Food & Wine

Me Come Dine With Sticky

barbecue chicken

PREPARATION AND COOKING TIME

Prep:10 mins Cook: 30 mins - 40 mins INGREDIENTS

• 8 chicken thighs • 2 tbsp plain flour • 1 tbsp olive oil • 8 rashers streaky bacon , chopped • 400ml stock • 500g bag baby new potatoes , halved • 200g pack full fat soft cheese • 200g broad beans , podded • 200g sweetcorn (frozen, fresh or from a can) • 200g cherry tomatoes , halved

METHOD STEP 1

Dust the chicken in the flour and some seasoning. Heat the oil in a lidded pan and brown the chicken, in batches if needed, then transfer to a plate. Throw in the bacon and fry for 5 mins, until crisp.

STEP 2

Return the chicken to the pan. Add the stock, cover and simmer for 30 mins, adding the potatoes after 10 mins.

STEP 3

Make sure the chicken is cooked and the potatoes are tender, then stir in the cheese, the rest of the vegetables and some seasoning. Simmer for 5 mins more, uncovered, then serve.

RECIPE TIPS

Chicken thighs make a good-value alternative to breasts, however, if you prefer the white breast meat, then swap for 4 skinless breasts, and simmer for just 20 mins with the potatoes.

Preparation and cooking time Prep: 30 mins Cook: 10 mins

Easy Makes 6-8 skewers

INGREDIENTS For the fajitas

• 2 limes , plus wedges to serve • 1 tsp dried oregano • 1 tsp ground cumin • 1 tsp smoked paprika • 1 tsp olive oil • 2 garlic cloves , crushed or finely grated • 4 chicken breasts • 3 mixed coloured peppers • 1 red onion

For the guacamole

• 2 ripe avocados • 1 lime • 6 cherry tomatoes , halved • warmed tortillas , chopped coriander, soured cream or yogurt, plus chilli sauce for the grown-ups, to serve

Method STEP 1

Make the marinade. In a large bowl, juice both the limes. Add the oregano, spices, olive oil and garlic, and mix together. Dice the chicken, then get your child to stir it through the marinade, and set aside.

STEP 2

Prepare the vegetables. Deseeding the peppers and halving the onion is tricky, so do this yourself. Children aged from about seven or above can cut them into chunks using a child-friendly knife.

STEP 3

Make your skewers. Carefully thread alternate pieces of chicken, peppers and onion onto your skewers. Smaller children might find this a little hard, so the best way is to stab the ingredients and push them up the skewers. When you’ve used up all the ingredients, set aside. Can be made several hours ahead and chilled until ready to cook.

Barbecued chicken fajita skewers STEP 4

Prepare the guacamole. Stone and peel the avocados, then tip into a bowl with the other ingredients. Get your child to use a potato masher to mash everything together and tip into a serving dish.

STEP 5

Cook the skewers. Heat a barbecue or griddle pan. Cook the skewers for 10-12 mins, turning, until they are cooked all the way through. A child from the age of eight can watch over a griddle and turn the skewers with a pair of tongs. Serve the skewers on heated tortillas with the guacamole, soured cream, chopped coriander, lime wedges on the side and chilli sauce for those who like a touch of spice.

Learning about wine Part 1

Good wine is one of life’s greatest pleasures. Whether you are a novice or a connoisseur, interested in simply sipping or expertly analysing, enjoying a glass of wine can be a sublime experience.

Unfortunately, many people find wine and how to choose, serve, and describe it more intimidating than enjoyable. The very scope of the topic seems daunting. But never fear -- you don’t have to take a class to appreciate the subtleties of fine wine.

Still, as with many things in life, a little knowledge goes a long way. Just as a musical performance is enhanced by knowledge of the composer or the piece, a bottle of wine is more enjoyable if you know something about it.

Learn to taste the story in the wine, and you can transcend the intimidation.

To appreciate wine as somex===thing more than mere drink, all you’ll need is conscious, deliberate awareness. Let’s face it: It makes little sense to pay the premium for wines of character only to swallow them unconsciously.

Each wine has a personality waiting to be discovered: You just need to decide whether you like it.

