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Archive for May, 2013

Life Mottos and Chicken Casserole

Posted in Recipes, tagged , , , , , , , , , on 31/05/2013| 3 Comments »

life-is-not-a-dress-rehearsal[1]My life has many mottos. For example:

Be Positive.

Go For It.

Stop Complaining and Start Doing.

Be the Change You Wish to See.

This is Not a Dress Rehearsal.

Sleep is One of God’s Greatest Gifts.

Everything in Moderation.

It’s all about Love.

Life is Short.

Breathe.

But the one motto I find myself quoting the most is:

wheel[1]

Which is exactly what I said to a friend recently when she asked if I wanted a copy of one of her “famous” recipes. What? Me? Want a great recipe…duhh! Of course I want it! I’m not too proud to serve my family a meal that’s been tried-and-tested and family-approved by someone I call friend.

Sure, not having to reinvent the wheel at supper time is what has kept my little family well fed this past {crazy busy} month! If I’d been left to my own devices, we’d have had more takeaways and pre-prepared meals than I care to admit.

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Last night, after having driven back and forth to the kids’ school not once, not twice, but three times, I came home and whipped up a chicken casserole made famous {in our home} by my girlfriend Linda Maguire. I have no idea where she got the recipe from or what it was originally called but it was/is delicious. Even better is that it’s simple to make: only one pot, no fussy ingredients, and not a lot of time spent in the kitchen. This is definitely my kind of recipe and it leads me to one final motto for today…

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Linda Maguire’s Chicken Casserole

Serves 4

Ingredients

4 skinless chicken breasts

1 onion, diced

2 carrots, peeled and diced

2 sticks of celery, diced

1 cup frozen peas

2 cups/1 pint good quality chicken stock

2 tablespoons olive oil

Directions

1. Heat the olive oil in a large stock pot on moderate heat.  Add the chicken and cook until all sides are lightly browned.

2. To the pot add the onions, carrots and celery and cook until softened.

3. Add the chicken stock.  Be sure to fully cover the chicken breasts in the stock.  If the suggested 2 cups/1 pint is not enough, add more.

4. Bring to the stock to a boil, reduce to a simmer, cover, and cook for 45-50 minutes or until the chicken is fully cooked.

5. Add the frozen peas to the casserole and cook for another 5-10 minutes.  Serve immediately over mashed potatoes, couscous or slices of warm rustic bread.

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Mad for Mars Bar Biscuits

Posted in Kids' Activities, Recipes, tagged , , , , , , , , , , on 15/05/2013| 9 Comments »

DSC_0428When you live in a home with three women, no day is complete until something a little sweet is served. It doesn’t have to be a fancy treat – like a slice of roulade or carrot cake. It just has to be satisfying.

I love the ease with which today’s recipe, Mars Bars Biscuits, can be made. Four ingredients, one pot on the hob (stove), and a tin for pressing these absolutely delicious bars into…that’s all it takes. There’s no baking and no fuss. In fact, this recipe is so simple, it’s ideal for making with children.

Technically these could be classified as an Irish tray bake. Interestingly, I’ve learned the term “tray bake” is more often used in Northern Ireland than in the Republic (the rest of Ireland). Biscuits, bars, tray bake…whatever you call them…they’ve been made famous in my neck of the woods by the very fashionable style emporium that is known as Avoca Handweavers. Any time I come home from Avoca my girls greet me at the door with “Did you bring home Rice Krispie treats?”.

DSC_0411These may seem a lot like Rice Krispie Squares, made with marshmallows, or Rice Krispie buns, made with chocolate, but they are entirely different. The Mars Bars (or Milky Way bars, if you live in America) give this treat the perfect chewiness and crunch that the other two lack. Assuming you like chocolate, I have no doubt you will enjoy these.

Mars Bar Biscuits

Makes about 12 large biscuits

Ingredients

390g/6-7 Mars Bars (Milky Way bars)

200g/13 tablespoons butter

200g/6 cups Rice Krispie cereal

300g good quality milk chocolate (or a combination of milk and dark chocolate)

Recipe

1. Line a 9″x 13″ or a 30cm x 20cm baking tin with parchment paper.

2. Cut the Mars Bars and butter into small pieces and place in a saucepan. Put over low heat and stir with a small balloon whisk until melted and well mixed.

