Recipe: Salad Scentral

January 4, 2016November 18, 2016 ~ Harper220

No, that isn’t a typo in the title. Scentral is my own concoction of the words central and scent. Cuz today, and every day this week, we are gonna be going salad scentral crazy over here. This, being the first Monday of the new year, is the day most people perceive as walking the tightrope of “to do” things: To detox, to give up alcohol, to quit sweets, etc etc etc. And because many people have been off work during the holiday period, this day is also the big “to go back to work” day. Argh! Lots of grumpsters out there with a HOLIDAY HANGOVER! With so many self imposed demands and restrictions no wonder the sad faces. But I have a recipe for you to brighten your week with colors and flavors that look good, smell good, and taste good. These tick all the boxes of the revamped food resolutions too. And they might even make going back to work a bit more pleasant! Either pack them in your lunchbox to save a few bucks, or, instead of going to the burger joint for lunch, pick up a salad to go.

I did a salad slam tutorial… the featured one on today’s post and three others for my snapchat (username: blissbakery). Clockwise from top: Papaya Boat Stuffed with Low Cal Turkey Salad, Irish Strawberry Salad, Carrot & Courgette Ribbon Salad, Apple, Grape and Goat Cheese Salad

I am an admitted salad addict. Therefore it is easy for me to be a cheerleader for the gorgeous greens. I’ve even posted several salad recipes here on the blog: Cauliflower Salad, Fig and Green Bean Salad, Butternut Squash Salad, Brussels Sprout Salad, Sweet Potato and Chorizo Salad. Truth be told, I have to have one with every meal. Even with breakfast, I’ll have a fruit salad (or at least a selection of berries and bananas on my porridge). I just love the way fruits and veg make me feel. Without them, my meal seems incomplete. And since I don’t own a scale, don’t believe in diets (as I have said before I try to avoid things with the word “die” in them) and only recently began taking vitamins, I rely on the goodness of salads for my health.

IMG_5733-2 — My trusty chalkboard, which is often featured in my snapchats, I used to emphasize the difference between DIE and LIVE by taking “Diet for the New Year” and erasing DIE and writing LIVE it!

When you read all the magazines and newspaper articles this week recommending you drink more water and cut the crap out of your daily routine, having a salad is actually a bit of both. It is proven that fruit and veg are naturally loaded with water. And because of their fiber content they help you feel full so you are less likely to crave the crap. But the best advert for a good salad in my book is how it affects all of your senses. Does it taste, smell, and look good? And does it feel good in your mouth when you are chewing it? If it has lots of different textures it will defo give your daily calorie intake some pizazz. Today’s recipe is all of those and more! Normally I am going on about how good the house smells with all the baking I do. Well today the scent is actually fresh, bright, crisp and farmlike! A healthery instead of a bakery!

Often as we begin the school/work week we hear about Meatless Mondays. I think it is great notion. But personally, I need a bit of protein too. Salads can easily be modified to add a bit of that with some leftover roasted chicken, or by adding nuts and cheese to it. It makes it more substantial (and is about the only way I can get Hubby to eat a salad by the way). I’ve told you before about the Flavor Bible which is a great resource for understanding flavor combinations and foods that work as alternates. So say for instance if you found a cool recipe online for roasted pumpkin salad and you can’t find any in the shops, you’ll have learned that you can substitute it with butternut squash.

If I were an artist I would draw an interactive diorama of salad ingredients to show you how you could mix and match depending on your taste, dietary restrictions, and what is available in your fridge/pantry. Basically, a salad schematic. I would break it into six sections: 1. Greens (spinach, kale, iceberg, arugula/rocket etc) 2. Veg (broccoli, cauliflower, butternut squash, courgette/zucchini etc) 3. Fruit (strawberries, pomegranate, dried cranberries etc), 4. Cheese (blue, parmesan, goat’s etc), 5. Nuts (pine nuts, pecans, almonds etc), and 6. Protein (salmon, chorizo, chicken, bacon etc). This would also have an addendum that included different salad dressing options as well. It could be on your iPad for reference or even as a handy kitchen gadget that resembles an artist’s color wheel thingy that you could hang on your refrigerator door. But there are some other good helpful salad visuals available here and here to get you going.

It is also important to note, some salads are also best served warm (which I appreciate since living in Dublin and now London, where winters are not cold salad conducive). I would urge you to not only try incorporating more salads into your life, but also to be creative with your plate and put together your own combos depending on your likes and dislikes. In other words, if you see a salad recipe and you think, that sounds pretty good, but I don’t like blue cheese. Well then omit it or substitute it for a cheese you do like. Go on, have fun with it! Because all this deprivation, having to eliminating this or that, isn’t fun. But instead when you start adding things to your life (like a daily healthy salad) and make it fun like a game, then you’re likely to stick to it for the long haul!

To start us off this week, I am going to give you a recipe for a super simple yet shockingly satisfying Irish Strawberry Salad. This is actually my daughter’s favorite salad that I make and she even posted it on her blog a few years back which you can see here. I decided that it would be a good one to start with, especially in light of the fact that in two weeks time I will be traveling to America to see her and her family!

Ingredients: I have not put amounts as it depends on how many you are serving and how much of each element you want in it.

Salad greens of choice (I use a mixture of organic baby spinach, arugula/rocket and watercress leaves) washed and dried (important)

Strawberries (organic if possible and Irish Wexford strawberries if you are so lucky) washed and sliced

Nuts of choice (I like to use toasted flaked almonds, but you can use pecans or whatever you prefer)

Dubliners Cheese (okay no way are you allowed to switch up this ingredient) grated

Dressing of your choice (for store bought, I use Newman’s Own) or homemade vinaigrette (see below).

Preparation:

Pop all the ingredients in a bowl, pour the dressing on and toss it all together. That simple! This is a good recipe to add some protein to such as roasted chicken if you have it on hand.

