What’s the difference?

Ever get confused between these similar-sounding foods? We’ve got it sussed…   Vanilla extract VS vanilla essence An extract has natural flavours that have been extracted straight from the source: in this case, vanilla pods. This captures a natural, distinctive and rich vanilla flavour. In contrast, vanilla essence is artificially produced flavouring.   Natural yoghurt […]

The all-Irish alternative to top-quality olive oil

In this installment of her Eat Ireland column, Deputy Editor Jocelyn Doyle looks at an Irish alternative to quality olive oil.   I love olive oil. I have zero Italian blood rushing through my pale Irish veins, but having lived briefly in Piemonte, I’ve taken many of their foodie customs to heart and to stomach, choosing […]

10 foods to boost your mood

Beat the blues with these mood-boosting foods   Chocolate The darker, the better! Dark chocolate reduces the production of stress hormones, decreasing anxiety levels. At the same time, chocolate also makes the brain release endorphins and boosts levels of serotonin, an important mood stabiliser.   Berries Berries are very efficient against depression, as they are […]

Taste the rainbow

When choosing to incorporate fruits and vegetables into your diet, be sure to include a rainbow of colours. Not only does this add to the visual appeal of your plate, but it also increases the amount and variety of vitamins and minerals you’re consuming. Purple/blue The plant pigment anthocyanin is what gives blue/purple fruits and vegetables […]

Lunch Box: Food safety 101

1. Hygiene Basic food safety becomes even more important when food is being packed away and stored for lunches. Simple steps like washing your hands before touching food, and using separate chopping boards for meat/poultry and vegetables can prevent cross-contamination. Remember to wash your containers daily (inside and out) with hot soapy water to prevent […]

Lunch Box Tips

Lunchboxes can come in all shapes and forms, serving different purposes. Here, we look at three distinctive styles… Lunch Bags Lunch bags are the most traditional of lunchboxes on this list, providing a cool, stylish method of transport for your food. Many are thermally insulated, to keep sandwiches, yoghurts and snacks chilled for up to […]

How to: Roast peppers

This foolproof method means you’ll never need to buy jarred red peppers again! Preheat the oven to 230°C/210°C fan/gas mark 8 and place a rack in the upper half of the oven. Line a baking tray with tin foil. Cut the peppers in half and remove the stems, seeds and membranes. Lay the peppers on […]

Why does chocolate sometimes turn white?

Why does chocolate sometimes turn white? This is called chocolate bloom, and there are two types. Fat bloom is caused by cocoa butter moving through the chocolate and crystallising on its surface. This can happen because of a quick temperature change or from storing chocolate in a warm space. Sugar bloom may happen if your […]

Top tips for slow cooking

  Before using your slow cooker for the first time, read the user’s manual for special instructions.   Most slow cookers should be preheated before placing the ingredients in unless specifically stated in the user’s manual. To preheat, place the empty crock in the heating unit and put the cover on. Turn to high and […]

Our verdict on kitchen gadgets

We help you decide which kitchen gadgets are worth the splurge Whether you’re a novice cook or an aspiring chef, there are certain tools that will be left unused in any kitchen. It seems that year upon year, food trends dictate which kitchen tools and gadgets are needed to make cooking easier, neater and safer […]