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Hikes, Movies and Easy Baked Cheesecake – Guest Recipe

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  The only way cheese is dessert is when it’s followed by the word cake. ~ Michele Gorman This recipe is from my friend, Maria, who I met in Korea. She has been visiting me for the last week and a half, and I’ve talked about how we made gimbap for my family last weekend. It’s been a busy week as I was preparing for a course that I will start next week (more on that in the next In My Kitchen) but we still found time to hang out, see some sights and, of course, have some food moments, which included chips and a batter burger at a take-away and tea and scones at a Dublin institution. The weekend was packed full of fun things as we went on two hikes, one to Howth, which is my favourite place in Dublin, where we saw porpoise and cormorants, and the other to Poolbeg lighthouse. It was my first time going out there and it was quite a walk (6 miles round trip!). The wind howled, pushing and pulling …

Bringing Korea to Ireland: Slightly Peppery Avocado and Smoked Salmon Gimbap with Lemon

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Friendship … is born at the moment when one man says to another “What! You too? I thought that no one but myself . . . ~ CS Lewis When I was living in Korea, I frequently had my friend Maria come to stay. Whenever she stayed it was a weekend of catching up, tons of food and lots of experimentation. We would sit at my little tables, chopping boards and knives at the ready and prepare anything from curries to stir-fries to experimental desserts. Despite the readiness of our knives, our tongues tended to wag a bit too much and we’d end up taking forever to chop, instead sharing stories about our past and current lives, exchanging cooking ideas or discussing teaching achievements and problems. It was always great fun and we’d both take away enough food for several meals the following week. In fact, she was my faithful helper when I made the rather wonderful meal that  I shared with you in the June 2015 In My Kitchen – we ate Egyptian, Indian, …

Kale and Chickpea Soup with Lemon – a Tribute to Selma

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“Will I tell you the story of Johnny McGorry? “Yes” “Shall I begin it?” “Yes” “That’s all that’s in it.”  ~ My Dad For years, if we asked my dad for a story, he’d usually start out as above. Thankfully, he would end up telling us a story but never one about Johnny McGorry. Luckily for you, the story I am about to share is a bit longer than the tale of Johnny McGorry but has a sad middle and a cute ending. Shall I begin it? Once upon a time, there was a little boy, known to all as The Jam. One day, just this week, as he was going to his violin lesson, his Mammy gave him a beautiful red apple. Would you believe this apple was so delicious that it tasted even better than chocolate?  As they walked down the street, The Jam munching on his apple, the unthinkable happened: the apple slid out of his hands and fell with a thud to the ground. The Jam was devastated. All he wanted was to pick …

Warm Pesto Pasta Salad with Sun-dried Tomatoes and Brie

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“Cheese is milk’s leap toward immortality.” – Clifton Fadiman Happy 2016, everyone! May it be better than 2015 for us all and hopefully (in my case) without as much sadness. While Christmas may be my absolute favourite eating season, as well my favourite season in general due to Thanksgiving, Christmas and my birthday all happening in it, I will be the first to admit I went overboard in the eating department. We had turkey, spiced beef and ham sandwiches for days afterwards – I like mine with mayonnaise, cranberry sauce and stuffing. Incredibly delicious but a bit heavy! Add on to that all the desserts and biscuits that make the rounds (seriously, there are still 5 giant boxes of biscuits in our house – and we ate at least 3 boxes over the holiday!) and it’s amazing I’m not just a ball of food. Up until Monday, we were still in a Christmas zone as part of my sister’s present to us was a trip to the zoo and a lunch at Mary Ann’s favourite bar, …

In My Kitchen – January 2016

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It’s the first week of January 2016 which can mean only one thing: it’s In My Kitchen time! In My Kitchen is a monthly blogging event originally hosted by Celia at Fig Jam and Lime Cordial who has passed over the reins to Maureen at The Orgasmic Chef. In My Kitchen showcases what is in the kitchens of a group of food writers and bloggers. If you are interested in joining, please follow the instructions from Maureen available on her January 2016 post linked above.

In my kitchen are some rather wonderful Christmas presents. From my mom and dad, I received a zoo inspired cupcake set: