Darina Allen and Rory O’Connell’s Christmas Mincemeat recipe passed down in Myrtle Allen’s family for generations #Ballymaloe

Here are three delicious options, the first is the classic Mincemeat recipe passed down in Myrtle Allen’s family for several generations. Of course, it contains suet so it’s moist and juicy and best eaten hot. The second, Emer Fitzgerald’s Mincemeat is vegetarian, it doesn’t include suet or butter and is also gluten free. The third, Brandy Mincemeat, does not include suet either, but does have butter.

Ingredients

  • 2 cooking apples, e.g. Bramley Seedling
  • 2 organic lemons
  • 450g (1lb) beef suet (see P.00)
  • pinch of salt
  • 110g (4oz) candied citrus peel (preferably homemade)
  • 2 tablespoons Seville orange marmalade
  • 225g (8oz) currants
  • 450g (1lb) sultanas
  • 900g (2lbs) Barbados sugar (moist, soft, dark-brown)
  • 62ml (2 1/2fl oz) Irish whiskey

Method

Makes 3.2 kilos approx. Makes 8-9 pots.

  1. Core and bake the whole apples in a moderate oven, 180°C/350°F/gas mark 4, for 30 minutes approx. Allow to cool. When they are soft, remove the skin and pips and mash the flesh into pulp.
  2. Grate the rind from the lemons on the finest part of a stainless steel grater and squeeze out the juice and stir into the pulp. Add the other ingredients one by one, and as they are added, mix everything thoroughly.
  3. Put into sterilized jars, cover and leave to mature for 2 weeks before using. This mincemeat will keep for a year in a cool, airy place.

A Simply Delicious Christmas with Darina Allen and Rory O’Connell is on RTÉ Player now. Recipe taken from ‘A Simply Delicious Christmas’ published by Gill Books.

Rachel Allen’s Irish Gingerbread @RTEfood

 
 
 
 

There’s no better accompaniment for a hot pot of tea than this gingerbread from Rachel Allen.

Ingredients

  • 60 g (2½oz) butter
  • 75 g (3oz) treacle
  • 50 g (2oz) golden syrup
  • 140 g (4¾oz) plain flour
  • 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
  • 0.5 tsp baking powder
  • 2 tsp ground ginger
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1 tsp freshly grated nutmeg
  • 100 g (3½oz) caster sugar
  • pinch of salt
  • 1 egg
  • 125 ml (4½fl oz) milk
  • for the syrup
  • 75 g (3oz) caster sugar
  • 2 tsp finely grated root ginger, or finely chopped crystallised ginger

Method

  1. Preheat the oven to 170°C (325°F), Gas mark 3. Line the base and sides of a 900g (2lb) loaf tin with baking parchment.
  2. Melt the butter, treacle and golden syrup in a small saucepan on a low heat, then set aside.
  3. Sift the flour, bicarbonate of soda and baking powder into a bowl and stir in the spices, sugar and salt. In another bowl, whisk the egg, then add the milk and the melted butter mixture and pour into the dry ingredients. Mix until smooth – it will have a wet sloppy consistency.
  4. Pour into the prepared loaf tin and bake in the oven for 50–55 minutes until risen and firm to the touch and a skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean. (Wait for at least 45 minutes before opening the oven to check whether the gingerbread has cooked, otherwise it can collapse in the centre.)
  5. While the gingerbread is cooking, make the syrup. Place the sugar and ginger in a small saucepan with 75ml (3fl oz) water, bring to the boil over a medium heat and boil, uncovered, for 5 minutes or until slightly thickened and syrupy.
  6. Once the gingerbread is cooked, take it out of the oven and, leaving it in the tin, pierce it all over the top with a fine skewer, then pour the syrup over and leave to cool completely.
  7. When the gingerbread is cold, take it out of the tin and serve.

Rachel Allen’s pan-fried fish with herb butter, asparagus, new potatoes: @RTEToday


By Rachel Allen

Celebrity Chef

More from
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Rachel Allen’s pan-fried fish with herb butter, asparagus, new potatoes.

