I KNOW A SECRET...PASS IT ON

We have an indoor Farmers Market which has been running for thirteen years in Kerry. It is every Saturday morning 10am until 2pm and the location is in an old  church, in the centre of Milltown Village. There is parking just next door in the school and indeed the street has room for plenty of cars. We are, for those who are unaware of the whereabouts of this small village, on the R563 inbetween Castlemaine and killarney only five minutes from Kilorglin and just 20 minutes from Tralee or killarney .
Every Saturday I, (or my son Kyle) trundle over to our our permanent stall in the church, our car laden with good organic dips, pates, salads, vegetarian, vegan, gluten free, colourful and nutritious party food. I cook my sprouted chickpea falafels and sell them to eat hot and sizzling served with our yummie crunchy and tangy ten-a-day salad (why go for five when ten works just as well) and a delicious phoenix dip of your choice. It costs an unbelievable €5; you get a comfy seat in the pop up cafe as well as a friendly chat with someone you may not have seen for ages- who may well be feasting on a spinach and green split pea soup of the day. (spinach that was only growing a couple of hours ago, Popeye we run rings around you). The tea table will be full with people tasting Almond Twists or gluten free Florentines and the banter will be humorous, interesting and informative. 
We have an award winning a tasty cheese stall with free range eggs and -dare i say it- unpasteurized milk and yoghurt. Cakes and beautiful breads of all description, bite sized quiches, jams,chutneys, home grown tender salads and herbs, brightly hand painted china, bricabrac, diverse crafts and pretty unique gifts. Customers will be getting free useful advice on health matters, then buying the appropriate herbal remedies, having a chair massage and because it is after all a church of Ireland the parish vicar may be there too with news on parochial events. He is fun and I always remind him to join my weekly prayer for a plentiful flow of customers. There is still more, as from 11oclock, live music and songs from our talented In House musician can be enjoyed and  sometimes danced to(!) every single week.
So next time you slump over a supermarket trolley deeply scrutinizing cellophane packaging for that ever-so tiny bar-cod smiling hopelessly at a machine that answers peeep to all your queries, ask yourself: "There must be other ways to shop, it could be fun,  interesting even a cultural event; something that would nourish the soul,perhaps, as you sigh nostalgically, the way it used to be, in the old days when people had more time to spare." At this point you may tap your feet to the distant melody of someones else s  ringtone, desiring and communication, check your own messages, glance at the time, the length of the queue and wish you were ...well altogether somewhere entirely different.

Love-songs & Masked Market- A Romantic Gathering

Our Valentines Market features Masks and Love Songs...with a yummmie food hamper for the very best and most inventive mask! Make one on our art table or simply come masked....love songs from Viarus and any other singers who, well ...feel the passion. There could be a story or even a dance or two.... and food from the usual culprits...all on the 9th February 10am - 2pm - Join us!

The first Farmers Market in Kerry was founded thirteen years ago in Milltown village on the R563 Castlemaine to Killarney road.

The original idea was initiated by Mary O Riordan a horticulturist with a passion for an ecological and sustainable life style and an avid promoter of eating organic and locally produced food.

With a group of like-minded people the market was opened in the beautiful stone built & listed Kilcolman Church in the summer of 2000.

It very soon became the center for products ranging from locally produced cheese & meat, seasonal organic vegetables, gluten & dairy free deli items, good  quality home baking, award winning vegetarian food, herbal remedies, cosmetics & colourful handicrafts.

From the start there was reliable and professional advice from the stall holders on: nutrition, cooking, gardening, well-being & natural living.

In 2003 The Farmers Market received its first, of many, Bridgestone award.

 Today the recent addition of heating and light renovation work, carried out by the church, has made it comfortable to facilitate regular events such as: live music, chair massage, whole food cooking demonstrations, health consultations and a children’s art table.

There is always a relaxed and friendly atmosphere on the market and between the free food tastings, delicious hot soup, sweet pastries and selection of drinks from The Mad Hatters community tea table this is definitely the place to aim for every Saturday from 10am -2pm. 

A worthy gathering, if you have ever been to our market come again we would love to see you!

Food,fun and a good read

\Life is one culinary adventure after another....

As a small kid I liked nothing better than to be lost in the fantasy of a good story-book. So what better place to be tomorrow than Woulfes Book shop Listowel, offering food tasters to the happy food trailist - and signing copies of my own cookbook.
Pay me a visit and taste, to your hearts delight, all the lovely dips and bits that will make your mouth moist with, perhaps - mock hunger - as I know you will be enjoying many a succulent delight both before and after my tasty tidbits.

Walk briskly and breath deep in between bites, work up an appetite, so you can savour the flavours that are promised, let us cooks excite your taste buds to a frenzy with our delicious morsels.
Listowel was gusty with bouts of hail and occasional bursts of sun shine on the farmers' market today, will tomorrow be the same?
Wrap up warm and I will see you there. If you arrive and find me engrossed in a good read....  feel free to do exactly as my mother used to and poke me in the ribs and say " Lorna will you ever get your nose out of that book and get on with the job in hand....."

