Heat a little of the olive oil and sauté the mushrooms for a minute or two and season.
Set aside. Bring a shallow pan of water to simmer, add the vinegar and salt. Break one egg onto a saucer, stir the water to create a whirlpool, tip in the egg and leave to cook for 3 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, lift on to a plate. Repeat with the remaining eggs. Keep the water hot.
Heat the grill to high, arrange the mushrooms on the untoasted side of the bread, cover with the tomatoes and then the cheese, grill for 5-6 mins until the cheese has just melted. Place the toast on warmed plates. Slide all the eggs back into the hot water and leave for 30 seconds, lift out and drain on kitchen paper, then put one on top of toast. Season and serve.
Last week, I made Chocolate Hummus and I got SO much amazing feedback that I wanted to show you how you could use it as a handy finger food breakfast idea for your kids. These Breakfast Samosas are really good. Filled with my chocolate hummus, sliced banana and crushed seeds for extra goodness…all from @dunnesstores ☀️🍌
You will want to save this one for later ❤️
Prep time – 5 minutes Cook time – 5 minutes 8 Mini Samosas and 2 Large
For the mini tortillas spread about 2 tsps of chocolate hummus (the larger tortillas will use about 1 tbsp of hummus, then add 2 slices of banana the the corner and a sprinkle of nuts. Fold the rounded part up slightly, then fold the corner up and over and tuck in the remaining part into the opening.
Heat on a pan until golden brown both sides.
Serve with a side of Greek yogurt and fresh strawberries for extra protein which will keep you and your little ones full for longer.
This is a very filling soup that is actually a recipe of my mum’s that we have been making on and off in the restaurant for years. Use the very best quality fish and shellfish for the best flavour
Ingredients
1 tblsp rapeseed oil
1 tblsp butter, softened
2 large potatoes, cut into 1cm (1/2in) dice
1 small onion, cut into 1cm (1/2in) dice
1 carrot, cut into 1cm (1/2in) dice
1/2 small leek, cut into 1cm (1/2in) dice
1 tblsp plain flour
sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
150 ml (1/4 pint) dry white wine
300 ml (1/2 pint) fish stock (page 254)
100 g (4oz) skinless salmon fillet, cut into cubes
100 g (4oz) smoked coley fillet, cut into cubes
100 g (4oz) cooked mussel meat
100 g (4oz) cooked peeled prawns
150 ml (1/4 pint) cream
1 tsp chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1 tsp chopped fresh dill
1 tblsp parsley oil (page 250), to garnish
fresh micro salad, to garnish
makes about 1.2 litres (2 pints)
250 g (9oz) white fish trimmings and/or bones (such as lemon sole, brill or plaice bones)
3 leeks, trimmed and chopped
3 carrots, chopped
1 fennel bulb, chopped
large handful of fresh parsley, roughly chopped
175 ml (6fl oz) dry white wine
100 g (4oz) fresh flat-leaf parsley
100 ml (3 1/2fl oz) rapeseed oil
sea salt
Method
Heat the oil in a large pan over a medium heat and then add the butter. Once it stops sizzling, tip in the potatoes, onion, carrot and leek and cook for 5 minutes, until softened but not coloured. Add the flour and cook on a low heat for 2 minutes, stirring continuously. Season to taste.
Gradually pour the wine into the pan and allow it to bubble down, stirring continuously. Add the stock and bring to the boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Stir in the salmon and coley and simmer for 5 minutes, then add the mussel meat, prawns and cream and simmer for another 2–3 minutes, until warmed through. Stir in the herbs and season to taste.
To serve, ladle the soup into warmed bowls and garnish each one with the parsley oil and micro salad.
Method
Rinse the fish bones and trimmings of any blood, which would make the stock look cloudy and taste bitter. Place into a large heavy-bottomed stockpot with the leeks, carrots, fennel and parsley.
Pour in the white wine, then add 2.4 litres (4 pints) cold water to cover the fish and vegetables. Place on a high heat and bring to a simmer. After 5 minutes, remove the scum that forms on the surface with a spoon and discard. Reduce the heat and simmer, covered, for about 25 minutes, skimming as necessary.
