Healthy cheat’s pizza

Posted in Dinner, Lunch by Niav Halpin

This ‘pizza’ is the fastest, easiest meal you could ever make and so tasty as well. I use tortilla wraps as pizza bases and they make a lovely thin and crispy crust. They are also a whole lot healthier (and cheaper) than frozen or takeaway pizzas. I made this twice this week, varying it by using different cheeses. I used Buffalo Mozzarella on the one in the picture but goat’s cheese or cheddar cheese work really well also. They are great when you need to make something quickly and for using up leftovers as you only need small quantities of the toppings (depending on how many you are making of course!). Children and teenagers love ‘dressing’ their own pizzas – in my house everyone has different tastes so they make their own. My son, for example doesn’t like cheese so he makes his pizza with lots of peppers, salami, pepperoni etc. My own favourite is goat’s cheese, caramelised onion jam / marmalade, asparagus and rocket. You need to use two tortilla wraps to make the base firm enough. Once you top it with the tomato purée you can be as creative as you like. They take approx. 10 mins in an oven heated to 160°C / 325°F.

Ingredients for 1 pizza

2 tortilla wraps (preferably wholemeal)
Tomato purée or passata
Mixed peppers, diced
Black olives, sliced
Buffalo Mozzarella
Olive Oil
Rocket

Place two wraps on a baking tray
Spread with tomato purée making sure the surface of the wrap is fully covered
Scatter peppers, olives and torn mozzarella plus any other toppings on top
Drizzle with a little olive oil
Bake in the oven for 10 mins until the cheese is melted and bubbling
Serve with rocket scattered across the top and a further drizzle of oil (optional)

17Sep2015

My food and fitness journey!

Posted in Fit Food by Niav Halpin

A couple of years ago I was in a big of a slump and I decided that I needed to make a few changes in my life so I (voluntarily) said goodbye to a career in financial services that had spanned 36 years. While I was mulling over my future career I decided to try and get in shape, now that I had the time and also because it was now or never! For the previous 2 years I had begun swimming 2/3 mornings a week. While I felt I was reasonably aerobically fit I wanted to try and see if I could become even fitter and stronger (despite my age!) and lose some of that excess around my midriff! Continue reading →

12Sep2015

Lemon Curd Cupcakes

Posted in Recipes, Sweet Treats by Niav Halpin

These delicious, light pillows of soft lemony sponge couldn’t be easier to make, just put all the ingredients into a food processor or mixer and whizz for 1-2 mins. Done! The lemon curd filling turns ordinary cupcakes into something really special.

Lemon curd is widely available to buy but I urge you to give making your own a try – it is absolutely yummy, really easy to make and will keep for approx. 2 weeks in the fridge. Great to use as a cake filling but also delicious and very ‘moreish’ spread on fresh bread as an alternative to jam! Continue reading →

9Sep2015

Butternut Squash & Coconut Soup

Posted in Lunch, Recipes by Niav Halpin

I felt like the need for a warm, comforting soup during the last week as I found myself shivering with the sudden, early arrival of Autumn. This delicious soup is creamy, rich and full of flavour. You will be pleasantly surprised at how quick and easy it is to make. Butternut squash is one of those rare vegetables that keeps for ages in the vegetable drawer so it is something I would always have in stock. I always like to have coconut milk in my press as well so I can make this soup without having to go shopping! This will last in the fridge for 2-3 days. Continue reading →

2Sep2015

Flapjacks

Posted in Lunch, Sweet Treats by Niav Halpin

These tasty, healthy ‘back to school’ flapjacks are quick and easy to make and perfect for a lunch box or snack. I like to put these in my teenage daughter’s school lunchbox along with some cheese, fruit and a sandwich. They are great for anyone who has to eat ‘on the go’ and / or re-fuel after exercise when you want to try to avoid sugary snacks. You can play around with the basic recipe and add fruit, nuts and / or seeds depending on what you have available or just to vary them according to your own tastes. The recipe uses coconut oil which is a good, healthy source of saturated fat and oats which provide a slow release of energy. Continue reading →