3. Add the Mars Bars and butter mixture to the Rice Krispie cereal in a large bowl. Stir until ingredients are combined.

4. Spoon into the lined baking tin and press mixture with the back of the spoon to firm up shape.

5. Melt good quality chocolate over a saucepan of simmering water. Pour over the rice cereal, spread evenly with a palate knife, and allow to set.

6. When chocolate has set, and rice cereal has cooled, lift the content of the tin to a cutting board and slice into squares.

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Guinness Bread

Posted in Recipes, tagged , , , , , , , , , on 10/05/2013| 2 Comments »

Photo Credit: Wikimedia.org

Photo Credit: Wikimedia.org

Guinness: rich, gorgeous, creamy, the national drink of Ireland, available in over 100 countries, dark ruby-red (not black), better served in Ireland than anywhere else in the world…oh, how I’ve tried to like Guinness. Sadly, it’s just never happened. In twenty-plus years of living in Ireland, I have never enjoyed a pint or a glass of The Black Stuff.

But before you break out the tiny violins and tell me to stop whinging (whining), there is one exception to this no Guinness life. Hand me a slice of dark, rich, sweet Guinness bread and I’ll ask you for seconds before you’ve had a chance to slice off a piece for yourself and say, “Cheers!”

Mmmmm…Guinness Bread. It’s dense and packed with flavour and from the very first time I tasted it I was hooked.

DSC_0376And here’s the good news for you, my Dear Reader: you don’t have to live in Ireland to get a bit of this traditional Irish treat for yourself. And, what’s even better, is you don’t have to spend a day in the kitchen making it. Guinness bread is a “quick bread”, which means there’s no rising time. Just like soda bread or brown bread, Guinness bread can be mixed and baked in one hour.

It’s the perfect side to a hearty stew, a thick homemade vegetable soup or a toasted cheese and tomato sambo (sandwich). Sure, it’s even a great elevenses (morning snack) when served with a slathering of {Kerrygold} butter and a cup of tea.

The recipe I use comes from The Guinness Storehouse. Enjoy!

Guinness Bread

Makes One Loaf

Ingredients

4 cups/600g wholemeal flour

1 cup/150g self-raising flour

1/2 cup/75g porridge oats (rolled oats)

2 1/2 teaspoons bread soda (baking soda)

1 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons brown sugar (optional)

16oz/500ml buttermilk

6oz/200ml treacle (black strap molasses, if outside Ireland)

1 cup/1/2 pint Guinness

Directions

1. Pre-heat oven to 170°C/325°F. Lightly oil a bread pan and line with parchment paper.

2. Mix flours together with the oats, bread soda, salt and brown sugar. Be sure to smooth out any lumps with your fingers.

3. Make a well in the centre and add buttermilk, treacle and Guinness.

4. Mix together until all flour is incorporated: the consistency will be sloppy without being too wet.

5. Bake for 45 minutes or until done. Remove from bread pan, tap the bottom to check for doneness. If it sounds hollow, the bread is fully cooked. If not, place back in the oven and bake for another 10 minutes or so.

Related Articles:

Irish Beer Guide at http://www.today.com/id/23612523/ns/today-food/t/stout-ale-or-porter-essential-irish-beer-guide/

Guinness Cocktails at: http://blogs.browardpalmbeach.com/cleanplatecharlie/2013/03/guinness_cocktails_beginners_guide.php

Grilled Ham & Cheese Sandwich at http://www.theblackpeppercorn.com/2012/04/grilled-ham-and-cheese-on-guinness-bread/

Frequently Asked Guinness Questions at: http://www.guinness.com/en-row/faqs.html

Frothy Facts About Guinness at: http://www.curiousread.com/2010/03/10-frothy-facts-about-guinness-st.html

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Rhubarb Margaritas…Happy Cinco de Mayo

Posted in Recipes, tagged , , , , , , on 06/05/2013| 2 Comments »

Rhubarb Margaritas (17)Today’s post is a collision of two good things: Cinco de Mayo and the plethora of rhubarb growing in our garden. Yep, that’s right, in this Irish home we made Rhubarb Margaritas tonight and they were amazing. Forget that rhubarb is choc full of Vitamin C, high in fibre, and a good source of calcium…forget it altogether. The only thing you need to know about Rhubarb Margaritas is they are soooo good.

