Top 8 gifts for foodies
It seems top quality Irish produce is now the norm. And I give full marks to retailers who experiment and buy from small producers in their early stages of development when they most need help.
My gold star for this year goes to Bradley’s supermarket, North Main Street, Cork, where I saw the most new Irish products this year.
I also happily buy in other speciality shops, such as The Real Olive Co in markets nationwide. Try their fresh Iberia chorizo as a gift for food lovers or to add to leftovers. Their fresh Toonsbridge mozzarella is superb torn into pieces over a warm salad of carrot and beetroot — perfect when suffering from turkey fatigue.
In Dublin and Galway, Sheridan’s has a huge range of top quality Irish produce as do McCambridge’s, Galway; On the Pigs Back, Cork; The Farm Gate, Midleton; Rohu in Inishannon; Urru in Bandon and Ardkeen Stores, Waterford.
There is good cheese just about everywhere and a round/wedge with a box of biscuits to match makes an excellent gift.
For those with deeper pockets, a gift voucher for a cookery course will go down a treat with food lovers. I have enjoyed the benefits of courses done by friends in The Tannery in Dungarvan, Ballymaloe in East Cork and Lettercollum in Clonakilty.
Made in Co Waterford, these have the best packaging of the year. Patrick Scott is the artist who inspired the gold embossed cartons containing shortbread style biscuits flavoured with lemon polenta; dark chocolate and cardamom; hazelnut, cinnamon and raisin, and there is a gluten-free version flavoured with ginger and cacao nibs. Ideal as a stylish gift, a good, new Irish product.
This new range from Dunnes Stores is a treat. The dark chocolate truffles (€9) flavoured with pistachio and ginger and the milk chocolate truffles (€9) with bergamot, orange and hazelnut are rich and delicious. Rose syrup (€4) is excellent on desserts — with icecream, on simple sponges, but also interesting added to dishes into which you have put too much chilli — the soft sweetness calms the flavour nicely. There is also a good ginger syrup in the range.
From my craft shop of the year with the best quality Irish made clothing and jewellery, their tableware includes these espresso mugs with mix and match patterns of spots and stripes. They are not just good for coffee. I use them for crème brulée and chocolate puddings as they can take any amount of heat. Six months ago I bought a matching tray which I use as a cheeseboard, to serve long tarts on and as a tray for tea/coffee (€49.50).
From a range made with honey, I love the cherries preserved in poitín. Add a few to a simple sponge, chocolate Pavlova, bought chocolate eclairs, or as a sauce over ice-cream for delicious and easy treats. I also love the Gingery Ginger preserve and the jams made with honey. The local heather honey is excellent. Make up a selection for a sweet treat. Available from speciality shops.
Of the vinegars available, I particularly like the wild heather of this range made in Co Mayo. In an elegant, tall bottle, the flavour is soft and sweet and there is a wild blackberry vinegar too. Organic apple syrup (€5.50) from Highbank is a silky alternative to maple syrup. Try on porridge, pancakes, in stir fries, on ice-cream. Made in Co Kilkenny and available in speciality shops, pair with the vinegar for a delicious gift.
An excellent all-Irish collection includes Wilkie’s superb organic Bean to Bar 75% Amazonas chocolate, made in Midleton, Co Cork. From Co Kerry comes Cocoa Bean’s 5 bars flavoured with gin and tonic, rose and pistachio, Irish honey, sea salt, and lime zest with black pepper. There are also some in-house chocolates, Mella’s fudge from West Cork and from Limerick Pandora Bell’s vanilla candy cane. Great value.
I found this attractive jute bag, right, with delicious cranberry and orange relish and raspberry and rhubarb jam from Heavens Preserve Us! at the Saturday Coal Quay market, Cork (€10).
Eithne McCarthy Preserves (in speciality stores nationwide) are also attractively packaged in a corrugated, handbag with a rich, spiced apple chutney and cranberry and strawberry jam (€8.95).
Made from shredded bacon and mixed with balsamic cider vinegar, maple syrup and mild spices, this is a new, tasty and handy spread for Christmas entertaining. Give as a gift for a lazy night in, to have on toast, and with it take some superb red wine from Wexford-born, Corbieres-based Pat Neville. Domaine Aonghusa Laval 2009 (€19) is a treat, from importer Karwig Wines based in Carrigaline Co Cork, and with delivery nationwide at www.karwigwines.ie
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