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Holywood Issue 10 • October 2013 www.bloommagazine.co.uk • @bloommag • Find us on Facebook
Turn Over a New Leaf The latest news direct from the community delivered to you for free every month. Food & cookery ranging from inspiration to recipes to local restaurant reviews. What’s going on in your own neighbourhood, health, beauty, local legends and much more!
Shop Local in Holywood
A host of features tailored to YOU & YOUR community PLUS local businesses galore!
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CONTENTS October? Cant be. No chance. Well at the time of writing its not. Its still September. But either way we’re well into
all things autumnal which means the kids now go straight into school without gurning their lamps out, its baltic pretty
much all the time and the battle of the heating boost button at home is pretty much reached ceasefire. The thing will be getting pushed left right and centre for the next six months until its time to get the speedos and leotards out
again. Until then, blast the boost, spark up the fire, get the
slippers on and take comfort and warmth from your old pal Bloom. We have a belter line up this month including some
news on local successes, award winners, charity events with a twist, a local legend going places, health and beauty, a bit of food thrown in and some local products we’ve been
testing. And if all that doesn’t warm the old cockles you’d better hit the boost button again... enjoy!
Stuart, Angela, Juanita Bloom Magazine Belfast @bloommag Bloom Magazine 308 Albertbridge Road Belfast BT5 4GX Tel: 07719 104862 Editorial: stuart@bloommagazine.co.uk Advertising: angela@bloommagazine.co.uk Accounts: info@bloommagazine.co.uk Printed by Nicholson Bass www.nicholsonbass.com Any views expressed within are not necessarily endorsed by Bloom Magazine or Newborn Media. Reference to any specific product or service does not constitute or imply its endorsement or recommendation by Bloom Magazine. Links and contacts are provided for user convenience and do not constitute or imply endorsement or recommendation by Bloom Magazine. Any reproduction without permission is prohibited.
Holyw o is in od Bloo m
4 Local News Look out, here come the headlines straight into your brainbox
10 Closet Champions Delve deep towards Narnia and find some wardrobe gems for charity
12 Perfect Choice Meet the family behind Choice Cabs, getting you from A to B for 20 years
14 Rising Star Alison Stevenson, a true expert in the unique field of Geborgenheit massage
18 Chocs Away Former Rising Star Brenda of La Coquine picks up a fantastic award
20 Health & Beauty Here are a few of Deborah Harper’s favourite things
22 Bloom Loves... We have tried and tested the wonder of local Saint Maren products. Wow!
24
Cookbook
Jenny Bristow profiles recipes with the ultra healthy Dunola rapeseed oil
26 Canteen @ The Mac The autumn winter menus are set at Belfast’s incredible arts hub
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Locasl New AND VIEWS
Bloom News
Email: stuart@bloommagazine.co.uk Twitter: @bloommag Facebook: Bloom Magazine Belfast Web: bloommagazine.co.uk
STAGE PRESENCE
As the principal sponsor of Music Theatre 4 Youth’s (MT4Uth) recent production of ‘FAME – The Musical’, George Best Belfast City Airport hosted a reception for cast and guests following the final performance. The reception was held in Crane View Kitchens, T13, Belfast. George Best Belfast City Airport provided significant support for the project through its Community Fund which supports local youth groups and projects. Auditions were held earlier this year in the airport where the young people impressed a West End Panel. To find out if your community group or project could be eligible for financial support from the Community Fund contact: communityfund@belfastcityairport.com
SIGN UP FOR ANTI BULLYING WEEK Calling schools and youth clubs
Pictured with Susan O’Neill, Translink Safety Bus Coordinator and Lee Kane, Regional Anti-Bullying Coordinator, Northern Ireland Anti-Bullying Forum (NIABF) are (l-r) Rory McGirr (8, p5); Lucy Turner (10, p7); and Katie Morrissey (8, p5) from Cliftonville Integrated Primary School, Belfast.
