Eggs — a local food for any time

Thu, Mar 19, 2009

With all the talk of an economic meltdown it’s easy to consider locally produced food as a luxury that is for many beyond reach. The truth of the matter is fortunately far different — it’s possible to walk into almost any shop in Galway and find locally produced free range eggs.

Galway has a number of egg producers ranging from Galway free range eggs, Corrib eggs, Rockland eggs, and Piggott Pearse and Sons of Gort. Eggs are possibly the ultimate fast food and are considered a nutritionally whole food as all essential nutrients can be found in an egg. A freshly laid hen’s eggs simply boiled for three minutes and served with hot buttered toast is a feast fit for any person and any occasion. Also due to eggs containing a high proportion of protein a simple boiled egg is an excellent way to keep hunger at bay. Interestingly when it comes to boiling an egg the one rule to follow is not to let the egg boil, but rather allow the water simmer in a very gentle way.

Pizza prize for Bistro Bianconi

Thu, Mar 19, 2009

A team from Galway-based pizza company Bistro Bianconi has scooped a coveted award for best non-traditional pizza at the World Pizza Games in Las Vegas.

Thai style chicken with noodles and chilli

Thu, Mar 19, 2009

Thai cookery is in many ways unequalled in producing fine broth type dishes. The use of lime leaf, lemongrass, and coriander which are often enhanced with coconut milk and basil can produce broths with incredible depth and style. Another advantage of poaching foods in a broth is the healthy benefits of this cookery style. Although coconut milk has a high fat content it can easily be substituted by a low fat alternative. Another great thing about Thai food is that once you master the basics of how to balance the various Thai spices and flavours it is easy to alter a dish to include fish and vegetables. Aubergines work very well in Thai cookery. Thai fish sauce or nam pla is essential to achieving an authentic Thai flavour. Don’t be put off by this strong smelling condiment — when used correctly it can make a good dish great. Another handy point when using Thai curry paste — the green paste is the hot one and the red paste is the mild.

Style Counsel

Thu, Mar 19, 2009

With the credit crunch it has become more important to make a full use of your wardrobe. Revamping and recycling your clothes is fast, easy, economical, and fun. You can create unique and original pieces without breaking the bank. You may have a couple of items that are a few seasons old and you are willing to get rid of them. Think of the possibilities you have to transform them onto fabulous new pieces — all you need is a couple of tools, your imagination, and my guidelines.

Clothes you’ll love at Kiss Boutiques

Thu, Mar 19, 2009

Visit Kiss Boutiques for stylish essentials and this season’s musts haves and you'll find something as unique as you, whatever your budget.

Hair removal doesn’t have to be the pits

Thu, Mar 19, 2009

Zap, zap, zap - I’m really beginning to just love that sound, seriously. It is the blissful dulcet tones of hair being removed from my pits and I’m just loving it.

Hair removal doesn’t have to be the pits

Thu, Mar 19, 2009

Zap, zap, zap - I’m really beginning to just love that sound, seriously. It is the blissful dulcet tones of hair being removed from my pits and I’m just loving it.

Expand your home with a conservatory

Thu, Mar 19, 2009

Here are some tips to decorate this new addition to your home. A conservatory is an extension of both your house and garden, so decorate it accordingly.

Remembering a ‘mum in a million’

Thu, Mar 19, 2009

When Mary Sweeney died in March 2006 her daughter’s greatest fear was that as time passed she would forget little things about her.

The Glynn Cup, 50 years on

Thu, Mar 12, 2009

Johnny Glynn was only 46 when he died on January 10 1959, midway through his term as president of the Irish Rugby Football Union. He was a director of Glynn’s famous fancy goods and toy shop on William Street (where you could buy tickets for rugby internationals). He was educated at the Bish, played rugby for Galwegians and Connacht (12 caps), became a well known referee, served in various offices including president of his club, and dedicated himself to the advancement of the game of rugby in Connacht. He was a modest man who preferred to work away in the background and demanded only that there be no departure from the spirit of the game, no lapse from the fundamental decency of rugby football.

Two faces lean out of the window...

Thu, Mar 12, 2009

Before the disbandment of the Connaught Rangers in 1922, it was customary on Sunday mornings for the Protestant members of this proud regiment to march in full uniform, with bagpipes and drums, out of Renmore barracks, through the town to attend service at St Nicholas Collegiate Church. It was an exciting spectacle for many of the girls of Galway. They would gather in small groups, or lean from windows, to catch the eye of a handsome soldier. Monsignor Considine would often precede the parade waving at the girls to go away. Pointing up to the girls at the windows (many of them apprentices, who lived above the shops whose trade they were learning), telling them ‘Not to be looking at those Protestant soldiers’. Most girls would quickly hide, and once the monsignor had passed, pop their heads out again.

Dress to impress

Thu, Mar 12, 2009

Feminity and easy elegance were the keynotes of the spring/summer collection from Anthony Ryans which was unveiled at a charity fashion show at The Ardilaun on Monday night.

