Ponaire Coffee Limerick: Ponaire (Irish for bean) import their own raw coffee beans from around the world and roast, blend and package them in their roastery in Annacotty, Co Limerick.

I’VE BEEN backwards and forwards to London a lot recently to work with my long-suffering editor doing the final tweaking on the manuscript of my Forgotten Skills book.

Serves 4 as a starter, 2 as a main

SlowFood East Cork Summer Events: Learn how to butcher a lamb; what to do with the various cuts; learn how to identify different cuts of lamb; how to find and recognise the best quality meat; and match cuts to cooking methods at the Ballymaloe Cookery School, Wednesday July 15 at 7:30pm, €45.00.

Recipe for Magdalen’s French toast, Marmalade and Vanilla Ice Cream

Work up an appetite for Sunday lunch with 4FM’s Davis on 4. Derek Davis talks to Ireland’s greatest chefs, food writers and bloggers every Sunday morning on 4FM, from 10am-12pm.

Popsicles are the new cupcakes — all the rage, we used to call them ice lollies, but these are not made from cordial, they are made from pure strawberry purée — a revelation and lots of fun.

WE’RE at the height of the strawberry season at present, and all along the main roads strawberry growers are doing their best to tempt us to indulge. So let’s feast on beautiful ripe berries while they are at their best.

Serves 6-8.

IN MY column I certainly give lots of recipe suggestions for meat and fish lovers but I sometimes wonder whether I do justice to vegetarians. So in this week’s column veggies are the heroes and I’ll share some inspiring recipes from a first time cook book author which truly illustrate the versatility of vegetables.