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Ruth Morgan (Belfast City Airport) with Jacade Simpson
Schools and youth groups across NI are being urged to register before Friday 18 October 2013 for this year’s Anti-Bullying Week, which will run from 18 to 22 November 2013. Children and young people are also being encouraged to get creative and take part in the anti-bullying art and creative writing competition, which attracted over 1200 entries last year. Anti-Bullying Week 2013 will focus on the theme of ‘I See, I Hear, I Feel’. This theme looks at how young people communicate with each other, both online and in the physical world, and the ways in which bullying can happen as part of this. This could include namecalling, teasing, mocking, dirty looks, spreading gossip, nasty text messages and embarrassing posts online, to name just a few. To find out more about Anti-Bullying Week and the creative competition, or to register your school or youth group online, go to www.endbullying. org.uk before Friday 18 October 2013. Alternatively contact Jenny Reid, Project Assistant, on 028 9089 1730 or email info@niabf.org.uk
KEEP ‘ER LIT It’s that time of year again when the masses congregate at Seapark for the annual fireworks display on 26th October. Always a belter, the fun starts at 4pm with children’s fun fair and food stalls and at 6pm live music. Following the live entertainment the skies over Belfast Lough will come alive with explosions of colour and sparkle as another of North Down’s spectacular fireworks display kicks off at 8pm. Head down early and make a day of it. The Whalley Gallery have a new business opening in late October on The 2nd floor of the gallery...It will be called ‘The Factory’...a Creative Craft and Unique Gift store weretheye will be giving local makers and artisans a chance to sell their hand made products such as Sculpture, Jewellery, Ceramics, Glassware and some quirky home and giftware. The shop is named after the famous studio of Andy Warhol in New York were he created some of his amazing works! More info coming soon. Haloween Fun Day 27 Oct at Cockle Row Cottage, Groomsport from 1pm - 4pm. Enjoy spooky fun at Cockle Row with Creepy Crafts, Mantella Environmental, Casey’s Creatures and Balloon Modelling. Cottages open to the public from 11am - 5pm.
The author of some of the most widely read books in the English language, Clive Staples Lewis, was born in Belfast in 1898, and this November 2013, on the week of the 50th anniversary of his death, the C.S Lewis Festival will recognise and celebrate both his life and his legacy to the city and the world. Best known for his children’s books, The Chronicles of Narnia, Lewis’s career encapsulated academic writing, science fiction and theology. Lewis’ gift to the world was his stories and his belief in the power of storytelling which shone through each word that he wrote. On the 22nd of November, Lewis is to be inaugurated at ‘Poets Corner’ at Westminster Abbey, the first Belfast writer to receive this prestigious honour. The C.S Lewis Festival is based in East Belfast, where C.S Lewis spent his childhood, but will feature events located across the city. With theatre, exhibitions, art, music, tours and outdoor events running from Mon 18th – Sat 23rd November, this will be an opportunity for those in Belfast and beyond to remember and celebrate the life of one its most famous sons. The Festival has been organised by the East Belfast Partnership and the Connswater Community Greenway Team. communitygreenway.co.uk/CSLewisFestival. acebook.com/CSLewisFestival or on Twitter @CSLewisFest
Good Food Event at Crawfordburn Country Park. Showcasing local and organic produce and advice to get you started with growing your own, this day promises tasty treats and helpful hints about how to love food and hate waste. There will be cookery demonstrations and produce for sale and sampling from local growers and suppliers. Entertainment for everyone will be provided by a live band, there will be themed walkabout characters, face-painting and arts and crafts. 13 Oct 2013 from 10.30am - 4.30pm. www.bloommagazine.co.uk
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Bloom:News
CALL A COMEDY CAB! Four of Northern Ireland’s up and coming comedians are set to delight local audiences with rip roaring laughter as they announce the first leg of their hilarious ‘Black Taxi’ Comedy Tour. (Clockwise from back) Paddy McDonnell, Phil McEwan, Sean Hegarty and Cormac ‘Cookie’ O’Donnell will be kicking off their tour on Thursday 03 October in The Black Box. Tickets are priced at £7 and available online at www. blackboxbelfast.com. They will also be playing at the Old Courthouse in Antrim (04 Oct), the Strand in east Belfast (11 Oct) and the Craigavon Civic Centre (12 Oct).
