tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29750933017308986792012-03-17T04:11:54.611ZIrish Food Blog with hints and tips on starting your own garden which can create tasty, simple and economical mealsPaul Callaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05928317170922494874noreply@blogger.comBlogger831100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2975093301730898679.post-3942917097083651062012-03-16T19:12:00.000Z2012-03-16T19:12:13.250Z

Easy Sunday RoastsOk,  so Mothers Day is on this Sunday 19/3/2012 and women all over will deserve a relaxing day without having to even consider cooking. Now I'm sure there are plenty men out there that do their fair share of cooking so I'm not going to generalise, but it is mothers day so mum's all around deserve to be treated.I have made these roast dinners as easy as possible but they turn out

Paul Callaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05928317170922494874noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2975093301730898679.post-33822525727686607562012-03-14T19:02:00.000Z2012-03-14T19:02:39.232Z

Happy Birthday To Me One year ago today I started this blog site and I gotta say that it has been one hell of a year. I have made a lot of new friends through the wonders of blogging, Facebook and Twitter. Everyone has been so supportive and friendly which is a huge help when you dive into the unknown. In the past year I have been on national radio station 2FM Chatting to Hector a few times, have

Paul Callaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05928317170922494874noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2975093301730898679.post-3211617770196915952012-03-04T20:04:00.000Z2012-03-04T20:04:04.255Z

2-3-2012 And So It Begins Ready for action (I ain't afraid of no ghost!) So the start of the year has started of quite wet and has  really cut down the amount of time one can spend working in the garden. However this past week has been dry enough and gave me a chance to get the grass cut which really opened up the place again and made it look half respectable. And so with the first cut came

Paul Callaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05928317170922494874noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2975093301730898679.post-61122800960731354302012-01-30T15:30:00.000Z2012-01-30T15:30:06.224Z

I really gotta stop using these cheesy titles but they just keep coming to me!! Anyway... I have a feeling that a lot of people would like the idea of 'growing their own' but somehow feel that they cant... whether it be a lack of time, a lack of knowledge or a lack of space. the thing is that anyone and I mean anyone can grow something. Everyone has got a windowsill right??? Well that is a great

Paul Callaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05928317170922494874noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2975093301730898679.post-17105451193863316552012-01-16T17:25:00.002Z2012-01-16T17:27:34.941Z

Spicy Beef Wrap Here is a wonderfully healthy, tasty lunch in minutes! Serves 2:2 medium sirloin steaks-fat trimmed2 low-fat tortilla wraps1 small red pepper2 scallionsFresh rocketPaprika Dried oreganoCumin seeds4 tablespoons of sour cream1 tablespoon horseradish sauce Method Take the steaks out of the fridge 15 mins before cooking, massage in a drop of olive oil and season both sides with the

Paul Callaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05928317170922494874noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2975093301730898679.post-83853621500557062082012-01-14T16:29:00.001Z2012-01-14T16:32:05.770Z

Beautiful Potato and Leek Soup This is my sister Andrea's recipe and every time I go up home I look forward to having it for lunch. Served with some crusty loaf this as a tasty and filling dish, simple comfort food at its best! Serves 6:4 large leeks2 medium potatoes1 large onion1 clove or garlic50g butter850ml chicken stock275ml skimmed/ semi-skimmed milk Method Roughly chop the onion, garlic

Paul Callaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05928317170922494874noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2975093301730898679.post-44052686183732651632012-01-06T14:30:00.000Z2012-01-06T14:30:32.524Z

Grilled Sirloin, "Baked" Potato and Spicy Veg As we are going down the healthy route I decided to come up with this recipe, It has all you will need for a tasty and filling meal but sticking to the healthy side of cooking. Now 2 things about this recipe, first one is that when you grill a steak it doesn't colour like what you are probably used to so if you prefer you can brush a little oil on it

Paul Callaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05928317170922494874noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2975093301730898679.post-74988957243660769402012-01-05T21:48:00.000Z2012-01-05T21:48:40.190Z

Bacon, leek and Pea Risotto This is quite a healthy risotto as I use low fat spray instead of butter and low fat soft cheese instead of Mascarpone which is quite heavy on the calories. The sweetness of the leeks and peas really make this mouth-watering! Serves 4:200g Arborio rice2 shallots diced2 cloves of garlic diced3 rashers of smokey bacon cubed3 medium leeks finely slicedA handful of

Paul Callaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05928317170922494874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2975093301730898679.post-33398884327071787752012-01-05T18:19:00.002Z2012-01-05T18:22:57.715Z

The Best New Years Resolution You'll Ever Make! If you don't already, then why not make 2012 the year where you make one of the best lifestyle changes you will ever make. I made the change in January 2009 and I can say without a shadow of a doubt that it was one of the best things I have ever done! Growing your own fruit and vegetables has never been so easy as it is now, so many people have

Paul Callaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05928317170922494874noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2975093301730898679.post-65852628892750054332012-01-02T13:32:00.000Z2012-01-02T13:32:51.486Z

Sweet chilli sauce      Simple … but effective!! This is a great accompaniment to nibble some leftover turkey with. Yes you can buy some in the shops but this homemade version is top class. Sweet chilli sauce       TIP: If you don’t have a     blender just chop everything finely and whisk together.       Makes a jar full:       1 Jar of redcurrant jelly       1 whole red chilli      1

Paul Callaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05928317170922494874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2975093301730898679.post-83141890827698451902011-12-13T19:06:00.000Z2011-12-13T19:06:52.665Z

Goats cheese and spiced pear salad I tasted this in a restaurant one night and thought ‘I have to make this’. It was first time I had tasted goat’s cheese… yum!! The dressing is as close as I could remember and after a few attempts this one worked best. I have put in recipe to use spices of your choice, I use whatever jumps out at me when I open the cupboard. You can simply use All Spice!

