The menu: Time to grab those last-minute luxuries
While the turkey and ham are long ordered, thoughts now turn to those seasonal Irish vegetables that play an equally starring role on his yuletide table, where the term ‘side’ dish, is considered downright insulting.
The best place to procure finest Irish veg is direct from the farmers themselves, which is why The Menu always, whenever possible, purchases from the farmer’s market.
The Menu is always very fond of a trip down to Kinsale but next Wednesday’s Farmer’s Market should be a cracker, it being Christmas Eve and no other markets running elsewhere on the day .
The Menu’s farmer’s market of the year, the Coal Quay Saturday Food Market, has very fine growers, including the wonderful Caroline Robinson, longtime lynchpin of the city centre market and The Menu’s Christmas would be bereft without essential purchases from the Ballyhoura Mushroom stall (returns January 10).
Douglas Farmer’s Market temporary pitch on the Douglas Shopping Centre Plaza in the heart of Douglas Village is delighting all and sundry.
Today is the final outing before Christmas and, along with splendid veg growers, there are plenty of extra treats: Knockmealagula Orchard Spiced Apple Syrup for a superior hot mulled cider; fine Old Mill Smokehouse Smoked Salmon; black garlic for the post-Christmas turkey burrito; and the makings of a traditional basket of persimmon, pomegranate and nuts at Organic Republic Fruit and Veg; fine Irish farmhouse cheeses from Mark Hosford and sweet treats a-plenty for stocking fillers (returns January 10).
Also open today for the final fling are Midleton Farmer’s Market (back January 10), Bandon Farmer’s Market (back from January 3), Skibbereen Farmer’s Market (continues as usual), Bantry Farmer’s Market (back early next month) and Mahon Farmer’s Market (back January 8).
Finally, one of The Menu’s age-old Christmas Eve traditions is a leisurely perambulation around The English Market, picking up last-minute bits and bobs, including a few piscine morsels for the Christmas Eve repast, but for those too hard-pressed to attempt similar, pass on the responsibility to local Food Tour Guide Alice Coyle, aka Wrap Artist, who is doing English Market hampers from a pop-up stall.
Either purchase a pre-pack, choosing from three options, or buy your own and let Alice wrap it while you join The Menu for one of Mirko’s ‘special’ hot chocolates in the Farmgate. www.facebook.com/EnglishMarketHampers
The Menu believes simplicity is at the heart of good jam-making: Fine, fresh fruit and a bit of sugar is pretty much all that is required but betimes, a little creativity pays dividends and no more so than when Veronica Molloy is sprinkling the stardust, she being an alchemist when it comes to knocking out the preserves.
Save smearing some on hot buttered toasted sourdough, The Menu devoured near enough an entire jar of her Apricot, Pear & Grand Marnier Preserve, pondering possible pairings for this sublime creation, sweet gritty pear and Grand Marnier persuading the hardworking little apricot it could in fact pass itself off as peach. www.crossoguepreserves.com