REMEMBER HONEYSUCKLE FROM THE Well, Lorna is back in the same location. If you didn’t ever know 1990S?
Honeysuckle and Lorna, there is a treat awaiting you! Lorna’s new shop is called Scarlet and Crimson. She is still working with flowers and plants, and puts together unusual but delightful planters. She also sources a lovely range of affordable antiques, and displays them with flair. Very often, you will find an exquisite plant in an antique bowl….ready to give a lucky recipient as a gift. Explore her shop, or make use of her floristry skills for special occasion bouquets, weddings or gifts. 29 Church Rd, Holywood.
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Hannah’s Florist
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Bloom:News The world-famous violin believed to be the one played by RMS Titanic bandmaster Wallace Hartley is now on display in Belfast. The instrument, Holywood Music Festival is happening from November 15 to November 23. Closing date for entries is October 7, so there’s still time to enter. Check out the varied range of classes on-line at www.holywoodmusicfestival.com to see if there’s one (or more) to suit you. Go to the 2013 Festival drop down to see the Syllabus. Use this same Syllabus tab to enter on-line; simply register or login and away you go. It’s hassle free and organisers don’t have to puzzle over the handwriting! Any queries, contact Marianne on 07866 616 379. Look forward to seeing you in November.
which was discovered in 2006, was that played by second-class passenger Wallace Hartley on Titanic’s fateful night of April 14th, 1912. Accompanied by a leather luggage case initialed W. H. H., the violin is on display exclusively at Titanic Belfast. It will be on public display until October 13, 2013 – possibly for the final time before it goes to auction on October 19 at Henry Aldridge & Sons, The Devizes Auctioneer, in Wiltshire, England. HEADLINE D ES I G N UNISEX SALON
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Belfast Victoria Parkrun is calling on Parkrunners from Belfast and North Down to join in a celebration of running on Saturday 5 October. Every year on the 1st Saturday in October the global Parkrun community unites to celebrate the birth of what has become a worldwide phenomenon. Organisers are asking runners to come along, cameras in tow, to film 30 seconds of their favourite Parkrun moments on the day and share them online on their Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts using the hashtag #loveparkrun. For more information on International Parkrun Day please visit www.parkrun.com 8
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OUT OF THE CLOSET FOR A GOOD CAUSE! Action Cancer Holywood Group host a Preloved Wardrobe Sale to raise funds for Breast Cancer Awareness Month There’s no doubt a good wardrobe clear out lifts the spirits but raising funds for a good cause at the same time surely tops the feel-good scales. On Saturday 19th October, the fashionable ladies of the Action Cancer Holywood Group will be doing just that when they host their first Preloved Wardrobe Sale in the Old School House, Church Road, Holywood. From hats and handbags to ready to wear classics from leading designer names and top high street brands, this event is definitely one for the style-savvy shopper’s diary. It’s not only the ladies that will be able to pick up some bargains, children’s wear and menswear will also be for sale. As well as the Action Cancer Committee’s large collection of preloved items sold to boost the charity funds, the sale will include stalls from fashion conscious ladies who, for a donation of £35 per stall, will be selling their own clothing and accessories. Speaking ahead of the event, Action Cancer Holywood Group Chairwoman, Kathryn Ennis said, “You only need to look at ebay to realise that there is a growing and vibrant market for preloved or second hand clothing. Whether you want to snap 10
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up a few fashion classics such as a great blazer, a cool pair of jeans or a “worn once” wedding outfit, the Action Cancer Holywood Group’s Preloved Sale is the place to come and have a browse. As a committee, we are trying to be ruthless with our own wardrobe clear-outs and we have a great range of very good quality items for all the family for sale! At a time where everyone is feeling the financial pinch, much of the stigma attached to buying or indeed selling second hand clothing has disappeared. It’s rare that people ‘wear out’ clothes out anymore, even children’s clothes tend to stand the test of time, so whilst you may be fed up with last seasons coat or shoes, someone else will be delighted with them!” In keeping with the whole vintage vibe of the venue and the sale, the entry fee of £3 includes tea/ coffee and shortbread. Doors open at 11am-3pm.
