Latest news from the world of food and wine
BIG DIPPER Gourmet Leon is a German range of herb and spice mixes. Blended with mayonnaise, yogurt or cream cheese, they make tasty dips. Mixed with oil, they can go on toast or a baguette to make bruschetta. They can also be rubbed on meat or fish, or be poured over pasta. The latest addition to the range is Bruschetta alla Arrabiata, a chilli-and- wild-garlic pesto. Other flavours include garlic herb, garlic curry dip, cheese herb, tomato chutney and tzatziki. The line-up is available from Andersons Food Hall, in Glasnevin; Hemmingways in Clontarf; Kate's Kitchen in Sligo; the new Imperial Hotel gourmet food outlet in Cork; Quays Food Shop in Kinsale; Ennis Gourmet shop in Co Clare; Mortons of Galway and Ahearne's Food and Wine Shop in Boyle, Co Roscommon. Nicoline Greer
LOOK EAST Looking forward to something quick, interesting and Indian tonight, and don't have much beyond canned chickpeas and rice in your larder? Wondering how to properly steam bok choi, or how high a flame you should use for stir-frying shrimp? Have a recipe that calls for fenugreek, and haven't a clue what that is? What to offer for dessert after a Thai dinner? Asian cooking is fun and easy, but questions often arise when it comes to unfamiliar cuisines. Not to worry, help is on the way. While corporate websites are notoriously commercial, the Sharwoods one deserves a look. Click on the Real Food and/or Chef's Help buttons at www.sharwoods.com, and you'll be linked to authentic cookery techniques, traditional ingredients, equipment and trouble-shooting. There's also a Recipe Search link, where you can type in the ingredients you've got on hand and the type of dish you want to make (with degree of spiciness), as well as a dial-up helpline for those moments when the guests have arrived, but the dim sum is nowhere in sight. Elizabeth Field
EASTER DELIGHTS Easter always seems less frantic than Christmas, yet for most of us, entertaining is involved at some point over the holiday weekend, and that inevitably means cooking. For those intent on nesting this Easter, Eunice Power is running a one-day cookery course at Powersfield House in Dungarvan. For €75 you get to make hot cross buns, lemon and passion fruit curd and an Easter chocolate meringue nest, among other dishes. There will also be lots of useful advice from a trained chef and mother, for which read someone who can show you how to do three things at once and still keep smiling. Further information on 058-45594 or visit www.powersfield.com. Hugo Arnold