At the end of the cooking time, remove the stock from the heat and strain, discarding the fish trimmings and the vegetables. Cool and store in a plastic covered jug in the fridge and use as required.
Method
Pick the leaves from the parsley and place in a mini blender, discarding the stalks. Add the rapeseed oil and a pinch of salt and blend for 5 minutes, until completely smooth.
Pass the parsley mixture through a fine sieve into a jug and then transfer to a squeezy bottle. Use as required.
Notes
Neven’s tips: This soup can be made up to 24 hours in advance and kept covered in the fridge. Just be careful when reheating not to allow it to come to the boil or the fish will lose its texture. Splash out on a rosé Champagne, rosé Cava or a ripe Chardonnay from Macon in Burgundy.
This recipe and many more are available in Neven Maguire’s The MacNean Restaurant Cookbook, published by Gill & MacMillan Books and available to buy here.
The name of this simple dessert comes from the Italian tirami su, meaning ‘pick me up’ (or ‘cheer me up’). Tiramisu has been subjected to many variations over the years, but this is the original recipe and – in my opinion – the best! This is a dessert that actually benefits from being made ahead, allowing the lovely flavours to mingle. As a result, it is perfect for a large gathering.
Serves 8–10
4 large eggs
100g caster sugar
250g mascarpone cheese 2
50ml cream
250ml freshly brewed strong espresso coffee (left to cool completely)
150ml Tia Maria or Kahlúa liqueur
40 sponge fingers
50g bar plain chocolate
2 tsp cocoa powder
Separate the eggs, putting the yolks in one bowl with 80g of the sugar, and the egg whites in another. Using an electric beater, whisk the egg yolks and sugar until pale and creamy, then mix in the mascarpone cheese until well combined. Whip the cream in a separate bowl until soft peaks form, then fold into the egg yolk and mascarpone mixture.
Using spotlessly clean beaters, whisk the egg whites with 20g of sugar until soft peaks form, then fold this into the mascarpone cream. Spoon a third of this mixture into a suitable dish that is at least 2cm deep. Pour the coffee into a shallow dish and stir in the Tia Maria or Kahlúa. Dip in enough of the sponge fingers to make an even layer on top of the mascarpone mixture. Only dip the sponge fingers in as you go along, so they don’t soak for too long and become difficult to handle.
Cover the layer of soaked sponge fingers with another third of the mascarpone mixture, then grate most of the chocolate bar on top using the coarse side of a grater. Add another layer with the rest of the soaked sponge fingers, then spoon over the remaining mascarpone mixture and spread evenly with a back of a spoon. Cover with cling film and chill overnight to allow the flavours to develop and the dessert to settle. To serve, give the tiramisu a good dusting of cocoa powder, then grate over the rest of the chocolate. Place in the middle of the table so that everyone can help themselves.
SERVE AFTER … A go-to dessert if you like spoiling your guests after a long Italian-inspired meal. Tiramisu is ideal for the warmer months since it can be made well in advance and kept in the fridge until needed.
Pavlova Wreath with Exotic Fruit
Cakes are always the sweet option of choice for birthdays and anniversaries. However, I would like to introduce to you the Pavlova Wreath – it is very pretty and easy to make, and it delivers an incredible flavour. As always, feel free to use your own favourite combination of flavours to personalise it. Be sure to produce it with a flourish for that ‘ta-da’ moment!
Serves 10–12
For the meringue
5 egg whites
250g caster sugar
50g icing sugar
2 tsp cornflour
For the raspberry sauce
200g raspberries
2 tbsp icing sugar
1 tbsp lime juice
2 tsp cornflour or arrowroot
For the crème Chantilly
200ml cream (well chilled)
1 tsp vanilla extract
40g icing sugar
To decorate
200g raspberries
400g tin lychees, well drained and cut in half
2 passion fruit, halved and seeds scooped out
Preheat the oven to 140°C (275°F/Gas Mark 1). Put the egg whites into the bowl of a stand mixer. Turn on to a medium speed and whisk until they begin to go frothy and hold their shape a little. Mix the caster and icing sugar together, then add about one third to the eggs in a steady stream, whisking all the time on medium to high. The mixture will now begin to thicken a little.
