Marie-Claire Digbywrites about the latest tit-bits
Fruity little number from Thailand
Barbecues have been working overtime recently, and while we all love the opportunity to pretend we're living la dolce vita, grilled meat can get a bit
. . . well, monotonous. So, if you're staring at yet another supermarket pack of chicken pieces, and wondering how on earth to make them more interesting, team them up with some Double Pineapple with Sweet Chilli sauce from a new entry to the Irish market, Thai Choice. Marinade the chicken pieces, if you have time, in some light olive or sunflower oil, lemon or lime juice, light soya sauce and a few pieces of garlic and ginger. Cook as normal, in the oven or on the barbecue, and baste with the sticky pineapple and chilli sauce for a few minutes before serving. Turn frequently to stop the sauce catching and burning. The Thai Choice brand of sauces, pastes, noodles, rice, dressings and coconut milk products has been singled out for an export award by the Thai prime minister, and is available in Dunnes Stores. The packaging is garish, but the quality is excellent. See www.thai-choice.com.
WEB WATCH:
www.frenchcocktailhour.com
L'Apéritif suggests a civilised glass of something to be enjoyed before dinner . . . There are suggestions on this website as to what to drink, and recipes for delicious nibbles to accompany your apéritif. À votre santé!
Be kind to your cheeses
Every house used to have one - but it's a while since "cheese safes" were in common usage. This is a shame because tightly wrapped in clingfilm in the fridge is just about the worst way to store some cheeses. This handsome cheese safe (right) from Cucinalia, a range of kitchen products available from CPW Furniture, costs €79. Cucinalia's herb planter (€31.50) is also covetable, and would certainly look a lot more stylish than the array of plastic pots adorning my kitchen windowsill. Irish stockists for Cucinalia include Dublin Furniture Centre, 54-55 Capel Street, Dublin 1, 01-8728374; Design Options, Portlaoise, Co Laois, 057-8681000 and Hahessy Furniture, Castlecomer, Co Kilkenny, 056-4441316. Others can be found at www.cpwfurniture.co.uk or by calling 00-44-1-797-225014. Otherwise, you can order either item online, and browse through a selection of other products, at www.creativemaison.co.uk. However delivery to Ireland costs €32.