 EXOTIC SWEET POTATO [MOCK NOODLE] SALAD

Here is a very palatable and fun recipe with a zingy rocket and red pepper salsa. Hand Spirelizers can be bought on line and serrated peeler's in any good kitchen shop and are both happy additions to your kitchen implements. Like all sharp tools follow the instructions and beware of the blades.

An added bonus is: it’s also dairy & gluten free and kids really love the long, long threads of sweetness.

 INGREDIENTS

1 Large Sweet Potato grated long and thin with the Julienne spirelizer or grater

Juice of 1 Lemon

Phoenix tasters

The Salsa

1 Red Pepper, de-seeded

1 Medium bunch of rocket, stalks removed, chopped

1 Pear (cored and peeled)

1 Clove of garlic

1 Sprig of Coriander

1 Knob of Ginger

1 Mug Pumpkin Seeds, coarsely chopped or ground

The Dressing

Juice of 1 Lime

A good dash of Olive Oil

1 Teaspoon Salt

½ Teaspoon of Cayenne Pepper or Peri Peri

 Method

Pour the lemon juice on the grated sweet potato to begin the softening process.

Finely chop the salsa ingredients into a textured puree, adding the salt as you chop.

Place it in a bowl with the dressing and then gently massage everything gently with your fingers thinking how radiant everyone will look after eating this fresh, vitamin rich dish.

Now combine all the ingredients, and mix well, making sure everything is well coated.

This perky and prettily structured dish can be eaten immediately or made in advance.

This dish is also fantastic and super-dooper healthy if you add a head of broccoli to the salsa ingredients. 

Food 4 Thought

On Wednesday 17th. October a fantastic food event was facilitated by the hospitality section of the Institute of technolgy Tralee.
Despite the weather, which started as a crisp autumnal morning and then veered towards heavy to light showers with occasional bursts of brilliant sunshine, the local food artisans set up a colourful Farmers Market outside the Hotel and Hospitality building .
The foods on display ranged from home picked seaweed relishes, smoked and cured meats, cheeses, paella, gluten free baking,The Phoenix dips and salads,chocolates, cakes and even daringly delicious ice cream for when the sun did pop out.
The atmosphere inside the building was exciting as chefs and food producers geered up for demonstrations, workshops and talks.
The tutors and trainee chefs were dressed to impress in pristine whites and although my nerves were jangling, [pre-stage nerves] they were extremely calm, helpful and very gracious.
As I was all set up and prepared for my demo, Dan sent me out for a wander. All well and good until at 9.50 I found myself totally disorientated, in the wrong corridor with tides of people rushing against me. That panic that only occurs in dreams must have been obvious. Struggling to get attention I asked someone who looked knowledgeable where the cookery demonstrations were being held? I should have been more precise "which one do you wish to attend " she asked, only slightly concerned at my  nervous disposition, " Mine" I stammered. I was quickly swooped apon and led, kindly, like a lost child, to my door and my own packed auditorium.
My demonstration was a back to roots vegetarian/vegan/gluten free and it included raw food preparation, whole food and sprouting. Hard core really, but I knew I was in the honoured position of representing a minority food group, amongst the best chefs in Kerry.
The way to any ones heart is through the stomach, an old fashioned proverb perhaps, but I was genuinely moved by the openness and passion for taste from the people attending the event, the student chefs and the people who made the event possible.
Heart felt thanks for a great day out and all the good "food for thought."

The recipes for my demo will be posted here and I would just like to remind you all about our vegan & wheat  free Five course tasting banquet on Saturday 17th. November. Limited space available oh and there will be an Egyptian dance performance...

Terrine and other Elements

An Indian summers day with Lily

Scorching hot sun sparkling on the wide river Reusse. Fire and water, a steamy, dreamy mix, floating gently by us in the shallows and flowing quickly, creating deceptivly dangerous whirlpools, in the deep centre. All this at the foot of my daughters back garden.
 We are minding my grandaughter Lily, that is her dad, her great grandmother and I.


White water The Reusse

 Slipping upstairs, barefoot, I cool my feet on the stone tiles in the kitchen and wonder what to cook? There are left overs: a pumpkin & coconut Thai style curry - one egg -half a packet of tofu - lots of onions... I root around the cupboards, it is literally too hot, to hot foot it to the shops; the cobble stones out the front are ponding out warning waves of hazy heat.
  I add some fine polenta flour to the curry, finely chop two mushrooms, two big red onions and mix it all together.
 In a second bowl goes the egg, two teaspoons of corn flour, a dash of cream, a small mug of water, two cooked potatoes, a chopped white onion and loads of fresh parsley. Using a potato masher I lazily blend the mixture together.
  I brush a rectangular bread tin with water, line it with cling film and start to layer my bits & bobs:  half the curry, half the creamy mix, a little grated cheese,  wafer thin slices of tofu then reversing the layers  and finishing up with the curry.
The whole thing then goes in a bain marie  in a medium hot oven at around 200c.
Happily I drift back downstairs to chat with   Omi about everything under the sun, in the sun, my white legs turning pink before our eyes; "Oh well vitamin D, I am all yours" I think.
  Roughly an hour or so later I remove the terrine from the oven and while it is cooling I finish  off a bulgar salad, wash the lettuce and away we go, on this stunning Indian summers day, lunch is served.
 To conclude the meal we all follow Lilys trend and stretch out under  the shade of large umbrellas, where we fall, comatosed into a well deserved after-lunch nap.