Make sure that all the sugar has dissolved before you add any more. Add the next third and repeat the process, whisking it all up well. Then add the final third of the sugar. Whisk on high now, since the egg mixture will be much more stable. Keep whisking until you reach the stiff-peak stage. Add the cornflour and fold in with a spoon. Draw a 25cm circle on a piece of parchment paper and use it to line a large baking sheet, then draw a 10cm circle in the middle. This is your stencil. Put dollops of the meringue mixture on to the wreath stencil, keeping it within the edges.
Bake for 55–60 minutes until the meringue has just a little colour. Remove it from the oven and leave to cool. Meanwhile, make the raspberry sauce. Blitz the raspberries in a food processor with the icing sugar and lime juice, then pass through a sieve into a small pan using a plastic spatula. Mix the cornflour or arrowroot with one tablespoon of water until smooth, then add this to the raspberries. Bring to the boil over medium to high heat, then simmer gently for a few minutes until thickened, stirring occasionally.
Set aside to cool. For the crème Chantilly, whisk up the cream, vanilla and sugar in a bowl until it is just beginning to hold soft peaks. Cover with cling film and chill until needed. Carefully slide your Pavlova wreath on to a large, flat serving plate. Place dollops of the crème Chantilly around the top of the wreath, then drizzle over some of the raspberry sauce; the rest can be served in a jug at the table. Decorate the wreath with the raspberries, lychees and passion fruit pulp. Serve straight away.
I adore this delicious and nutritious soup. It’s great either for family suppers or for a dinner party. The soup can be frozen and the Dubliner toasts prepared in advance, then grilled at the last moment. Ideal if you need a meal in an instant. Rachel Allen
Melt the butter in a medium to large saucepan, and add the potatoes and onion, salt and pepper. Cover with a piece of wax paper and sweat over a gentle heat for 10 minutes. Meanwhile, cut the broccoli florets from the stalk. Using a small knife, remove the outer layer of skin from the stalk and discard, then chop the stalk into 1/2-inch pieces. Add to the onion and potato, cover and sweat for a further 5 minutes. Add the hot stock to the potatoes, onion and broccoli stalk, bring up to a boil, then add the chopped broccoli florets. Boil without the lid over a high heat for 4–5 minutes until soft, then add the cream. Remove from the heat, puree in a blender and season to taste.To make the Dubliner toasts, toast the bread on both sides, sprinkle with grated Dubliner Cheese and pop under a hot grill or into a hot oven for 2 minutes or until the cheese melts. Cut the toast into fingers and serve on the side with the soup.
This is one of my favourite cakes at this time of the year. It’s a much needed burst of sunshine. Deliciously light, and moist due to the natural Irish yogurt. You can make a gluten free version by simply using gluten free breadcrumbs. You can substitute the pistachios with hazelnuts, roast the hazelnuts before you add them to the cake, it enhances their flavour. It will last for one week, but not sure you will have any left for to test me on that!
To serve:
Decorate with 50g roughly chopped pistachios and the zest of one lemon on top. Serve with a dollop of natural Irish yogurt
Ingredients checklist
50gslightly stale white breadcrumbs
100galmonds, ground
100gpistachios
1tspbaking powder
4eggs
150gcaster sugar
125mlsunflower oil
200mlnatural Irish yogurt
zest of 1 orange
zest of 1 lemon
Ingredients checklist for the citrus syrup
juice of 1 orange
juice of 1 lemon
1star anise
1cinnamon stick
Instructions
Pre-heat the oven to 190°C / Gas 5.
Grease a 20.5cm (8in) round and 5cm (2in) deep tin and then lightly dust with flour.
