TORTUGA RUM CAKE

Basic Cake Mix
2  cups cake flour
1 1⁄2 cups granulated sugar
4  teaspoons baking powder
1  teaspoon salt
1⁄2 cup butter, cut into bits
3  tablespoons  vegetable oil

For the Cake
1⁄2 cup  finely chopped walnuts
1 (3 1/2ounce) package vanilla instant pudding mix
1⁄2 cup milk
4  eggs
1⁄2 cup  whaler vanille rum (Hawaiian-style rum)
1⁄2 cup  vegetable oil
1  teaspoon vanilla extract

Rum soaking Glaze
1⁄2 cup butter (do not substitute)
1⁄4 cup water
1  cup granulated sugar
1⁄2 cup  whaler vanille rum (Hawaiian-style rum)

Basic Cake Mix:
In a large mixing bowl, combine basic cake mix ingredients.On low speed combine ingredients until the mix is the consistency of fine gravel, and all particles are about the same size.This mix may be contained and stored for up to 3 months in the refrigerator.

For the Cake:

Preheat oven to 175 degrees.Spray a large Bundt pan (12 cup) with nonstick cooking spray.Sprinkle the chopped walnuts on the bottom.Place Basic Cake Mix, pudding mix, milk, eggs, rum, oil, and vanilla extract in a large bowl and combine on medium speed with electric mixer for 2 to 3 minutes, scrape down the bowl halfway through.Batter should be very smooth.Pour into Bundt pan.Bake for about 55 minutes- until fully golden and tester comes out clean and cake springs back.Remove from oven and place on a cooling rack while making the soaking glaze.

Rum Soaking Glaze
:Combine butter, water and sugar in a small saucepan.Bring to a boil carefully as mixture boils over very easily.Reduce to a simmer and cook until sugar is dissolved and syrup is well combined and a little thicker.Remove from the heat and add the rum, mix to combine.While cake is still cooling, pour some of the hot syrup on top of the cake, allowing it time to soak in (this may take a few minutes as there will be a lot of syrup) continue to add syrup until all of the syrup is added.Allow cake to cool completerly in pan before turning out onto serving platter.This cake is delicate, so once it is turned out, it can not be moved around easily.Can be eaten when fully cool, but even better the next day!

#chef thoughts by Noel

You are the world you have created
And when you cease to exist
This world you have created will also cease to exist

But for those with the understanding that they are living the last days of the world
Death aquires a different meaning
The extinction of all reality
Is a concept no registration can encompass
And then all the grand designs and all the grand plan’s
Will be finally exposed and reviled for they are
Death comes to the prey at speed
A silence of an arrow
I never tire of that
To see somone killed with elegance
Is moving to me
The hunter has grace & beauty
And purely of heart
To be found no where else
You can make no destitution between who they are
And that they do
And what we do is kill
But our faintness of heart is what has driven us to the edge
Prehaps you want to create but nothing iis cruelier than a coward
And the slaughter to come is behond our imagining

Blueberry buckle

A Canadian dessert well worth a try blackberries work as well

1/4 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup sugar
1 egg
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup milk
2 cups fresh blueberries
TOPPING:
2/3 cup sugar
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/3 cup cold butter, cubed

In a small bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg. Combine the flour, baking powder and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with milk, beating well after each addition. Fold in blueberries. Pour into greased 9-in. square baking pan.For topping, in a small bowl, combine the sugar, flour and cinnamon; cut in butter until crumbly. Sprinkle over blueberry mixture.Bake at 375° for 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack.