Ingredients

Serves: 4-6

For the herb butter:

  • 50g soft butter
  • 1 tablespoon chopped herbs such as dill, fennel, chives, parsley
  • A squeeze of lemon juice
  • Salt and pepper

For the pan-fried fish:

  • 4 fillets of flat fish, such as John Dory, plaice, sole, brill or turbot, or part of a round fish fillet, like salmon, cod, grey mullet, etc. (allow 175g for a main course and 75g for a starter)
  • Approximately 4 tablespoons flour
  • Extra virgin olive oil or soft butter
  • A pinch of sea salt flakes and freshly ground black pepper

Method

  1. Dry the fish fillets on kitchen paper.
  2. Season on both sides with sea salt flakes and freshly ground black pepper.
  3. Heat a cast iron or non-stick frying pan on a high heat until smoking. Add a dash of olive oil and put in the fish fillets.
  4. OR you can dust the fillets with seasoned flour then spread some soft butter over one side.
  5. Place buttered side in the pan first. Turn when golden on one side, then cook again until golden on the other side.
  6. Place a couple of slices of herb butter over each fillet and serve immediately with asparagus and boiled new potatoes.

Hearty and zingy, this Thai rice soup is perfect for in-between weather. @RTEfood

Donal Skehan’s Thai rice soup

Donal Skehan

By Donal Skehan

Celebrity Chef

Ingredients

Serves: 4

Time: 35 minutes

  • 1.5ltrs good chicken stock
  • 2 inch piece of fresh ginger
  • 2 lemongrass stalks
  • 1 lime, juice and peeled zest
  • 2 – 4 Thai Birds Eye chillies – depending on your spice tolerance!
  • 50ml fish sauce, plus extra to season
  • 3 cloves garlic
  • pinch ground turmeric
  • 6 chicken thighs, cut into bite sized pieces
  • 500g cooked white rice
  • pinch white pepper
  • 2 tbsp light soy sauce
  • 1 red onion
  • Sesame oil, to serve
  • Handful of coriander leaves
  • Handful of mint

Method

  1. First, get the chicken stock into a pan. Slice half of the ginger, chilli and lemongrass and add to the pot. Peel the zest off a lime then bring to a boil, and season with the 25ml of the fish sauce. Turn down to a simmer whilst you prepare the rest of the dish.
  2. Finely chop the remaining ginger, chilli and lemongrass and place into a bowl. Grate in the garlic and add the remaining fish sauce. Chop the chicken thighs into inch pieces and add to the bowl along with a pinch of turmeric and mix everything together.
  3. Get a wok over a high heat and add the oil followed by the chicken pieces. Cook, stirring, until the chicken is golden brown and cooked through.
  4. Scoop the aromatics from the broth and discard then add the rice to the broth and warm through for at least 5 minutes.
  5. To finish, slice the red onion finely and season the broth with some white pepper, soy sauce, sesame oil, lime juice and some extra fish sauce if needed.
  6. Add the rice and broth to your bowls then top with the chicken, followed by the sliced onions. Garnish with extra sliced red chillies, if you can handle them!, and lots of coriander and mint.

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Apple Parsnip Soup @KerrygoldUSA

Ingredients:
  • 4 ounces Kerrygold Unsalted Butter
  • 1 large shallot, minced
  • 1 leek (white part only), halved lengthwise, washed and dried, cut into ¼ inch pieces
  • 1 clove garlic, crushed
  • 1 large (¾-pound) Yukon Gold potato, peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 2 parsnips (about ½-pound), peeled and cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 2 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and chopped into 2-inch pieces
  • 5 cups vegetable broth
  • 2 cups apple juice
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • ½ cup flat leaf parsley
  • Kosher salt and freshly black pepper
Directions:

Place a large saucepan on the stove over a medium heat. Add the butter, and when melted, add shallots, leeks and garlic and using a wooden spoon to occasionally stir. Cook until leeks are tender, about 7 minutes.

Add the potato, parsnips and apples and cook until just potatoes are starting to soften, about 5 minutes.

Add the broth and apple juice; reduce stove temperature to a simmer. Cover the saucepan and cook until the vegetables are very soft, about 30 minutes.

Remove the saucepan from the heat, add the parsley and using a blender, or an immersion blender, thoroughly purée the mixture.

Return the saucepan to the stove over a medium-low heat and stir in the milk. Heat the soup, stirring occasionally, until the soup is heated through and boils. Taste and season with salt and pepper.

Tasted and perfected in the Sur La Table kitchen.

