Category: Events & Adventures in Food

Posted in Events & Adventures in Food

Goleen Festival

Posted on by sheila kiely

Crepes with nutella from the crepe van have been sustaining my children for the past week along with ice-cream and slushies from the ice-cream van and chips and burgers from the local chipper ‘Richies’ in Goleen Village.  The truth is there has been so much going on in Goleen Village for the past week that they just about make it home to rest their heads at night-time.  We did supplement this diet somewhat with the odd bbq and fry up at home and of course roasted pork from the Pig Roast outside Denny O’Meara’s pub on Sunday. (Oh and I’m forgetting about last week’s home-made brownies that managed to stretch until yesterday.)  Apart from that there hasn’t been much home cooking going on. 

The Goleen Festival began on Sunday 8th August with a Vintage Car Drive from Goleen to Crookhaven followed later in the day by the Route to Crook 5 mile road race.  (The kids race was 2.5 miles).  My better half has made half-hearted promises to stick with me through other races but then his testosterone gets the better of him and he leaves a path of road dust for me to follow however this time he came through and we crossed the line together (me a toe in front!) 

The week progressed at a busy pace with plenty of sporting and fun activities for all.  They included; a table tennis tournament, charades, pub talent singing contest, art workshops, athletics, treasure hunt, art competition, fancy dress, fishing competition, historical guided walk, children’s races, busking competition, peddle carting and tug o’war. 

On the food side of things there was a Cookery Demonstration by Carmel Somers (of The Good Things Café, Durrus) at Barleycove Hotel and on Sunday there was a Pig Roast outside Denny O’Meara’s pub.  The roasted pork was served in a roll with a tasty potato stuffing, coleslaw and a choice of relishes. 

2010 Tug O'War Champions - Barleycove Giants

 

 

 

Music on the street went on well into the night on Friday, Saturday and Sunday night and luckily this year the weather was on our side.  The festival closed when the sun went down after one of the hottest days of the summer with the crowning of the new Queen of Goleen.  A tremendous amount of time, hard work and commitment is shown by the organisers and I hope that they realise how appreciated it is by the blow-ins who visit during the summer. 

Til next time, Sheila

Posted in Events & Adventures in Food

Bantry Barbeque Festival

Posted on by sheila kiely

The Bantry Barbeque Festival was opened last Friday evening by Food Writer John McKenna of  ‘The Bridgestone Guide’ with the sizzle of burgers, hotdogs and ribs cooking in the background.   The area around New Street was closed off and entertainment was provided by the flamboyant band ‘Dr Hula Hoop and The Boogie Monsters’.  Luckily for us word had not spread that the food was free and we lined up happily at the stand outside the Anchor Tavern for delicious burgers and succulent ribs.  The rain that had teased us in the morning stayed away and we sat outside eating and enjoying the music.

Saturday afternoon was beautiful and I wandered around Bantry with one of my daughters, stopping to listen to Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann who were putting on a traditional music concert in the main square.  There had been Dinghy racing in the harbour earlier in the day followed by Cruiser racing and live music outside the Quays later in the evening.

On Sunday we gathered in James J Crowley’s pub for the match (Cork V Roscommon) and the kids happily ran back and forth to the Square where an immense array of entertainment got underway;  Bouncy Castles, Bucking Bull, Sumo Wrestling, Horse Racing, Giant Connect 4 and even one of those dunking tanks where you sit on a diving board over a tank of water and await your fate.  Like the barbeque food, this entertainment which went on from 2pm until 6pm was amazingly all provided for free.

From the Square we wandered back towards the barbeque that was going on outside Denis Lucey’s pub where music was provided by brilliant band ‘Out of the Blue’.  Sitting in the sunshine with great music, food and a party atmosphere it couldn’t have been more perfect.  I will definitely be putting this festival in my diary for next year.
Til next time, Sheila

Posted in Events & Adventures in Food, What's for Dinner Mom?

The Indoor Picnic

Posted on by sheila kiely

What do you do when it’s lashing rain outside but too hot, heavy and humid to cook?  You have an in-door picnic.  It couldn’t be easier.  You’re at home so there’s no danger of a forgotten corkscrew although on this occasion one wasn’t required as a bottle of bubbles had waited long enough for an excuse to be popped open.

