Posted on Dec 17, 2007 in Do | 4 comments

Christmas Pressies for Foodie Friends

Christmas is coming/The goose is getting fat… and it’s more than time to have your Christmas lists made and almost completed. This year, between living out of the city and being completely immersed in the Ballymaloe Cookery Course, it’s almost crept up on me – and I know that...
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Posted on Dec 4, 2007 in Ballymaloe Cookery School | 8 comments

Ballymaloe Cookery Course: Week 12: Tuesday

Yesterday we had our last day of cooking in Kitchen Three. It’s hard to believe that we’re into the final few days of the course already. At least I got to murder my first lobster before we finished up, for yesterday’s Lobster with Cream and Fresh Herb lunch. The other dish I made was a...
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Posted on Nov 28, 2007 in Ballymaloe Cookery School | 5 comments

Ballymaloe Cookery Course: Week 11: Wednesday

Wine exam over – phew! – so it’s now time to get stuck into revision for next week’s theory papers. Meanwhile, we’re treating ourselves very well in the house. I made my second pair of sourdough loaves yesterday and, when I brought them home, the Ranelagh Housemate produced his...
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Posted on Nov 23, 2007 in Do | 0 comments

www.greatfood2buy.com

Congratulations to Anne Kennedy over on Greatfood.ie who has got her new fine food and ingredient gift shop – Greatfood2buy.com – off the ground in perfect time for Christmas. I know she has been cooking and testing for the Greatfood.ie range of chutneys, preserves and jams – Wild Cranberry...
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Posted on Nov 22, 2007 in Ballymaloe Cookery School | 3 comments

Ballymaloe Cookery Course: Week 10: Thursday

Today everything clicked into place, despite last night being a late one with the Sister at a musical evening in Ballymaloe House and lots of red wine! I was in at 8am on gardening duty with the ever-perky red-socked gardener. The two of us whizzed around the greenhouse or, rather, she whizzed – I...
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Posted on Nov 20, 2007 in Ballymaloe Cookery School | 2 comments

Ballymaloe Cookery Course: Week 10: Tuesday

Last week I had a really good time in the kitchen with lots of ideas for my final three-course exam meal. We have to have the menu and a detailed list of ingredients in for Wednesday, alongside the occasion for the meal, the reason for the choice of menu and accompanying wines. I’ve been toying with...
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Posted on Nov 11, 2007 in Ballymaloe Cookery School | 9 comments

Balllymaloe Cookery Course: Week 8: Sunday

Some days, after the morning’s cooking, you feel on top of the world; others leave you feeling like you never want to set foot in a kitchen again! Thursday was one of those days. I had a simple enough list of things to cook – Pan-grilled Steak with Béarnaise Sauce, Cauliflower Cheese and Pommes...
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Posted on Nov 6, 2007 in Ballymaloe Cookery School | 7 comments

Balllymaloe Cookery Course: Week 8: Tuesday

After a scattered start – I forgot to check this week’s duties and I was actually on early salad prep – Monday was a day spent sitting in demo for the home butchery part of the course. We started easy, jointing a chicken and duck, gradually working our way thorough half carcasses of lamb,...
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Posted on Nov 1, 2007 in Ballymaloe Cookery School | 3 comments

Balllymaloe Cookery Course: Week 7: Wednesday

After starting at 8am on Friday – I was on Early AM duty, shaping and rolling pizza bases for that morning’s demonstration – and having our first set of set of exams that afternoon, the last thing I needed was a night at Declan Ryan’s Arbutus Bakery. But, as my father continually...
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Posted on Oct 26, 2007 in Ballymaloe Cookery School | 0 comments

Balllymaloe Cookery Course: Week 6: Friday

Phew! First exams over. This afternoon we had a comprehensive herb and salad leaf recognition test, followed by a technique exam. Eleven herbs, five salad leaves and four techniques. Last night was spent at the kitchen table, leaves from the greenhouse in front of us as we tried to memorise their different...
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Posted on Oct 22, 2007 in Ballymaloe Cookery School | 4 comments

Balllymaloe Cookery Course: Week 6: Monday

Last Wednesday was school tour day. Instead of spending the day sitting through two demonstrations, we got on the road at 7.30am. Our first stop, on a fresh and sunny morning, was at Baylough Cheese, just outside Clogheen, near to my favourite Old Convent Gourmet Hideaway. When we arrived – I got a...
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Posted on Oct 16, 2007 in Ballymaloe Cookery School | Comments Off

Balllymaloe Cookery Course: Week 5: Tuesday

I’ve just got the first three weeks-worth of notes filed and already the first folder is bulging. That’s not too much of a problem – the stationary list we were sent before the start of the course specified four lever-arch files – much more of an issue is the actual filing system. In...
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Posted on Oct 10, 2007 in Ballymaloe Cookery School | 4 comments

Ballymaloe Cookery Course: Week 4: Wednesday

Up at the crack of dawn on Saturday – well, at 6am it’s still pretty dark this time of year – to work on the Ballymaloe stall at the Middleton Farmers’ Market. As well as the compulsory practicals and demos at the Cookery School, we can also volunteer for other experiences. Last...
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Posted on Oct 3, 2007 in Ballymaloe Cookery School | 8 comments

Ballymaloe Cookery Course: Week 3, Wednesday

Week three – a new partner and, this time round, a new kitchen. I’m cooking in the demo area this week. Lots of space and, with only eight people working there, a calmer atmosphere. Apart from when I discover, at the last minute on Monday, that I’m on cheeseboard duty and have to throw a batch of...
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Posted on Sep 25, 2007 in Ballymaloe Cookery School | 6 comments

Ballymaloe Cookery Course: Week 2, Tuesday

Back in the cottage and briefly online this evening. The Husband and I moved into a house in Ballycotton last night with one of the other students, who had also been commuting from North Cork. After the beds had been made, the fridge stocked and the supper eaten – I used up a large bunch of carrots...
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