What is great about this salad is that it has veg and fruit together! If you can’t find fresh strawberries (or refuse to buy them in the shops in the middle of winter because they are flown in from Egypt) then exchange it for dried cranberries instead. Again, have fun with it guys! Speaking of cranberries, I have a great recipe for a vinaigrette which I make in a nearly empty cranberry sauce jar. So it actually gives a bit of zing to the recipe!

1/4 cup vinegar ( I used sherry vinegar)

3/4 cup oil (I used organic extra virgin)

1 tsp cranberry sauce

1 tsp minced shallots (optional)

1 Tbsp chopped parsley (optional)

Salt and pepper to taste

Shake everything up in the jar and pour over salad just before serving. There is a great resource for salad dressing combinations here. Basically, it is a 1:3 ratio of vinegar to oil. It is nice to use a third ingredient (also called an emulsifier) to help bind the oil and vinegar together. Such as my cranberry sauce, or you can use mustard, or honey for instance. Also, you can add minced garlic or chopped fresh herbs for more depth of flavor.

Again, have fun, play around, and make adding salads to your day dreamy not drudgery! Here’s to a sensational week, month and year ahead!

Some Salad Love Slathered on Ya!

YDP

P.S. One of the best compliments a chef can receive is to see someone enjoying a dish they’ve prepared. This past summer when I was at my daughter and son in law’s I cooked dinner for some of their friends. One of their guests apparently doesn’t eat salads. And I had made an acorn squash salad for a starter. Well guess what? He ate the whole thing! Everyone around the table, in fact, commented on it. So if you are one of those, thinking you just can’t get into the fruit/veg trend, maybe try it with me this week and see if you join the salad scentral society (of which I am the founding member)!

Famous Lasting Words

December 31, 2015November 18, 2016 ~ Harper220

You’ve probably heard the phrase, “famous last words” before, but you might not know its origin. There are varying stories, but a quick google search and you learn about a man named General John Sedgwick. His last uttered words were, “They couldn’t hit an elephant at this distance” right before getting shot during the U.S. Civil War. So now, besides what a dying person might say before they depart this earth, one can use this phrase as a sarcastic quip when a comment is considered to be proven wrong. Right so!

Well, I like to focus more on famous lasting words. Have you heard of those? They are words said to you by someone else that you never ever forget! They are powerful enough to penetrate your soul and leave a lasting and lingering (sometimes lifelong) feeling. They may be good or bad, debilitating and demoralizing or motivating and uplifting. I think in light of this being the last day of 2015 it is good to reflect on what lasting words are imprinted on your soul from someone else, and what impressions have you left on another person with your words? They don’t have to be just from this year, even further afield in the past. But it just might make you a bit more careful of what you say in the New Year (if you are inclined to make resolutions) because words have more power than you might realize! I have a few I’d like to share with you.

From my father: “I always knew you’d be the one to come back to me” on our first phone call when I searched him out after not seeing him for many years following my parents’ divorce.

From my grandfather: “Hey good lookin’, whatchu got cookin’, how’s about cookin’ somethin’ up for me?” when he wanted me to make him some food. Even if I botched his eggs, he would still ask me to make him something to eat when I saw him. And now look at the field I chose to make my living? FOOD!

From my daughter: “Thank you for giving me my dream wedding, I’ll never forget this” just before my son and I were about to walk her down the aisle on her wedding day. Her dad had bailed out on helping with the wedding costs, so I gave her all the money I had set aside for my dream bakery.

From my son: “You have gone through so much pain, suffering and frustration, yet you still find a way to please me and go out of your way for me. Your entire life has been about other people. You would always rather do something for someone else than for yourself. Mom, this makes you who you are. You are truly a philanthropist. You are my Ghandi, my Mother Theresa, my Martin Luther King.” This is from a two page letter he wrote to me for my birthday some thirteen years ago. And yes, lasting words can be spoken verbally, or written in a letter, text or email!

From my granddaughter: “We just made a core memory” after she and I went to church together this past summer (we had just seen that Disney movie “Inside Out” which references core memories). She and I are “besties” and I have millions of lasting words from her, but being with her at church that day was unforgettable! For both of us!

From my Hubby: “I was put on this earth to love you.” No explanation needed on this, totally sums it up right there folks!

It is not to say that I only have a list of famous lasting words that are happy go lucky. I have hurtful ones too. I do. My ex telling me he should have left me in the gutter where he found me (in front of my then ten year old son no less) wasn’t cool. But this is the trick. If you have a negative one like that, you can change it around. Turn it on its head so it doesn’t get the best of you. Therefore, what I like to focus on is the great Irish writer Oscar Wilde’s gutter gem quote “We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking up at the stars.” And personally I’m thankful God put eyes on the front of our heads. So that when we are looking up at the stars, at least we are looking forward, towards the future!

And that’s what I hope you all do, is to look ahead. I once heard that the new year lies before us all, like freshly fallen snow. So be careful how you tread, for every mark will show. That is why you must think before you speak, as you might say the famous lasting words someone will never forget.

I hope you have a very Happy New Year. Best wishes for a safe, peaceful, and healthy 2016! And thank you so very much for all the support you have given me on this Yankee Doodle Paddy adventure! It means the world! God bless each and every one of you!

Lasting Love,

YDP

Recipe: Woman Crush Wednesday

December 30, 2015November 18, 2016 ~ Harper220

If you know me at all, you know two things. One, that Wednesday is my favorite day because it is an opportunity to crush on a special female foodie. And two, I am all about the LOVE and look for it in all aspects of life, even hosting a #LOVEfest competition. With that said, today’s honoree is the absolute perfect choice. Ella Woodward, or Deliciously Ella as she is most widely known, is one of the most popular foodies out there at the moment, be it male OR female. Lucky for us she happens to be a lovely lady! Not to mention that she is also a big fan of LOVE. In fact, on her new book cover she is wearing a cool sweater (jumper for my UK/Irish followers) with, what else, L-O-V-E on it!

