MARC RETURNS TO CORNSTORE

What: Beer Loves Food Series

Where: Cornstore, Cornmarket Street, Cork

When: Wednesday 18^th January at 19.30

Price: €24.95 for a three course meal with beer

Contact: Cornstore for booking on 021 4274777

The ‘2012 Beer Loves Food Series’ kicks off at the Cornstore, one of Cork’s most popular restaurants to celebrate the naturalness of beer and food matching.  Beer and Food enthusiasts will be taken on a journey of beer tasting, beer history and food matching by Master Beer Sommelier, Marc Stroobandt, from Belgium. The ‘Beer Loves Food Series’ was created by Heineken Ireland to deliver on the growing global trend of beer and food matching.

Marc Stroobandt

Marc has been awarded some of the highest accolades in the global brewing industry.  He has been given an honorary knighthood by the Chevalerie du Fourquet des Brasseurs of the Confederation of Belgian Brewers and the title of Commander in the Order of De Roze Olifant. Marc hosted a similar event here in November and I found it to be a very enjoyable evening indeed as you may read here.

BEER LOVES FOOD

Beer is a natural accompaniment to food both savoury and sweet, with its ingredients of hops, barley, water and yeast. At the Cornstore, matchings like braised lamb shank with Affligem, an Abbey Ale with spicy and citrus flavours; slow roast pork belly withTiger, an Asian pilsner-style lager with hoppy flavours; and white chocolate mousse with Paulaner, a Bavarian Weissbier with fruity flavours and a crisp dry finish will reveal how beer and food complement each other to create unique and surprising taste sensations.

The ‘Beer Loves Food Series’ was created by Heineken Ireland, Ireland’s number one lager company, to deliver on the increasing demand for deeper understanding of beer and food matching.

Log on to www.thisisbeer.ie for more information.

CORNSTORE BEER LOVES FOOD MENU

SELECTION PLATE OF STARTERS

Duck liver parfait with brioche,

Wild mushroom and brown bread dumpling,

Goat’s cheese crostini with sundried tomato pesto,

Mini white bean and bacon soup                                                                                               

With Zywiec - The malty sweetness of Zywiec compares well with the creamy parfait, while the hoppy bitter dryness can cut through the richness of the goats cheese and the soup.

MAINS

OVEN ROAST HAKE with lemon and basil mash, sautéed samphire, with Cornstore red pepper relish (g)

With Heineken - The crisp, lemony slightly spicy hoppiness of Heineken blends well with the fish and uplifts all the other flavours.

CHICKEN BREAST stuffed with chorizo on crushed baby potatoes, red onion and tomato salad and tarragon infused natural yoghurt

With Zywiec - The sweetness of the chicken matches the beer and brings together the other flavours without overpowering them.

SLOW ROAST PORK BELLY with roast potatoes, sauerkraut, candied walnuts and a cider reduction (g)

With Tiger Beer  -  The richness of the dish requires the complexity of the beer and the well balanced bitter-sweetness of Tiger can handle the variety of ingredients while the spicy notes add another dimension to the dish.

BRAISED LAMB SHANK with roast orange sweet potato, celeriac and green beans (g)

With Affligem - The honey bitter sweetness of Affligem acts like a seasoning for the lamb while the light tartness of the beer cuts through  the other ingredients.

CANNELLONI OF BUTTERNUT SQUASH goats cheese, spinach and figs with sun dried tomato pesto, rocket salad (v)

With Birra Moretti - The sweetness of both the beer and the dish marry well together whilst bringing out the spicy peppery flavours of the pesto and rocket.

DESSERT

WHITE CHOCOLATE MOUSSE west cork strawberries and short bread biscuit

With Paulaner - The silky creamy texture of Paulaner and its honey-like sweetness with a lemony touch create a great combination bringing out the gorgeous flavours of both the mousse and the strawberries.

EARLY CALL TO LIBERTY GRILL

LIBERTY GRILL

Called in to Liberty Grill early (6.00pm) last evening. No reservation but no problem getting a table, though it did get quite busy later on. Seating was comfortable and service was friendly and courteous.

