Last weekend marked the occasion of my first ever visit to Cork city. (I know, I can’t quite believe it either. I made it as far as the train station once as a child, on the way back from Trabolgan, but that hardly counts, does it?) Myself and himself had heard lots in recent months about the Franciscan Well Brewery and their annual Easterfest, and, on learning that there would be thirteen breweries showcasing almost forty beers, decided we’d best make a weekend of it.
Monthly Archives: April 2011
Balcony bounty
One of my resolutions, following Inishfood, was to have another crack at growing my own food. I’ve not had much luck in the past; the Great Balcony Flood of ’09 and the Terrifying Grub Invasion of ’10 wiped out previous herb and lettuce crops only weeks after they were planted. I’m determined, though, that this time will be different, and both the weather and the local insect population are proving co-operative thus far.
Pretty greens
Simply delicious fish
Back in the early nineties, before Saturday Kitchen and the Food Network, before Neven, Nigel and Nigella, there wasn’t much in the way of decent foodie television on Irish screens. Then along came Darina Allen to change all that with her Simply Delicious series. It’s the first time I remember a cookery show being event television in our house; we’d gather round each week to watch her breeze through a new bread or stew or pie recipe. And, as with the best food shows, we’d always be hungry afterwards.
I’m not sure whether you’d call this a fish pie or a fish crumble, given the breadcrumb topping. I do know, though, that it’s been a staple in my mam’s house – and now in all of or houses – since Darina first made it on Simply Delicious almost twenty years ago, so much so that we now just refer to it as “the fish dish”.
Fishy treats at Matt The Thresher
One of the best things about this food blogging lark thus far has been the opportunity to meet other IFBA members – a delightful bunch. Last Wednesday saw myself, Aoife I Can Has Cook, Emily From Chila Village, Lily The Amateur Mexican Cook, Rachel Gastronomics, and Vicky S’tasty get together for an evening of seafoody sampling (and great craic) at Matt The Thresher on Pembroke Street.
Housed in the former Pembroke pub building, it’s a lovely light airy space, with a fish counter alongside the main bar. We sat up here, cameras and notepads in hand, while head chef Stephen Caviston walked us through the varieties of fish on offer on the day, from Carlingford Bay oysters to Dublin Bay prawns to mussels from Roaringwater Bay in Cork. Stephen’s family have over sixty years’ experience in the fish trade, and he spoke enthusiastically about his suppliers, and about the need to fish sustainably.
What a catch
Introductory chat over, it was time to get hands-on with some oyster shucking (easier than it looks) and Stephen’s nifty method of shelling and de-veining prawns (harder than it looks). I sampled an oyster with shallot vinegar instead of the usual Tabasco – delicious. I reckon I’ll be trying Stephen’s suggested method of flash grilling shucked oysters in their shells with a dollop of homemade pesto, too.
Shuckin' and shellin'
Finally, we got a taste of the full Matt The Thresher menu with these delectable platters of goodies, including Ted Brown’s beautiful Dingle smoked salmon and Bere Haven crab meat. The restaurant offers a “fish tapas” deal for four dishes plus a glass of wine for €20 – right up my alley.
It’s early days for Matt The Thresher but, fishily speaking, I reckon they’re on to a very good thing. I’ll definitely be back for more.