I realize we have a couple more days of decadence before the New Year’s resolutions kick in. But this is actually the best time to start thinking about how to tackle January with some good healthy food. Ella is just the person to help us with that endeavor. This super sweet and beautiful young lady (and yes she is young, only 23 years old) has had her own journey to clean eating and better health. I thought I was a sugar fiend until I read about Ella’s sweet tooth. But in order to overcome a debilitating medical condition, she did more than just go on the straight and narrow for the New Year. She overhauled her entire eating regime giving up sugar, dairy, gluten and meat. As well, she adopted exercise such as yoga into her routine. From someone who couldn’t get out of bed 95% of the day a couple years ago, she completed her first half marathon in the autumn of this year. She chronicled all this on her blog which garnered a massive loyal following as well as a super popular social media presence. And her cookbook Deliciously Ella has broken all sorts of sales records and won numerous awards. With her second book due out very soon, she also has a brick and mortar in Marylebone that just launched called The Mae Deli. This new venture is with her fiancé Matthew (the M, and she being the E part for the name of Mae’s Deli) is already getting loads of delicious buzz.

And speaking of delicious, while all of Ella’s food is delicious, I thought I would recreate her Carrot Cake Cookies for #WCW. I think in order to be successful at a New Year’s resolution, I’d better be well equipped or else there is temptation to grab something naughty. With this recipe I think I can whip out a batch and keep them on hand so when Jan 1st rolls around I will still be able to have my treats without guilt or feeling deprived. If you want you can follow along with my snapchat tutorial (username: blissbakery) while I make these super simple but oh so good goodies!

Ingredients

270g of oats * (I used organic Irish oats)
3 ripe bananas (about 340g) *(I used organic free trade)
3 red apples (about 350g)* (I used organic Gala)
2 carrots (200g) * (I used organic)
150g of sultanas * (I used California raisins)
3 tablespoons of date syrup *(I didn’t have this so I used maple syrup instead)
2 tbs of nut butter – peanut butter is especially good (although you can ignore the nut butter totally if you don’t eat nuts) *(I used organic almond butter)
1 tablespoon of coconut oil
3 teaspoons of cinnamon
1 teaspoons of nutmeg
1 teaspoon of ground ginger

Method

Preheat the oven to 200C
Grate the apples and carrots (no need to peel them) and mash the bananas. Then mix them with all the remaining ingredients in a bowl.
Grease a baking tray with coconut oil.
Scoop a heaped tablespoon of the mix and pat it into flat cookies shape on the tray, do this until all the mixture has been used. Try to get an even amount of sultanas in each cookie as those that are heavier with sultanas are more likely to burn. The mixture should make about 25 cookies.
Then bake the cookies for about 30 minutes until they turn golden brown, at this point take them out the oven and let them cool slightly.

I am a crazy carrot cake aficionado, so of course I had to go for this recipe. I thought eliminating the cream cheese frosting, so indicative of a typical carrot cake topping, would be a tough one for me. But the flavors in these cookies are so incredible and the texture so moreish you just don’t miss it. While all of Ella’s recipes are plant based, she has stated she doesn’t miss meat in the slightest. I am pretty reliant on needing some protein, especially since I had gestational diabetes both times I was pregnant. I had to inject insulin daily in my second pregnancy so I’m lucky it went away after both of my children were born. Which is why indulging my sweet tooth isn’t so good for me on a regular basis. However, these little gems packed with vitamins are not only healthy but also have the hint of sweetness that I crave.

Most articles written about Ella Woodward are going to make mention of the fact that she is part of the Sainsbury Grocery Store family. But I have a hunch that soon enough, any article about Sainsbury is going to mention that they are related to Deliciously Ella and The Mae Deli fame. She has really brought a whole new perspective to how food can be used to heal the body instead of hurting ourselves through the misuse of processed food. It isn’t about losing weight folks it is about feeling better by eating clean! Her natural radiant beauty and vivacious energy is a great advert for her way of life. And though she has included chicken and salmon options at her deli (of which I am grateful) she says it is a place for health and happiness.

What a great way to start the new year folks with Ella’s kind of positivity! I hope you take time to learn a bit more about her and support her new book, book signing tour, supper clubs and cooking classes. Ella is a self taught chef and is working hard to impart all her kitchen and nutritional wisdom. But we need to be open to it and soak it all in as well.

Thanks Ella for your effort to share your own journey and for inspiring so many others to find a healthier self. Your warmth towards and support of your followers does not go unnoticed. You practice what you preach and do it all with gentleness and grace. You are truly one of a kind and deserve all the good things that are coming your way. Including today’s Woman Crush. Though I’m sure it will continue well on past just Wednesday! Happy 2016!

Peace and Love!

YDP

P.S. Tomorrow I am taking my snapchat friends along on a “Thursday Thrill Trip” to The Mae Deli since I won’t be able to do the usual Foodie Fieldtrip Friday because of New Year’s Day. So stay tuned for more crushing on all things Ella Woodward folks! Very excited to see all the healthy food she has on offer there!

Merry Christmas!

December 25, 2015December 26, 2015 ~ Harper220

A very Merry Christmas to all of you! We are having our first Christmas in London. It is very festive around here. And we are blessed that my son and daughter in law have flown all the way from Los Angeles to spend it with us. They came to stay with us in Dublin for Christmas time 2010. That was during the infamous winter where we actually had a white Christmas in Ireland because of all the snow! Aw memories!