Paul Callaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05928317170922494874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2975093301730898679.post-8811445385131631762011-12-04T11:04:00.000Z2011-12-04T11:04:41.003Z

Mulled Wine There is nothing like the smell of mulled wine about the house to really get me into a Christmas mood. It just fills the house with every scent that sums up this time of year. When the weather outside is frightful then a glass of this will warm the cockles of your heart. There is no point in boiling the life out of all your wine and boiling off the alcohol so that's why its best to

Paul Callaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05928317170922494874noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2975093301730898679.post-87083911064080027272011-11-30T21:30:00.000Z2011-11-30T21:30:37.175Z

Breakfast Pizza This works on so many levels... it is nothing out of the ordinary what someone wouldn't have for breakfast. It is only bread after all. I have used Quails eggs but there is nothing stopping you from frying a regular egg then cutting it up and putting over as a topping. Give this a try as it is so tasty and filling. It was a great start to my Sunday anyway. A fry up... good, a

Paul Callaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05928317170922494874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2975093301730898679.post-62832336861635261352011-11-30T21:27:00.000Z2011-11-30T21:27:35.434Z

Tuile Baskets These little baskets not only look great but taste so good! They dont have to be made into baskets if you dont want the hassle they can be kept as wee biscuits instead. Makes 20 biscuits or ten baskets:125g of flaked almonds125g of caster sugar2 drops of vanilla extract25g melted butter2 egg whites20g of plain flour Method In a mixing bowl combine the almonds, sugar, vanilla

Paul Callaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05928317170922494874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2975093301730898679.post-6653112894956216842011-11-30T21:13:00.000Z2011-11-30T21:13:53.980Z

Homemade battered fish n’ chips Homemade fish n’ chips can sound and feel daunting until you actually try it out. I can promise that after you see how easy and tasty it is you’ll be hooked (excuse the pun). Delicious served with mushy minted peas. Serves 4: 4 medium fillets of white fish (cod, haddock, whiting etc)Sea salt & black pepper1 litre of good vegetable oil 1kg scrubbed potatoes skins

Paul Callaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05928317170922494874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2975093301730898679.post-22442764272134689492011-11-30T20:00:00.000Z2011-11-30T20:00:22.002Z

Braised red cabbage and bramley apple in cider vinegar This is a gorgeous accompaniment to any pork dish. It is sweet but has a sharpness that really works. Even my dogs love it!! TIP: Wear gloves while shredding the cabbage, as the dye can be hard so scrub off your fingers.   Serves 4:                                                                             

Paul Callaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05928317170922494874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2975093301730898679.post-43328343502817502122011-11-30T19:49:00.000Z2011-11-30T19:49:04.759Z

Mother hen has been very busy showing the chicks the ropes, how to look for food and scratch around the earth for a good spot for a dust bath. it has been very enjoyable viewing. She really is a good mother and very protective of them.Out of 13 eggs we only got 3 chicks which was a poor return but in saying that, maybe for the first batch it is enough to break us in gently. They really are

Paul Callaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05928317170922494874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2975093301730898679.post-21434172270609810712011-11-30T19:41:00.000Z2011-11-30T19:41:24.128Z

Eton Mess This dessert is so simple to make, anyone can do it, however it hits the spot very well indeed!There are all different takes on this dessert and different ways to tweak it, this is mine but feel free to play around with it! serves 6:225g fresh strawberries284ml of double creamHalf a lemon2 tablespoons of caster sugar6 mini meringue nests Method Wash the strawberries and pick out the

Paul Callaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05928317170922494874noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2975093301730898679.post-5467458265455248152011-11-30T17:07:00.000Z2011-11-30T17:07:02.515Z

Hot Buffalo Wings with Blue Cheese Dip Since the closure of Luigi Malones in Limerick I have severely missed their legendary Buffalo wings so I decided to try making my own. I have searched the web looking for the ingredients of the wonderful sauce that is over them but with no success apart from a few guesses and most people recommending 'Franks' sauce. I tried Franks sauce but it just didn't

Paul Callaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05928317170922494874noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2975093301730898679.post-58607880818712784602011-11-28T16:45:00.004Z2011-11-30T16:54:24.935Z

White Chocolate CheesecakeIn a recent competition my white chocolate cheesecake got hailed as a 'revelation' by one judge Elke O'Mahony Which really got me smiling.  This cheesecake is just as simple to make as my Malteaser one and After Eight one and equally as delicious. The great thing about these cheesecakes is the can be made in advance, even the day before which will take the pressure off

Paul Callaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05928317170922494874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2975093301730898679.post-74252488246700502652011-11-24T16:18:00.002Z2011-11-30T16:09:08.958Z

