Chilli and and cheese hot cross buns from Marks and Spencer
Can you name a more traditional Easter food than hot cross buns? They were typically eaten to mark the end of Lent; being made of all those delicious foods given up over that period. Marks & Spencer have launched their Chilli & Cheese hot cross buns that are hot in two senses of the word: they have a “two-chilli” rating. Best enjoyed toasted and buttered with cheese, or as a brunch bun; filled with bacon and fried egg. If they are a bit too hot for you to handle, M&S also have Salted Caramel, Chocolate and Bramley Apple hot cross buns.
A pack of four buns costs €2.40. See www.marksandspencer.com
Pure Treats
Many of us could do with cutting down on our sugar intake; now you can have your cake and eat it. Siblings Robert and Denise Hallam created PURE Treats after Robert was told that, for him, sugar was off the menu. He started researching natural sugar replacements. PURE treats are a new, low-sugar brand which has launched a range of mini cakes. These cakes are produced in Ireland and are naturally sweetened with no compromise on flavour. Each mini cake contains less than half a teaspoon of sugar, so they are a treat with slow-releasing sugars and have fewer calories than your average sugary snack. The PURE Treats range is now available in Dunnes Stores, SuperValu and Avoca outlets.
Phaidon: An Irish Cookbook
JP McMahon recently published Phaidon: An Irish Cookbook and was on a book tour of North America when the COVID-19 measures came into place; cutting his trip short. More than just a cookbook, Phaidon delves deeply into Ireland’s culinary history, which dates back thousands of years. For anyone interested in history, the development of food culture and how ingredients, nature and hospitality all shape the way we eat, this cookbook is well worth purchasing.
Signed copies can be purchased online at www.aniarrestaurant.ie
Café culture
If you’re dealing with social distancing by dreaming up your next Irish roadtrip, the Sligo Food Trail recently launched their Café Culture video series, each featuring a different café on the food trail. From Pudding Row’s famous Victoria sponge slices (see image) to The Jam Pot Café’s gorgeous breakfast plates, you can plan your next foodie trip along the Wild Atlantic Way by tuning in.
Check out these videos and much more at www.sligofood trail.ie
Le Creuset cookware
Le Creuset have been making beautiful cookware for almost 100 years and, over time, have increased their product line significantly from their signature Flame Orange colour. Most recently, Le Creuset have launched three stunning new shades to their collection: Meringue, Shell Pink and Sage. These pretty pastels are available just in time for Easter with a colour to suit anyone’s character: meringue to go with everything, pink (to make the boys wink) and sage for the cool, calm customer. These colours, along with a rainbow-full of others, are available in Le Creuset shops and online.