APPLE PARSNIP SOUP

 

Salmon Teriyaki Bowl with Broccoli and Avocado @dunnesstores

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  • dunnesstores's profile picturedunnesstoresVerified
  • Healthy ✅ Tasty ✅ Affordable ✅ Try this tasty Salmon Teriyaki Bowl using ingredients from our own label range 😋

    Ingredients:
    1 tbsp sunflower or olive oil
    2 salmon fillets
    100ml teriyaki sauce
    200g broccoli, cut into florets
    1 avocado, sliced

    To serve:
    Basmati rice, cooked
    1 red chilli, sliced (optional)
    1 spring onion, sliced (optional)

    Method
    Marinate the salmon fillets for 10 minutes before cooking. Heat a frying pan over medium heat and add in the oil.
    Once hot, brush most of the marinade from the salmon and cook skin side down on the pan for 3 minutes. Flip and cook for another 3 minutes. Remove from the pan and pour the remaining teriyaki sauce into the pan and cook for 2 minutes on a low heat.
    Meanwhile, steam or boil the broccoli until al dente.
    Serve the salmon on a bed of basmati rice along with the broccoli and avocado. Drizzle over with remaining sauce and garnish with chilli slices and spring onion.4d

Homemade strawberry cheesecake #kerrygold Sunday brunch

  • kerrygoldusaHomemade strawberry #cheesecake spread on top of buttery brioche toast. The perfect way to change up your #breakfast routine or add a sweet treat to Sunday #brunch. #Kerrygold


    INGREDIENTS:
    2 slices of brioche bread (1″+ thick)
    3 tablespoons Kerrygold Salted Butter
    1 teaspoon granulated sugar
    1/4 cup whipped cream cheese
    1/4 cup + 2 teaspoons powdered sugar (can substitute honey or coconut sugar)
    1/4 teaspoon orange zest (or orange blossom water)
    1/2 cup sliced strawberries
    Coarse sugar, optional
    DIRECTIONS:
    Preheat a skillet over medium heat.
    Butter each side of the bread, saving 1 tablespoon of the butter for the skillet. Sprinkle the bread with granulated sugar. Add the remaining tablespoon of butter to the hot skillet, and then add the bread to the skillet. Toast the bread on each side until golden brown, about 1 minute per side.
    Meanwhile, slice the strawberries and toss them with 2 teaspoons of powdered sugar. Set aside.
    In a small bowl, beat together the cream cheese, remaining 1/4 cup of powdered sugar and orange zest until fluffy.
    Remove the toast from the skillet, and top each slice with the cheesecake filling, followed by the strawberries. I like to sprinkle coarse sugar on top before serving, but it’s optional.
  • switchbackkitchenYum!
  • coastiekitchen@makinitmobetta
  • hezzidThese look amazing
  • skippingawayYum🍓

Saffron, Honey and Ricotta ice cream .🌹

 

 

haughton ice cream

This Saffron, Honey and Ricotta ice cream isn’t too sweet – perfect for after a big meal

Ricotta adds an interesting texture here, and the saffron makes it wonderfully fragrant.

Serves 6

500ml/17 fl oz whole milk

1 tsp of saffron threads

5 egg yolks

200g/7oz sugar

250ml/8½ fl oz double cream

500g/1lb 2oz ricotta

2 tbsp honey, plus extra to serve

2 handfuls of toasted pine nuts, to serve

Bring the milk and saffron to a simmer and keep warm.

In a large bowl, combine the yolks and sugar and beat until pale.

Add half the warm milk to the egg mixture and whisk again until combined. Pour the mix into the saucepan along with the remaining warm milk. Cook over a low heat, stirring constantly until the mixture thickens into a custard and coats the back of a wooden spoon. Remove from the heat and whisk in the double cream, followed by the ricotta and the honey, until blended.

Churn in an ice cream maker according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Serve sprinkled with toasted pine nuts and a little extra honey.

Neven has a Halloween recipe up his sleeve for us this week: Penne with pumpkin, crispy bacon, sage and Parmesan

neven pumkin penne

I love this time of year. Conor and Lucia have made their pumpkin lanterns and I never let anything go to waste. I make soup with the flesh that they have scraped out – which is also good with pasta. Sage is a herb that tastes particularly well with pumpkin.

This is a recipe that you could use any time of the year with butternut squash or with sweet potatoes instead of the pumpkin.

I mentioned recently how many butchers are making their own sausages and here is another chance to try some out. With colcannon, this makes a very tasty meal.

Colcannon is also delicious with any grilled meat or with Sunday lunch. I often use this onion gravy with roast meats or pork chops. Allowing it to carmelise adds great depth of flavour.

Happy cooking,

Neven

Penne with pumpkin, crispy bacon, sage and Parmesan

Serves four to six

4 tbsp olive oil

175g (175g) smoked streaky bacon lardons

500g (1¼lb) pumpkin, peeled, seeded and finely diced

15g (½oz) packet fresh sage, finely shredded

500g (1¼lb) penne pasta

50g (2oz) freshly grated Parmesan, plus extra to garnish

sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

  • 1 Heat the oil a large frying pan and fry the bacon for two to three minutes until crisp. Add the pumpkin with the sage. Season with salt and pepper and cook for four to five minutes, stirring occasionally until the pumpkin is cooked through.
  • 2 Cook the penne according to the packet instructions, then drain and add to the pumpkin with the crispy bacon. Stir in the Parmesan and season to taste, then divide among bowls.
  • 3 Garnish with extra Parmesan and black pepper.