25Aug2015

Smoked Salmon with soft boiled egg and quinoa

Posted in Breakfast, Fit Food, Lunch, Recipes by Niav Halpin

If you haven’t tried quinoa before I urge you to buy some this weekend and include it in your diet from now on. Quinoa is a great source of protein, fibre and is rich in minerals, B-vitamins and vitamin E. It cooks in 15 minutes and is also wheat-free, gluten-free and contains anti-inflammatory compounds. I am a big fan because it is so versatile, adds protein and substance to salads to make them more filling and satisfying (fuller for longer!) plus it’s a keeper i.e. cooked quinoa keeps in the fridge for 2-3 days. It doesn’t have a huge amount of flavour in itself(same as pasta or rice) but has a nice nutty flavour and fluffy texture. This quick lunch was made from some left-over white quinoa to which I piled on some beautiful Irish organic smoked salmon and a soft boiled egg. This would also make a great breakfast. It was topped off with some of my homemade mayonnaise (see previous post) to which I added some chopped dill. You will also find another recipe using quinoa in a previous post – Butternut Squash & Quinoa salad.

Continue reading →

22Aug2015

Homemade real Mayonnaise

Posted in Sauces by Niav Halpin

I always thought for some reason that making your own mayonnaise was difficult. Then recently I was in Ballymaloe Cookery School where Rory O’Connell showed us how to make it as part of his ‘How to Cook Well’ course. I couldn’t believe how easy it was and I made a promise to myself never to buy a jar of mayonnaise again. I am hoping that when you read this that you will have a go and do the same. Continue reading →

12Aug2015

My Grandmother’s Orange Cream

Posted in Sweet Treats by Niav Halpin

Ok so you are feeling under the weather, not sure what you want to eat but know you should eat something. What you need is my Grandmother’s Orange Cream. This recipe is one that has been handed down through the generations in our family and is the ‘go to’ dish for anyone who is ‘off’ their food or just not themselves. It is tasty, nourishing, goes down so easily and gently that you are guaranteed to feel a little bit better after eating it. Of course, you don’t need to be feeling ill to eat it, this is delicious any day of the week, in fact this is my daughter’s favourite dessert. Make it in one large bowl or in smaller individual bowls or glasses just like you would with jelly. Continue reading →

5Aug2015

Eating out in Dublin

Posted in Eating Out in Dublin by Niav Halpin

I love eating out, these are some of my favourite places to eat. I like good food and good value and I will add to the list as I try out new places so I can share them with you.

Dublin City Centre

Etto, Merrion Row, Dublin 2

This small restaurant is close to Ely Place just off St Stephen’s Green. It has won many awards, most recently the award for Best Casual Dining in Dublin in the Irish Restaurant 2015 Awards. The menu can seem unusual at first sight, it is adventurous but this is what makes it wonderful and every morsel is considered and delicious. I have been there 3 times this year for lunch which is fantastic value – 2 courses for €20 and 3 courses for €25. The dessert of prunes with mascarpone is to die for!

Forest Avenue, Sussex Road, Dublin 4

This restaurant is a little out of the city centre, it is beside O’Brien’s pub in Leeson Street however it is well worth going just a little out of your way to experience the food here. They use fresh, seasonal ingredients in a really creative way, with great attention to detail. I have been there with friends for some lovely long lunches and I can’t wait to go back as the menu changes regularly. The value is outstanding – 2 courses for €22 , 3 courses for €27 and they even serve an amuse bouche which is you don’t normally get in this price bracket. Below is my starter of smoked beef skirt, black walnut, lovage and pickles and main course of lamb, roast asparagus, wild garlic, salt baked kohlrabi and romesco sauce. Both were delicious and as you can see beautifully presented.

Amuse, Dawson Street, Dublin 2

If you love food you have to eat here – the experience and the value are second to none. As a word of caution it won’t suit anyone who considers a meal to be the mandatory “meat and two veg”, the experience would be totally wasted on them to be honest. I would also recommend that you go there soon as I am sure that there are great things ahead for the chef, Conor Dempsey and you will not get this quality of food at these prices anywhere else in Dublin. 2 courses are €24 and 3 courses €29. The food is stunning and unusual in that it is an exciting blend of Asian and French flavours that will stimulate your taste buds like never before, and the attention to detail is mind-boggling. Below are some photos of our desserts and of the wonderful macarons that they served with coffee. There is nothing more for me to say other than “what are you waiting for?”

