7b7mz

Donal Skehan may be on the piste but still found time for you. He has posted an Irish Seafood Chowder recipe up on the blog! http://ow.ly/1vUaA

Ballincollig Farmers Market

BALLINCOLLIG FARMERS MARKET

Called to the Ballincollig Farmers Market this Wednesday morning. It is nicely located in the lanes of the new shopping centre but is fairly limited, not very many stalls, at least on this occasion.

Had a lively conversation with Joy O’Driscoll of Joy’s Jams, mainly about her marmalades, and ending up buying a jar of her gooseberry (€3.50) and a jar of her dark Seville Marmalade (€3.80).

Next call was to the Tom’s Bread. We’ve been coming across them lately (previously in the Coal Quay and also, via ABC, in the English Market). This time bought a lovely baked wheat bread (€3.90) with a scattering of hazelnuts surprising the taste buds every now and then. Very enjoyable.

Kept circulating and helped ourselves to some decent looking carrots from the farmer’s stall, avoided the highly visual temptation of Katie’s Cup Cakes and some hot food stalls, including a creperie, before buying a couple of herb plants at €2.00 each from the helpful man at Swanton’s Stand, a stand seen regularly in their home base of Skibbereen where the market, much bigger than Ballincollig’s, take place every Saturday morning.

Check out my review of Ballincollig Farmers Market - I am cork - on Qype

FENN'S QUAY

FENN’S QUAY

Fenn’s Quay is well known for the quality of its food but today I start by praising its wine. Kevin Crowley knows his and puts in a big effort to provide his customers with quality and value when it comes to having a drink with a meal.

Last evening, we choose a Chilean Viu Manent Malbec to go with our Ossa Bucco (braised beef in this case). Delighted with it and, in the low 20s, it was good value as were the recent reds there, which included Cave de Tain Syrah VDP 2006 (from the Rhone Valley and now the house red) and previously the Spanish Bodegas Castano Monastrell 2007 Yecla and that is just to name a few off the lower end of a very impressive list indeed.

We started off last evening with a tomato and roast pepper soup. The Braised Beef shin was accompanied by a tomato and red wine sauce. It smelled good as it came to the table and was just gorgeous, falling away from the bone and just like your granny (your Irish granny) used to make it.

Desserts were excellent, both specials. I had an almond tart under a juicy mound of strawberries and the other dessert was a well done Bread and Butter Pudding.

I mentioned specials there. The website does show the regular meals but the choice here is much bigger, with specials added every evening to both the Supper (27.50 for 3 courses) and the a al carte Menus.

Once again, another enjoyable evening at Fenn’s Quay. Atmosphere is always nice and relaxed and the service friendly and efficient.

SPRING CHOICE

FEBRUARY/MARCH FAVOURITES 

All visited in last two months

Highly Recommended: Aherne’s (Youghal), Fenn’s Quay, Liberty Grill, Nash 19, Over the Moon (Skibbereen) and The Continental.

Recommended: Boardwalk Bar & Grill, Bramley Lodge, Crawford Gallery Cafe, Farmgate (English Market), Gilbert’s (Cobh), Hardwood and La Jolie Brise (Baltimore).

Really Good Food Shops: Bramley Lodge, Nash 19, Le Gourmet (Youghal) and O’Keeffe’s (St Luke’s).

Best Food Producer: Just Food (Cobh).

Coffee/Tea and Scones: Cafe Gusto, Greene’s, Hawthorn on the Lough, Nash 19 and Wholy Grain.

Top Farmers Market: Skibbereen (Saturdays)

Top Cheeses: Kilmichael Soft Cheese from the Sunview Goats; St Gall (Fermoy); Milleens.

Top Marmalades: 1 - Bramley Lodge 2 - Follains

Hudson's Wholefood in Ballydehob

HUDSON’S WHOLEFOOD
It was very quiet in Ballydehob on Saturday afternoon. “Most of them are away enjoying the sunshine,” said one of the locals.

