Porridge is one of our most popular breakfasts in the restaurant, and this recipe goes down a treat. On cold winter mornings, it gets you off to a good start and takes no more than 10 minutes to prepare.
Ingredients
100 g (4oz) porridge oats (organic if possible)
300 ml (1/2 pint) whole-fat milk (plus extra if necessary)
4 dsp clear honey
4 dsp irish mist
150 ml (1/4 pint) cream (optional)
Method
Simmer the porridge oats and milk together in a saucepan for 8-10 minutes, until the mixture is slightly thickened, stirring all the time. It is important that the porridge has a nice soft dropping consistency so add a little more milk if you think that it needs it.
To serve, spoon the porridge into warmed bowls. Drizzle each one with some honey and Irish mist and finally, serve with cream if you wish.
To celebrate the final episode of Neven’s Irish Food Trails on RTÉ One tonight at 7:30 pm, we’re making Neven’s Mediterranean monkfish and potato stew with an almond crumb.
Ingredients
This is an excellent fail-safe recipe that I often find myself cooking at home. The almond crumb makes it into something just a bit more glamorous. Of course, you could use any fish you like and add some shellfish too if you feel like pushing the boat out.
Serves: 4
25g (1oz) blanched almonds
1 tsp sweet paprika
4 tbsp olive oil
2 red onions, finely chopped
1 fennel bulb, trimmed and finely chopped
2 tsp fennel seeds
½–1 tsp dried chilli flakes
a good pinch of saffron strands soaked in a little hot water
2 large garlic cloves, finely chopped
2 x 400g (14oz) tins of whole plum tomatoes
300ml (½ pint) fish or chicken stock (preferably homemade)
450g (1lb) small new potatoes, scrubbed and halved or quartered if large
675g (1½lb) boneless monkfish, skinned with all tough membrane removed and cut into bite-sized pieces
sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley, to garnish
Method
Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F/gas mark 4).
To make the almond crumb, spread the almonds out on a baking sheet and place in the oven for about 5 minutes, until they are golden.
Allow to cool, then roughly chop until they resemble coarse breadcrumbs. Place in a bowl and mix with the paprika and 1 teaspoon of salt. Set aside until needed.
Put a large casserole with a lid over a high heat on the hob and add the olive oil. Turn the heat down to medium and add the onions and fennel.
Stir in the fennel seeds, chilli flakes, and saffron and sauté for 10 minutes, then stir in the garlic and sauté for another couple of minutes.
Add the tomatoes to the onion mixture, crushing them with a wooden spoon, then pour in the stock and add the potatoes.
Season to taste and simmer for 25–30 minutes, until the potatoes are tender when pierced with a knife.
Add the monkfish to the potato stew and simmer for another 5 minutes, until the fish is just cooked through and looks opaque.
Divide among hot bowls and sprinkle over the almond crumb, then scatter over the parsley to serve.