#atyourservice by Diarmuid

What a wonderfull weekend on the #foodtrail to the Kingdom. I probably don’t need to go into any furthuer detail on my experience in Listowel & Tralee as I have well documented my reviews on Social Media. So I’m going to just ‘tip’ on being an owner/operator having spoken to both proprietors on my journey and from my own experience of being a bar and hotel owner in my own time. Firstly I want to acknowledge the guys in Listowel & Tralee and wish them continued success in the future. When I began my career in the late 80’s going to the pub/restaurant was in the Top 5 of places of interest to go socialise and meet with friends family etc. 30 yrs later with the advent of so many many forms of social activity people are more health concious and with the demise of the Celtic Tiger the f&b trade has suffered a major downturn and our customers are now finely tuned in to ‘value for your buck’ Bars & Restaurants are under constant screunity from not alone the well travel and versed general public but from also within by the governing food and drink bodies. I have heard on countless occasions people saying ‘oh I’d love to have a pub/restautant’ they see an operation on a busy weekend night and immediately marry the till take to a it’s a good money maker. It’s obviously not the case. Our guests do not see what goes on behind the scenes and what an enermous effort it takes just to open the door let alone keep it open and trading successfully. My point without over stating the obvious is the respect I have for the guys I met this weekend. Hard working conceious people as well as being food lovers they are employers they are fantastic chefs and front house operators. I personaly am fully supportive of anyone in business but in particular in our Industry. It’s 7 days 7 nights every week week in week out. It’s then sometimes that naturaly I become disappointed when I read the reviews of staff and premises on Tripadvisor. Posted up by ‘mini-private eye foodies’ without a seconds thought for someone’s career and someone’s hard work. I was brought up to the mantra if you have nothing nice to say don’t say anything and if you realy feel something is to be said at least be constructive. My point again coming from being an employer to a damm good employee is We should all help support and encourage those who make the brave step forward to become an owner/operator. We should all take time to be transparent with out customers and when an opportunity arises to explain how deathtraemtal someone’s unkind review can be on any form of Social Media. The good times are gradually coming back People have a few extra bob in their pocket and once again with thanks to will oiled professionals in hospitality who did not bail out people are coming back into our bars & Restaurants and the ‘steaks’ are high and we need to continue to produce the goods and the experience our guests now demand. And we will I know all of us here on TCG will endevour to produce the best to the best of our ability. So I encourage everyone to support the Owner/operator. I for One raise my glass to you guys this evening. After all… we are the willing led by the unknown doing the impossible for sometimes the ungrateful but we keep doing it! Why I ask. Because that’s what we do. #atyourservice 👤

#atyourservice by Diarmuid

The call to Arms it came! ‘Ask not what your blog can do for you but what you can do for your blog’ ‘and from this day ’till the day you lay dying in your bed, would you give all those days fron now untill to write a piece for your blog’ We have all see the great movies heard the great spine chilling speech’s we even at times felt compelled to jump off our couch and go out and take on the world.
So what am I referring to What does a blog I follow I read mean to me. I follow like most on social media alot of blogs. I follow food fashion sport and definately any current affair in the world. I love information. I love to be able to converse on most things that are current and to my mind relevant. It’s important to be abreast of All that’s happening in the World when operating at front of house. As I have explained before its my ‘tool of work’ it’s my way to break down all barriers it’s my secret weapon but more importantly I love information and most certainly not in a nosey neighbour way. Most of my Facebook twitter or blogs are not following facebook friends on their night out who they are with etc etc, no my feeds are full of blogs my Snapchat follows all the top bloggers in our industry and beyond.
Ok so what Am I referring to. Noel Keane called to ‘Arms’ this weekend so I thought for a while what I would right here today. I’m writing about ( in case you haven’t gathered ) Social Media. I’m talking about the Internet I’m talking about the importance of Social Media and how it is a massive benefit to all our careers point in case I’m writing this post this evening because Noel reached out thru Social Media on TCG to basically write a blog for the page. I am doing that now. I’m reacting on Social Media to that call. Here I am but more importantly here are you also. I’ve learned so much so often so quickly but more so informality thru Social Media. Long ago when I had my own business I used deligialantly listen to the radio watch TV and drive around in my car to get all the ‘goss’ and that was before going into work. I needed to know what as we say in Limerick ‘what the Craic was’ only to know to be informed to be prepared. I didn’t need to know just to be a nosey nellie ‘to be fore-armed is to be prepared. To gain my own information not second hand. I have that now everyday with just a touch of a button the flick of a screen or a simple search on the ‘net. So what’s new I hear you say. Well we all have our own particular likes and we all have our hobbies and Intrestes in life now Social Media just brought all that a little closer to us all. Some of my favourite past times are hiking walking and amature photography. I now can combine all 3 on one of my favourite blogs Ireland from the Roadside. Who would have thought hobbies and pictures opening new experiences and new friendships all thru SM. Anyhow I digress I think you all know the score at this stage. I now thru TCG appreciate alot more the love the passion and the commitment you guys put into your work. I watch the videos of foragging of fresh produce I admire the dishs you guys present to our guests and I won’t always understand you guys and your madness but I certainly have a huge appreciation and respect for the labour of love and talent you posess. For me I’m better armed better prepared and a bettter operator for all this. Again for me it’s teamwork accross the board and support and love of what we do. Social Media has brought my game now to a different level. I gain information ideas and thankfully when I have time I can share this with fellow bloggers. So yes Ask not what can you do for your blog not what the blog can do for you. That’s the way I see it anyways. Now I’m off to Instagram and follow what interests me next, how knows only last evening I started to follow a ‘gram’ in NY called NewYorksBesteats from all over the 5 boroughs. I’m learning more and I’m loving it. Thanks TCG.
Diarmuid Ring

Food alerts, David thoughts

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Ok there is something that has been kinda bothering me as of recently, and that is the growing number of recalls of food within supermarkets and local shops due to malpractice with the so called product being produced. We all heard about the frozen food being recalled about being contaminated with Listeria. Well here’s a wee little lesson on Listeria for you. Listeria is a foodborne bacterial illness that can be very serious for pregnant women and people with impaired immune systems. Listeria is most commonly contracted by eating improperly processed deli meats and unpasteurized milk products. Listeria bacteria can survive refrigeration and even freezing. That’s why people who are at higher risk of serious infections should avoid eating the types of food most likely to contain listeria bacteria.