We were beginning to doubt we’d get as much as a cup of coffee when we spotted the Bridgestone be-decked front wall of Hudson’s Wholefoods.

Between meals at the time, we didn't really study the foods in the shop but could see that there was quite a range. Went to the little cafe at the back where we got our two fine black coffees from the smiling waitress.

Looks likes something of a community information centre as well with loads of leaflets and cards on alternative services in the area.

Enjoyed a bit of down to earth banter (about coffee fashions) as we paid up and headed off into the sun, resisting (barely) the temptation to sit down again after we’d spotted – too late – the sign for organic wine at a fiver a glass!

Check out my review of Hudson's Wholefood - I am cork - on Qype

West Cork Hotel in Skibbereen

WEST CORK HOTEL

The West Cork Hotel in Skibbereen has a lot going for it: it is central (with its own car park), it is comfortable, gives good deals, has riverside views (where an otter, see photo, performed this weekend), an unusual extension to its very comfortable cosy bar out onto a disused railway bridge (photo), and a friendly staff.

Good deals on food also. On certain nights, you can get a pint or a glass of wine plus fish and chips for a tenner. Not bad. We have a dinner included in our deal, three courses. Starters and mains are fine but desserts, though strong on quantity, are low on quality.

We got a good bottle of wine, a Milton Park Riesling. Great refreshing lemon and line taste for just €21.50. Called to the bar earlier for a pint and a glass of beer. Cost €6.65. Cost in my local in the city is €6.30.

Breakfast was excellent, good choice and no shortage of quality, service friendly and prompt. We enjoyed our Eggs Benedict and Bacon Butty and also the Traditional Irish (especially the Rosscarbery sausages).

Reception was efficient and friendly all through. The room, pictured, was very well heated, had all you needed and was clean and comfortable with a view out over the river, see photo. The bathroom was spotless and had everything you’d expect, except for drinking glasses.

All in all, a fine base for visiting this part of West Cork.

For more pics from this trip see http://www.flickr.com/photos/corkbilly/sets/72157623726829032/ and http://www.flickr.com/photos/corkbilly/sets/72157623726758010/

Check out my review of West Cork Hotel - I am cork - on Qype

Farmers Market in Skibbereen

THE SKIBBEREEN FARMERS MARKET

The Saturday Farmers Market in Skibbereen town is one of the biggest, one of the best. It resembles a good French market and that comparison was underlined when it was blessed with fine weather this Saturday morning.

There is a great variety of stalls here: fish, herbs, cheese (including Gubbeen), crepes, chocolate, plants, books, stained glass, cakes, jams and preserves and, like France, pullets! And much more!

It is well organised, always space for everyone who wishes to set up a stall, thanks to the hard working Veronica and her fellow committee members.

Frustratingly, couldn’t buy too much this morning as we wouldn’t be home for a few days yet but did take the opportunity to pick up some spelt bread (Tomato Mozzarella) from the Dunmanway Baking Emporium.

But there was no room in the boot for the fresh fish being sold by a pair of lively sisters and certainly none for any of the pullets.

The market goes on my list and I wouldn’t mind making the trip down from the city some Saturday morning. It starts at 9.30am and close around 1.30pm.

Check out my review of Farmers Market - I am cork - on Qype

La Jolie Brise Restaurant in Baltimore

LA JOLIE BRISE

La Jolie Brise is one of a small string of pizza, restaurant and room rental properties run by the Waterfront in Baltimore (West Cork).

They include Chez Youen, a French Restaurant, but it was to the pizzeria plus fish tables of La Jolie Brise that we headed yesterday at lunch time.

A few years back, we spent two glorious days staying and eating in the Waterfront and one evening they ran out of mussels.

We made up for that today with some Moules Frites: two large bowls of delicious Roaringbay mussels along with a basket each of tasty chips. It made for an excellent lunch and cost €12.00 each.

La Jolie Brise is situated in the picturesque village of Baltimore in West Cork, Ireland. Looking out over the harbour mouth, it is an ideal setting for visitors to enjoy the beautiful views and activities of Baltimore Harbour while relaxing and enjoying the food and wine.