Some people look back and remember a “favorite” Christmas celebration and say, “such and such was the best one ever.” Even my Hubby says that his favorite Christmas of all time was when we stayed at Darina Allen’s cottage (called The Rocket House) overlooking Ballycotton Bay in Co. Cork (see video below). For me, I don’t have a favorite, because for one reason or another, each has its own important significance in my life. Of course I have fond memories of the Christmases when my kids were little with the fun of Santa and all. It was a tradition to have their picture with Santa. In fact I still took them to have their picture taken when they were teenagers! They were very good to keep humoring me with the family “tradish”! My daughter is keeping it alive by taking my granddaughters for their visit as well. I just wish they could be here with us for Christmas too.

I even cherish the Christmases I had as a youngster where we were destitute and had nothing, because they were still memorable. One year as a young teenager I had saved all my money from babysitting jobs and bought gifts for each family member and eagerly put them under the tree weeks before the actual day. My mom took it upon herself to unwrap each present one night while were were all asleep and decided they were frivolous gifts. She said I had to take them back and get them something else more practical that they needed. Which was a little challenging since I had purchased them at a swap meet. I was disappointed at the time, but I realized that Christmas isn’t about the gifts, it is about the intention.

Whatever your tradition, or whether you have a favorite Christmas or not, I just want to take this opportunity to wish you a Merry Christmas! Enjoy your loved ones and of course I hope you get to savor some good food. Try to have the openness of an innocent child this holiday. It so precious and indeed positive to look at the world from their vantage point!

Joy to the World with LOVE,

YDP

Recipe: Woman Crush Wednesday

December 23, 2015November 18, 2016 ~ Harper220 ~ 1 Comment

With a little break from the popular Woman Crush Wednesday series (due to YDP’s participation last week in the Great Blogger Cookie Swap) we are back with passion! This is the day we honor one of the wonderful women from the culinary world. And who is getting crushed on today? Well, we are infatuated with one of the U.K.’s most recognizable foodies, none other than the amazing Nigella Lawson! For the first time, this week readers and snapchat followers joined in with their suggestions to help choose which cook should get the Yankee Doodle Paddy Spotlight of LOVE. And with Christmas just a couple days away, Nigella has been chosen to get all sorts of fondness showered on her today!

Nigella‘s new book, Simply Nigella seems to be on everyone’s Christmas list. It is called the “Feel Good Food” book and pretty much anything she makes will leave you feeling good! She already has nine best selling cookbooks to her credit, numerous television series under her belt, a popular app, and umpteen awards such as the 2014 Observer’s Readers’ Award as Best Food Personality, just to mention a few of her phenom accomplishments. She really is a Domestic Goddess (as was the title of one of her books) and has been a ‘go to’ for many looking to up their kitchen game. She has made cooking and eating an unabashedly beautiful art form. And all of this from someone who doesn’t even like to be called a chef.

Nigella didn’t study culinary arts but she has perfected a way to translate them to the masses. Adored by women, men, well known chefs, people here in the U.K. and all around the globe. Her warmth, openness and willingness to engage with her fans has really helped create a protective net around her. Which is why when she went through some recent difficulties she had a legion of supporters behind her wishing her well. And this latest book and accompanying television series has been just the thing to get back on track, for all of us! Cuz life does have its ups and downs. I can relate to Nigella’s notion of cooking being a wonderful way to make sense of the world around us as I have shared on here before. I love her quote in a recent article, ““I was thinking how ushering forth this cake induced in me a feeling of cosiness and serenity, and I felt I’d got to the stage in my life that what I was creating in my new home and my new kitchen… it’s about feeling an enormous sense of light. The food is uplifting and the comfort you get from it makes me feel restored and full of vitality.”

So I am going to create some light with her amazing Christmas Rocky Road recipe. It is currently being featured on her website as a “Cookalong Competition” whereby you make one of the suggested monthly recipes and upload a photo for a chance to win a signed cookbook. And I will be doing it live on snapchat (username: blissbakery) if you’d like to follow along. It will be viewable for 24 hours until it disappears, but I would urge you all to give this delicious recipe a try yourself and enter the contest. Because what Nigella has nurtured is a wonderful sense of community both on her website and her social media. She includes a regular “#follow of the day” on her Instagram that certainly gives those chosen a massive boost. I’m not just talking about more followers to their account, it is the overwhelming sense of joy that someone as wonderful as Nigella Lawson would lend her seal of approval.

Christmas Rocky Road

Ingredients:

250 grams (8 oz) dark chocolate
150 grams (6 oz) milk chocolate
175 grams (1 1/2 sticks) soft butter
4 tablespoons (1/4 cup) golden syrup or light corn syrup
200 grams (7 oz) amaretti biscuits
150 grams (1 cup) brazil nuts (shelled)
150 grams (2/3 cup) red glace (candied) cherries
125 (2 1/2 cups) grams mini marshmallows
1 tablespoon icing sugar
edible glitter

Method

Chop both sorts of chocolate small, or use chocolate buttons made for melting, and then put into a heavy-based pan to melt with the butter and syrup over a gentle heat.
Put the biscuits into a freezer bag and bash them with a rolling pin to get big- and little-sized crumbs; you want some pieces to crunch and some sandy rubble.
Put the Brazil nuts into another freezer bag and also bash them so you get different-sized nut rubble.
Take the pan off the heat, and add the crushed biscuits and nuts, whole glacé cherries and mini-marshmallows. Turn carefully to coat everything with syrupy chocolate.
Tip into a foil tray (I use one 236mm x 296mm / 9¼ x 12 inches), smoothing the top as best you can, although it will look bumpy.
Refrigerate until firm enough to cut, which will take about 1½–2 hours. Then take the set block of rocky road out of the foil tray ready to cut.
Push the icing sugar through a small sieve to dust the top of the Rocky Road. Then, if you like, add a sprinkling of edible glitter for some festive sparkle.
With the long side in front of you, cut into it 6 slices down and 4 across, so that you have 24 almost-squares.
MAKE AHEAD TIP:
Make the Rocky Road and refrigerate to set. Don’t add the icing sugar yet, but cut into bars, then store in an airtight container in a cool place for up to 1 week. Decorate with icing sugar and edible glitter about 1–2 hours before serving.
FREEZE AHEAD TIP:
Make the Rocky Road as above and freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in a cool place. Decorate as above.

