Sunday 19 November 2017
Friday 25 August 2017
Desi Gourmet Chicken Baburchi
I tried the Chicken Baburchi meal kit from Desi Gourmet last night. It was so simple and easy to use.
There was an ingredient and instruction list/card sent with kit and when I opened the kit there was another one inside which differed slightly. Inside was also the sautéed onions, ginger, garlic and spice mix.
I heated 2 tbsp of vegetable oil and added the onions, ginger and garlic. Whilst this was cooking I diced two chicken breasts and 200g (15 no) cherry tomatoes. This was added to the chicken as well as spice mix and water (I added bit extra as I liked a more fluid gravy). This was simmered for 15 minutes.
This was enough for myself, my wife and two daughters who absolutely loved it!!
The taste was a truly authentic Indian dish just like one gets in India. Overall cooking time was 20 minutes, including prep time.
I served it as below with paratha, spiced mixed vegetables, sliced red onions and it was so tasty.....can't wait to try the others!!
Saturday 29 July 2017
Wedding at Ballygally Castle
My wife and I attended a wonderful friends wedding nuptials at The Ballygally Castle. This is a delightful hotel with lots of character and dates back to 1625. It is part of the locally owned and run Hastings Hotels.
On arrival we mingled whilst waiting to enter the Kintyre Ballroom for the wedding registration ceremony. The room was well decorated and the ceremony was short and well conducted. After the pictures we retired to the hotel lobby and had drinks whilst the room was prepared for the dinner.
This gave us time to explore the hotel and learn about the history. There is also a Game of Thrones door in the hotel. The bride and groom looked super!!
The weather was kind and we were able to take a walk in the well manicured and mature gardens, which sported a river flowing into the sea and various other features.
By now we had built up a healthy appetite and it was time to be seated and tuck into a very well cooked and presented 5 course meal. For starters there was a lovely Caesars Salad then Butternut squash and sweet potato soup served with a warm soft wheaten muffin. The first two course were amazing and set the standard for the mains. For mains we both had the chicken, potatoes and vegetables. The chicken was succulent and vegetables al dented and mash was perfect. Service was exceptional and staff very attentive and professional. For dessert there was lemon tart and profiteroles, again an amazing sweet. After the cake cutting and speeches we had our coffee and cake in the lobby.
Ballygally Castle is famous for the resident ghost, so we went to the ghost room to see if we could spot her.......and we........ didn't see or feel her!!!!! Maybe you will??
Finally the evening entertainment started and the DJ played a wide range of tracks and we danced for a while, relaxed, chatted and thoroughly enjoyed it!!! After a snack of fish and chips it was home to relieve the babysitter!!!
Wednesday 26 July 2017
Sunflower Festival 2017
The Sunflower Festival 2017 is about to start!!! Roll on Friday 28th July and its all roads leading to Tubby's Farm just outside Hillsborough for three days of fun, food, frolic and music!!
There will be loads to do and I got a sneak preview and it's looking fantastic. There's lots for all age groups to see and do. The Bliss zone will have a strong emphasis on natural products and holistic therapies as well as Henna. 
There are seven music stages catering for all tastes. There's also a theatre and a cinema using the raw outdoors as its backdrop. I'm especially impressed by the food stalls on offer including Streetdogs, Ramen on the run, Pizza Pod, Wolf & Devour and Boojum to name but a few. They are around the edges of the impressive looking main stage.
Of course the festival has lots of sun flowers, novel tents, bars, woodland features...... so get your tickets, bring your wellies and waterproofs, and have lots of fun and get down to nature...it promises to be fun. There's so much to explore-what will you find?
Revolucion de Cuba Belfast
The Revolucion de Cuba has arrived in Belfast with a bang!!!! This is number 15 in the UK and the first on the island of Ireland. Revolucion de Cuba first started out around 2011 so is relatively new but is right up there with its compatriots!!!
It's home is in the premises previously occupied by Cafe Vaudeville and let me tell you it is totally different!!