Our ship comes in

Westerly warmth & Healthy good cheer

The Dingle Peninsula Food Festival is looming!

It always takes place on the first weekend in October, often managing to steal a smidgeon of the mellow warmth of September in its wake. This year with our Indian summer in full swing on Europe’s most Western spit of land, The Dingle Peninsula, the festival promises to be an exciting and vibrant celebration of the most delicious and innovative, Irish food products.

 Events include a scrumptious food trail, the prestigious Irish taste awards, Dingle’s colourful Farmer’s Market, artisan food workshops and cooking demonstrations from the best chefs on the peninsula.

 Needless to say the warm Kerry welcome will include foot tapping music events and for kids: a mad hatters tea party - I've got mine! So let your senses be enlivened, educated and indulged for this most delightful and appetizing event of the year.

Spicy Sprouted Mung BeanSpinach Cakes

Ingredients:

2 mugs of sprouted Mung Beans

*½ mug soaked crunchy Green Spilt Pea

*[or ½ mug extra Mung bean]

4 tbsp Olive Oil

½ tsp Peri-Peri

½ tsp Salt

1 large Onion, finely chopped

5-6 large leaves of Chard, finely chopped

Golf ball size fresh Ginger, finely chopped

Method:

To sprout mung beans simply soak them overnight; as long as they have that crunchy raw texture and taste it is enough for the recipe. Once sprouted and not used they need to be washed daily and then can even be kept in the fridge for anything such as: stir fries, stews or salads.

Liquidise the bean spouts, oil, spices and salt. Add the onion, spinach & ginger and mix well

Drop tablespoons of the mixture into a frying pan and lightly shallow fry for a few minutes each side or place onto an oiled baking tray or forms and bake in a medium hot oven 200c for 20 minutes - or until set.

The basic mixture can also be used as a raw-food spread, served on a rice or corn cracker.
Serve with a dipping sauce made with equal amounts of argave syrup and tamari and some slices of ginger soaked white balsamic vinegar.

I love my heart - warming, heart - shaped baking forms 

                    Recipe from Lorna's G.D. free cookery demo

A Positively Grande Tour

The life of Riley @The Park Hotel Kenmare

Last wednesday there was an  enormous storm brewing. It was my day off plus it coincided with my husbands and we had planned to take our Swiss guests, Sylvia and Jurg, on a day trip. 
Ireland, in deluge, was not what we wanted to indulge in, however there were definitely breaks of blue nestled in those big fat puffy clouds.
 Looking on the bright side  "I know" I said "lets go South to Kenmare,  it must be sunny over those mountains".
Our first stop was to my beautiful, secret hideaway - Cahernane House Hotel on the Muckross road.
Morning coffee was courteously served in the soft splendor of the stately drawing room, thus giving the storm a little lee way to abate.
Relaxed and positive we left for Molls Gap, Ladies view and the beautiful national heritage of Killarney Park - all gazed at through high speed window wipers. "Look the stream has burst its banks"mossy undergrowth and rocks poked through white water, the trees dripped with shiny prisms of light, it looked magical "The faeries must be out in full force today".
"Today is the yearly Horse Fair coinciding with the Kenmare weekly farmers market - a seven year wonder, it simply can't be raining there, that would be too cruel". my chatter continued, a barrage of fun and equally as consistant as the rain.
Can't it! We slowed down way before kenmare into a bottle neck of traffic and [I] kept smiling "think positive " I chirped, determined my day was going to be perfect.
Half an hour later we crept past the bedraggled stall holders at such a drowsy speed we could have bartered for trinkets from the car. My heart bled for the traders, although like the cat with the cream I felt snug and I waved like a queen at bedraggled colleagues, happy of course that the weather mattered not, at least not to me; I had no goods to keep dry.
"Ok then we are going to the Kenmare Park Hotel to lounge in luxory."
  I also wanted to say hello to Francis Brennan, my on screen mentor from the At Your Service TV show on which we had featured in last January.


Afternoon Sushi

And that is what we did, we holed up on comfy couches in the bay window in front of a moving sea of trees and a wild patch of sea,  and we listened to the wind howling and whistling on the other side of the Victorian windows. Francis, the good man that he is, was thrilled to see us and we felt warm, welcome and happy. Our friends loved the decor, the beautiful food presentation, the tastes and the great service from the staff, who were - well - all "At Our Service"; and very nice it was too.
Our next port of call was the closest grand house to the Phoenix home stead. Ballyseedy Castle is a treasure hidden away near Tralee on the Killarney road.There we relaxed and ate creamy tortelinni in yet another luxurious drawing room with the friendly dogs at our feet.

Lady Sylvia

 There was a rainbow too as we arrived at Ballyseedy which gently framed the noble trees and a sweet donkey and foal.
 We were not  looking for a pot of gold, but hey - our day was just about as golden as it gets.