Normally for a picnic I’d have a rummage in the fridge or I might make sausage rolls, coleslaw or potato salad but last Saturday we had been out so I bought everything.  We had been to a friend’s birthday lunch and dropped into ‘On The Pig’s Back’ in Douglas on the way home.  With six coca-cola fuelled kids bouncing around in the car I didn’t have much time for perusing.  The driver was also anxious that we’d be back home in time to see the build-up to ‘The Match’ (Cork V Waterford) so it was a case of casting an envious glance at those enjoying a chat and a coffee and then quickly grabbing the old reliables – a round of gubbeen cheese, a large hunk of comte, a loaf of white crusty bread, a jar of Breheny’s Bellish red onion relish, gubbeen smoked salami, semi sundried tomatoes, cous cous with peppers and some chocolate.

When the half-time whistle blew at home we all gathered around the table.  Let me not try to fool you into thinking that this was a dainty “excuse me, would you mind passing the ….” affair.  Far from it, elbows jostled and hands grabbed as bread was quickly scoffed, smeared thickly with the red onion relish and topped with cheese and tomatoes.  Watching the second half of ‘The Match’ through rose-tinted champagne glasses naturally softened the blow of losing though of course disappointed we all know the rebels will be back to whip Waterford another day.

p.s. I used the left over comte instead of parmesan to make pesto and it was deliciously nutty and rich.
Til next time, Sheila

Posted in Events & Adventures in Food

Dressing Your Table

Posted on by sheila kiely

Beauty may be skin deep but first impressions do matter and that is why as well as fretting about food preparations for a dinner party we also get into a flap over “the state of the place.”
After dragging the hoover around and working up a scrubber’s sweat in rubber gloves attention turns to the finishing touches.


1) Candles.  First and foremost for me there have to be candles.  Not only do they create an atmosphere and flatter skin tone but they also disguise grubby paintwork and splatters.

2) Flowers. Fresh flowers are an instant brightener so pick a colour theme based around your table setting and get some flowers that tone in with that.  Ideal places to plant your vases are on the dining table, in the hallway, the loo and the kitchen window.

3) Table & Chairs. You will probably want to protect your dining table to some degree from red wine stains and candle wax so some sort of table covering is required.  No matter how much stain devil or bleach I use I never have success in lifting stains so generally steer clear of white.

For my last get together I used a silver roll of wrapping paper cellotaped under each end of the table.  It didn’t matter that by the end of the night it was covered in candle wax and ripped because it looked great.  I’ve bought hand-beaded velvet table runners in the past for Christmas and while beautiful to look at even the dry-cleaners couldn’t lift the candle grease stains out.   This year I think I’ll try wrapping up my table in Christmas wrapping paper and a big bow.

(The disadvatage here is that it’s more of a fire-hazard than a cloth so keep an eye on the candles)
Chairs can be freshened up with colourful seat pads or chair covers.

4) Table Mats & Napkins. It’s the little things that make a difference and using napkins make it a bit more special than everyday dining .   Colour co-ordinate with your theme and be innovative when it comes to napkin rings – a piece of wrapping string or ribbon looks quaint and a packet of hair bobbles can also work well.

5) Place Cards. If you are entertaining at home I think they are over the top and best left for weddings etc however the kids make them for Christmas Dinner here and generally set fire to them.  (I wish I was joking!)
6) Cutlery & Glasses.  Set the table as in a restaurant and give everybody 2 wine glasses (1 for water)

7) Plates & Serving Bowls.  I may be the only one with chipped plates and bowls that I don’t yet consider dangerous enough to throw away but I don’t use them when entertaining.  It saves a lot of hassle to have rooted out a stack of them before your guests arrive.  Some people can pull off eclectic mis-matched plates effectively and this can look great.  Plain white is probably the easiest as it won’t date and it easy to replace.
8.  Salt &  Pepper cellars, butter dish, sugar and mik jug.  Rounding these up and filling them is an easy job to delegate as you won’t want to ruin your lovely dining table by lobbing a big container of Saxa or Lo-salt on the table (yes I am ashamed to say that I have done this)

9) Coffee & Tea cups, pots etc.  Again having these ready to go perhaps stacked on a tray will save you hassle.

10) Music, Matches & Bottle Opener.  Not much needs to be said on these essentials except that perhaps they should have been number 1 on the list!!

Most of the above can be sorted the evening before and will make a huge difference to the atmosphere of your dinner party.  (If I ever manage to do any of this myself the night before I’ll let you know… )
Til next time, Sheila

(Note: any prices displayed were valid on 15th July 2010.  Shops visited were Penneys & Homefront at Wilton S.C. and Dunnes Stores at Bishopstown Court)