There's nothing like fun in the sun....especially in the company of good food!

Jun 2, 2017
4 min read

When the weather is good....life is good...You will not find happier people on earth than us Irish during a heatwave. The weather has just been spectacular. It just calls for good food & pints in a sunny beer garden, or a BBQ at home dressed half naked praying you get some colour or at least a tad burnt. Anything is better than the colour of my skin after Winter. The golden tan I got in Africa turned me into a Simpson character when it decided to fade into a delightfully unwelcome yellow during the Winter months. So this Irish sun is much appreciated and of course, won't be around for long so we have to make the most of it. I took my 88 year old Nanny to Newgrange actually because of this glorious weather and it was just incredibly breathtaking. We got a great day of sun which of course added to the awe of the place.

Had my first BBQ of the season recently and it was delish. I do love a delicious barbecue, however it made me miss and long for Braai in South Africa. Someday when I'm a "grown-up" and I manage to own my own place with a big garden, I'll have to make a Braai Pit for cooking food. The local village, The Oaks, near where we lived in Limpopo cooked up an epic Braai with delicious added extras like pap or beans from the locals. One of the lads from The Oaks, Kutullo, worked with us on the reserve at the time so he knew the ideal spots for the best meat for the Braai and he was good and fair at sharing out the business in the local community. We got the chickens off one lady already cooked. We got the uncooked boerewors and beef off another lady. Then we had to cook and reheat the food all at the butchers of all places in the village which had a little seating area where we could stuff our faces. Was such a set up. Loved it so much. Was definitely one of the perks of helping out in the community teaching the local school children and building a creche with my fellow volunteers.

Anyways, Irish BBQs will just have to do for now. We didnt have a big one now, just a few of the girls and I sat out the back garden with a few drinks. Lovely evening. We did however cook enough food to nearly feed the population of Bray. Had a nice variety too. Made the usual go to salads; tomato salad, potato salad, grated carrot and courgette and the plain & simple mixed leaves. The meat and fish were the show stoppers. Grilled up some lime, garlic & chili chicken breasts, some garlic & chili prawn skewers, some mango & tomato glazed chicken drumsticks and baked some fresh salmon packed gently in tinfoil. So good. I'll have to make the chicken drumsticks again and maybe marinate them for longer next time to really get that mango glaze right. Oh and just in case we hadn't enough food, sure didn't we throw crackers, cheese and hummus onto the table too. Us ladies definitely know how to wine and dine ourselves that's for sure.

I unfortunately couldn't make it to my God child's Holy Communion because of work but I sent up a little cake to congratulate her anyways to go with her present. I made her a Chocolate Mars Rice Krispie Cake. I always make this cake when I doubt what to make because it just really is a crowd pleaser. Especially when there are children involved in the celebrations. Celebrated my mother's 55th Birthday last week. We were fairly boring by other people's standards I imagine but was perfect by ours. Our little family, my mum, my sister and I all ordered take away (Chinese, of course) and celebrated together with some wine and then cake for dessert. Now the cake...was impressive, but rushed. I would have been much happier if I spent more time icing and writing on the cake but I had been busy all day and had to rush home before my mother could see it. I made Coffee & Walnut Cake for her which she loves. My mum is also into the little quirky things like strange buttons and broaches on her clothes. So back when I was in Kilkenny in a shop that sold baking equipment I found this awesome silicone mould tray that makes button shaped chocolates and it was so easy to use. I made the sponges the night before and the chocolate buttons. All I had to do when I got home was to ice the cake with some buttercream coffee flavoured icing and pipe "Happy Birthday Mum" on top and decorate it. Would have looked WAY better if I just planned my timing better but it still looked pretty cool. She was delighted either way which was the more important thing really at the end of the day.

So that's me for the time being. Nothing too exciting just living the dream one mouthful at a time. Off to do the Mini Marathon on Monday. Lord help us all... I'll be in bits... Until next time! Happy Eating! Xx