Ginger & Lime Baked Cheesecake with Irish Strawberry Compote Ingredients (Serves 6-8) For The Base: 2 Packs of Simply Better Handmade Oat & Ginger Cookies, crushed 75g Butter, plus extra for greasing For The Compote: 1 Bag of Simply Better Expertly Grown Frozen Irish Strawberries 250ml Simply Better Handmade Irish Raspberry & Wexford Rhubarb Cordial For the Filling: 3 Simply Better Free Range Corn Fed Large Eggs 500g Cream Cheese 100g Caster Sugar 1Tbsp Cornflour Finely Grated Rind and Juice of 2 Limes 1 Vanilla Pod, split in half lengthways and seeds scraped out To Serve: Simply Better Single Source Irish Jersey Cream, lightly whipped Method: 1. Preheat the oven to 160°C Lightly butter a 9inch loose-bottomed cake tin and line with non-stick baking or parchment paper. 2. To make the base, melt the butter in a pan set over a gentle heat. Add the crushed cookies and mix well. Spread the mixture over the base of the tin, pressing down with the back of a spoon to flatten. Place in the oven for 10 minutes to firm up. 3. Remove the tin from the oven and set aside. Place a dish of hot water in the oven on the bottom rack – this will stop a skin forming on the cheesecake. Place the cream cheese, sugar, eggs, lime rind and juice, vanilla seeds and cornflour in a mixing bowl and beat together until smooth with an electric whisk. 4. Pour this mixture into the cake tin and place on a baking sheet. Bake for 35-45 minutes until lightly golden. The filling should still be a bit wobbly at this stage. Turn off the oven, open the door and leave to cool completely. The filling will set as it cools. 5. To make the compote, place the leftover vanilla pod in a saucepan with the cordial and bring to the boil. Reduce the heat and allow to simmer for 5 minutes until reduced and slightly thickened. Place the strawberries in the pan and poach the berries for 2-3 minutes until softened but still holding their shape. Remove the vanilla pod before serving. 6. To serve, slice the cheesecake into wedges and serve with some cream and the poached strawberries.
This Spaghetti Carbonara uses just four simple ingredients along with some salt and pepper and is ready in less than 15 minutes. Find the full recipe from our @simplybetterds brand ambassador @nevenmaguire below:
Ingredients 1 Pack Simply Better Italian Bronze Spaghetti 2 Packs Simply Better Guanciale Pepato, cut into strips 4 Simply Irish Better Free Range Corn Fed Large Eggs and 2 Yolks 1 Pack Pecorino Romano PDO, finely grated Simply Better Oriel Sea Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper
Method 1. Bring a large saucepan of water to a rolling boil. Season with salt and cook the spaghetti for 10 minutes until al dente. 2. Meanwhile, heat a non-stick frying pan over a high heat. Sauté the Guanciale for 2-3 minutes until crisp. Drain off the excess fat and tip on to a plate to cool. 3. Beat the eggs and yolks in a mixing bowl until lightly and fluffy. Season generously with pepper and fold in most of the pecorino, reserving some to garnish. 4. Drain the spaghetti, reserving a small cupful of the cooking water and immediately tip into the bowl with the egg mixture. Add most of the Guanciale, reserving some for garnishing, and toss with a tongs until evenly combined. The heat of the spaghetti will be enough to create a smooth silky sauce – you can add a little of the reserved cooking water if you think it needs it. Divide among bowls and garnish with the rest of the Guanciale and Pecorino to serve.
Neven’s Top Tip: Reserving a small cupful of the pasta cooking water when draining can be used to enhance the silkiness of the cooking sauce before serving3d
Of course this recipe is great with just parsley but experiment with a combination of soft fragrant herbs sauce as parsley, chives, tarragon or chervil depending on what’s available.
Serves 4
Ingredients
4 x 175g hake fillets, skin on and boned
1 tablesp. olive oil
Salt and freshly ground pepper
50g butter
½ lemon, pips removed
1 tablesp. chopped mixed herbs (parsley, chives and tarragon)
To Cook
Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan and add the seasoned hake fillets, skin side down. Cook for a couple of minutes until the skin is just beginning to crisp, then add little knobs of butter to the pan around each hake fillet and cook for another couple of minutes until the skin is crisp.
Turn the hake fillets over and cook for another 3-4 minutes until cooked through. This will depend on the thickness of the fillets. Transfer to warmed plates while you make the sauce.
Add the rest of the butter to the frying pan and allow it to gently melt over a moderate heat. When it has melted, add a squeeze of lemon juice and the herbs, swirling to combine. Season to taste. Spoon this sauce over the hake fillets and serve with steamed broccoli and some sautéed new potatoes.
Serving Suggestions
Steamed broccoli and sauté new potatoes
Tips
Above all be careful not to overcook the fish. To check, gently prod the thickest part of the fish with a small knife. If it is cooked, the flesh will look opaque and the flakes will separate easily. If it isn’t done yet, it will still have the translucent look for raw fish.