Though I’m not a professional photographer, these bars are so gorgeous even I can make them look pretty! Perfectly festive treats to give as gifts or take to holiday parties!

I don’t normally put in two pics of the final product, but I couldn’t resist a close up shot. I love all the colors and textures in these Christmas Rocky Road Bars! I didn’t have edible glitter on hand, so I just put a few mini Christmas trees I had to make it look wintery.

One of the things I love most about Nigella is her willingness to offer help and suggest tips for finding success in the kitchen. For me, one of my kitchen challenges has been the transition from America to this side of the pond where everything is in metric! It would do your head in trying to sort out all the conversions. But she effortlessly (as with everything) has both versions available with the click of a button. Thanks Nigella!

Being a mom of two kids myself, I know how important the holiday time is for family. I just want to take this opportunity to wish you Nigella a most wonderful Christmas and send lots of love and light your way. I also want to thank you for being an inspiration in more ways than one. There are so many of us out there that appreciate the passion and respect you have for food and cooking. And your humility about your influence in the culinary world is as beautiful as you are! But trust me, when loads of your fans eagerly tear off the wrapping paper on Christmas morn to find they have received your cookbook, you’ll likely hear the sound of many ovens being fired up! Cuz there will be a whole lotta Nigella’s recipes on the go!

Lots of love to THE Domestic Goddess,

YDP

P.S. True story, it was destiny that Nigella would be today’s #WCW because besides the help from the snapchat followers, my friend (who also made our moving announcements) the awesome Holly Shortall and her BFF Jamie Tuohy met Nigella in Dublin not long ago! As well when I was on one of my Foodie Fieldtrip Friday’s recently, I spotted a giant billboard ad for her book and I had to take a picture. So it is a lovefest that has been marinating!

YDP’s “Best of” Short List

December 21, 2015November 18, 2016 ~ Harper220

Today is the Winter Solstice. December 21st (or the 22nd depending on where you live) is the shortest day of the year. Whilst everyone might be focused on the impending Ho Ho Holiday in a few days time, I like to savor this special day for a couple of reasons. One, starting tomorrow we gain another few minutes of daylight each day. Second and most importantly, this is the day that a select few lucky people get to witness first hand the miracle of Newgrange. Though I have put my name in the lottery every year for the last eight years, I have yet to win a coveted space to be in the chamber at the first hint of dawn. Not familiar with it? Well I have been to Newgrange so many times I could get a job there as a tour guide by now! It is an ancient structure north of Dublin airport that archeologists believe was used as a pagan worship tomb on the Solstice. This feat of architecture allows the first bit of daylight on the darkest day of the year to penetrate and illuminate the inner sanctum of the stone structure (as you can see by the pic at the top). It is theorized that the stone age burial spot became a holy place for these early Irish people. So that is why today, of all days, I decided to do my YDP “best of” short list on my favorite place, Dublin! Because this my friends is (unofficially) one of the wonders of the world! And it is right in Dublin’s backyard!

I’ve already given you tips on Los Angeles and London on here for the first two installments of “YDP’s best of short list”. While Newgrange is a bit outside of Dublin, it is only fitting that I share with you my tips on where to stay, eat and things to do in a very special place which is close to my heart. As you know if you’ve been reading this blog, Ireland is my soul home. It is the “Paddy” part of Yankee Doodle Paddy. Though we relocated to London after seven years in Dublin, we hope to move back soon, God willing. And yes, Newgrange is gonna be on the ‘best of ‘ list today folks, cuz it is THAT good! You just HAVE to make the short trek out there if you are in Dublin! It isn’t everyday that you can experience a Unesco World Heritage Site that is 5,000 years old! That is older than the Pyramids of Egypt and Stonehenge in the U.K! And the irony is that in one of the rainiest countries in the world, this Neolithic structure is totally waterproof! My first visit there I almost didn’t make it, but that is a story to read about here from my “back in the day” blog when I was a student at Ballymaloe Cookery School.

Now on to all the ‘best of’ places! Since it is nearly Christmas, and seriously, Dublin is one of the prettiest places this time of year, what with the Grafton Street shopping and all the festive lights and decorations, and Brown Thomas‘ famous window displays….. Oh, and Bono (you know him from U2) and some famous friends often do a bit of holiday busking around there as well! So, I am going to give you a lil gift of my own! I am going to give you a plethora of choices in each of the categories!

Places to stay:

Splurge: While you can’t go wrong with a classic like The Shelbourne (I mean it is a 5 star legend) the Marker is making its own mark (corny pun intended). Situated just south of the main city center right on the Grand Canal Docks, it is very posh and super hot right now. I haven’t stayed there but know people who have and they rave about it. I was there simply to purchase some Cronuts. They were the first place in Dublin making and selling the wildly popular cross between a donut and a croissant. And it is important for me to maintain my up to the minute research on all new food trends (LOL). They were running a promotion where by if you bought one of their limited edition boxes of cronuts you might have a chance of finding a golden ticket inside. The golden ticket would allow you to book a reservation in the hotel bar. Right! That is how busy this place is! While my food research was a success, no golden ticket was found!

But I think having stayed at the Shelbourne back in 1995, and having dined there on numerous occasions (I particularly love their High Tea time) it really is a nice traditional and sophisticated place. It went under major renovations a few years ago and is the ‘go to’ for all the celebs and dignitaries in town. Plus it is situated right on St. Stephen’s Green. So you could go for a lovely walk through the park, feed the ducks, then head over to the Little Museum of Dublin for a true telling of the story of Dublin through their thoughtful exhibits.