I started with the Southern Fried Chicken Salad (€7.65): slices of southern fried chicken on a bed of seasonal leaves with Jalapeno peppers, toasted cashews and tomato salsa. Really enjoyed this tasty (medium spicy) starter which is also available as a main course.

CL picked the Deep Fried Cambozola (€4.80) as her starter and was quite pleased with it. Nothing exceptional but well done and served with a cranberry coulis and salad.

Her main course, the Californian Chicken (€15.95), also falls in the nothing exceptional but well done category. This was marinated supreme of chicken, chargrilled and served with red pepper and basil oils, duck-fat roasted potatoes and herb salad.

I had been expecting something exceptional for mine (pictured); it was all that when I tried it first a couple of years back (they don’t change the menu much here). But, for the second time in a row (a big gap in between), it proved a huge disappointment.

 I’m talking about the Tennessee Flambé (€17.25), described as tender medallions of beef, peppered and flambéed in a shot of Jack Daniels and served with mushrooms, sweet balsamic onions, and with crispy garlic potatoes.

Description was pretty spot-on except for the most important word tender. The steak knife had trouble going through the first medallion and there was little improvement with the second. Shame really as, when at its best, this is a fantastic dish.

THE MARKETS ARE BACK

Great see the Farmers Markets back in action. Happy New Year to all the producers and hope to see you in the coming months. Met a few in Mahon this morning and this picture represents a small selection of what was on offer.

Click on image to enlarge

SEXY CORKSCREWS; SERIOUS WINES

Vines of La Citadelle, with Ménebres in the distance

SEXY CORKSCREWS; SERIOUS WINES

LA CITADELLE HAS IT ALL

Merci mór to Mrs Tyrrell of the Wine Store who first alerted me to the treasures of the Luberon.

The Luberon is a mountain range and associated valleys in the middle of Provence in the south of France. It is very well known in these islands largely because of the writings of Peter Mayle.

Lourmarin was among the villages he featured and one of his books was filmed by Ridley Scott; the film was called A Good Year and starred Russell Crowe. It was shot in the Luberon and some of the scenes, including the cafe ones, were filmed in Lacoste, another of the many picturesque hilltop villages in the region.

The Luberon deserves to be better known here for its wines and the Tyrrells at The Wine Store have been pushing the cause.

I was down that way last summer and made a beeline for La Citadelle, one of the top producers in the area and one of the Wine Store’s suppliers. First stop was at the village of Ménebres, which overlooks the vineyards. Back down then after lunch and over the road to La Citadelle.

First we made a tour of the Corkscrew Museum  in the winery. Quite a fascinating trip back in time. All kinds of corkscrews here, some small, some very big and a few very sexy ones.

Dragged myself away to the tasting counter and went off very happy with a selection of reds, ranging from the basic Le Chataignier through Les Artemes to the top of the range Gouverneur Saint Auban.

Gouverneur Saint Auban 2006, AOC Cotes de Luberon, 14%.

Colour is a very dark red with an intense nose of blackcurrant . It is an elegant fruity wine, full bodied with the tannins and flavours giving a very smooth result indeed. Class in a bottle. The blend is 85% Syrah and 15% Grenache. It is produced from the oldest vines and has spent 12 months in oak.

Les Artemes 2007, AOC Cotes de Luberon, 14.5%.

Again a very dark red with a strong fruit nose. It is full bodied, rich and generous, spicy and fruity, made from older traditional vines. The blend is Syrah (70%), Grenache (25) and Carignan (5). Very enjoyable indeed.

KNOW A LOCAL HERO?

Only FIVE days left to nominate your local hero and honour someone who deserves recognition

for the great work they do in your community

Enter them in the 2012 ‘Santa Rita 120 Local Hero’ competition and they could win €10,000 for their local community and the trip of a lifetime to Chile

Closing date for entries: 17 January 2012

Do you know someone who deserves recognition for the outstanding work they do in your local community? A hard working volunteer, someone who works tirelessly to make your area a safer place or a local who is simply an inspirational individual who always seems to put others before themselves?