Other fish you could use: Whiting, haddock or trout fillets
My brother, Kenneth, loves Asian food and he is in no doubt that he is far better than me at cooking it! I don’t disagree. He is proud of this chicken satay dish and often makes it for the family. This dipping sauce also works well with pork, prawns, beef strips or turkey. And remember, kids just love anything on sticks!
SERVES 4
4 tbsp dark soy sauce
2 tsp clear honey
2 tsp medium curry powder
450g (1lb) skinless chicken breast fillets, cut into long strips
FOR THE PICKLED CUCUMBER SALAD:
4 tbsp rice wine vinegar
2 tbsp caster sugar
pinch of salt
½ small cucumber, peeled, halved, deseeded and thinly sliced
FOR THE DIPPING SAUCE:
2 tbsp crunchy peanut butter
2 tsp dark soy sauce
1 tsp light brown sugar
juice of ½ lime
1 x 160ml (5½fl oz) tin of coconut milk (Thai Gold, if possible)
½ red chilli, deseeded and finely diced
2 tbsp chopped fresh coriander
sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 To make the dipping sauce, place the peanut butter in a small pan and stir in the soy sauce, light brown sugar and lime juice. Gradually whisk in the coconut milk and heat gently until you have achieved a smooth sauce. Stir in the chilli and coriander, then leave to cool, stirring occasionally to prevent a skin from forming.
2 Soak 8 x 15cm (6in) bamboo skewers in a shallow dish of cold water for at least 30 minutes. Preheat a griddle pan until it’s smoking hot or light a barbecue.
3 Whisk together the soy sauce, honey and curry powder. Season with pepper and stir in the chicken pieces. Leave to marinate for 2 minutes, then thread the chicken pieces onto the soaked bamboo skewers and arrange on the barbecue. Cook the chicken skewers over medium-hot coals for 4–6 minutes, turning once or twice, until completely tender and cooked through. If using a griddle pan, reduce the heat to medium as soon as you’ve put the skewers on.
4 Meanwhile, to prepare the pickled cucumber salad, place the vinegar in a bowl and stir in the sugar and a good pinch of salt until both have dissolved. Tip in the cucumber, stirring to combine, and set aside to allow the flavours to develop. 5 To serve, arrange 2 chicken satay skewers on each warmed plate. Divide the dipping sauce among individual bowls and place to the side of the skewers. Add the pickled cucumber salad, leaving behind any excess liquid, to serve.
Butter Chicken
Swap your usual takeaway curry for this homemade chicken makhana, which combines marinated chicken with a rich, buttery sauce. This is an authentic Indian curry with its origins in Delhi, where it was first made to use up pieces of leftover tandoori chicken.
Serves 4–6
500g skinless and boneless chicken breasts or thighs
juice and finely grated rind of 1 lemon
3 tbsp mild curry seasoning
4 tbsp natural yogurt
3 tbsp sunflower oil
30g butter
2 red onions, thinly sliced
2 garlic cloves, sliced
1 red chilli, seeded
3cm piece fresh root ginger, peeled and sliced
20g fresh coriander
400ml passata (Italian sieved tomatoes)
120ml cream
sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
Trim the chicken and cut into bite-sized pieces. Put in a bowl and stir in half the lemon juice with a good pinch of salt. Add 2 tablespoons of the curry seasoning, the yogurt and 1 tablespoon of the oil. Mix to combine, then season generously with pepper. Cover and leave to marinate for at least 1 hour or up to 3 days in the fridge.
Heat the rest of the oil and a knob of the butter in a wok or skillet over a high heat, and quickly sear the marinated chicken in batches until golden brown, transferring with a slotted spoon to a clean bowl as you go. Add the onions to the pan and sauté for 4–5 minutes until they start to caramelise.