Mild on the old pocketbook: The Schoolhouse or The Dean are both excellent choices in this category. Before moving to Dublin, Hubby and I took a reconnoissance trip to finalize his work commitment and look for housing. We stayed at the Schoolhouse and it will always have fond memories for me. It is super quiet, convenient and I love that it is converted from an historic schoolhouse. While I haven’t stayed at The Dean I have been there for parties and dining. It is not quiet at all (but they have a disclaimer on their website) because this place is happening and in the midst of one of the most trendy areas of the city. But it is very hip and I love the decor, food and drinks. I do want to stay there one of these trips back to Dublin, just so I can go on the swing that is in the entrance to the Sophie’s dining room. Which by the way, besides The Guinness Storehouse, Sophie’s has the best view of Dublin!

Cheap and Cheerful: B&Bs truth be told are really the best way to get the essence of the Irish warmth and hospitality. This tiny island nation isn’t called the “Land of a Thousand Welcomes” for nothing. It would behoove your wallet and your experience to let a lovely Irish household serve you a nice pot of tea and a full Irish (breakfast that is) before sending you off to do your sightseeing. Cuz you’ll get loads of great chat and craic that you won’t get at any where else! Check out Trip Advisor for suggestions or the link at the beginning of this paragraph for options.

Places to eat:

When I announced to my family and friends back in 2006 that I was going to sell my house in L.A. and move to Ireland for cooking school they said, “Whaaaaat? As in Irish Stew and Irish Soda Bread Country?” But they just didn’t know the truth! Ireland (and of course I am biased) is an amazing foodie gem in the world. Sure the restaurants are still up and coming, but it is the raw ingredients that are phenomenal and are seen on menus all around the globe at the finest restaurants. Irish dairy, particularly cheese and butter (hello Kerrygold), fish (particularly smoked salmon), grass fed meat (yes that includes the amazing lamb for stew) and produce (particularly Wexford strawberries in summer) are the best in the world!! And all of the suggestions of places to eat are those who highlight what is best about Irish food. Thank goodness I myself was blessed to have gone to one of the best cookery schools in the world. Darina Allen and family provide a curriculum focused on the importance of sustainability and seasonality of real, whole and natural food. Today there are a handful of fab foodies in Dublin continuing to spread the word through their cookbooks and videos, such as Susan Jane White and Donal Skehan.

Since Avoca is better known as my “happy place” I had to include this. They have several locations around Dublin (though the original, which was a woolen factory, is in Co. Wicklow) and all have food halls for a quick bite, or sit down cafes for a more leisurely meal. And though I am not a shopper, they do have some pretty gorgeous clothes and gifts, so you could pick up a few bits and pieces while you are there. As well K.C. Peaches, which was started by an American woman who was living in Dublin, has sprouted to include several locations around town. Tasty food at a decent price, and you can pop it all in a “take away” container to eat on the run, or dine it, your choice.

Johnnie Fox’s is under the places to eat category, but bonus, it is also something to do! They are famous for their “Hooley Nights”. It is situated in the Dublin mountains, hence it brags it is the highest pub in the city! The food is pretty darn good for pub food, and the musical backdrop is super fun! In fact, I have been so many times now I know all the musicians by name! There is a traditional Irish dancing segment (think Riverdance but a bit smaller) just to get your heart pounding with the steps.

Here is a pic from one of the many trips to Johnnie Fox’s my “go to” place to take out of town visitors!

Dylan McGrath was all the rage when we moved to Dublin in 2008. His restaurant Mint had earned a Michelin Star and he earned a reputation for his kitchen antics. But before we could even get a booking the restaurant closed. However, Dylan bounced back and now has several restaurants around that are equally fabulous. I love the concept of Rustic Stone and have dined there several times. The food was so healthy, delicious and seasonal (we ordered an entire meal of beets, served various ways). I have also dined in Fade Street Social and attended functions there as well. There is a great buzz and tasty nibbles and snacks.

Restaurant Patrick Guilbaud and Chapter One are both Michelin Star restaurants (three and one respectively). Both are definitely on the pricy side, but you will not be disappointed. It is a treat well worth splurging for in my opinion. Patrick Guilbaud is fancier and more French influenced (not surprisingly since the owner is French). Chapter One is elegant but a bit more casual feeling. And the cool thing about Chapter One is there is the option of dining at the Chef’s Table which is situated in the kitchen, so you can see all the excitement right there in the control room! Hubby treated me to both for birthday dinners (Patrick Guilbaud in 2008 and Chapter One in 2012) and I can still remember each dining experience like it was yesterday. The dishes were beautifully presented and the taste was exquisite. Fun fact, both have had their food photographed by my fav Barry McCall (see pic on my About page). When you’re finished dining, why not purchase one of the cookbooks as a souvenir and continue to savor the meal while drooling over Barry’s unctuous photos!

DSCN1952 — No that isn’t a spotlight! That was our waiter at Patrick Guilbaud trying to snap a pic of Hubby and I after our amazing dinner!

Things to do:

It isn’t a surprise that the Guinness Storehouse is the number one tourist attraction in Dublin. My son (who is now 30) said when I took him there for the first time, “Mom this is Disneyland for grown ups!” He even showed his excitement on his first visit when he got to test his hand at pouring the perfect pint! He’s been multiple times at this juncture, and one time in particular when he and his wife were visiting us in Dublin, he challenged her to a Guinness “pour off” contest!

And when you are over in that part of Dublin checking out Guinness why not pop in to the Jameson Whiskey Factory for a tour of their original premises. And you get a booze blanket to boot! I didn’t know what that was. But when I took my son there and tasted the whiskey for the first time I said, “Hey Hun, my legs feel warm” and that was when he enlightened me to the benefits of whiskey!