Head Chef Experience On Tuesday 22nd of November I had the chance of having a head chef experience in No.5 Fenns Quay in Cork City. I had entered a Chef du Jour competition I had spotted through Facebook that Head Chef Kate Lawlor had very cleverly put together where entrants emailed her with a 4 course menu of their choosing which had to be under 22.50euro per person. So I thought i'd give it a

Paul Callaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05928317170922494874noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2975093301730898679.post-37175000470133537702011-10-05T20:25:00.006+01:002011-11-30T16:53:45.607Z

Chocolate FondantHeaven If there was ever a dessert that could be sent down for pure naughtiness... this is it! Although, it is so naughty and sexy, that just the look of it would melt the Judges heart and have him buckle at the knees with desire. This dessert could aid in bank robberies, casino hoists and possible world domination! Ok that is enough of my gibberish... but in all fairness it is

Paul Callaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05928317170922494874noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2975093301730898679.post-21118604915776843492011-10-02T12:16:00.001+01:002011-10-24T18:41:47.645+01:00

*Win Win Win* The 'Masterchef Kitchen Bible' is such a fantastic book, it has got everything you need to know about ingredients, skills, preparation and cooking and all in one beautifully presented book. This book is a must have edition to anyone's collection, aiding anyone from a complete novice to a confident home cook. It starts with Modern Classic Recipes and alternative twists,

Paul Callaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05928317170922494874noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2975093301730898679.post-7423158644292378642011-09-21T19:17:00.004+01:002011-11-30T16:11:23.625Z

 Red VelvetCupcakes Lately a friend on Facebook Asked me would I make a Red Velvet cake and put up the recipe and pictures and insisted that it had cream cheese frosting (fussy, I know!!). Now the problem is when I make a cake I normally scoff the lot so i thought I'd make these cup cakes instead... you see this way I can still scoff the lot but convince myself that it was only a few cupcakes...

Paul Callaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05928317170922494874noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2975093301730898679.post-15602629766226234442011-09-14T21:01:00.003+01:002011-11-30T16:14:12.504Z

3 Homemade Stocks-Video Recipes At The Bottom Making your own stock may seem pretty pointless to some people as you can readily buy stock cubes and stock pots in most shops but I gotta say to those people... Shhhh! Ah no I can understand that, however, if you have the ingredients and the knowhow then why not. Lets face it, it ts coming into that time of year again where we all love some comfort

Paul Callaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05928317170922494874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2975093301730898679.post-43655525519256589532011-09-06T19:41:00.002+01:002011-11-29T17:16:36.775Z

Homemade Bread50/50 Honey and Seeded Loaf When I say my loaf is 50/50 im not just completely talking about my head!! This Homemade Bread is one of the nicest I have made, as plain white bread normally plays havoc with my stomac I altered this recipe to suit my needs... that is the beauty of home cooking you can chop and change recipes to suit yourself.. they are not written in stone! So this

Paul Callaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05928317170922494874noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2975093301730898679.post-41733477438429587432011-09-04T20:06:00.002+01:002011-11-30T16:15:57.607Z

My First Video Recipe Ok, I have decided to do a few videos of some Basics in Home Cooking. These are for people looking to get into some cooking or just looking for new fresh ideas!First up is how to make a very simple and basic homemade pizza.. this will be a huge hit for all the family. So here is the recipe and the link to watch the video, I hope you enjoy it and excuse the nerves :)

Paul Callaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05928317170922494874noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2975093301730898679.post-35175790326007792442011-08-28T11:57:00.002+01:002011-11-30T16:17:21.337Z

Yorkshire Puddings Want to hear something good... Yorkshire puddings are so easy to make... its ridiculous!! They make a great addition to any Sunday roast (especially beef). Give these a try and you wont look back! Makes 10-12:1 mug of milkJust under 1 mug of plain flour1 eggPinch of saltOlive oil Method While the oven is on for your roast place in a muffin tray to heat it. Put all the

Paul Callaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05928317170922494874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2975093301730898679.post-15676692362503110462011-08-27T13:06:00.002+01:002011-11-30T16:19:23.774Z

Spice Crusted Roast Beef If you are looking for a way to jazz up a normal Sunday roast beef joint then this is the way to go. This is a lovely way to bring a little heat to roast beef. Your lips will be tingling after it. Serves 4-6: 1.5kg roasting joint (of your choice)1 small onion1 carrot2 sticks of celerySmall bunch of rosemary and thyme1 bulb of garlic2 tablespoons of black peppercorns1

Paul Callaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05928317170922494874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2975093301730898679.post-31645230263651705372011-08-25T19:31:00.001+01:002011-11-30T16:21:43.532Z

Courgette Risotto with pan fried Chicken There are certain words I normally try and stay away from, especially when describing food... Awesome, sensational and spectacular to name a few as I find they can be overused and can lead to disappointment after trying a recipe. However this Risotto is awesome, the texture is sensational and by god the flavours are spectacular!!! There is numerous green

Paul Callaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05928317170922494874noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2975093301730898679.post-85528997478625581782011-08-24T20:17:00.003+01:002011-11-30T16:55:06.055Z

Summer Berry, White Chocolate and Rum Crumble Now before I get started I will just say that the rum in this is totally optional. This started off one day I had collected some berries from the garden and just wanted to do something different with them. Even without the crumble topping this is beautiful done in the oven for about 8 minutes and served with ice-cream is superb and simple! Serves 4:

Paul Callaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05928317170922494874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2975093301730898679.post-59505470218080074402011-08-20T18:41:00.000+01:002011-08-20T18:41:20.909+01:00

My Cooking Demo Debut Thursday past I cooked my way through my first ever cooking demo, the theme of the demo was Everyday Cooking With A Twist. It took place at the O' Connor household who are the owners of Limerick based magazine Insight Magazine in which I have a cooking page and a gardening page. Dympna,me and Donie from Insight Magazine Dympna and Donie were kind enough to let me loose

Paul Callaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05928317170922494874noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2975093301730898679.post-43682440464769899042011-08-15T10:49:00.001+01:002011-11-30T16:29:55.890Z

Jointed Chicken with Five-Spice Sauce Jointing a chicken is something you can practice yourself or simply ask your butcher to do for you. Alternatively you can make this recipe with chicken thighs. There is a little bit of work involved in the sauce although I feel it is worth it, it has a beautiful flavour and creamy texture plus it fills the room with its wonderful aroma. Serves 4:1 large

Paul Callaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05928317170922494874noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2975093301730898679.post-64885528377170691172011-08-10T20:59:00.001+01:002011-11-30T16:31:11.765Z

Deconstructed-Reconstructed Pavlova This dessert came about one weekend I was having some friends down visiting. I knew that I was going to be spending a lot of time cooking and I wanted to have some things pre-prepared in advance to ease the pressure a bit... especially as a few drinks would definitely be on the agenda! Also I am not a big fan of the traditional pavlova as I find it quite heavy

Paul Callaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05928317170922494874noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2975093301730898679.post-80900620242159305472011-08-07T11:43:00.001+01:002011-11-30T16:32:38.828Z

Roasted Potato and Fennel Slices This dish came about one evening recently I was experimenting in the kitchen. We have been steaming our new potatoes religiously recently and I just fancied a change. Dont get me wrong the there is nothing like new freshly dug spuds steamed and eaten with a slab of butter, but after a few weeks of them the taste buds deserved a new taste sensation. So I went out

Paul Callaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05928317170922494874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2975093301730898679.post-46969929129574785692011-07-12T16:58:00.002+01:002011-11-30T16:36:13.848Z

Malteaser cheesecake There is not much I can say about this only its mega simple to make and the proof really is in the pudding!!p.s thanks Awa!! 20 digestive biscuits 2oz  of melted butter 300g light soft cheese 500ml of double cream 3oz sugar About 20 malteasers Method Place the biscuits into a sandwich bag and bash with a rolling pin into crumbs, pour into a bowl and pour the melted butter

Paul Callaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05928317170922494874noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2975093301730898679.post-16505891531275103602011-07-11T17:22:00.002+01:002011-11-30T16:56:02.414Z

AfterEight Cheesecake  This cheesecake is very light and helps a full belly after a hearty main course. It is very quick and easy to make and can be made a day in advance to take a bit of pressure off if you have guests coming. just cover with clingfilm and it will quite happily sit in your fridge over night.  Serves 6-8:1 pint of double cream300g soft cheese3 oz sugar15 digestive biscuits 2

Paul Callaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05928317170922494874noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2975093301730898679.post-54662568763240104192011-07-06T20:02:00.002+01:002011-11-30T16:57:26.328Z

Zingy Rainbow Trout with Fennel & Toasted Walnuts  I was sitting thinking what I could make for dinner, looked in the fridge and freezer but nothing jumped out and screamed 'cook me'. I guess I was in one of those moods today where i just wanted something different, something new and exciting.  So I took a spin into the butchers looking for some inspiration but again they had nothing that

Paul Callaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05928317170922494874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2975093301730898679.post-7338182583565111872011-06-26T12:50:00.001+01:002011-11-30T17:00:40.814Z

Alternative Bacon, Cabbage and Potatoes When I first moved from Co. Armagh to Co. Clare one of the main meals people where cooking down here was traditional Bacon, Cabbage and Potatoes. I wasn't really a big lover of this however I created this alternative take on it to suit my taste buds. The Red cabbage in this is so amazing i could just sit and eat a portion all by itself. Serves 4:For the

Paul Callaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05928317170922494874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2975093301730898679.post-43848074543997507532011-06-22T12:55:00.002+01:002011-11-30T17:02:26.920Z

Coriander and Garlic Naan breads I used to be buying naan breads all the time so decided to make spending cuts and make my own. They are a little time consuming but well worth it. This recipe makes about 14-15 breads for a fraction of the price. Then freeze whatever you don’t use for the next time. NB. I have the temperature of my grill on a medium-high heat. Each grill is

Paul Callaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05928317170922494874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2975093301730898679.post-90870782325190558912011-06-14T21:05:00.001+01:002011-11-30T17:09:44.077Z

First New Potatoes Of The Year I'm very very excited, I have just dug, cooked and ate the first stalk of spuds this year (obviously the actual spuds not the stalk). Man I forgot how good they are straight out of the ground. The earlies I have in are Maris Peers. I just gave them a quick scrub then put them into a steamer pot, to boil them would be an absolute crime and im personally not ready to

Paul Callaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05928317170922494874noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2975093301730898679.post-21484209484221757432011-06-13T20:47:00.002+01:002011-11-30T17:10:41.129Z