If you do know someone who has made a real difference to your local area,

you have only five days left to enter them in the ‘Santa Rita 120 Local Hero’ competition which is being run by Santa Rita, the premium Chilean wine makers and the leading Chilean wine in Ireland.

The winning ‘Santa Rita 120 Local Hero’ will receive €10,000 to spend on their nominated piece of community activity, as well as a trip of a lifetime for two to Chile, the home of Santa Rita wine. Their nominator will also receive a trip for two to Chile.

Last year’s ‘Santa Rita 120 Local Hero’ was Joe Browne, founder of the Cystic Fibrosis charity Build4Life, for his phenomenal fundraising efforts to build a Cystic Fibrosis Unit at Cork University Hospital. Joe set up Build4Life after his son was diagnosed with Cystic Fibrosis (CF) and in the last four years, the charity has raised an astounding €2.2 million.

To nominate someone for the 2012 ‘Santa Rita 120 Local Hero’ award, simply pick up a nomination form in your local supermarket, pub or off-licence or

log onto facebook.com/santarita120.

The Santa Rita 120 label, which is the winery’s most popular line of wines, pays homage to the 120 brave Chilean men led by Irishman Bernardo O’Higgins who found refuge in the cellars of Santa Rita while fighting for independence in 1814. Bernardo, whose father was from Sligo, later went on to become the first head of the Chilean independent republic. Today the same cellar is used to age Santa Rita’s 120 label wines, which were created to honour those 120 heroes.

To tie-in with the ‘Santa Rita 120 Local Hero’ competition, Santa Rita also have a collection of limited edition wines called ‘Héroes’.

The ‘Héroes’ range consists of a 2009 Malbec from Valle de Maipo and a 2009 Unoaked Chardonnay from Casablanca Valley. The collection was created last year by renowned Santa Rita 120 winemaker Carlos Gatica to celebrate the launch of the Heroes campaign in Ireland and has received many great reviews since.

Sally-Anne Cooney, General Manager of Gleeson’s incorporating Gilbeys, which distributes Santa Rita wine in Ireland, says:

“Last year, the Chilean nation showed us how people in everyday life can be heroic. In the aftermath of the devastating earthquake, the Chilean nation united and acted as one to successfully rescue the thirty-three trapped miners.

“The ‘Santa Rita 120 Local Hero’ award is aimed at recognising the fantastic work that ordinary people do in Ireland every day. We are calling on everyone to nominate their local hero - someone they think deserves this prize. We’re really looking forward to hearing their heartfelt, inspiring and selfless stories. To us, these people are exactly that – a hero.”

The Santa Rita 120 range has an RRP of €9.99 and is available from all good stores nationwide.

The Santa Rita ‘Heroes’ collection: 2009 Malbec RRP €9.99  /  Chardonnay RRP €9.99 and is available in O Briens and Spar stores nationwide.

*Both the winner and the nominator must be over 18

TV3's COME DINE WITH ME. WILL YOU?

Pictured at the celebrity show on TV3

Amuse Bouche

"It is not uncommon for a bottle of Lafite ’96 to fetch a couple of thousand dollars more at auction in China that it would in Europe. Many (?) Chinese enjoy the showmanship of presenting important guests with this kind of celebrity wine, and my favourite aspect of it all is that many prefer to take it with a splash of coke.” From Around the World in 80 Trades by Conor Woodman.

Comfort food from warmer climes

Allrecipes.co.uk  |  Find recipes	9th January 2012
Moroccan comfort food   Spice up January with comfort food from warmer climes. From lamb tagine tocouscous royale, our Moroccan recipes are sure to beat the winter blues! What’s your favourite comfort food?	More Moroccan ideas Slow cooker chicken tagine Moroccan harira Vegetable tagine All Tagines All Moroccan recipes

ONE CHATEAUNEUF’S NOT ENOUGH

WHEN ONE CHATEAUNEUF’S NOT ENOUGH

Old bottles in the museum in Chateauneuf

Chateauneuf du Pape, Domaine Barville, Brotte, 2007, 14.5%, Nash Wines

Over the Christmas, I had the opportunity to sample not one but two Chateauneuf du Pape. I bought this one last June at the Domaine's outlet in the village itself, where they also run a very interesting wine museum, and it cost €28.00. Not sure that Nash Wines have this exact vintage but you may check their site .

