Wealth of top tips and great interviews in ICA’s magazine
In her foreword to the magazine, outgoing president Liz Wall says the new publication reflects the talent and diversity of members.
One of the most well-known of these, Josephine Helly, is profiled in a feature which describes her as the ‘driving force behind the creative chaos’ that is Handcraft Week at An Grianán, which she has been running for 16 years.
Also featured are some of the teachers and students on these craft courses: Ethel Patterson from Raphoe Guild, who was at An Grianán to learn redwork, a type of embroidery using red thread on a white or un-dyed fabric; Angela Shaw from Renmore Guild, a member for 50 years, who teaches dress-making and smocking among other crafts; and Avril Eager of Maynooth Guild, who has been doing embroidery since she was 10.
The magazine aims to simplify summer, with recipes for five easy dinners — Pizza Bianca with Pancetta, Mint and Broad Beans; Herb Crumbed Chicken; Pan-Fried Plaice with Fresh Pesto; Baked Salmon with Tarragon; and Grilled Halloumi with Heirloom Tomato Salad. Meanwhile there are good herb tips for Sunday roasts — if you’re cooking chicken or fish, go for tarragon, parsley, dill and chives.
Rosemary is good with lamb but so are mint and coriander; beef is best accompanied by thyme and oregano; pork tastes good with sage and fennel.
Also included is a recipe for Victoria Sponge — one of the first cakes Liz Wall learned to bake. And the history behind the cake is explained. It originated in England in the 19th century, when the Duchess of Bedford found the gap between lunch and dinner too long so she had her ladies-in-waiting smuggle tea, bread and cakes into her room. Soon she was inviting friends along.
No ICA publication would be complete without a range of handy hints and there are some great ones that focus on the magic of lemons — according to ‘how to fix daily disasters’, this unassuming little fruit is good for getting rid of smells in microwaves, restoring whiteness to plastic chopping boards, blitzing mildew, reviving drooping lettuce leaves and getting rough elbows in shape.
Home & Living will be published again this autumn — it is eventually hoped to produce four issues a year.
