Supermarket Sweep

I spent a whopping 4 hours shopping in the supermarket on Monday. One supermarket. In one go. Head went into melt-down so I had to leave for a few hours and come back and finish off for another couple. Spotting these packs made me happy though. Even had the store manager (my new bessie mate) round to have a look. Poor man.

I know. Talking about Denny yet again.

While on the Denny subject...Take a trip over to visit our fabulous friends at Wonderland WPA where they have a put together a case study on the packaging overhaul (scroll to the right when on the page). Can I just confirm that I did not food style that last plate of breakfast in the top right! I can only guess that was on Creative Director Nik's desk when he was putting the page together.

Irish Restaurant Awards 2010

Congratulations to my parents, Ciaran & Anne (Mr. & Mrs. H) for scooping the best Gastro pub award for Co. Wexford for their seafood bar & restaurant, The Lobster Pot. The Irish Restaurant Awards held their Leinster awards on Tuesday evening at a glitzy affair, which I attended on behalf of the oldies (who couldn't make it as they were quite clearly too busy maintaining their high standards!). It was a great night and all the better for winning the award of course....never mind that I went on stage to Lady Gaga blaring out....rock on! I'll post the full winners list once it's published (can't remember due to wine brain). Everything is crossed now for the Award finals to be held on the 9th of June...

Denny bang on trend

Denny are bang up to date with connections on Facebook, Twitter and You Tube and with an army of followers to boot. To top that though, you can download this hilarious (in a 'going out of your mind' kind of way!) app to your iphone for free...

Another app I hear is well worth the few euros it costs to download is Jamie Oliver's. With easy recipes to follow with step by step instructions with photos and even a shopping list you can tick off too. Man-proof apparently!

Anyone know of any other fun foodie apps?!

UPDATE 20/APR/10: Nigella launches her new iphone cooking app today, Nigellas Quick Collection. Thanks to Pacific TV's tweet for the tip off!

Death by Easter Feasting

If you are not already keeling over from all the Easter Feasting then these chocolate squares are sure to tip you over the edge. This recipe is a great way to use up all that Easter chocolate (if there is even any left at this stage!). Mind you, definitely a heart attack warning on this one with 6 small Mars Bars melted in all that butter AND another 250g of chocolate on top. Sooooo naughty but soooo nice.

MARS BAR SQUARES

6 x 65g Mars Bars

200g butter

200g Rice Krispies

250g milk chocolate

Cut the Mars Bars and butter into small chunks and place in a saucepan. Put over a low heat, and stir with a balloon whisk until melted. Add the Mars Bar mixture to the Rice Krispies in a large bowl. Stir well, until all the ingredients are combined. Put into a lined tin and press down with the palm of your hand, until firm. Melt the chocolate. Pour over the rice Krispies, spread evenly and leave to set. When set, turn out onto a board and cut into squares.

Photo: Jack Caffrey

Recipe: Neven Maguire for Country Living Magazine

Styling & Eating: Sharon Hearne-Smith

More Easter Feasting

Photography: Cliona O'Flaherty

Styling: Sharon Hearne-Smith

Assistant: Aoife Herrity

Recipe: Hugo Arnold for Food & Wine Magazine

I hope you're having a fun and food filled Easter Weekend. Here is a really delicious recipe for melt in the mouth lamb....

STEAMED LAMB WITH WHITE WINE AND ROSEMARY

1.5kg leg and shouler of lamb (Ask the butcher to bone out the shoulder part)

olive oil

12 garlic cloves

3 sprigs rosemary

200ml white wine

salt and pepper

Heat 4 tablespoons of olive oil in a large casserole dish and brown the meat evenly. Add the garlic cloves and rosemary to the hot oil. Cook for 2 minutes and then add the white wine.

Season the meat with salt and pepper.

Turn the heat to very low and cover. Cook slowly for 1 1/2 - 2 hours or until the meat is tender and falls off the bone. You will need to turn the meat occasionally. If the liquid looks like drying out, add a glass of water. When the meat is cooked allow to rest, and pour any juices in the pan over the meat.

Easter Feasting

Photography: Cliona O'Flaherty

Food & Prop Styling: Moi

Model & Assistant: Aoife Herrity

Recipe: Hugo Arnold for Food & Wine Magazine

I hope you have a super Easter weekend. So, being Good Friday we shouldn't be indulging in meat or booze. I can't commit to either I'm afraid. If you're being more saintly than me then this fresh and healthy vegetarian recipe is a good start....

GRILLED COURGETTE SALAD WITH FETA, MINT AND BROAD BEANS

1 kg broad beans

6 courgettes, thinly sliced lengthways

1/2 tsp picked thyme leaves

zest and juice of 1 lemon

olive oil

150g feta

bunch mint

Peel the broad beans and plunge into well-salted boiling water for two minutes. Drain, allow to cool and peel. Set aside.

Chargrill the courgettes until just marked, transfer to a bowl and season with salt and pepper and toss with the thyme, lemon juice and zest and 3 tablespoons of olive oil.

Fold the courgettes on to plates. Scatter over the broad beans, feta and mint and serve.