IT’S that time of year when ghoulish figures tempt us with oversweet treats, and black jeans and hats get an airing for the Cork Jazz Festival. This week I am taking you on a journey of discovery of black foods to serve for Halloween parties or quick bites between house or music visits — that take little effort to use.

THERE’S no question about it, fresh fish cannot be beaten for flavour and texture. And for good value either.

TODAY we have not only a taste test but also a bake test. We looked for the best cake mixes to see if they were worthwhile compared to baking from scratch.

Viola player Simon O’Flynn is the second generation of O’Flynn musicians involved in orchestras in Cork, and his daughter makes it the third.

Nuts are healthy, right?

THE most divisive of all surveys we have ever done, who knew that burgers could be controversial?

SKINNY, low-fat, lower fat, call them what you will, in this survey we found that sausages don’t have to be laden with fat to be tasty.

Roz Crowley gets a taste of the latest sliced beef.

BAKERS are on top form this year with the best mince pies ever to suit many tastes. Given the high standard this year, we had to leave out quite a few from supermarkets whose pastry was a bit claggy due to the use of ingredients added for longer shelf life, writes Roz Crowley.

Here's your lunchtime news bulletin

Here's your morning news bulletin.

Fresh basil is now in the shops and makes a terrific sauce with pasta, says Roz Crowley.

A little preparation can go a long way when eating under the sun, writes Roz Crowley. 

Roz Crowley finds out where to get the best peanut butter.

Good afternoon. Here’s all the news you need to know this lunchtime

Here’s a briefing on some of the stories and issues highlighted on irishexaminer.com today.

Here’s a briefing on some of the stories and issues highlighted on irishexaminer.com today.

Roz Crowley meets Pierre Lawton, a globally acclaimed wine merchant, whose long line of Cork ancestors includes a mayor

He’s an obscenely talented chef that unusually also has a great head for business. Roz Crowley finds Mark Hix has lots of advice for people dreaming of opening a food business.

Roz Crowley offers some savoury and sweet picnic ideas to sate the palates of all the family with a bit of forward planning this summer season.

Roz Crowley has been busy researching coffee makers as she wanted an upgrade.

One man has been beheaded and at least two have been injured in an attack on a factory in the south-east of France, Renault has recalled thousands of vehicles because of a problem with the braking system, there will be two more boxing finals with Irish involvement at the European Games in Baku. Just some of the latest and most read stories on irishexaminer.com.

Landlords will be obliged to pass tenant details to Irish Water, dementia could bankrupt us unless action is taken, the District Attorney of Alameda County is to consider a case for involuntary manslaughter in the investigation into the Berkeley balcony collapse and the best way to brew perfect coffee at home. Here’s this morning’s irishexaminer.com catch-up.

Thousands of mourners have gathered to pay their respects as two more funerals of Berkeley balcony collapse victims took place, Joan Burton has again defended a controversial cut to social welfare payments for single parents, and a Sinn Féin councillor has thanked Queen Elizabeth for helping Limerick celebrate next year’s centenary of 1916. These are some of the latest and most read stories on irishexaminer.com.

Sick of making the same old stuff on the barbecue? Here’s Roz Crowley’s ‘cut out and keep’ guide to sexing up your barbie

Food blogger Roz Crowley takes us into her kitchen and shares her recipe for baking chocolate mousse cake.

Glen Dimplex’s Lochlann Quinn loves wine so much, he bought a vineyard. Roz Crowley talks to Quinn and his winemaker, Stephen Carrier about the Bordeaux, Chateau de Fieuzal    

VALENTINE’S Day is an opportunity to celebrate love with a glass of fizz, says Roz Crowley.

A HEARTY and nourishing bowl of soup at this time of year is easy to make, writes Roz Crowley.

As the weather cools Roz Crowley casts her eye over some of the  vegetable soups that are on the market.

Getting a meal up to Mum’s standards for her special day is not actually that hard. Roz Crowley shows how easy it is to pull out all the stops, and do the wash-up too

Roz Crowley has the recipes for a stress-free Confirmation celebration back at base

As the nation’s collective palate prepares to gorge on an egg-citing assortment of pancakes tomorrow, Roz Crowley teases our appetites with some foolproof sweet 'n' savoury recipes

From heart-shaped duck breasts to aphrodisiac desserts, Roz Crowley has suggestions to bring a slice of romance to your Valentine’s Day dining

With so many foodie options available locally, it’s easy to find pressies to suit every taste, says Roz Crowley.

Musical director Cian McCarthy is bringing Book of Mormon to West End, says Roz Crowley

Ringing in the New Year with a big group? Roz Crowley offers some of her favourite sweet (and sour) recipes for dinner

A range of fun and inspiring cookbooks from Irish and UK publishers this year makes Christmas gift shopping a doddle. Roz Crowley picks the best