Anyone wishing to donate good quality items to the committee are asked to contact Sarah Stout on 07971 797057. A few stalls are still available for hire for a donation of £35….you can keep the profits.
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Local Legend
MAKING THE RIGHT CHOICE Choice Cabs has been a fixture in Holywood town for over 30 yrs. Owned now for over 20 years by the local Stephenson family. ‘Choice Cabs was star ted prior to myself owning it,’ says Raymond Stephenson. ‘It had 2 previous owners, one of which I bought it off after working as a taxi driver myself with Choice Cabs. It initially star ted with just a few drivers and has now grown to have over 20 now.’ Plus of course the company has had to weather the extraordinary economic situation over the last number of years. ‘Yes Choice Cabs has seen many changes over the years including a slump in recent years with the economic downturn. But I’m glad to say that it is getting back to the Holywood of old,’ says Raymond. Over time Holywood has seen a number of other taxi firms begin operating in the town creating a healthy competition. But this is something Raymond feels Choice Cabs deals with in their own unique way, as he explains. ‘Choice Cabs has other taxi firms working in the town now to compete with which can be hard at times. But we try and keep our fares cheaper to stay competitive and we are still meter free and will try to stay that way for as long as we can.’ Choice Cabs office is open 24hrs a day Friday and Saturday. From Sunday to Thursday the office is open from 7am to 1am but provides a 24hr booking service 7 days a week. 12
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They also provide 6, 7 and 8 seaters for larger par ties. The 7 and 8 seater require booking in advance. Choice Cabs also currently provides accounts for the local schools and chemists in the town. Being a par t of the town for such a significant period of time and having that unique interaction with the local community has led to a huge amount of loyalty from the regulars. Something Raymond is greatly appreciative of. ‘We have our loyal customers on a daily basis who we look after the best we can including our elderly community. To which some look after us with gifts of sweets and biscuits to which we say a big thanks!’ Sullivan Place, Holywood, BT18 9JF Tel: 028 9042 7123
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PHYSICAL & EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING How does a massage offering the chance of relaxation, that promotes healing and well-being both physically and emotionally sound? Yep. Wonderful. Meet Alison Stevenson, a true expert in this unique field of Geborgenheit massage. ‘I came back to Holywood last autumn after spending several years in Graz, Austria,’ says Alison, explaining the source of her inspiration. ‘The area we lived in is still mostly agricultural and the people are very connected to nature and the land; food is mostly local and simple. There are regular farmers’ markets and still many seasonal celebrations making for an “old-fashioned,” country-bound life-style. Just outside Graz is a broad area of naturally occurring thermal waters, around which hotels and spa resorts have been built. The modern culture in this part of the world is one where people, younger and older, are very aware of the benefits of both eating well and dealing with physical and emotional stress in an enjoyable, affordable and chemical-free way. Its very usual to visit the sauna and have a massage on a weekly or fortnightly basis on the way home from the office or before or after going to the pub.’ Geborgenheit is a German word which means both nurturing and a feeling of security. Alison is interested in offering an easily accessible and comfortable massage service at affordable prices by way of introducing this good self-health philosophy into our already health-aware culture here in North Down and Belfast. 14
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‘Most people feel they don’t have enough money or time to take care of themselves,’ says Alison, ‘when really, this is the most noble and valuable place to start...the rewards are innumerable.’ There are two massages available: Singing Bowl Massage which may best be described as “sound therapy” using hand-crafted metal bowls from Nepal according to method developped in the west. ‘The bowls are placed on the body over clothing and gently struck to create vibrations that resonate through the body and harmonise the whole system. Clients often drift to sleep during the hour’s treatment.’ The Thai Style Herbal Stamp massage is an invigorating method using local, organic herbs and spices from afar. ‘These are tied into cloth bags, dipped in warm olive oil and “stamped” over the body, thus releasing the various qualities of the herbs and spices used whilst relaxing the muscles and stilling the mind.’ There are practice rooms in Holywood and on the Lisburn Road and a mobile service is also offered. Prices range from £25-£40 per treatment. There is a new set of wedding packages which includes gift vouchers, hen parties, a treatment for the groom-to-be and a special partner deal.
