Home Ec: flipping out

Shrove Tuesday — otherwise known as Pancake Tuesday or Mardi Gras — will be celebrated on Tuesday 28th February, 2017. Pancake Tuesday is traditionally the day before Ash Wednesday, upon which Christians celebrate the final feast before the fasting time of Lent. People all over the world celebrate by eating pancakes on this day; they […]

Something to stew over: tips & tricks

Danielle Conaty from St.Clare’s Comprehensive School, Manorhamilton, Co.Leitrim, shares tips and tricks for making the ultimate comfort food. Our small emerald isle is a country built on the foundations of a great culinary heritage. Ireland has access to the finest raw ingredients, and places great value on traditional farming methods and the demand of consumers […]

Home Ec: into the swing of Spring

Why grow your own produce? Growing your own food is easy, rewarding and inexpensive. You have full control over the growth of your vegetables, meaning that you can be guaranteed that your produce is organic and free from chemicals and pesticides. So where to start? Preparation is key. Vegetables need sunshine to help them grow […]

Home Ec: summer oven

Summer is the season of abundance. Greens are plentiful, while peppers and tomatoes of all colours are in their full glory. It is also the season when these light, vibrant foods are best either cooked quickly or eaten raw. Grilling and stir-frying are quick cooking methods synonymous with summer, minimising nutrient loss and allowing the […]

Home Ec: Let’s BBQ

As soon as the sun is out, or even sneaking out, the urge to barbecue takes over. Don’t let the flames of the grill intimidate you; once you follow these few tips you’ll be a barbecue master! Types of barbecue Charcoal These require charcoal and can heat to very high temperatures, however it is difficult […]

Home Ec: School’s in sight

It’s that time of year again: lunch boxes are being bought and trolleys are being filled with foods suitable for the academic year ahead. It can be hard to keep lunches and snacks interesting all year round, but with the right knowledge and a bit of creativity, all will be well. Making snacks and lunches […]

Home Ec: Back to basics

Food preparation and table gatherings can offer quality family time, as well as making a vital contribution to the overall health and wellbeing of the family. There are many benefits of home-cooked family meals… • Health Many convenience foods are laden with sugar and salt, which can contribute to obesity, diabetes and heart disease. By […]

(Not) sugar, spice, and all things nice: how to bake with sugar substitutes

I am guilty of having a sweet tooth and am a self-proclaimed sugar addict. There are many reasons to use sugar substitutes, whether you’re looking to avoid the dreaded sugar crash, make healthier alternatives of your favourite baked goods or even to explore new flavours. Unfortunately, sugars can’t simply be replaced in equal measures with […]

Butcher’s Block: healthy options

What questions should people be asking for healthy meat? It depends what their definition of healthy is. In January, most people want to eat lean, low-fat meat. If this is true for you, then ask how lean a piece of meat is and how high the protein content is. Our biggest sellers then are probably […]

Top tips for pastry from an Easy Food stylist

The perfect pastry is a fine art! Whether it’s a pie or a Danish with your coffee, when pastry is done right, it can be a little slice of heaven. There are several types of pastry out there, including shortcrust, puff, choux and filo. It can be intimidating, but I’m here to break down the […]