It's very relaxed, bright and has a definite holiday/relaxed feeling about it. It's been dubbed as the Cuban Cocktail Rum Bar and Tapas Restaurant. I was excited to sample the non alcoholic cocktails and the tapas and a main course with my youngest daughter!!
The menu is as authentic as one would get in Cuba/ a Latin American country. All ingredients (meat/veg) are sourced locally and freshly made not from frozen.
David the General Manager (and long time friend) explained to me the ethos behind the concept and his meticulous selection process (which included many phone/Skype and personal interviews). He was explaining that the idea was to have a relaxed entertainment experience which includes drinks, food and dancing.
The drinks include alcoholic and non alcoholic cocktails, 60 different rums and a fully stocked bar. There are also cocktail master classes.
The food has a very relaxed dining feel to it and the kitchen is called the Cantina. The main attraction is the freshly made Tapas, large plates, burgers, burritos and sandwiches along with sides and of course tacos.
Before our lunch we were treated to moctails of lavender lemonade (daughter) and Shy Mai Tai (me). Both were tasty and refreshing and went well with the complimentary nachos.
We shared a selection of Tapas being: Pork belly skewers, roasted chorizo, honey and lime chicken skewers, mojito prawns and skinny fries. They were all delicious-you have to try them!! The rum sauce adds a sweetish kick to the Tapas.
We then shared a Cuban BBQ glazed chicken served with skinny fries (ours had manchego cheese-yum) chargrilled corn and a salad garnish. The chicken was succulent and the glaze and spices were superb. The corn exhibited a lovely charred taste and the manchego fries were a rather good twist on cheesy chips!! Now I normally don't like food served on a wooden platter but this actually worked very well as it's a relaxed, holiday like setting. Top marks for the food and service. My daughter polished off her ice cream.
The entertainment will include music 7 days a week with a DJ (stage at front) on Friday, Saturday and Sunday with live music (band on Mezzanine floor) to closing. The hours are 11.30-22.00 Monday through Saturday for food and slightly later opening on Sunday. There will be music until closing at 1am (12 Sunday). There is a happy hour from 5-7 Monday through Friday which is 241 cocktails and on Sunday it's all day 241 cocktails. The restaurant can seat 134 diners and the venue has capacity for 800 persons. This is the hottest place in town and on Friday 28th the Official Launch party kicks off at 5pm. If you have a ticket you can get a free Daiquiri from the fountain-I've got my ticket!!! All 1000 tickets were snapped up in two days!! Belfast welcomes Revolucion de Cuba!!!
Tuesday 25 July 2017
Saturday 22 July 2017
SEVENTH HEAVEN AS LITTLE WING PIZZERIA OPENS IN LISBURN
SEVENTH HEAVEN AS LITTLE WING PIZZERIA OPENS IN LISBURN
Northern Ireland’s home-grown pizzeria chain, Little Wing, will open its seventh – and highly anticipated – restaurant in Lisburn on Tuesday 1st August.
Little Wing prides itself in offering authentic, made to order Naples-style pizzas including Northern Ireland's biggest pizza, which is a whopping 24 inches in diameter.
Offering a true taste of Italy and cooked in distinctive 6ft traditional woodstone pizza ovens, sourcing the freshest and finest ingredients is at the heart of the Little Wing ethos, with 100% mozzarella cheese used on its pizzas; sauce made from San Marzano tomatoes and pizza dough made to the restaurant’s own secret recipe right here in Northern Ireland (with no nasty additives, either). Combined with affordable prices and friendly service, it’s clear why this popular pizzeria has developed a cult following.
To mark the opening Little Wing in Lisburn, the new restaurant will run special events on Tuesday 1st and Saturday 5th August from 12pm – 3pm, with a variety of family activities, including a ‘clay pizza making’ workshop by Jumping Clay, face painting, plus free balloons and other prizes.
The new Little Wing Pizzeria will be located in Lisburn Square and will be open every day from 11am – 10pm.
For further information visit littlewingpizzeria.com, or follow Little Wing on Twitter and Facebook @LittleWingPizza.