13.06.11Ok i'm going to have to start on a bum note... I have gone through 3 packets of carrot seeds so far this year and no results! Most haven't germinated and any that has only reached about a cm before dying off... so fingers crossed for packet number 4!!!Right now thats the grumbling over and done with!!!I planted a courgette plant in a small patio container just to prove to people that even

Paul Callaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05928317170922494874noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2975093301730898679.post-6326318406944522732011-06-12T13:18:00.001+01:002011-11-30T17:13:13.907Z

Smoked Coley Lasagne served with salad This dish has become a firm favourite in our house. It’s very tasty and its low fat, which while trying to keep fit helps a lot. Smoked Coley tastes basically the same as Smoked Haddock but it is more sustainable and therefore a more cheaper alternative. I priced it this morning in the super market and the Smoked Coley was 5.99 per KG as opposed to Smoked

Paul Callaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05928317170922494874noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2975093301730898679.post-26977697820357088792011-06-08T20:26:00.005+01:002011-11-30T17:15:04.614Z

Elderflower Champagne Elderflowers can be seen all around the countryside at the moment. Be sure to pick the ones away from roads though as they will be dusty and coated in exhaust fumes. Try to pick the flowers around noon/early afternoon when they will be in full bloom. I first made this last year and, had I have known it was going to be so tasty I would have made a lot more. So this year I am

Paul Callaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05928317170922494874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2975093301730898679.post-69182725927397806892011-06-08T17:51:00.001+01:002011-11-30T17:16:33.405Z

On Sunday I went to the Bloom in the park in Dublin's Phoenix Park, it was such a great experience. I was particularly interested in the food section and the growing your own sections. I literally could have spent all day... all weekend walking around and tasting all the great samples all the stalls had to offer but I gotta say the nicest thing I tasted was from the Ballymaloe stall and it

Paul Callaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05928317170922494874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2975093301730898679.post-25538016947168718152011-06-07T16:09:00.003+01:002011-11-30T17:17:21.236Z

This morning I was talking to Hector O Heochagain on Breakfast with Hector on 2FM, I had been talking to him at the end of March when my blog had started up. This time our conversation stemmed mainly around http://thesustainablelarder.blogspot.com/2011/05/crop-share-make-pledge.html the basic idea of sharing surplus 'crops' to friends, family and neighbours. His blog mentions me today from our

Paul Callaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05928317170922494874noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2975093301730898679.post-47144005802120858382011-05-29T18:15:00.001+01:002011-11-30T17:19:29.659Z

Pan Fried Breast of Pheasant with Vanilla and Pears served with Garlic Rice and Two Sauces. I got given some pheasant breasts yesterday by a friend so i wanted to do them justice today. The vanilla and ginger in one of the sauces might seem a bit strange but believe me it works! The red wine sauce is very rich and compliments the gaminess of the pheasant very well along with the pears. There is a

Paul Callaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05928317170922494874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2975093301730898679.post-62876206477360392862011-05-26T20:13:00.001+01:002011-11-30T17:21:05.865Z

Gorgeous homemade flaky pastry This is my mums recipe and it’s all that we grew up with, then when I moved out of home an bought pies, tarts, etc, I would be eating them wondering what the hell went wrong. So I got the recipe, tweaked it a little bit and it now has a very strict set of instructions but if you follow them carefully you will never buy again!! Yes, it’s that gorgeous!

Paul Callaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05928317170922494874noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2975093301730898679.post-68314088465018103532011-05-22T17:02:00.001+01:002011-11-30T17:24:27.715Z

Lamb Stew This lamb stew is the ultimate in comfort foods for me and not just in the heart of winter... a good stew is welcomed any of the 365 days of the year. Served up with mashed or baby potatoes or just with a lovely fresh crusty loaf this has gotta be tried, tasted and loved! In this recipe i use lamb breast as ive found it to be one of the tastiest cuts of meat i have ever used and one of

Paul Callaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05928317170922494874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2975093301730898679.post-43147541076700070822011-05-20T13:35:00.002+01:002011-11-30T17:28:39.836Z

Fish PieI made this fish pie a wee while ago when my brother and his family was down visiting. It really went down a treat. The hint of chilli in it really gives it a lovely heat. This is quite an easy recipe so even if you don’t consider yourself a great cook I’m sure you will find this easy and very affective! Serves 4-6:1kg floury potatoes1 large carrot2 sticks of celery1 lemonHalf a red

Paul Callaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05928317170922494874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2975093301730898679.post-5097465735504672412011-05-18T20:02:00.001+01:002011-11-30T17:30:29.465Z

18.05.11 Mid-May and the garden is really taking shape, the strawberries look like they are going to give a bumper crop with loads of berries showing already and the flowers are still coming. In the salad bed we have harvested all the radishes with more sown, also have been picking away at the spinach, rocket and little gem lettuces which have been gorgeous in lunchtime salads. We also planted

Paul Callaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05928317170922494874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2975093301730898679.post-71543423425921569502011-05-11T13:47:00.003+01:002011-11-30T19:43:08.794Z

Crop share – Show you care Make the pledge at the bottom Hi folks, I want to share an idea I’ve had. It is a very simple and basic idea I’ve had that doesn’t involve very much time or effort. It is called ‘Crop share-show you care’. It is basically a way of bringing people together through cooking or growing… or both. From my own personal experience since I have started growing my own fruit and