In a large bowl mix together the breadcrumbs, almonds, pistachios and baking powder.
In a separate bowl whisk the eggs with the caster sugar. Continue to whisk while pouring in the vegetable oil, followed by the natural Irish yogurt.
Next stir the liquid pour into the dry ingredients and mix well. Add the orange and lemon zest.
Pour the mixture into the prepared cake tin and into the pre-heated oven.
Bake for 45 minutes to 1 hour or until the cake is golden brown. To ensure cake is done, insert a skewer into the center – if it’s ready, the skewer should come out clean. Allow to cool for 5 minutes before turning out onto a plate.
Meanwhile, make the citrus syrup. Put all of the ingredients into a saucepan and bring gently to the boil, stirring until the sugar has dissolved completely. Simmer for 10 minutes or until thick.
While the cake is still warm, pierce it several times with a skewer, then spoon the hot syrup over the cake, allowing it to run into the holes. Leave to cool. Spoon any excess syrup back over the cake every now and then until it is all soaked up.
Sprinkle chopped pistachios on top, and the zest of one orange. Serve with natural Irish yogurt
This is a very filling soup that is actually a recipe of my mum’s that we have been making on and off in the restaurant for years. Use the very best quality fish and shellfish for the best flavour
Ingredients
1 tblsp rapeseed oil
1 tblsp butter, softened
2 large potatoes, cut into 1cm (1/2in) dice
1 small onion, cut into 1cm (1/2in) dice
1 carrot, cut into 1cm (1/2in) dice
1/2 small leek, cut into 1cm (1/2in) dice
1 tblsp plain flour
sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
150 ml (1/4 pint) dry white wine
300 ml (1/2 pint) fish stock (page 254)
100 g (4oz) skinless salmon fillet, cut into cubes
100 g (4oz) smoked coley fillet, cut into cubes
100 g (4oz) cooked mussel meat
100 g (4oz) cooked peeled prawns
150 ml (1/4 pint) cream
1 tsp chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1 tsp chopped fresh dill
1 tblsp parsley oil (page 250), to garnish
fresh micro salad, to garnish
makes about 1.2 litres (2 pints)
250 g (9oz) white fish trimmings and/or bones (such as lemon sole, brill or plaice bones)
3 leeks, trimmed and chopped
3 carrots, chopped
1 fennel bulb, chopped
large handful of fresh parsley, roughly chopped
175 ml (6fl oz) dry white wine
100 g (4oz) fresh flat-leaf parsley
100 ml (3 1/2fl oz) rapeseed oil
sea salt
Method
Heat the oil in a large pan over a medium heat and then add the butter. Once it stops sizzling, tip in the potatoes, onion, carrot and leek and cook for 5 minutes, until softened but not coloured. Add the flour and cook on a low heat for 2 minutes, stirring continuously. Season to taste.
Gradually pour the wine into the pan and allow it to bubble down, stirring continuously. Add the stock and bring to the boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Stir in the salmon and coley and simmer for 5 minutes, then add the mussel meat, prawns and cream and simmer for another 2–3 minutes, until warmed through. Stir in the herbs and season to taste.
To serve, ladle the soup into warmed bowls and garnish each one with the parsley oil and micro salad.
Method
Rinse the fish bones and trimmings of any blood, which would make the stock look cloudy and taste bitter. Place into a large heavy-bottomed stockpot with the leeks, carrots, fennel and parsley.
Pour in the white wine, then add 2.4 litres (4 pints) cold water to cover the fish and vegetables. Place on a high heat and bring to a simmer. After 5 minutes, remove the scum that forms on the surface with a spoon and discard. Reduce the heat and simmer, covered, for about 25 minutes, skimming as necessary.
At the end of the cooking time, remove the stock from the heat and strain, discarding the fish trimmings and the vegetables. Cool and store in a plastic covered jug in the fridge and use as required.
Method
Pick the leaves from the parsley and place in a mini blender, discarding the stalks. Add the rapeseed oil and a pinch of salt and blend for 5 minutes, until completely smooth.