07849 799254 alisonstevenson.as@gmail.com facebook.com/GeborgenheitMassage
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The Passigatti Autumn Winter collection now in store
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FORMER BLOOM RISING STAR AWARD GLORY La Coquine chocolates, set up by Brenda Fraser from Holywood, County Down, is named joint winner of the Food Category in the Country Homes & Interiors Country Business Awards, run in association with School For Creative Startups. Former Bloom Rising Star Brenda, initially a lawyer, later moved into commercial property development and has always been passionate about cooking. She dreamed of making her own chocolates ever since first tasting chocolates on a school trip to France in 1971. Recently finding herself unemployed, Brenda took herself off to be trained by a top chocolatier in London and then decided to forge a new career, establishing La Coquine. From a workshop in her garden, Brenda creates beautiful chocolates with delicious, intense flavours such as Rhubarb and Custard and the Thai Taster – a white chocolate ganache with coconut milk, ginger, chilli, lime and lemongrass. Her chocolates are made in small batches to ensure freshness and contain no preservatives, as she tries to keep them as natural as possible. With La Coquine, Brenda has brought high quality, artisan chocolates to County Down. Rhoda Parry, Editor of Country Homes & Interiors says: ‘The Country Homes & Interiors Country Business Awards are about finding people who have a great business idea and helping them to get it off the ground. Brenda had a quality product that tasted just amazing.’ Brenda has won a package of advice to help launch and develop her small business. This fantastic prize includes a place on School For Startups ‘Boot camp’, a 30 minute one-to-one 18
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support session with the school’s business guru Nancy Fulton, a one month membership of School for Creative Startups’ online community and a signed copy of How to Start a Creative Business: The Jargon-Free Guide for Creative Entrepreneurs by Doug Richard. The ‘Country Business Awards’ hosted by Country Homes & Interiors, in association with School For Creative Startups, are now in their fourth year. From opening a village shop and cooking seasonal food, to developing a great new product or service, the awards aim to promote and empower young startups at the beginning of their business journey. The winners were selected by a panel of judges that included: Rhoda Parry, Editor of Country Homes & Interiors, Sophie Cornish, Co-Founder and Director at Not on the High Street, Medeia Cohan-Petrolino, Creative Director at School for Creative Startups, Doug Richard, CEO and Founder of School for Creative Startups and Country Homes & Interiors Publisher Belinda Cooper. La Coquine products are sold direct to the over the phone and by email. Visit www.lacoquine.co.uk or catch Brenda at local craft fairs in town, in Belfast and beyond.
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Health & Beauty
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Rather than my usual ramble I thought that this month I would just highlight a few of my favourite things...
Scrubbing Up!
I hate stress! ...the first thing I do when I get in from work is light a True Grace candle. My signature home scent is Moroccan Rose. It fills the house with a warm glow and a fragrance that is both beautiful and calming.
H2 wow!
...MASQUE No 1. Also a Yon-Ka product but it is essential for intense skin rehydration. If i put it on at night and leave it unitl the morning Yon-Ka estimates a 96% boost in skins hydration levels!