Sausages with colcannon

Serves eight to 10

1.5kg (3lb) floury potatoes (such as Rooster), peeled and cut into chunks

8 traditional jumbo Irish pork sausages

225g (8oz) kale, finely shredded

2 scallions, very finely chopped

120ml (4fl oz) milk

75g (3oz) butter

Salt and pepper

Stout onion gravy, to serve (optional, see point 3)

  • 1 Steam the potatoes until tender. Cook the sausages in a frying pan in a little oil or under the grill. Place a knob of the butter and a tablespoon of water in a pan over a high heat. Add the kale and scallions with a pinch of salt. Cover, shake vigorously and cook for 1½ minutes. Shake again and cook for another 1½ minutes, until the cabbage or kale is tender but still crisp.
  • 2 Heat the milk in a small pan or in the microwave. Mash the potatoes and then beat in the butter with enough of the milk to make a smooth, creamy mash. Season to taste with salt and pepper and serve with the sausages and some gravy, if liked.
  • 3 Stout onion gravy: sauté thinly sliced onions in butter and season with salt and pepper, then sprinkle with a little sugar to caramelise. Stir in a spoonful of flour and then pour in enough Guinness or beef stock from a cube to make a thick smooth gravy.

Can eating really affect our sleep? @keelingsfruits. Try Banana with Nut Butter, Yogurt with chopped nuts or nut butter, Hot milk with cinnamon, kiwis and some dark chocolate

  1. Banana with Nut Butter
  2. Yogurt with chopped nuts or nut butter
  3. Hot milk with cinnamon
  4. 2 kiwis and some dark chocolate
  5. Cherry juice drink made with hot water

keelingsfruits

I don’t know about you but I love my bed! And I firmly believe that a good night’s sleep can make you feel so good! Breathing, eating and sleeping are three of the most basic and essential functions we do as humans. But can food affect our sleep or does our sleep affect our food? The reality is that it is probably a bit of both…On average we need between 7-9 hours’ sleep per night with some people managing on less and others may need more. Lack of sleep can lead to irritability, fatigue and difficulty concentrating. However chronic poor sleep has been linked to obesity, diabetes and heart disease.

In general, research has found that eating in line with the Mediterranean or DASH diet, both of which promote fruits and vegetables, fiber rich foods and healthy mono-unsaturated and polyunsaturated fats tends to be associated with better quality sleep. Magnesium is a mineral that is reported to help with sleep regulation and is found in bananas, nuts, green vegetables, tofu and dairy. Melatonin is a micronutrient present in some foods but also a hormone that occurs naturally in the body and helps control sleep patterns. Melatonin, is found in tart cherry juice, eggs, nuts and dairy. Interestingly the tradition of hot milk before bed comes from Roman times… and milk contains both magnesium, melatonin and an amino acid called tryptophan which helps produce serotonin and melatonin.

Kiwifruit is another food that has been reported to have a positive impact on sleep duration and quality. In one four-week trial of adults with sleep problems, consumption of two kiwifruits per day one hour before bedtime significantly increased total sleep time and sleep efficiency. A potential reason for this is that they are a rich source of antioxidant and contain the hormone serotonin. Either way they are also great sources of vitamin C and great for keeping bowel movements regular.

Do you ever feel like you make poorer food choices when you’re tired? There may be good reason behind this. Sleep deprivation can cause a drop in Leptin levels (a hormone that signals fullness) and increases the hormone Ghrelin (hormone that stimulates appetite). This change in hormones can explain why you might eat more when missing sleep or why you tend to eat more without feeling full when you have had minimal sleep. US research from Cedar- Sinai Medical Centre also found that lack of sleep increased insulin resistance. So, we can see that regular good night sleep helps manage hormones, appetite and possible food choices.

Caffeine and alcohol can negatively affect falling asleep and sleep quality so best to keep within healthy limits if struggling with sleep. Maybe keep the caffeine to before midday!

Some sleepy bedtime snack ideas!

  1. Banana with Nut Butter
  2. Yogurt with chopped nuts or nut butter
  3. Hot milk with cinnamon
  4. 2 kiwis and some dark chocolate
  5. Cherry juice drink made with hot water
  6. Porridge topped with banana
  7. Oatcakes topped with cream cheese and berries
  8. Cherries
  9. Wholegrain cereal with milk
  10. Mixed nuts