Symptoms

If you develop a listeria infection, you may experience:

Fever
Muscle aches
Nausea
Diarrhea

Symptoms may begin a few days after you’ve eaten contaminated food, but it may take as long as 30 days or more before the first signs and symptoms of infection begin.

If the listeria infection spreads to your nervous system, signs and symptoms may include:

Headache
Stiff neck
Confusion or changes in alertness
Loss of balance
Convulsions

9 people died from this particular foorborne illness in the past month alone, and as much as it scares me. I just keep seeing more recalls no one is questioning the big corporations. People are literally dying or being left really I’ll and hospitalised. How is it that these big corporations are not responsible for such things. I know as being a chef we have a duty of care to make sure every customer has a plesent meal and in no way gets sick or harmed by eating that meal. Does that always happen. No. And we unfortunately get blamed and have to suffer the the consequences. So why are the big corporations different.

Just as of yesterday morning (27 july) the Pepsi co had to recall a multivitamin juice due to fermentation. Fermentation is the chemical breakdown of a substance by bacteria, yeasts, or other microorganisms, typically involving effervescence and the giving off of heat found mainly in the making of beer and other alcohol products.

And that’s just yesterday if i go back towards the start of the month (6th july) there was a massive recall on dunnes and spar own brand pesto for contamination due to salmonella.

Salmonella (salmonellosis) is a common bacterial disease that affects the intestinal tract. Salmonella bacteria typically live in animal and human intestines and are shed through feces. Humans become infected most frequently through contaminated water or food.

Typically, people with salmonella infection have no symptoms. Others develop diarrhea, fever and abdominal cramps within eight to 72 hours.

Now with this particular recall I have a few issues.
1- dunnes and spar both claim to be Irish and do Irish food – well why would then have to buy in pesto from Belgium to mask as your own
2- as a junior chef who works in kitchen where a lot of foraging takes place pesto is frequently used. So what blows my mind is where in the **** do you get salmonella from basil oil and pine nuts.

It defiantly makes me wonder. WHAT IS IN OUR FOOD?

Dale on spring rolls

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In collage I learned how to roll a spring roll and learned how to prepare a spring roll , when I do pre dinner snacks in work and when I’m told create something for the customers to eat I get to learn what my styles and techniques are and each day I create something I get better. It helps me prepare for the time I’m ready to come up with a starter. One day I brought my techniques from collage into work and made a spring roll with duck,carrot and onion for a pre dinner snack , it wasn’t just making something that tastes nice to me it’s that at more when I think of something amazing to eat amazing to me is taste,texture and the art of the dish I like to surprise customers not just with taste but with the look of the plate too. My head chef thought me so many ways and techniques of cooking and so did my suis chef so I study and watch nearly everything they do to better myself at my passion. I saw the Dahl Curry on the menu one night and something just sparked to me I wanted to do something more with the Dahl that nobody would think of doing , something unusual , something so that when I created it and it was served out to the customers they’d be completely surprised with what they got , it came to me to combine a spring roll with a Dahl curry and that’s where my inspiration for the Dahl cake from

Paul on preserving

Summer time preserves.

Ok so, here goes I’ve got married and can say I’ve never been happier with my place in life right now, the path is clear for my personal life anyway.

Preservation work continues with chutney and cordials that have began to ferment to I suppose champagne is the best comparison, knowing when i made the “cordial” if I hadn’t killed the naturally occurring yeasts if end up in this position. Oh well elderflower champers, Wahoo. Tasty is an understatement for this beautifully light drink. I used this on the symphony of flowers dish for vegtopia menu, cooked and designed by myself and the 2 d’s Dave and Dale, fantastic dishes produced by these too lads also.

Now keeping nettles is much easier than the aforementioned elderflower cordial I’ve dried some and crushed some and rolled more into paper or as close as one can get to an edible paper. Fun idea I loved doing. Experimentation here is key to finding uses for this prolific weed.

Fraughans are in full flight at the moment I will be harvesting some this year, if I get a jar of jam I reckon I will have a lot.
More to the forefront of my preservation is that of the haws which will be colouring over the next few months. These little jems are all I’m looking forward to. Watch this space seriously there’s loads of them, I plan on hoarding them. Till the new year and far beyond if I can.

As always I’m on everything @chefpaulc for a more direct follow to me, the restaurant is on all social media platforms @croitralee
Chat soon people