Good for the sole!
After a summer of sunscreen, my face has been in dire need of a good exfoliation - Yon-ka’s new Guarana Scrub is excellent - skin is glowing, polished and ready for my next top tip...
And breathe.. Pilates - Do you know that most of us do not breathe correctly, if for nothing else join a Pilates class...you will learn great relaxation techniques and without a drop of sweat you tone, stretch and work muscles you didn’t know you had - definitely good for body and soul.
Another top tip that I learnt which is now a sofa essential. Whilst watching TV just roll a golf ball under your foot. You can put a good bit of pressure on the arch especially - do one foot and then stand! you will not believe the difference that you feel.
Get out in the fresh air..
As soon as Autumn comes we get ready to hibernate but last year my best walks were along the coastal path from Helen’s Bay to Bangor during the snow, wind and even rain. You see the world as it is and it does your heart good. Have a little pick me up. Whether it be a salon professional file and paint, a long hot bath or half an hour with a good book. Nothing cheers you up like making a little time for yourself! 20
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HEADLINE D ES I G N UNISEX SALON
An Evening of Bubbly, Jewelery & Nibbles. After or recent refurbishment we want to show our appreciation & thanks to all our clients for their continued support. We want you to join us for a lovely evening of fun & relexation to enjoy “Jewelery Update”. This is an unique opportunity to indulge in a little piece of fabulous Jewelery at a very unique price. Think Christmas Shopping / Girlfriends - you won’t be disappointed.
FRIDAY 25TH OCTOBER @ 7PM “SAVE THE DATE”
028 9042 8558
33 Church Road | Holywood | County Down | BT18 9BU
Bloom ! Loves
HEAVEN SCENT Here at Bloom we have had the honour of testing the wonderful products from Saint Maren, specialist in making luxury handmade bathing products that are based on all-natural ingredients The liquid soaps are made with olive and Maren operates as an artisan jojoba oils which workshop.They make small means that they batches of product by hand moisturise as well as clean. We didnt get using traditional methods. any of the feeling of dryness or tigteneing you get from standard soaps. Quite the Based in an old farmhouse
in the Castlereagh Hills, Saint
^^Geranium essential oil is great for toning and brightening the skin. This soap bar is made with goat’s milk and sweet almond oil so has a rich, creamy lather which soothes neglected skin
opposite - It was invigorating to the maximum and the scent is a zinger! <<
The Comfort Blanket Rejuvenating Face Oil protects your skin from life’s daily onslaught so was perfect after some Bloom print deadline mayhem! It’s packed full of 9 different oils whose active ingredients are valued for their ability to nourish, heal or encourage cell regeneration. A few drops massaged into a clean face before bedtime aaaand relax! >> The body oils can be used either directly onto damp skin after a shower or sprinkled into a running bath. This relaxes you but leaves you refreshed and uplifted at the same time>>
The Lavender & Bergamot Artisan Oil is handmade with apricot kernel, jojoba and sweet almond oils – a rich moisturising blend which soaks into your skin quickly without any greasy residue. Refresh alert! <<
Available from AB2, Bloomfield Avenue; SpaceCRAFT, Fountain Street; Studio 36, Holywood Road (Newtownards). North Down Craft Collective monthly fair in Holywood, starting October 12. At other craft fairs in NI see facebook.com/saintmarenbathing www.saintmaren.com 22
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Was £599
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HEALTHIER MEALS FOR ALL THE FAMILY
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Most of us are unaware of the benefits of substituting our usual choice of cooking oil for the lesser known Rapeseed Oil, but the health benefits are hard to argue with! Rapeseed Oil has 50% less saturated fat than Olive Oil! It is high in the heart healthy mono and poly unsaturated fats, Omega 3,6 & 9 It is a rich source of Vitamin E and therefore a natural antioxidant. Rapeseed Oil also contains plant sterols which it is believed may help to lower cholesterol! We have teamed up with Dungiven based company Dunola, now Northern Irelands largest supplier of Rapeseed Oil, and top Chef, Jenny Bristow who is the Brand Ambassador to bring you a collection of recipes from Dunola featuring their wonderful locally produced Rapeseed Oil to help you create healthier meals for you and your family. Dunola Rapeseed Oil can be purchased online at www.dunola.co or in your local Spar or Vivo store.