The grapes are hand selected in the vineyard and there is further sorting in the winery . The blend is Grenache 80%, Syrah 15% and Mourvedre 5%. It is ruby red in colour with a fruity nose of red fruits and also spicy.

On the palate, I found a beautiful combination of fruit, spice and acidity. It is a smooth mouthfeel and succulent; tannins, yes, but no rough edges whatsoever, just well textured, an excellent example.

The shell of the Papal holiday palace remains after wartime bombing

Roger Perrin Chateauneuf du Pape, 2009, 14.5%, €14.99 (Dunne’s Stores)

Got this one as a present and must say it turned to be quite an enjoyable drink. It is a few years younger than the Brotte, has different characteristics and is good value.

It is a darker red with mainly red fruits in the aroma. The palate gives a red fruit and nice spice, light, not unlike a Pinot Noir, with silky tannins and a long finish. Not bad at all for a relative youngster.

The ruin dominates the village with the Rhone in the distance

The blend is of seven grapes but the main ones are much the same as the Brotte: Grenache (72 to 74 %) and also Syrah and Mourvedre included. The average age of the vines is 65 years. See more details here.

My import is the better wine now but there is excellent value in the Dunne’s offering. I must say, I really enjoyed my visit to the village of Chateauneuf du Pape and the time spent in the wine museum and, of course, the chat and the tastings. Hard to put a value on those things.

But somebody, from the east, is! Maybe we should all be stocking up on Rhone wines. Buy Rhone before they do is the early warning from Jancis Robinson here. 

If you’d like to see some more photos from last summer’s trip to Provence, click here 

The Sentinel - Corned Beef Sandwich with Gruyere | Foodspotting

The Sentinel - Corned Beef Sandwich with Gruyere | Foodspotting

Hey Cork chefs, take a look at this. Another use for corn beef!

ALE AND HEARTY AT THE WELL

HAPPENINGS AT THE FRANCISAN WELL

Craft Brewing has taken off in a big way this last 12 months but the pioneering Franciscan Well  on Cork’s North Mall still has a trick or two up its sleeve.

And indeed, the brewers there have produced two of the best beers of the year in my opinion: The Shandon Century Extra Stout and the formidable Bellringer, both limited editions.

The Shandon made its debut at the end of October. This was a fabulous stout and I was lucky enough to get a bottle or two from the 1,000 made, also enjoyed a couple of tastings, each with cheese.

And perhaps the best match-up came during the Jazz Weekend when Willie Healy of URRU matched it with a mature Hegarty’s Cheddar at the pub itself. Memorable stout – like to see it back again sometime soon!

The Bellringer, also a 1000 bottle run, came about a month later and only last Monday came the news from the brewery: “Bellringer is sold out. Next batch will be a bottle conditioned I.P.A. “ You might be lucky as, of yesterday, Bradley’s in North Main Street still had a few bottles left. I finished mine off last night and was delighted with it, perhaps the best Irish ale I’ve tasted. Like to see that come back as well but in the meantime I’m looking forward to the IPA.

And another Franciscan event to look forward to has just been announced: “Our annual Cask Ale Festival will take place on the 10th, 11th and 12th Feb. It’s going to be one of the best ones yet!” They usually keep to their word so mark this in your diary.

All goes to show there is life in the Old North Mall dog yet and those newbies, promising and all as they are, will have their work cut out to top the Cork star. We can only benefit from the brewing battles ahead!

CHRISTMAS WINE REVIEW


Glad to say most of the wines flagged in a last month’s A Festive Wine Mix came up trumps over the holiday period. The Hamilton Ewell Fortified Red Wine, available from Bubble Brothers for about €18.00, was an after dinner highlight and this port taste-alike went down well with the Green Saffron Christmas Pudding.

