Tag: Christmas

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“Dorothy looking forward to serving up free festive dinners” King House Tea Rooms Boyle, from Roscommon Herald

Dorothy Shannon pictured with staff Eimear Kelly, Ellen McDonagh and Aoife Rowan at the King House Tea Rooms in Boyle. Pic: Gerard O’Loughlin

Richard Canny

There are plenty of traditions that many people hold dear around Christmas time but it’s fair to say that Dorothy Shannon’s annual event involving free Christmas dinners at her Boyle café for those in need of some company would warm the cockles of everyone’s heart. 

For the sixth year, Dorothy will be transforming her King House Tea Rooms into a place where people can avail of a Christmas dinner free of charge in a friendly, music-filled atmosphere.

The pandemic got in the way in 2020 and 2021 but Dorothy revived her free festive dinners in 2022. It has become a very special day at Christmas where she and her staff are happy to give up their time to make sure that those feeling lonely or living in isolation enjoy the spirit of the season.

This year’s event take places on Sunday, December 22nd from 1-5 p.m.. As is the case every year, Dorothy is very grateful that she can continue to open her doors for this event with the support of suppliers. donations, and not least, her work colleagues.

She and her staff always enjoy these memorable occasions where they and local musicians can spread some Christmas joy for people who might appreciate it the most.

“I look forward to it every year, there’s always a good atmosphere and everyone is in good form. There’s so much made of Christmas and for a lot of people, they’d rather it just came and went and no fuss.

“A lot of my customers would be older so it’s also about giving something back,” explained Dorothy, who also outlined that any monetary donations left over would be given to St. Vincent de Paul.

On the menu again this year will be a full Christmas dinner comprising a starter, main course, dessert and tea or coffee.

Contact Dorothy on (087) 6430326 for more details.

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Neven Maguire’s chocolate baked Alaska with chocolate sauce : rte.ie recipes


By Neven Maguire

Celebrity Chef

Watch Neven’s Christmas at Adare on RTÉ One at 8pm on Thursday, 7th and 14th of December.

Ingredients

Serves 6-8

  • 1 x 900ml tub Vanilla Ice Cream
  • 200ml cream, whipped, to serve

Chocolate Sponge

  • 4 eggs
  • 120g caster sugar
  • 90g self-raising flour
  • 30g good quality cocoa powder

Italian Meringue

  • 4 x egg white
  • 225g caster sugar
  • 135g water
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

Warm Chocolate Sauce

  • 200ml cream
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 2 tbsp Coole Swan Irish Cream Liqueur
  • 255g plain chocolate, finely chopped (at least 70% cocoa solids)

Method

To Make the Chocolate Sponge

  1. Preheat the oven to 180°C/350°F/Gas Mark 4
  2. Line a baking tray (13.6 x 9.5in) with parchment paper
  3. In a large bowl whisk the eggs and caster sugar together with hand mixer
  4. Whisk for 3 minutes on full power until light and fluffy
  5. Sieve in the flour and cocoa powder and gently fold in using a spatula
  6. Transfer the mixture to the baking tray
  7. Bake for 8-10 minutes
  8. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely

For the Italian Meringue

  1. Place the caster sugar and water in a saucepan over a medium heat, swirling the pot until the sugar has dissolved.
  2. Once the sugar has dissolved allow to boil.
  3. Meanwhile place the egg whites & vanilla extract in a large mixing bowls and whisk until soft peaks form.
  4. Boil the sugar until it has reached 120°C (use a sugar thermometer to check).
  5. Carefully stream the syrup into the egg white while whisking on high speed.
  6. Keep whisking for around 5 minutes until the meringue is thick, glossy and has completely cooled down.
  7. Keep covered in a bowl or transfer to a piping bag until needed.

For The Warm Chocolate Sauce

  1. Place the cream, vanilla extract and Coole Swan in a pan and bring to the boil, stirring occasionally
  2. Gently add in the chocolate and stir gently until completely melted.
  3. This is ready to serve warm or transfer to a bowl and leave to cool completely, then cover with clingfilm and keep in the fridge until needed
  4. Use warm or cold as required