Lemon & Dunola Oven Roasted Scented Vegetables Serves 2-3 Pumpkin / Red Onion / White Onion, Scallions, Aubergine, Courgettes 4-5 Vine tomatoes 4 cloves of garlic with the paper on 1 x red chilli, deseeded and finely chopped juice of ½ lemon 2 tablespoons of Dunola Rapeseed Oil Salt and freshly ground black pepper. Cut the vegetables into large chunks and place in an oven proof dish. There is no need to deseed the tomatoes or peel the vegetables – leave the tomatoes on the vine for an impressive presentation. Add the garlic and chille and 24
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mix thoroughly. When the garlic is roasted it develops an intensely sweet flavour – to eat, simply squeeze the garlic out of the skin. Sprinkle the lemon juice and Dunola Rapessed Oil over the vegetables Season and cook in the
oven at 200°C/Gasmark 6 for 30-45 minutes until the vegetables are softened, blackened and cooked through. Stir twice while roasting to make sure they are evenly cooked.
a
Cranberry & Walnut Muffins Makes 12 125ml/ ¼ pint Rapeseed Oil 25g / 1oz Softened butter 50g / 2oz Soft Brown Sugar 3 eggs lightly beaten 175g / 7oz Self raising flour 25g / 1oz whole meal flour 1 tsp cinnamon powder 110g/4oz cranberries 50g/2oz chopped walnuts 25g / 1 oz icing sugar In a bowl mix together the cranberries, chopped walnuts and cinnamon powder Beat together the eggs, soft brown sugar, Dunola Rapseed Oil and butter until softened and increased in volume, light and creamy. To the egg mixture lightly fold in the flours (whole meal and plain) until well mixed then add cranberries and walnuts. Transfer to a 12 muffin tin case. Half fill each mould then bake in the oven at 190°C
To Serve – Baby Potatoes & Flat Leaf Parsley Season the fillets with black pepper, and ½ the lemon zest and juice. Sprinkle a few prawns on top of the fish and fold the fillets over. Place on an oven proof baking sheet and sprinkle with Dunola Rapeseed Oil. Place in a preheated oven at 200°C/Gas mark 6 and bake for approximately 15 minutes. Cooking time will vary depending on the thickness of the fillets. When tender and almost fallig apart remove them from the oven.To Serve: Steam the spinach and asparagus spears gently for about 3 minutes then serve on a plate topped with the roasted fish. Garnish with lemon and flat leaf parsely and serve with baby boiled potatoes. Immediately before serving mix together 2 tablesspoons of Dunola Rapeseed Oil, Juice and zest of ½ lemon with a sprinkling of black pepper and spoon over the fish and spinach. Serve Hot.