Not all alcohol

Much before all that, the Innocent Bystander, Victoria, 2010 Moscato, 5.5% (Bradley’s Off Licence), drew quite a lot of favourable comment as did the Mont Marcal Extremarium Cava from Curious Wines.

There was a split decision when the Jip Jip Rocks Sparkling Shiraz from Karwig Wines was introduced and I must admit I didn’t get too many converts. But another red from the Carrigaline outlet went down a treat and that was the Monte Veho 2010 Vinho Regional Alentejano (€13.85). Made from a selection of regional grapes, this was well balanced, nicely rounded, soft and easy drinking.

And another Portuguese red, the Fontanario de Pegoes Palmela DO Reserva 2007 (Portugal), 14%, (€16.99), also got a big welcome. This is imported by Wine Alliance and widely available as is one of their brilliant whites: Little Beauty Sauvignon Blanc Limited Edition 2009, New Zealand, 13.5%, €15.99, another Christmas star.

Back to Karwig’s for another white that found wide acceptance: Rebenfeld Gruner Veltliner 2006 from South Austria (€11.00). This crisp fruity dry wine, from Austria’s flagship white grape, has good balance and a good finish and is very good value indeed. Perhaps the top Karwig white that found its way onto the holiday table was the Martin Codax Albarino 2010 (€13.85). A lovely wine: aromatic, crisp and dry.

I also had the pleasure of a couple of doubles from the Southern Rhone, a pair of Chateauneuf du Pape, and also a pair of good ones from La Citadelle, one of the top producers in the Luberon. I’ll fill you in on these later.

It wasn’t all alcohol of course. The Innocent Bystander drew favourable comment partly because of its low alcohol and I also had my favourite non alcoholic beverage available, the Tipperary Sparkling Apple Juice by Con Traas.

Con also does a gorgeous still apple juice from his Carmine apples and, at Midleton Farmers Market on Christmas Eve morning, I found a worthy rival in the still juice by the Little Irish Apple Company from Kilkenny. It is made from Bramley and Seasonal Dessert varieties and is refreshing and natural and lovely when chilled, a different taste that also found favour around here this holiday.

FOODSPOTTING.COM

FOODSPOTTING FUN

Kay Harte and yours truly talking
 to Foodspotting in The Farmgate
(Pic by Chris Connolly)

A visual guide to good food

and where to find it.

Just recently, I’ve joined the ranks of Foodspotting.com.

What is Foodspotting.com? In their own words: “Foodspotting is the easiest way to find and share the foods you love: instead of reviewing restaurants, you can recommend your favourite dishes and see what others have recommended wherever you go.” Much more here.

The big point about Foodspotting is that it puts you in touch with your favourite dish, not necessarily in your favourite restaurant. And, say, if you want to compare the Rome version of chicken cacciatore with the Cork version or indeed the New York version, it makes it easy.

Again, when you arrive somewhere new, you may wish to try what is local and seasonal. You’ve just arrived in Cork, for instance. You know it is the game season and you’d like to try pheasant. Just click into the app on your Smartphone, search for pheasant and you’ll see that Blair’s Inn have the very dish you want. And, in addition, you have a map alongside and also the contact numbers. Easy.

The site came to my attention when I was asked to meet two of the key Foodspotting players at The Farmgate Cafe in Cork recently: Amy Cao (above right) from New York and Chris Connolly (above left) from San Francisco. It turned out to be a long lunch as you may read in this account.

The duo, on a packed visit sponsored by Failte Ireland, fascinated both myself and the Farmgate’s Kay Harte with their high tech site while Kay had the visitors spellbound with her knowledge of and passion for Irish food.

The two also visited food places in Galway, Waterford and Dublin and by the end of their stay were happy to proclaim that there was much more to Irish food than bacon and cabbage. This is their summary of the flying visit.

I am enjoying contributing to Foodspotting and obviously hope to benefit from it when I travel both within and outside Ireland. You too can join in the food fun and build up the data base of enjoyable dishes in Irish restaurants.

Just head over to http://www.foodspotting.com and have your camera ready! You don’t need to do any reviews, though a line on the dish is welcome. Just put up the food and picture you like and spread the good food word!
You may see my initial contributions here