La Jolie Brise is on the right in my photo, taken yesterday.

Check out my review of La Jolie Brise Restaurant - I am cork - on Qype

Over The Moon in Skibbereen

OVER THE MOON

Just had the most enjoyable meal in Skibbereen restaurant Over The Moon. Imagination, excellent cooking, fresh ingredients plus a friendly and efficient service all added up to a very pleasant occasion and one of our best meals in quite a while.

Starter: salad of beetroot, feta, olives, tomato, and toasted seeds. That got us off to the best of starts. Light and sharp, just the job.

Mains: cod, butternut puree, with green beans, beetroot, potato with a walnut dressing. What a combination! Just loved it.

Dessert: Apple and berry crumble. Not quite what you’d expect. The apple and berry came in a hot glass with a muesli like topping and, for contrast, we had a blob of ice cream on the side. Unexpected but gorgeous.

We also struck it lucky with the wine, a Spanish Blanco Nieva Verdejo (2008): close to dry with little bubbles. Got your attention immediately and held it all the way. Cost €25.00. Two course early birds cost €25.00, three courses €30.00. Worth a drive down from the city and certainly worth a call if you’re staying in the area.

Check out my review of Over The Moon - I am cork - on Qype

EASTER RUSHING IN

THE CHOC OF IT   

Easter is coming fast and if you’ve been fasting – even if you haven’t -  then you have some good things coming, thanks to our chocolate makers.

My sweet hit of the year so far has been the real shell eggs that the imaginative Nicola of Pandora Bell has come up with. Yeah. Real  hens shells (see pic) filled with top class chocolate. Available in Cork at Bramley Lodge, O’Keeffe’s (St Luke's) and Nash 19.

Nash 19 is also the place to go for Benoit Lorge's handmade Easter Eggs. Mairéad O’Brien: “He makes them in Kenmare and is a member of Good Food Ireland too. Pop into the shop to see the full range. Prices to suit all pockets.”

Easter came up during a French class during the week and Francis says her favourites come from Eve's Chocolates and her gorgeous stuff is available from the factory/shop on the Magazine Road, close to Dennehy’s Cross.

Worth a detour as they say in the best guides and, by the way, all three appear in the Bridgestone Irish Food Guide (2010). And so do O’Connaill’s of Carrigaline. You can study their range and have a hot choc at the same time in their shop in city centre French Church Street.

And the English Market’s Chocolate Shop is yet another Bridgestone entry. Most of those in the queue won't be bothered about guides – they know there’s good stuff here and they won't be waiting until Easter Saturday to stock up. Neither should you!

No time for the shops? Then try this competition, courtesy of Tweeter @dailyspud. It is for a hamper full of wines and chocolate, a win wine situation, and details are available at Daily Spud

Prefer to make your own? Looking for ideas. Well, the Daily Spud (above) has a few and so too do the folks at All Recipes
Editor Diana Moutsopoulo tells me they have quite a few recipes including one for Easter Bunny Cakes   - pictured above

Alternative Bread Co in Cork

THE ALTERNATIVE BREAD COMPANY

There is amazing choice on offer at the Alternative Bread Company counters in the English Market (Cork), baskets of fresh bread made and supplied by quite a few bakers, including regular products such as traditional sodas, to gluten free, foccacias and sourdough and rye bread.

I picked up a rye loaf there today, intending to compare it with the one I bought at a reduced price at the Coal Quay market stall of Tom’s Bakery of Kinsale last Saturday.

When I bought my load this morning, I didn't know at the time that the supplier of rye to the ABC is German baker Thomas Heuneburg of Kinsale.

The cost today was €3.00 as against €1.90 on Saturday. The difference? Today’s was fresher, no doubt about that.



+353 (0) 21 4251347
Email: fitzsheilam@hotmail.com

Check out my review of Alternative Bread Co Ltd - I am cork - on Qype