All things pastry

The perfect pastry is a fine art! Whether it’s a pie or your morning Danish with your coffee, when the pastry is done right, it can be a little slice of heaven. There is such a wide variety of pastry types out there such as shortcrust, puff, choux, filo and so on. Pastry can be […]

How to make your own Indian fakeaway

We can’t travel right now, but our tastebuds can! Use your mealtimes to transport yourself to more exotic surroundings — from the safety of your kitchen. This week, we’re craving Indian flavours…   Curries Let’s start with everyone’s favourite Indian dish, good old chicken tikka masala. Find the classic version here, or check out our lighter take […]

Cake decorators tool kit

If you are as passionate about baking cakes as I am, now is the perfect time to move on to the next level…the art of cake decorating. Cake decorating can be something as simple as filling and icing a cake with buttercream or can be as complex as piping delicate flowers on the sides of […]

A guide to cake decorating

Working with fondant takes me back to the days of playing with play dough. Fondant can be sculpted into fun designs or can be textured to look like fur, wood or even wave. Cakes covered in fondant have a beautiful, smooth and almost porcelain-like appearance. Fondant is a great way to create a true showstopper cake […]

Cheesecake tips and tricks

Cheesecake is a favourite sweet treat for many, consisting of one or more layers with a delicious base of biscuit, sponge or even pastry. These delicious cakes can be as simple or as decadent as you like. In Ireland, we are fans of the set variety, but there’s a whole other world of cheesecake we’re […]

The basics of craft beer: what you need to know

Interested in learning more about craft beer, but struggling to know your pale ale from your pilsner? Here’s a foolproof guide to the main styles of beer you’ll find out there.   Wheat beer (weissbier) Wheat beers have a light colour and low alcohol level, making them perfect for an afternoon pint in the sunshine. […]

How to get the most out of a cheap bottle of wine

If you don’t have much to spend on a bottle of wine, that doesn’t mean it can’t be an enjoyable experience. Follow these few easy tips to maximise your pleasure without breaking your budget. 1. Choose wisely Don’t just grab the first Pinot Grigio you see! If you’ve only got the bobs for one bottle, […]

8 types of flour and how they can be used

Baking is one the most scientific parts of the cooking world. Not enough baking powder will result in a flat sponge. Too much flour? Your cookies will be like bricks. It’s important to understand your ingredients when it comes to baking. The baking aisle in the supermarket can be quite daunting, especially with so many […]

How to support your immune system through diet

Whether you have coeliac disease or are just generally concerned about your immune system right now, here’s some sensible advice from Sarah Keogh, Dietetic Consultant for the Coeliac Society of Ireland.   “Everyone is thinking immunity at the moment. At the Coeliac Society, we have had lots of people asking us what they should be […]

Kitchen know-how: spring cleaning

Now is as good a time as ever to clean out your kitchen. Here are our top tips for doing the best job possible.   Getting started Jobs like these always take longer than you expect. Set aside at least a few hours and get it all done at once. Put on some upbeat music […]