The event, which was in aid of the Galway Branch of Down Syndrome Ireland Voices for Galway speech therapy project, was fast paced and exciting opening with the “Can, Can” by Regina Rodgers’ School of Ballet. Other highlights included performances from the Performing Arts School.

A night at Oscar’s

Thu, Mar 12, 2009

I called to Oscar’s Bistro very early on a Saturday evening, at 6.15pm, and was surprised to find several diners there already. They open at 6pm. By 6.30pm the restaurant was filling up nicely and there was a good atmosphere. One of the most striking differences since my last visit was the new pictures on the walls. There are very large stunning images, and upon further enquiry I discovered that they were all taken by the owner/chef, Michael O’Meara. In fact on the reverse of Oscar’s business card are the details of Michael’s other passion, www.foodandwinephotography.com. I recommend that you have a look as some of the images are stunning.

The menu is quite wide ranging and the emphasis is to use the very best of local ingredients, Stephen Gould’s gorgeous salads, local fish, and meats. The accompanying picture shows our seafood chowder, 10 out of 10 for unusual presentation and 10 out of 10 for taste, not like your normal creamy chowder but quite delicious with lots of chunky fish.

Classy cocktail classes — the perfect girls’ night out at the House Hotel

Thu, Mar 12, 2009

The art of cocktail mixing is known by very few, so why not add yourself to the elite list and learn to make the perfect Cosmopolitan? The city centre boutique House hotel is now offering the chance to learn from a professional mixologist how to create your favourite cocktails.

Let food be thy medicine

Thu, Mar 12, 2009

“Let food be thy medicine” — Hippocrates, c400BC

Fresh Irish crab

Thu, Mar 12, 2009

Far too often the only use given to this versatile and decadent decapod, this abundant and delicious crustacean, is to eat the claws and forget about the rest. Fresh crab when sold whole is one of the best value shellfish on the market. The culinary uses of crab are immense and range from simple soups to some of the great classic recipes of the world.

Clifden health show

Thu, Mar 12, 2009

A special event will take place in Alcock and Brown Hotel, Clifden, on Saturday March 21 from 10am to 6pm. Organised by Terri Conroy of An Bhean Feasa Health Store, the day will inform, inspire, and entertain with regard to all matters of health. Meet with complementary practitioners who will be offering information about how they can improve your health, treat common complaints, and some will be giving mini taster sessions so that you can experience the therapy. Therapies will include acupuncture, systematic kinesiology, bio- energy, Bowen therapy, pranic and ayurvedic healing, and the Dorn method.

Of bishops and Claddagh rings

Thu, Mar 05, 2009

This photograph was taken exactly 100 years ago during the installation of the sixth Bishop of Galway and Kilmacduagh and Apostolic Administrator of Kilfenora since the foundation of the diocese. This was Bishop O’Dea, who was in the palace until 1923. There are elaborate and decorative floral arches across Williamsgate Street for the occasion and a banner that says “Long Live our Bishop”. There are a large number of RIC men in evidence, though they are not keeping much of a shape on the large crowd who are following the bishop. He is simply walking under the canopy and is not carrying the Blessed Sacrament. It is hard to know where the procession was going (The Pro-Cathedral ?) and where it was coming from. The flower girls were probably following a group of priests. Notice the tram tracks and the fact that all of the shops seem to be closed.

De Valera’s Galway speech angers Nazi Germany

Thu, Mar 05, 2009

Eamon de Valera was in Galway on the evening of May 11 1940 engaged in a by-election campaign, when he was told that Germany had invaded Belgium and Holland that morning. He was outraged. Belgium felt that by declaring its neutrality it was protected from Hitler. But it was sadly mistaken. Germany felt threatened (at least it pretended to be), that the Allies may use Belgium as a ‘jumping off’ base to attack her. With terrifying speed and ruthlessness, using new tactics of fighter bombers and tanks, Germany subdued both countries in a matter of days.

Dev must have wondered at the fragility of any country hoping to escape the war by stating its neutrality. Would the same fate await Éire? And he must have been thinking too of his work in Geneva as president of the Council of the League of Nations, seven years earlier. The small nations of Europe were friendly to each other, and supported each other’s needs. Two of whom were now on the verge of disappearing.

Restaurants — by design and some cool deals

Thu, Mar 05, 2009

A successful eatery is one where you feel good and do not want to leave, and one to which you will return regularly. It must of course provide great food and great service at an acceptable price. The more intangible ingredient is the atmosphere, the look and feel of the place. Some places have it naturally, eg, Moran’s of the Weir; others have to design it, and a stunning example of this would be the grand salon lounge in the g Hotel. Not everyone may love it but for many it has a wonderful wow factor as well as being an extremely comfortable space to relax in.

E-paper

Read this weeks E-paper. Past editions also available from within this weeks digital copy.