Month: April 2009

Waffles and Ice Cream Makers

Amazon has decided once again to allow Irish people to buy electronics again, and even though I’m seriously annoyed by this, I ordered a Kitchenaid Waffle Baker from them. Our old waffle maker broke down, and hopefully this one (although pricy) will better withstand the rigours of a busy shop. If you have a waffle maker and are interested, I have a waffle recipe here.

While I was on the site, I noticed that they also had the ice cream maker bowl for the Kitchenaid mixer (photo right). Since I’m always asked for a good ice cream maker, I was wondering if any of you have it, and if so, what do you think of it. I’m guessing it’s only a viable option if you already have the mixer, because it would be far cheaper otherwise to pick up one of the many passive ice cream makers out there that come at a fraction of the price. Anyway, I’d love to hear from you if you own it!

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A Puff of Chocolate

Happy Easter, everybody! Since it’s Easter, I thought something on chocolate was appropriate (when is it not?)

Now, if it were April’s Fools, I’d think it was a prank, but I just read that a Harvard professor has invented inhalable chocolate, and it’s called Le Whif. Yes, it’s chocolate that comes in an inhaler. Good idea? I’m kind of thinking it’s an abomination, but if it’s a calorie-free chocolate experience you want, maybe it’s for you. What do you think?

[poll id=”4″]

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Blueberries and Ice Cream

Blueberries I know blueberries aren’t in season in this part of the world, but I found a beautiful-looking punnet of them in our local supermarket, and I thought it would make a perfect topping, served warm, for vanilla ice cream.

It was pretty tasty, I must say, and it is dead easy to prepare. Here’s what I did:

Blueberries with Sugar

Blueberry Sauce 

Ingredients:

150 grams fresh blueberries

1 tablespoon sugar

2 teaspoons cognac

1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

What to do:

1. Combine all of the ingredients in a small saucepan.

Vanilla Ice Cream with Blueberries

2. Cook over medium heat, stirring gently, just until the sugar is dissolved and some of the blueberries burst and release their juice (about 3-5 minutes). Don’t overcook, or it will be mush.

3. Immediately serve over vanilla ice cream.

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Lunch in Tralee

frenchflair If you find yourself in Tralee around lunchtime, there’s an excellent place to get a sandwich or other nibbles on Courthouse Lane in the middle of town. It’s called French Flair, and they not only make their own bread but have a good selection of cheeses, meats, etc. They have a good wine selection, as well as chocolates and other gourmet nibbles.

They have added a new cafe, and although I didn’t have time to sample their wares, it looks cute and comfortable.

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A Day on the Water

Yesterday was such a perfect day in Kerry – sunny and mild, and I took the day off and spent it on and around the water, starting in Dingle with taking the boat around the bay and out to see Fungie, the Dingle dolphin, and ending in Killarney at the National Park, relaxing in the sun and watching the birds. It was one of those days that made me so grateful to be living in this part of the world!

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19-16 Patriot Excise Act

I try to keep away from politics on this site, but this came in, and it’s not good news for coffee and sweet lovers!

Government sources today revealed that ministers have endorsed the so-called “19-16 Patriot Excise Act,” and the proposal now looks set to become an integral part of next week’s budget. 19-16 may invoke the events of the Easter uprising, but it actually refers to a 19% excise duty on coffee and a 16% duty on sugar.

“We have always been a both a country and a party of tea drinkers,” Brian Cowen stated, “and a duty on coffee will not only bring in 1 billion euros of badly needed revenue but will also target those among us who have benefited the most from the Celtic Tiger. Let’s face it,” he continued, “the ordinary working man is not a cappuccino drinker.”

As for the 16% levy on sugar, which will bring in a further 2 billion of revenue, the Taoiseach repeated his call for patriotism.

“Was there any evidence of cream buns or sticky toffee in the Post Office or the Custom House?” he asked, adding that the levy was better than adding tax to beer, houses or horse racing.

When reached for comment, Fine Gael’s leader Enda Kenny expressed outrage.

“There are many ways to show patriotism,” he said. “Perhaps it’s true that Mr. de Valera liked tea while Michael Collins enjoyed the odd coffee with two sugars, but it is completely inappropriate to settle old grievances in a time of national economic crisis.”

Eamon Gilmore of Labour agreed, stating that working families will be left with a sour taste in their mouths.

“The majority of coffee drinkers are clerical workers on a deserved break or labourers stopping at their local shop for a breakfast roll and coffee,” he said. “This government is bereft of ideas and is collapsing faster than a chocolate souffle.”

The Green Party, however, is enthusiastic about the proposal from their government partners. Trevor Sargent explained that most coffee is not Fairtrade and that each molecule of sugar contains six carbon atoms.

“I would be delighted if we could all switch to un-sweetened, herbal tea,” he said, “ideally from plants grown organically in your back garden.”

Note after the fact: This was posted for April Fools.
Related article here.