Diary of a busyish woman

Tonight I'll be in Ballydehob Community Hall watching The Culchie & The Kiwi cooking up a storm. I had planned to make some of my Black Pudding Swirls to do something different on my table, but guess what, the Puff Pastry that I thought I had in my freezer isn't there, so I'll have to think of something different! A conundrum which sent me back to my cookbooks for inspiration. I'm still waiting! The White Pudding & Bacon Brioche isn't an option to me either as I have no eggs until later, and there's no cheese in the fridge! The basics I use on a regular basis are gone and one of the joys of living in rural Ireland is that I can't just take a run (literally) to the nearest shop. These are the reasons that many of my recipes are either make ahead or use minimum ingredients for maximum flavour and goodness. Sometimes, like today, it's a challenge but  Black and/or White Pudding Croutons were a case in point of necessity being the mother of inventi

If you're wondering what on earth has happened to me, when so many in West Cork are anything but rich, allow me to explain. We have some of the most talented people on earth living in West Cork, some come for a holiday or to rejuvenate their muse, but so many live here and find inspiration in the place and people. West Cork people, and I include me in this, often don't take the time to sit and just count our blessings and we truly have many - good food and isn't it wonderful to see Frank Krawczyk, acclaimed food producer, spearheading the West Cork Slow Food revival; then it's on to all the festivals that happen in West Cork from food to walking to music to sport and art in all their forms. I'm disappointed that I wasn't able to attend the Clonakilty Games Festival last weekend but was away in Dublin doing tastings in Avoca Rathcoole , The Country Market, Howth & Thyme Out, Dalkey . I had a wonderful time and thanks to everyone including my aunt and firs