Tip in the garlic, chilli and ginger, then add another knob of the butter and sauté for 1–2 minutes. Chop the stalks from the coriander and add them to the pan with the rest of the curry seasoning and another knob of the butter. Toast for a few minutes until very fragrant. Pour the passata into the pan and bring to a simmer, then add the cream and the rest of the lemon juice.
Transfer to a blender and blend until you have a very smooth sauce. Return to the pan and add the chicken with any juices and reheat gently for about 5 minutes until the chicken is cooked through and tender. Season to taste, then fold in the lemon rind with the rest of the butter and the coriander leaves, reserving a few sprigs to garnish. Transfer to bowls and garnish with the coriander sprigs.
SERVE WITH … This mild and creamy curry is sure to please all tastes. Make some Homemade Flatbreads, perhaps brushing them with a little melted butter and sprinkling with black onion seeds. A bowl of Pilau Rice completes the meal, alongside some spiced mango chutney, mint raita and lime pickle.
This recipe for breakfast croissants from our brand ambassador @nevenmaguire is the perfect Mother’s Day weekend treat. Find the full recipe below and shop the ingredients in your local Dunnes Stores.
Ingredients 1 packet Simply Better French Made All Butter Croissants 1 packet Simply Better Italian Prosciutto Di Parma 6 Simply Better Irish Free Range Corn Fed Large Eggs 2 Tbsp. Simply Better Jersey Cream 1 Pack Simply Better West Cork Co-Op Extra Mature Drinagh Cheddar 2 Tsp. Finely Snipped Fresh Chives Simply Better Oriel Sea Salt and Freshly Ground White Pepper Simply Better Handmade Tomato Relish, to serve
Method Preheat the oven to 190°C (375°F/Gas Mark 5). Place the croissants on a non-stick baking sheet and cook for 25 minutes. Remove from the oven and leave to cool.
Once the croissants are cooked, heat a non-stick frying pan over a medium heat. Add two slices of the prosciutto and cook for about 10 seconds on each side to just crisp up. Transfer to a plate while you cook the remainder.
Break the eggs into the frying pan over a low heat and add the cream and season with salt and pepper. Stir gently with a spatula, allowing large curds to develop. Switch off the heat while the eggs are still very soft as they will continue to cook.
Carve each croissant in half and add slices of the Cheddar on to each one and then place the slices of Prosciutto on top. Add spoonfuls of the softly scrambled eggs then top with the other half of the croissant. Arrange on plates and garnish with the chives and serve with some of the tomato relish.1d
Of course this recipe is great with just parsley but experiment with a combination of soft fragrant herbs sauce as parsley, chives, tarragon or chervil depending on what’s available.
Serves 4
Ingredients
4 x 175g hake fillets, skin on and boned
1 tablesp. olive oil
Salt and freshly ground pepper
50g butter
½ lemon, pips removed
1 tablesp. chopped mixed herbs (parsley, chives and tarragon)
To Cook
Heat the olive oil in a large frying pan and add the seasoned hake fillets, skin side down. Cook for a couple of minutes until the skin is just beginning to crisp, then add little knobs of butter to the pan around each hake fillet and cook for another couple of minutes until the skin is crisp.
Turn the hake fillets over and cook for another 3-4 minutes until cooked through. This will depend on the thickness of the fillets. Transfer to warmed plates while you make the sauce.
Add the rest of the butter to the frying pan and allow it to gently melt over a moderate heat. When it has melted, add a squeeze of lemon juice and the herbs, swirling to combine. Season to taste. Spoon this sauce over the hake fillets and serve with steamed broccoli and some sautéed new potatoes.
Serving Suggestions
Steamed broccoli and sauté new potatoes
Tips
Above all be careful not to overcook the fish. To check, gently prod the thickest part of the fish with a small knife. If it is cooked, the flesh will look opaque and the flakes will separate easily. If it isn’t done yet, it will still have the translucent look for raw fish.
Other fish you could use: Whiting, haddock or trout fillets
Foodaware 