Terra Madre, 13a Bachelors’ Walk, Dublin 1

This is the kind of place you need to seek out – while it is in the centre of Dublin, it is not easy to find and quite easy to walk past. Business depends on word of mouth rather than on passing trade so the fact that it has been around for a few years is a sign that they are doing something right. I would urge anyone who loves good food to give this place a try – when you are there you really feel you away from all the hustle and bustle of the city, the shops and all the traffic on the quays outside. When you first look inside you may be put off as the interior is what I would call ‘rustic’ with mismatched tables and chairs. I went there with my teenage daughter who didn’t want to stay as she didn’t like the look of it however I convinced her to give it a try as I had heard good things about it and it had been on my list of places to try for a while. She was pleasantly surprised proving that appearances can be deceiving!

The menu is limited to 4 or 5 starters and main courses. We shared a starter of a ball of mozzarella which was in the centre of a large plate beautifully decorated with small blobs of pesto, sundried tomato and anchovies. The mozzarella was nothing like I have ever had before and no resemblance to the rubbery tasteless version sold in most of our supermarkets here. It was creamy, delicious and to die for – it is worth a trip here just to try this alone.

For main course we both had a pasta dish each – ravioli stuffed with black truffle and cheese and the other little parcels of pasta filled with beef braised in red wine. Both delicious but the ravioli was our absolute favourite.

If you like quality food simply cooked then you will really enjoy this place.

Tip: Take note of the address before you go – 13a Bachelors Walk, between the Halfpenny Bridge and O’Connell Street and it is in a basement rather than at street level.

KC Peaches (Nassau St., St Stephen’s Green, Dame St)

I love this place for lunch in Dublin city – this is my kind of food – healthy, fresh, tasty and reasonably priced. It is a great spot to meet with friends during your lunch hour as you can get in and out quickly or it is just as easy to linger a bit longer when you can treat yourself to one of their wonderful sweet treats if you fancy that too.

It is a bit confusing when you go in first and try to work out what the system is, this can be a bit overwhelming but don’t be put off, any member of staff will explain it. You can choose either a small, medium or large plate and you pay a fixed price based on the size of the plate and whether you are having hot or cold food. So you can pile it high if you want (and some people do!) and you still pay the same price. The emphasis is on healthy, wholesome, fresh and tasty food. The difficulty I have is that I usually want to try everything, particularly the salads. The salads are very popular as they do a take-away option using small, medium and large boxes. If it happens to be a nice Summer’s day this is particularly popular in the Nassau Street branch as people take their boxed lunch and go across the road to sit and eat it in the beautiful grounds in Trinity College. They also do very interesting looking sandwiches and soups but personally I have never got past the salad bar! There are 3 of these in Dublin now – Stephen’s Green, Nassau Street and Dame Street. There is lots of seating in both Nassau St and Dame Street on different floors so a great spot to meet someone and be reasonably confident you will get a table.

PS – Watch out for great value deals for dinner in the Nassau Street branch on websites like MenuPages.

1Aug2015

Mini Pancakes

Posted in Breakfast, Sweet Treats by Niav Halpin

Wondering what to have for a lazy breakfast this weekend ? Why not treat yourself and try these easy to make pancakes. These are a real favourite in our house for breakfast, lunch / brunch, we love them too with Bucks Fizz on Christmas morning every year. They are quick and much easier to make than the thin traditional pancakes and I bet that once you master these you may never bother with the thin more labour intensive pancakes. These are easy for kids to make too – not a bad rainy day activity? They are wonderfully versatile… you can serve them with crispy bacon & maple syrup, a squeeze of lemon & some sugar or your own favourite toppings e.g. golden syrup, chocolate spread, raspberry jam etc. You do need to have a reasonably good non-stick pan that you use only for making pancakes and / or omelettes. The recipe will make approx. 20 pancakes but the mixture will keep overnight in the fridge, if you don’t want to make them all at once or rather eat them all at once! One thing guaranteed is that whatever number you make, they will all be eaten! Continue reading →