If you are of legal drinking age and you like margaritas…this recipe is one you need to try. I’d even go so far as to say that even if you don’t like rhubarb, you should try this.

The internet has oodles of strawberry rhubarb margarita recipes but truly I’d keep it simple and give the strawberries a miss. We’ll find another use for them.

So, that’s it Dear Readers. Today’s post is short and sweet. ¡Olé!

Rhubarb Margaritas

Makes 4 Drinks

Ingredients

1 cup Rhubarb simple syrup

1/2 cup fresh lime juice (about 8 limes)

1/2 cup tequila

1/2 cup Grand Marnier

Ice, crushed or whole

Directions

1. In a pitcher mix the first four ingredients and stir well.

2. Run one of the squeezed limes around the rim of four glasses. Dip each rim in sugar.

3. Fill glasses with ice and the rhubarb mix. If you decide to make frozen rhubarb margaritas, blend one to two cups of ice with the rhubarb mix.

4. Garnish with a slice of lime.

Rhubarb Margaritas (8)Rhubarb Simple Syrup

Makes About 3 Cups/24oz

Ingredients

1 lb rhubarb, chopped in small pieces

2 cups/16oz sugar

2 cups/1 pint water

Directions

1. Add rhubarb, sugar and water in a non-reactive pan.

2. Heat on medium heat and simmer until rhubarb is soft.

3. Place sterilised cheesecloth over a strainer, propped over a bowl. Pour rhubarb into cheesecloth and let drip through for about an hour. Let cool and keep in the fridge until ready to use.

Related articles

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Are we dressing appropriately for an epidemic?

Posted in Kids' Activities, tagged , , , , , on 01/05/2013| Leave a Comment »

As the mother of two daughters, this topic is close to my heart. I regularly give my girls the “parental once over” to be sure they don’t head out the door looking like “hoochie coochie” girls. Sometimes my emphatic “upstairs…change!” is met with an “ahh, mom, but this is what all the girls are wearing!” but I pay that no mind.

In Ireland, however, it’s not so much what girls wear to school that is the problem: most students have to wear long skirts. The greater concern comes with what they wear to the local discos (dances) and in Dublin that means The Old Wesley Disco (Wezz). High heels, short-shorts or mini-skirts are de rigueur and what kids get up to makes the girl in the super market look positively tame.

In part, the problem is role models. Why are we letting the likes of Rhianna and the Kardashians show our daughters how to behave or rather mis-behave? And, since I’m on a roll, when was the last time we looked at our own behaviour? I can’t tell you how many times I see a “yummy mummy” flashing her thong when she bends over to pick something up.

I agree with Stephany (who commented on this post) that the ultimate goal is to raise daughters who feel empowered by their ability to be smart, funny, kind. Turning heads by baring it all cheapens not only the girls we love but girls and women the world over. I really like this blog post because it gets us talking and thinking about our daughters…and our sons…no matter where they are living.

Thanks for writing Campari and Sofa!

Related Articles:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/09/27/rihanna-goes-topless-shocks-farmer_n_982766.html

http://www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/family/ask-the-expert-have-you-a-query-is-my-daughter-too-young-for-teenage-kicks-1.961447

http://www.thejournal.ie/readme/teen-disco-advice-769819-Apr2013/

sofagirl's avatarCampari and Sofa

vagendaskirtI was standing in line at my local supermarket the other day when the man behind me gasped. I looked up from the mag I was browsing, to see what had got his goat.

At the check-out till ahead of us was a young girl – bending over her groceries. Her dress had hoiked up so far, we could see where her sun doth shine.

I just shook my head – thinking, “Seriously girlfriend – at the supermarket” but then I realised she was her school uniform – and she was definitely not wearing regulation panties.

The girl was gorgeous in a Jerry Hall kind of way. Long, lean legs, tousled blonde mane, heavily mascara’d eyes. She would have looked fantastic in a flour sack. Yet here she was a sliver of a school dress. Buying chips and dip and coca cola. And flashing the shoppers.

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