Roast Cod Fillets, Prawn Spinach & Dressing of Dunola Rapeseed Oil & Lemon Lemon, Vanilla & Spice Fruit Cake Serves 2
2 x Cod Fillets (6oz each) 110g/4 oz Dublin Bay Prawns 2 tbsp oDunola Rapeseed Oil Black Pepper 150g/6ox Spinach 110g/4oz Asparagus Spears 1 Lemon Zest & Juice
Makes Enough For a Cuppa! 50g / 6oz Soft Brown Sugar 26g / 1 oz Caster Sugar 125ml Dunola Rapeseed Oil 50g/2oz Softened butter
50g/2oz Ground Almonds 4 large eggs 250g/10oz Plain Flour 1 tsp baking powder 450g/1llb golden sultanas 110g/4oz red glace cherries 50g/2oz flaked almonds 1tsp cinnamon powder ½ ts nutmeg powder 1tsp mixed spice Zest of 1 Lemon 4 dsp sherry Drops of Vanilla Essence In a large bowl add sultanas, cherries, spices, lemon zest, vanilla essence, sherry, flaked almonds, ground almonds. Mix well then cover and leave to infuse together for up to 24 hours to allow the fruits to absorb the liquids and spices. In a separate bowl add the caster sugar, soft brown sugar, softened butter and Dunola Rapeseed Oil until light and fluffy. Add the lightly beaten eggs and sieve flour until the mixture is smooth, this may require 3-4 additions mixing well between each addition. Add the mixed fruit to the cake mixture mixing well to ensure the fruit is evenly mixed through.Transfer the cake mixture to a lined tin 8-9 inched in diameter, flatten well on top and bake at 180°C/ gas mark 4-5 for approximately 2 hours until risen, golden and firm to the touch when pressed gently on top. Remove from the oven, and the tin and leave to cool. www.bloommagazine.co.uk
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Olwen Kenendy is pictured ahead of the autumn season of events.
WHERE FOOD IS AN ART FORM... Set in NI’s premier arts venue, in the heart of the Cathedral Quarter, Canteen at the MAC has become one of Belfast’s top eateries. We speak to Siobhan Murphy, Conference & Event Catering Manager. Tell us about Canteen at the MAC… Canteen is the MAC’s café/bar and restaurant offering, located in the heart of the MAC building. Open seven days a week for breakfast, lunch and evening meals. The ideal meeting place to drop in for a coffee and pastry, host a meeting or meet friends, all with complimentary newspapers and wifi. We can host private events such as birthday parties, receptions, private parties, breakfast meetings and even weddings! Tell us about your consultant chef: Shaun Hanna has been with us from day one, and offers a wealth of experience, having competed to quarter final stage on BBC’s Masterchef the Professionals. He has also worked under the guidance of American chef Charlie Palmer in The Yachts of Seabourn. Shaun brings a passion for food which is quite remarkable, and his commitment to local sourcing adds a significant dimension to Canteen’s menu presentation at the MAC. Tell us about your menu: We aim to serve some of the best contemporary food in the city, set in urban and modern surroundings in the MAC, in the heart of the Cathedral Quarter. We have taken an innovative approach to our menu design, using local, traditional and seasonal influences from around the world. A typical menu at Canteen might start with sustainable seafood chowder with Guinness and treacle bread, followed by fillets of ling, coriander and lemon crumb, crushed peas and chunky chips. And of 26
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course no meal would be complete without a choice of delicious desserts which we have become famed for. Have you any events planned? Yes, Belfast Restaurant Week is fast approaching and we have a full schedule running” 4 Oct: Jazz Supper - Jonny Mac & Scott Flanigan 5 October : Craft Beer and Cider Tasting 8 October : Coffee Brew Master classes 10 October : The Art of Food & Wine 18 & 19 October : Spanish Guitarist 1 November : Heaven or Hell Food night What are the specialities? The entire team was delighted when we were listed in the Independent newspaper as one of the top 50 coffee shops in the UK. More recently we have launched our dedicated ‘Brew Bar’ at Canteen which I can honestly say is a coffee connoisseurs dream, allowing customers to select their preferred origin, watch while it is expertly brewed to perfection using the best equipment available - the interest in this has been phenomenal – Northern Ireland people certainly know and love their coffee!
For further information on Canteen at the MAC, including menus and photo gallery please visit www.themaclive.com or call 028 9023 5053 to make a booking or enquiry.
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Saturday 16th November - 7.00pm
5 Whiskies
From Ireland, Scotland & Beyond With 5 Delicious Courses Hosted By Conall From Gap Wines
Tickets ÂŁ45 each or ÂŁ40 each in groups of 4+
For more about this and all upcoming tasting nights, look at our Events Calendar on our website!