Paul Callaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05928317170922494874noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2975093301730898679.post-77041505611041405122011-05-09T20:16:00.001+01:002011-11-30T19:47:10.339Z

Breaded Chicken Salad I just made this salad today as part of me trying to eat a little more healthy. Our salad bed is producing plenty of fresh rocket, spinach, little gem lettuce and radish so it is as good as an excuse as any to have some lovely, tasty salads. Serves 2:2 chicken legs skin on2 slices of fresh (nice) breadA handful of rocket leavesA handful of spinach leaves1 little gem

Paul Callaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05928317170922494874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2975093301730898679.post-35072460975074503412011-05-05T19:50:00.001+01:002011-11-30T19:51:14.083Z

Last night saw the start of some of the eggs cracking from the inside out which was quite exciting as this is the first time doing anything like this... new life is always a good thing! Then this evening mother hen went out to get some fresh water i had placed out for her and this gave us an opportunity for a few pictures however only 3 have hatched out so far but hopefully more will come, if

Paul Callaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05928317170922494874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2975093301730898679.post-73763476696442565922011-05-02T15:36:00.001+01:002011-11-30T19:53:59.386Z

Lasagne This is a lasagne from scratch; I even make my own pasta sheets these days but feel free to buy the sauces in the shops. However if you have the time, try this recipe out full… you wont regret it! Serves 4-6:500g of minced beef2 rashers of smoked streaky bacon1 large onion2 sticks of celery2 carrots2 cloves of garlic1 heaped tablespoon of dried/fresh oregano2 tins chopped, peeled

Paul Callaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05928317170922494874noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2975093301730898679.post-22395066220279079422011-04-28T20:47:00.001+01:002011-11-30T19:57:06.030Z

28/4/11 The last week of warm sunny weather with the odd shower has really made the garden burst into life.It is near... well actually it is perfect growing conditions and long may it last!!In the greenhouse the sweetcorn that I sowed in my home-made newspaper pots at the start of last week has started to sprout up to my delight, i'm actually getting excited at the though of having the fresh

Paul Callaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05928317170922494874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2975093301730898679.post-80050973697897918772011-04-26T18:56:00.001+01:002011-11-30T19:58:44.091Z

Garlic & sage sausages with horseradish mash When I think of sausage and mash it takes me back to my childhood when I wasn’t adventurous enough to try anything out of the ordinary. Still it will always be a comfort meal to me although as a kid I would have smothered it in baked beans or ketchup! This is my new way of cooking it adding a bit of kick. It goes lovely with red onion gravy and braised

Paul Callaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05928317170922494874noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2975093301730898679.post-78385816216813261042011-04-19T19:45:00.001+01:002011-11-30T20:11:40.002Z

Roast leg of lamb stab-stuffed with garlic rosemary and anchovy I went from not being fussed on lamb to loving it over night. It is my meat of choice right now. The flavours that come of a leg roasted like this is second to none! Serves 4: 1x2.5kg leg of lamb7-8 cloves of garlic50g tin of drained anchoviesFew sprigs of rosemarySea salt & black pepperOlive oil Method 1.      Remove the leg of

Paul Callaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05928317170922494874noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2975093301730898679.post-27552569750661932412011-04-16T15:56:00.002+01:002011-11-30T21:17:03.115Z

Nettle Soup Nettle soup is such a lovely flavoursome soup and lets face it the main ingredient is free!!Young nettles are so sweet and this time of the year the countryside is full of them, plus nettles are full of iron which is great for your blood. Use only young nettles or the tops of bigger ones and i'm pretty sure i dont have to remind you, but, wear gloves while gathering them!! Tip: If

Paul Callaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05928317170922494874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2975093301730898679.post-25250790182624344162011-04-15T20:40:00.001+01:002011-11-30T21:19:04.939Z

One of our hens became broody last weekend and god love her she was sitting on unfertilized eggs and getting awful abuse from the others. I lifted her out a few times and dipped her backside in a bucket of cold water to take the notion off her but she's a stubborn girl (typical) and stomped around the place making as much noise as possible in a complete and utter huff (again typical). So during

Paul Callaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05928317170922494874noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2975093301730898679.post-22257844702883133122011-04-13T19:33:00.001+01:002011-11-30T21:21:41.442Z

Salad bed Things in the garden are really benefiting from the mild weather and April showers. the onion bed is looking healthy and full of growth and i'm keeping up with the weeding which is a help. Onion bed The 2 pear trees that i planted just over a year ago have burst with blossom and i'm keeping fingers crossed to see some fruit this year even though i might not use any of it as it

Paul Callaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05928317170922494874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2975093301730898679.post-64964555390883072512011-04-13T19:09:00.003+01:002011-11-30T21:24:31.265Z

Sticky Bacon Ribs These ribs are a wonderful snack or a starter for a meal. Also can be started off on the oven and finished off on a Barbecue for that lovely smokey flavour. Washed down with a glass of Red wine i just cant resist the flavours! Marinade for at least an hour but preferably over night in the fridge. Serves 3-4:1kg of bacon ribs For the marinade:4 tablespoons of Olive oil2

Paul Callaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05928317170922494874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2975093301730898679.post-30300336580752447082011-04-07T16:48:00.003+01:002011-11-30T21:36:17.107Z