Trinity College which houses the Book of Kells is a must see whenever I have guests visiting. The Long Room in the Library is breathtaking and the beauty of the incredibly detailed illumination of the Book of Kells (the books of the Gospels) is an experience not to be missed! As well, for any history buffs or anyone interested in human rights, the Kilmainham Gaol (a former prison) is a powerful and haunting journey back in time to see what the early Irish patriots suffered.

DSCN0580 — Looking into one of the cells from the peep hole, and its ‘s touching to see that a prisoner had painted the image of Our Lady on the wall.

DSCN0586 — Hubby sitting inside a cell reflecting on what it must have been like.

While Dublin is fascinating with loads to do, it is also small in comparison to other major cites. That is a good thing because it means you can get away for a day trip that isn’t too far, but yet you feel like you’ve gone to another whole land all together. I tell people all the time that if you only see Dublin, than you haven’t experienced the whole essence of Ireland. It is important to see some of the vibrant greens and smell the fresh country air. Yet when folks are on a short stay they think it isn’t possible to leave Co. Dublin. But I say YES it is!

There are two places I recommend (and depending, you can do one or both, but not in the same day) and one of them is Glendalough. It is the ancient monastic site of St. Kevin and is tucked away in the most beautifully green and wooded area on a lake in Co. Wicklow, just south of Dublin. Wild Wicklow Tours offers great rates and picks up at convenient locations around Dublin. Plus they make a pit stop at my happy place along the way, Avoca! Helllooo people! And it is always a hoot to take the Paddywagon!

Now finally we shall end where we started and that is with Newgrange in Co. Meath. Promise me you will go? I will even offer to be your tour guide! You don’t need to rent a car to get there either as there are many day bus tours that go out there. Mary Gibbons operates tours there, from Dublin City Center, which are recommended by Rick Steves. Here are just three pics (taken at separate times) out of the many visitors I have introduced to Newgrange (top pics left to right: my son, my daughter and granddaughter, bottom: my brother).

If I could only spend my life in one place for eternity it would be Ireland. While my family hails from the Western part of the country (Galway and Sligo) I found our time in Dublin to be fun, enriching and yes sometimes challenging. But I can hardly wait to move back! And I encourage anyone and everyone to make it a point to travel there. It is a city rich with history, music, art, food and literature (some of the greatest writers in the world have come from Dublin). I think it is one of the best places to go for a long weekend get away. You will not only pack in loads of things to do, but you will also take away the most incredible memories… mainly of the wonderful Irish people!

Is breá liom tú ireland,

YDP

P.S. Just to note, I am not getting paid or compensated for any of these recommendations. They come from my heart. But if you read the ABCs of YDP you’ll understand.

Recipe: Foodie Fieldtrip Friday Ottolenghi Style

December 18, 2015November 18, 2016 ~ Harper220

Have you ever had a food attachment? What I mean is have you ever felt so happy with a flavor of a certain dish, or type of cuisine, that you would want it for your last meal, for your first meal, and for your “stranded on a desert island” meal? Well pretty much that sums up my feelings about anything that is made and served at Ottolenghi in London. This isn’t the first you’ve heard me go on about it. I included Ottolenghi (and two of their off shoot restaurants) on YDP’s “best of” short list for London . So for today’s Foodie Fieldtrip Friday, I thought why not bring along my snapchat friends (username: blissbakery) on a little tour of three of their outstanding food establishments. Because seeing photos and reading about it is one thing, but to get actual video too would be the next step before an “in person” visit. Can you tell I am trying to get all the folks in snapchat land to come over here for a giant Ottolenghi food festival!?

Why am I so enamored you ask? Because food, in my opinion, is personal and emotional. Sure most people would describe it as a nutritional substance, which it is, from a purely physical aspect. But food, and all that goes with it (the prepping, cooking, eating, etc.) can also evoke feelings. And when you eat food that has good “feelings” somehow it just tastes better. Alright, maybe for some it is a matter of how quickly they can skoff a burger before they meet up with their pals. But for foodies, like me, cooking or eating a meal is almost ritualistic in nature. I suspect that even people who put their hand to their mouth without ever thinking about the food that is going in, still get a happy twinge when they taste their granny’s special apple pie. Or they may even feel loved when they walk into their mom’s kitchen smelling all the aromas while she is cooking her famous Christmas dinner. And that my friends is the essence I get from anything I’ve tasted from Yotom Ottolenghi or Sami Tamimi. The upshot is, you can feel the love in their food.

Yotam-and-Sami-_MG_2117 — The nicest guys you’d ever meet! Yotam (left) and Sami (right)

Sami is completely self trained as a chef, giving credit to his late mother for his food inspiration. Yotam is a professionally trained chef, having studied at Le Cordon Blue. But their reverence for quality ingredients, respect for classical cooking, yet embracing innovation and blending of unique flavors is what makes their food empire so special. Though both originally from the Holy Land, they met and began their restaurant venture in London. When I met them last year at the Ballymaloe Lit Fest I asked how they have been able to bridge the proverbial political gap of an Israeli and a Palestinian working together to run a successful business? They said it probably wouldn’t have happened if they were still in Jerusalem. But they have written an ode to their motherland, a tour de force cookery book called Jerusalem.

There have actually been several other books published along the way as well: Ottolenghi, Plenty, Plenty More and the latest is NOPI. So I decided to head to their restaurant NOPI in the Soho area of London for the first stop on the tour.

I arrived at 11:30 and had a lovely poached egg and mushrooms on sourdough toast for a late breakfast. The mushrooms were beautiful, earthy and satisfying. And the poached egg was ethereal and perfectly cooked. The egg yolk made a nice runny design down the mound of mushrooms when I cut into it. Heaven on a plate!