Pass the parsley mixture through a fine sieve into a jug and then transfer to a squeezy bottle. Use as required.
Notes
Neven’s tips: This soup can be made up to 24 hours in advance and kept covered in the fridge. Just be careful when reheating not to allow it to come to the boil or the fish will lose its texture. Splash out on a rosé Champagne, rosé Cava or a ripe Chardonnay from Macon in Burgundy.
This recipe and many more are available in Neven Maguire’s The MacNean Restaurant Cookbook, published by Gill & MacMillan Books and available to buy here.
Put the tofu, ground star anise, vanilla seeds, treacle and agave syrup into a large bowl and blend with a hand blender until silky smooth.
Melt the chocolate in a heatproof glass bowl sat over a saucepan of simmering water, being careful not to let the bowl touch the water. Fold into the tofu. Spoon the mixture between 4 glasses and refrigerate until set.
To make the honeycomb, line a baking tray with baking paper. Put the sugar, glucose and golden syrup into a deep saucepan and heat until it reaches 145C. (This should take about 5 minutes). Quickly whisk in the bicarbonate of soda. Be careful as the mixture will bubble up very suddenly. Quickly pour onto the lined baking tray. Set aside to cool and harden.
To make the apricots, heat the oil in a frying pan. Add the apricots and star anise and cook until the apricots start to caramelise. Sprinkle over a pinch of sugar and leave to cool.
To serve, sprinkle the toasted almonds on top of the mousse and serve with the apricots and peices of honeycomb.
First season the haddock pieces with the salt and freshly ground black pepper. Arrange the fillets in a single layer in the ovenproof dish (it should be a dish that is posh enough to bring to the table). Mix the grated Cheddar cheese together with the Dijon mustard and the cream and spread carefully over the fish.
The fish can be prepared ahead and refrigerated at this point. It will keep in the fridge for a day.
To cook, place in the pre-heated oven for about 20 minutes or until the fish is cooked and the top is golden and bubbly. If the fish is cooked but the top is not yet golden, place under a hot grill for just a few moments to colour the cheese.
We have partnered up with @sabarestaurantdublin to create our new @simplybetterds Thai Food range. Watch our brand ambassador @nevenmaguire learn how to make this delicious Phad Thai with Chef Yo. Find the full recipe below and shop the ingredients in your local @dunnesstores.
Method: 1. Soak the noodles in cold water until soft, about 30 minutes, then rinse under cold water and keep to one side. 2. Bring a wok to a medium to high heat, add the oil, then the chicken and stir for 2 minutes before adding the prawns and stir for another minute. 3. Bring the chicken and prawn to one side of the wok. Add the remaining oil and the beaten eggs. 4. Stir quickly and mix the egg with the chicken and prawns. 5. Add the noodles, stir for 1 minute until the noodles start to soften. 6. Then add the sauce and stir well to cover the noodles. 7. Add the bean sprouts and spring onions. Toss them through quickly for just 30 seconds to make sure the vegetables remain crunchy. 8. Serve in warmed bowls with a sprinkle of the crushed peanuts, fried shallots and dried chillies.2d
Foodaware 
Serves six.
You will need:
6 x 175g (6oz) pieces of haddock
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
225g (8oz) Irish mature Cheddar cheese, grated
1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
4 tablespoons cream
Ovenproof dish 8½ x 10 in (21.5 x 25.5cm)
Pre-heat the oven to 180°C, 350°F, Gas 4.
First season the haddock pieces with the salt and freshly ground black pepper. Arrange the fillets in a single layer in the ovenproof dish (it should be a dish that is posh enough to bring to the table). Mix the grated Cheddar cheese together with the Dijon mustard and the cream and spread carefully over the fish.
The fish can be prepared ahead and refrigerated at this point. It will keep in the fridge for a day.
To cook, place in the pre-heated oven for about 20 minutes or until the fish is cooked and the top is golden and bubbly. If the fish is cooked but the top is not yet golden, place under a hot grill for just a few moments to colour the cheese.