Pasta salad This is a very quick and simple dish to make up for a healthy tasty lunch. Great for you vegetarians out there too!! Serves 2: 250g fresh*/dried pasta 1 handful of baby spinach 1 handful of in season salad leaves 1 carrot  1 courgette 1 small red onion 2 tablespoons of a balsamic dressing Sesame seeds Mint leaves shredded 2oz of goats cheese crumbled Sea salt and black pepper *

Paul Callaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05928317170922494874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2975093301730898679.post-21802799667666286502011-04-05T21:41:00.001+01:002011-11-30T21:39:27.224Z

Homemade Profiteroles These bad boys are defiantly worth giving a go... not only are they fun to make but u will seriously overdose in chocolate and double cream!!! For those losing weight and watching their figures... my humble apologies!!!  Serves 4: For the choux pastry: 2oz of butter 200ml of cold water 100g plain flour 2 beaten eggs For the cream filling: 300ml double cream 1 teaspoon

Paul Callaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05928317170922494874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2975093301730898679.post-28531377368804852592011-04-05T13:33:00.002+01:002012-01-30T15:28:00.810Z

I really gotta stop using these cheesy titles but they just keep coming to me!! Anyway... I have a feeling that a lot of people would like the idea of 'growing their own' but somehow feel that they cant... whether it be a lack of time, a lack of knowledge or a lack of space. the thing is that anyone and I mean anyone can grow something. Everyone has got a windowsill right??? Well that is a great

Paul Callaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05928317170922494874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2975093301730898679.post-56708509972523967522011-04-04T21:16:00.002+01:002011-11-30T21:41:44.915Z

Yesterday i spent some time in the garden, in between the downpours that is, After a heavy shower and the sun comes out everything looks so green and fresh, everything looks so alive! I had a few rows of Radishes to thin out to give them more space to grow. it seems a waste to pull out healthy plants but if you didnt the plants dont get the required space to thrive! Pull out every other one if

Paul Callaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05928317170922494874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2975093301730898679.post-58857382818382556322011-04-03T15:38:00.003+01:002011-11-30T21:45:45.214Z

Prawns in Honey and Black Pepper sauce with Garlic and Nutmeg rice This dish is so full of flavour and the garlic, nutmeg and cinnamon used in the rice just gives it another taste sucker punch! Feel free to just have plain rice with it but if you’re feeling more adventurous then follow this to the end, it won’t let you down. Serves 2:12-14 prawns de-shelled and deveined (see ‘cooking&eating’

Paul Callaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05928317170922494874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2975093301730898679.post-22213991733603732852011-04-03T15:35:00.002+01:002011-11-30T21:47:55.363Z

Pan fried fillet of sea bream For me sea bream is just as if not tastier than sea bass and its more sustainable so mother earth will love you for it!! Feel free to use any white fish for this. You can buy a whole fish and fillet it yourself (see the ‘cooking&eating’ page) or get your fish monger to do it for you. I have mine with a simple baby leafed salad and goats cheese. Yum! Serves 2:1- 2

Paul Callaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05928317170922494874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2975093301730898679.post-76942210498019999502011-04-02T17:28:00.001+01:002011-11-30T21:51:14.651Z

How to fillet and pin-bone a fish: Cut into the fish behind the gills and fin cutting at an angle until you reach the back bone: Starting just behind the head, cut the fish down the length of its back just along the side of the back bone Work down again from the head keeping the knife flat and running it over the top of the bones pulling the fillet back as you go. Now cut the fillet free and

Paul Callaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05928317170922494874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2975093301730898679.post-24589945749022784302011-04-01T09:10:00.001+01:002011-11-30T21:55:45.386Z

Sticky marinated duck breast with stir fry veg and noodles My first experience of eating duck came a few years back from a local chinese... it put me off for quite some time! So one day i decided to give it a go cooking it. The difference was unreal, it wasnt slimey or leave a bad after taste so i am now a duck fan. I know it is a bit more expensive then the likes of chicken but as a treat every

Paul Callaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05928317170922494874noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2975093301730898679.post-36607541403733256652011-03-30T11:35:00.001+01:002011-11-30T21:57:52.088Z

30/03/11: Taking a stroll around my garden this morning i can see life all around (even if some of it is weeds)!! The Garlic is really stretching for the sky... There is new buds coming onto the pear trees however i still think it will be next year before we see any fruit as they were only planted last year but sure hey, you'd never know.. In the salad bed the Radishes are coming along as is

Paul Callaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05928317170922494874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2975093301730898679.post-54196833320245665362011-03-30T09:47:00.004+01:002011-11-30T21:58:56.579Z

For Christmas '10 my sister Michele bought me a paste machine.... what a great buy!! At the start i thought this would be a long process, but when you get into the swing of it there really isn't much to it at all. Plus the amount you can make for very little ingredients really does turn out a great money saver. A pasta machine can be bought for little over 20 Euro and trust me when i say it will

Paul Callaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05928317170922494874noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2975093301730898679.post-57825387884777068472011-03-29T14:58:00.001+01:002011-11-30T22:00:01.408Z

Yesterday morning i was lucky enough to recieve a call from Hector from the Breakfast with Hector show on 2fm. He asked me about starting the blog and my move from Co Armagh to Co Clare. He put up a piece about me on his blog on the shows web site http://2fm.rte.ie/blogs/hector/2011/03/breakfast-with-hector---28th-march-2011.html The interview is available to listen to through the podcast on 