After a tour around the restaurant I met Angelo the head chef. He kindly helped me with some Za’atar spices that I had been looking for in order to make the famous Ottolenghi Butternut Squash and Red Onion recipe (below). I enjoyed a lovely almond milk cappuccino made by Vytas, but I passed on having dessert (I needed to save room). Sometimes it is the little things a restaurant does that is so impressive, like the brass ring on the plate with the check. Love that touch! I left to go to destination #2 but not before taking some snaps of the gorgeous platters of salad being set up on display for the lunch crowd. So vibrant!

I toured around Chinatown on my way to Covent Garden to the baby of the Ottlenghi family called Sesame. It is a melting pot of Mediterranean street food flavors and is a great option to the unhealthy fast food that permeates Western society. I’ve been numerous times since they opened in April and love having something to eat that is quick, but also good for you! But when I arrived there I saw the place had been boarded up. I was in a state of shock and disbelief.

I called NOPI where I had just dined and asked what happened and they told me that it had just closed the day before. I was able to find a public notice through the Sesame twitter page. I got so emotional. Absolutely gutted! Then I happened to see people leaving Sesame through a side door and talked to them. They worked there and were in the process of packing things up. They shared their sadness as well, but also seemed optimistic. They said that Covent Garden turned out to be a challenging location for the type of fare they offered, and that they would reopen after the New Year somewhere else. God bless them! It just shows that even a company that is at the top of success in its industry can still face difficulties. The food business is a tough one, but the Ottolenghi brand is super strong and with the kind of positivity they have, they will weather this little blip. I can hardly wait for them to reopen in their new location! Wherever it may be, I’ll find them and be the first customer!

Next I traveled to the Belgravia location of the classic Ottolenghi deli and my spirits were lifted, as well as my taste buds. Remember, I didn’t have dessert at NOPI and I have a massive sweet tooth. So I helped myself to a yummy taster of flourless chocolate cookies. And then I proceeded to buy the whole shop (nearly) getting all sorts of Christmas gifts and some food for dinner. I bought lovely veggie focaccia bread pizza and a broccoli salad (with a kick) for Hubby and my dinner and movie night at home!

Then of course I had to get an amazing coconut macaroon and beautiful parsnip and pecan cake for afters. Though the shop is quite small, it is packed with goodness. The colors of the salads piled high on crisp white platters is overwhelming. And the front window is bursting with the most incredible looking treats such as giant meringues and mini fruit tarts. There are also deli locations in Notting Hill, Islington, and a sit down restaurant in Spitalfields.

FullSizeRender-17 — If you can’t find Za’atar in your local store, it is available to purchase online through Ottolenghi’s website by clicking the next link.

And now on to the fabulous Ottolenghi recipe with the special Za’atar spices! For those of you who may not know, it is a combination of herbs from the Middle East and is even Biblically referenced. Here is how the dish is described by the amazing chefs Yotam and Sami:

“If you want a vegetarian dish to make an impact on the table, this does the job – it looks great and has really complex flavors.”

Roasted Butternut Squash and Red Onion with Tahini and Za’atar

Serves 4

Ingredients:

1 large butternut squash (around 1.1kg), cut into 2cm x 6cm wedges
2 red onions, cut into 3cm wedges
50ml olive oil
Maldon sea salt and black pepper
3½ tbsp tahini paste
1½ tbsp lemon juice
3 tbsp water
1 small garlic clove, crushed
30g pine nuts
1 tbsp za’atar
1 tbsp roughly chopped parsley
Method:

Heat the oven to to 220C/425F/gas mark 7. Put the squash and onions in a large bowl, add three tablespoons of oil, a teaspoon of salt and some black pepper, and toss well. Spread, skin down, on a baking sheet and roast for 40 minutes until the vegetables have taken on some colour and are cooked through. Keep an eye on the onions: they may cook faster than the squash, so may need to be removed earlier. Remove from the oven and leave to cool.

Put the tahini in a small bowl with the lemon juice, water, garlic and a quarter-teaspoon of salt. Whisk to the consistency of honey, adding more water or tahini as necessary.

Pour the remaining oil into a small frying pan on a medium-low heat. Add the pine nuts and half a teaspoon of salt, cook for two minutes, stirring, until the nuts are golden brown, then tip the nuts and oil into a small bowl.

To serve, spread the vegetables on a platter and drizzle over the sauce. Scatter the pine nuts and oil on top, followed by the za’atar and parsley.

This is my result folks! The dish is so simple to make yet the depth of flavors and textures is incredible. It is light and also filling at the same time. The colors are eye popping and look great on a platter to be served family style.

Each and every element of this dish is well thought out to add its own distinctive flavor and texture, yet coming together as one. And the Za’atar is the “spicing on the cake” love it!

It was quite cathartic to make this dish as I was feeling very emotional about what happened to Sesame. But I have such admiration for them and they have really inspired me and my cooking. I just want the best for them and wish them even more success to come. The cool thing is Sami usually refers to the “Ottolenghi family” in his social media posts. Because there really are so many vital people involved, he wants to share the credit of the success of the business, which is so lovely and humble.

I really hope that if you ever come to London that you will visit one of their restaurants or delis. And if you can’t make it this far, bring Ottolenghi style to your world by trying out one of their fabulous and healthy recipes. You really will feel the LOVE!

Respectful and peaceful love, אַהֲבָה + الحب

YDP

P.S. as I have stated before in the ABC of YDP I am not a food photographer or stylist. So apologies to Ottolenghi and Co. as I know your dishes look much better than I have been able to recreate here. But they still tasted amazing!

Yankee Doodle Paddy

America + Ireland = LOVE

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Recipe: Foodie Fieldtrip Friday Ottolenghi Style