To Assemble

  1. Line a 2lb loaf tin with a double layer of cling film, ensuring an overhang on each side
  2. Cut the prepared chocolate sponge in 3
  3. Place one third of the sponge in the base of the tin
  4. Using half of the tub of vanilla ice-cream, spread an even layer over the sponge. Use the back of a tablespoon to help
  5. Place another piece of the sponge on top followed by the remaining ice-cream, ensuring to spread it evenly
  6. Add the final piece of sponge on to, gently pressing down
  7. Fold the overhang of cling film over the top
  8. Pace in the freezer to firm up for 3-4 hours minimum or overnight is best

To Serve

  1. Once ready to serve, remove from the freezer, open and turn out onto a long plate/serving plate
  2. Pipe the prepared Italian meringue around the loaf ensuring it is completely covered
  3. At this point the Alaska can be returned to the freezer until needed or alternately to serve straight away, use a blow torch to evenly brown the outside of the meringue all over
  4. Enjoy with warm chocolate sauce and whipped cream
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Avonmore Raspberry, Cream and Custard Trifles

avon-xmas-trifles-61216

Ingredients

  • 1 x 135g packet rasberry jelly
  • 100g raspberries
  • 200g Avonmore Fresh Custard
  • 180g Madeira cake, cut into small cubes
  • 200ml Avonmore Fresh Whipped Cream

To decorate:

  • flaked almonds
  • Edible gold glitter

Directions

  1. Make the jelly according to the packet instructions and allow to cool slightly.
  2. Divide the raspberries between six decorative glasses and pour over the unset jelly until each glass is about one-third of the way full. Allow to cool slightly, then place in the fridge to set completely for 5-6 hours.
  3. Spoon a layer of custard over the jellies and add a layer of Madeira cake.
  4. Dollop the Avonmore Freshly Whipped Cream over the custard and smooth with a butter knife.
  5. Sprinkle with flaked almonds and edible gold glitter and refrigerate until ready to serve.
    
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http://cookwithavonmore.ie/recipe/mini-raspberry-cream-custard-trifles/
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Auntie Maureen’s Plum Pudding by Neven Maguire @macneanhouse Co.Cavan

Makes 2x 1.2 litre (2 pint) puddings

Nothing beats the flavour of homemade Christmas pudding, but it’s important to get good-quality fruit and it’s best made at least 1 month in advance.

I love plum pudding, hot or cold, with lashings of cream, but the spiked almond custard is even more special. I always look forward to it. A big thank you to Auntie Maureen for this recipe.

Ingredients

  • 50g (2oz) plain flour
  • 1/2 tsp ground mixed spice
  • 1/2 tsp ground cloves
  • 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 225g (8oz) sultanas
  • 175g (6oz) butter, melted, plus extra for greasing
  • 175g (6oz) fresh white breadcrumbs
  • 175g (6oz) light brown sugar
  • 175g (6oz) raisins
  • 50g (2oz) currants
  • 50g (2oz) candied mixed peel
  • 50g (2oz) blanched almonds, hopped
  • 1/2 eating apple, peeled, cored and diced
  • 1/2 small carrot, grated finely grated rind and juice of
  • 1 lemon
  • 2 eggs, lightly beaten
  • 300ml (1/2 pint) stout
  • fresh redcurrant sprigs, to decorate (optional)
  • icing sugar, to decorate (optional)
  • spiked almond custard, to serve

Method

  1. Sift together the flour, mixed spice, cloves and nutmeg. Add the sultanas, melted butter, breadcrumbs, sugar, raisins, currants, mixed peel, almonds, apple, carrot and the lemon rind and juice and mix until well combined. Gradually add the beaten eggs, stirring constantly, followed by the stout. Mix everything together thoroughly and cover with a clean tea towel, then leave in a cool place overnight.
  2. Use the fruit mixture to fill 2 x 1.2 litre (2 pint) greased pudding bowls. Cover with a double thickness of greaseproof paper and tin foil, then tie tightly under the rim with string. Store in a cool, dry place overnight.
  3. To cook, preheat the oven to 150°C (300°F/gas mark 2).
  4. Stand each pudding basin in a large cake tin three-quarters full of boiling water, then cook in the oven for 6–8 hours (or you can steam them for 6 hours in the usual way). Cool and re-cover with clean greaseproof paper. Again, store in a cool, dry place.
  5. On Christmas Day, re-cover with greaseproof paper and foil. Steam for 2–3 hours, until completely cooked through and tender. Decorate with the redcurrant sprigs and a light dusting of icing sugar, if liked.
  6. To serve, cut the plum pudding into slices and arrange on serving plates. Have a separate jug of the spiked almond custard so that everyone can help themselves.