Ice Cream Ireland

 Things are getting pretty crazy here in Dingle with the food and wine festival right around the corner (Oct. 12th-14th).

Things are really starting to take shape. It looks like Clodagh McKenna will be here as part of a TV series on farmer’s markets, and she will be giving a cooking demonstration in St. James’ Church on the Saturday at 12:00.

The taste trails are also getting finalised. So far we have:

• Simple Pleasures - tutored tasting of French wines
• Jerry Kennedy Butchers - Sampling of their excellent produce
• Curran’s Pub - Seafood counter
• Murphys Ice Cream - Ice cream tasting: 16 Shades of Chocolate
• Global Village - Tutored tasting of Australian boutique wines with Martin Forker (€10 cover. Book on 087 9177700)
• Dingle Crystal - Chardonnay tasting - differences in various styles
• Greelane Gallery - Oysters and fine wines Foxy Johns - Scallops and cider
• Hannie Agnes’ - Pint and a pie (Piog Pies)
• An Grianan - Tastes of organic snacks
• Fevre 1971 Citroen Van will be around town sampling delicious wines
• Benner’s Hotel - A masterclass in the wines of Burgundy (€10 cover. Book on 087 9177700)
• The Pier - Charity fish auction
• Lisbeth Mulcahy - Hearty organic soups by Tig Bhric
• Novecento Gourmet - Festival slice of special pizza  

In addition, the restaurants will have special festival menus. It should be a bit of fun, so anyone thinking about coming to Dingle, do! Restaurant bookings will be through the individual restaurants, and lodgings can be arranged through the tourist office. There are links on the festival website... 

Technorati tags: Dingle, food, festival, wine, feile, gourmet

 I had a bit of free time yesterday, and since the weather was stunning, I decided to take a jaunt out Slea Head.

I don’t get back West as much as I would like, but when I’m there, looking out at the Blasket Islands, walking in the green grass, and basking in the calm, I think I surely must be blessed to have all of this at my doorstep.

By the way, in case you don’t get the top photo, Inis Tuaisceart is also called the Sleeping Giant…

Technorati tags: Slea Head, drive, Dingle, Kerry

Sorry to put two slide shows back to back, but Mercier Press wanted a more colourful photo for the book cover than the ones I sent them previously (see here). I have to say that I think that vanilla could be the new black, and with a bit of melting action nothing more is needed, but I have to defer to professionals! Anyway, the above slide shows are the fruits of a photo session this afternoon, and I shot four cones together to add a bit of colour. I’d love to know what you, my valued readers, think!

Technorati tags: cookbook, cone, ice cream, photo, melting

I didn’t think that people ate ice cream in Biarritz, until last Sunday. Then, all of the strollers came out and lined up for the stuff. Quite amazing to see the place so busy, and to see shops that had been mostly closed during the week doing a booming trade. Anyway, above is a sampling of photos…

Technorati tags: Biarritz, France, ice cream, eaters

One could get used to life in Biarritz. A swim and then coffee in the morning, followed by a visit to the market, a day writing, and a sunset stroll before dinner to look out across the water and to marvel at the amount of surfers, bobbing around like a huge family of seals.

The markets in France have always been a source of joy for me. Life in Ireland has greatly improved with the advent of the farmer’s markets, but still we are a ways from what one can find on this side of the water - especially in terms of vegetables, fruits, baked goods, and freshly-caught fish.

Every day, my lunch has consisted of booty collected at the market - prawns, local cheeses, fresh yogurt, and whatever looks especially tasty in terms of vegetables and fruits.

Nights have been about checking out the local eateries. Last night the restaurant was
Les Platanes, a restaurant with a Michelin star, in an old house with plenty of charm.

The service was friendly and the food was quite good, although perhaps not quite what one would expect given the reputation. Could be, of course, that the chef was distracted by the rugby and and not giving the cooking the usual attention. I’m guessing it’s bad form to go for a meal while “Les Bleus” are playing. From my perspective, however, given Ireland’s performances, I was happy for the distraction!

(P.S. from Saturday night: Just back from Chez Albert down at the pier. It’s a seafood restaurant with a stunning location. Inventive and delicious. Definitely recommended, but give the desserts a miss.)

Technorati tags: Biarritz, France, food, market

That’s not me on the surfboard. No, I have been quite diligent here, working away on the book. Still, there has been time to stroll around the place and get a sense of Biarritz.

It’s surprisingly quiet, so I don’t know if we’ll be opening a shop here anytime soon! But the tranquility is what makes it appealing - a relaxed place, with slightly faded grandeur.

One thing is certain - it is very popular with surfers. The beach is packed with them. They are the only people who seem in a hurry - I’ve met a few running down the streets in wetsuits, boards tucked under the arm, to try to catch the next wave.

This evening I had a delightful meal in Le Clos Basque Restaurant (12, Rue Louis Barthou, Biarritz). Tucked away down a side street, the interior is charming with white-washed walls and starched blue and white tablecloths.

The food was inventive (perfectly cooked skewer of prawns with strawberries and a vanilla risotto, gazpacho with black pepper and mint served with a slice of peasant bread and aged parmesan, stewed apricots with lavender chantilly) and worth waiting for (the place was packed, and the waiters seemed a bit overwhelmed). The prices were as surprising as the food - less than 30 euro per person for three courses including wine…

Reservations are essential. So book ahead and don’t miss it. After all, what’s the hurry?

Technorati tags: Biarritz, France, food, book, Le Clos Basque, restaurant

The ice cream man has taken advantage of cheap Ryanair flights and fled the country for a bit of work on the book and some culinary re-charging. Sun was also part of the idea, but sadly it’s raining here in Biarritz.

Still, I don’t mind a bit. There is a mountain of writing to be done on the book, although I couldn’t resist a swim this morning (you’re going to get wet anyway, so what’s a bit of rain?)

Then I found a wonderful indoor market just around the corner from the hotel. I sure do love France! Now I have a bag full of fruit that actually smells like fruit and some local cheeses. I have a baguette from the boulanger and, after a feed, it will be all work this afternoon.

Or… will it? It looks like the sun is coming out!

Technorati tags: Biarritz, France, food, book

A group of us went up to the All Ireland. It was a great weekend - dinner in Chapter One followed by a pint or two. Then breakfast of a smoothie from Fallon & Byrne and a rake of sandwiches bought from same for the game.

It wasn’t much of a match, but as long as Kerry keep winning, we won’t be complaining (and my apologies to any Cork fans out there!

Technorati tags: Dublin, football, Kerry, GAA

 I’ve been trying to take a photo of an ice cream cone for the front cover of our upcoming ice cream cookbook. I think it’s the hardest thing I’ve tried to photograph, especially since we want it to be melting slightly, which we think makes it look less static. There’s so much humidity in the air that the ice cream tends to frost up before it melts. Anyway, here are a few attempts. The last one is from a few months ago… Now I’m off to the All Ireland. Chiarraí abu!!!

Technorati tags: cookbook, cone, ice cream, photo, melting

 Good news in terms of the Dingle Peninsula Food and Wine Festival (12th - 14th October, 2007) - it looks as if we have Kevin Sheridan coming down to do a tutored cheese and wine tasting.

Also, local man Kevin Flannery will guide a foraging walk with instructions on how to survive from the coast.

And I think that we will take out all other ice cream from our cabinet and do 16 shades of chocolate!

Technorati tags: Dingle, food, festival, wine, feile, gourmet