Paul Callaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05928317170922494874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2975093301730898679.post-14937607381523518152011-03-28T19:01:00.002+01:002011-11-30T22:01:31.603Z

Lamb chops in red wine with pan fried potatoes I made this dish for a quick, handy tasty meal for a week day evening. If using frozen chops just take them out of the freezer that morning. Serves 4: 6-8 lamb chops1 bulb of garlicGlass of red wine2 sprigs of rosemaryBaby potatoesSea salt &black pepperOlive oil Method 1.      Preheat oven to 180ºc.  Scrub the baby potatoes and cut them into

Paul Callaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05928317170922494874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2975093301730898679.post-4051209576302825272011-03-27T16:33:00.001+01:002011-11-30T22:03:56.400Z

Lavender shortcakes with strawberries These shortcakes are very easily made up and are lovely by themselves just with a cup of tea. You could try chopped rosemary instead of the lavender. Makes 10-12: 150g plain flour1 egg yolk100g softened butter50g caster sugarFew sprigs of fresh or dried lavender350g strawberries1 tablespoon of orange juice Method 1.      Preheat the oven at 190ºc and

Paul Callaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05928317170922494874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2975093301730898679.post-82401221802744109402011-03-27T16:22:00.002+01:002011-11-30T22:05:49.868Z

Balsamic roasted chicken I made this dish again as a quick and no fuss meal. Its quite healthy served with steamed broccoli or couscous. Alternatively you can have it with pan fried potatoes or sweet potato wedges. Serves 4: 4 medium chicken fillets1 red, 1 green and one yellow pepper1 large onion2 garlic cloves5 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar100ml chicken stock1 teaspoon of dried mixed

Paul Callaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05928317170922494874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2975093301730898679.post-76525383095466318332011-03-27T16:01:00.002+01:002011-11-30T22:08:07.685Z

Poached egg I normally have a poached egg with toast or homemade brown bread and beans, great protein boost if you have been to the gym or out running. Plus its damn tasty! Serves 1:1 or 2 eggsA splash of vinegarA few chopped chivesFreshly crushed black pepper Method      1.      Half fill a small saucepan of water and add a splash of vinegar, place onto a hot hob and bring to the boil.

Paul Callaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05928317170922494874noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2975093301730898679.post-62559425310194924422011-03-24T21:20:00.001Z2011-11-30T22:09:11.913Z

Fast tasty thin pizza base Ok, im sure like most people, I have bought many different pizzas from frozen to fresh, thin base to stuffed crust. But this to me is by far the nicest and has proved a hit over and over. It works out so ecomonical. I can safely say I’ll never buy one again!! Makes up to 6 pizzas: 500g strong flour300ml skimmed milk1 sachet of bakers yeastPinch of salt Method 1.

Paul Callaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05928317170922494874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2975093301730898679.post-5902293234582993332011-03-24T20:06:00.001Z2011-11-30T22:11:31.413Z

This past few days' raise in tempatures has started turning seeds into seedlings. In the greenhouse our Tomato, Cucumber and Cauliflower trays have started shooting up which really brings a smile to my face.  The Cucumbers didnt come to much last year as the seedlings kept getting burnt in the sun so i'll have to be more wise to it this year.Outside the greenhouse we have planted the Onion

Paul Callaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05928317170922494874noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2975093301730898679.post-51357912164989541022011-03-20T18:48:00.001Z2011-11-30T22:12:50.918Z

The perfect roast chicken I’m not going to preach about chickens and how you should only buy free range ones etc. I keep a few hens myself and they are free range but when it comes to buying them in a supermarket I buy whichever one I can afford at the time. Sometimes the ideal world has to wait!   Serves 4: 1x 1.6kg  (affordable) chicken 1 medium onion1 carrot 2 sticks of celery1 bulb of

Paul Callaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05928317170922494874noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2975093301730898679.post-69049593868638238992011-03-19T14:29:00.001Z2011-11-30T22:14:50.002Z

Today i took the opportunity to plant out my spuds. There is still a bit of frost knocking about but not enough to do any harm. Ive chosen 3 different varieties this year, Maris Peers which is an early variety, Records which are a second early breed and Kerr's Pinks which are main crop. this should keep us in from mid-June on. Ive had my seed potatoes 'chitting' on a few sunny window sills in the

Paul Callaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05928317170922494874noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2975093301730898679.post-40360651750888751992011-03-18T20:30:00.001Z2011-11-30T22:17:21.239Z

calso cooks from the sustainable larder: My garden now: "What is in season in my garden in real time: Ive spent this past few weeks extending and preparing the plot for the season ahead. As it is ..."

Paul Callaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05928317170922494874noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2975093301730898679.post-31762957630033877692011-03-15T21:34:00.001Z2011-11-30T22:20:07.325Z

  In the four years prior to my move to County Clare, I lived with my mother and sister in Armagh city. As much as I enjoyed living there it was a town house and didn’t have a garden. At the time I ran my own plastering business, it was hard physical work but when I was home during the weekends and evenings and wish I could have been outside pottering around a garden even if it was just to cut

Paul Callaghanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05928317170922494874noreply@blogger.com1