I’ve been enjoying…. in July 2013

I’ve Been Enjoying….

….Intense Coconut

a friend told me about Lindt’s Coconut Intense bar and I scoured the shelves of every shop I visited until I came up trumps.  It is a rather tasty little treat.

….Baking Macaroons

keeping things coconutty I’ve been baking macaroons.  Not to be confused with the dainty macaron the macaroon is robust sweet offering, not at all fiddly to make and utterly satisfying for the sweet-toothed.

….Receiving unexpected gifts

thanks to Shana Wilkie for sending me this gorgeously packaged Wilkie’s Hot Chocolate – I can’t wait to give it a try.  I reviewed Shana’s chocolate some time ago and she was delighted with the write-up.  You can read about it here.

….Quick summer cooking

there’s lots of bashing of chicken fillets going on in my kitchen this summer to produce blackened chicken which is a quick and tasty accompaniment for any salad.

…..Collecting beautiful things

I just couldn’t resist this Meadows & Byrne jug especially as it was on sale and came in the quaintest of colours.

….Discovering new products

I tried the ‘cheeky chilli’ on a puff pastry with melted cheese at a friend’s house and had to buy some myself.  In business since 2012 ,The Natural Larder Company are selling these and other sauces, relishes, chutneys and rubs at Ballincollig and Cornmarket Street markets in Cork.

….Spicing up my mash

With a few simple store cupboard ingredients, sweet potato and carrot mash can really be livened up.

….Cheating

I highly recommend these little jars of garlic, chillies and ginger paste from Goodall’s – great to have in your fridge and saves you peeling, chopping, time and tears.

Talk to you in August! Enjoy, x Sheila