This is a very personal endeavour. Responses to wine are as individual as fingerprints. An aroma or flavour that is pleasing to you may not be so to another. The trick is translating your preferences into words. Accomplish this, and you will add new dimensions to your enjoyment of wine.

So, how to begin? You begin by understanding what’s in your glass, tasting what’s in your glass, and evaluating what’s in your glass. Sampling wine and recording your impressions is an effective (and festive!) way to gain confidence choosing and evaluating wine. In this article, you will learn about all the aspects of wine and wine tasting. You will learn about the various varieties of wine and how they are made, as well as how to taste and appreciate wine.

In many ways, beginning a quest for wine knowledge is like entering a whole new world: a new language to learn, new techniques to master, and so many wonderful selections of wine to sample. Enjoy the journey!

Nore Valley Park

Are you a family looking for a fun outdoor activity in Kilkenny? Well look no further, Nore Valley Park is a great choice for a safe and fun day out. Located just ten minutes outside of Kilkenny City. There are a number of amenities and activities to take part in for the whole family to enjoy

They are a family run pet farm which has been passed down through the generations and they do their utmost to ensure their visitors have a great fun filled time at their park with their animals. Nore Valley Park offers a gorgeous trail around the outdoor pet farm with a fort overlooking the entire park. They have both indoor and outdoor petting facilities, the indoor facilities include petting baby animals such as fluffy bunnies, chicks, lambs and piglets. They have dedicated feeding times throughout the day to let you and the kids get a chance at bottle feeding the animals and make amazing memories. This gives a chance to find out all about the baby animals and ask any questions in which you may have. The outdoor petting facilities include animals such as goats, baby goats, ducks, peacocks, sheep, deer, ostrich, and many more.

The baby animals love being cuddled by people of all ages and it’s a relaxing therapeutic experience for everyone involved. There is a wide range of beautiful birds as well as farm animals on the farm, these birds include a Bengal eagle owl, guinea fowl and pheasants. The piglet Winston loves getting all of the attention from his visitors. As well as the pet farm amenities, Nore Valley Park also offers a range of outdoor activities such as go karts, mini golf and a tractor ride around the farm. There is a scenic two mile river walk and nature trail to enjoy and be at one with nature. Relax at the picnic benches whilst the kids play at the playground and enjoy some freshly baked goods baked on the farm. They offer a huge range of breads, cookies and a delicious carrot cake. A fun filled day out in the sunny south East, guaranteed to make you smile. The animals at Nore Valley Park hope to see you all very soon.

Bricks 4 Kidz

Does your child dream of a wonderful world of imagination and discovery? A Bricks 4 Kidz camp just might be the perfect place for your Master Builder to grow and learn and make new friends! Suitable for girls and boys aged 5 – 12, a Bricks 4 Kidz camp encourages learning through LEGO®-based play activities

BRICKS 4 KIDZ is one of a select few educational play facilities accredited by Science Foundation Ireland. This accreditation ensures that all our activities are in-line with the current Irish curriculum for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths). The unique Bricks 4 Kidz LEGO® Kits and builds are designed by an education team including STEM professionals and teachers to promote STEM engagement and active learning.

This year, Bricks 4 Kidz will be running their fun educational camps in venues around Kilkenny, Carlow, and Waterford. These camps will be even more fun than before, as there is a range of brand- new themes and builds within each camp! Whether your child dreams of piloting a rocket or a pirateship, exploring the jungle or the oceans, or becoming the greatest Pokémon trainer in the world, there is sure to be a Bricks 4 Kidz camp for them!

To ensure that every Master Builder stays safe and healthy, Bricks 4 Kidz have taken additional COVID-19 prevention measures at their camps. A “building pod” system keeps all children in small groups throughout the week and limits their interaction to the other children in this pod. Social distancing measures are in place in all venues, as well as a contactless drop-off and collection system. Enhanced hygiene measures ensure that there is no sharing of equipment between pods during the camps, and each child will have individual and pod use of all equipment throughout the camp. In addition to these measures, Bricks 4 Kidz management and staff have undergone the appropriate training and risk assessments to ensure the safety of all their activities.

The LEGO®-tastic Bricks 4 Kidz camps will be taking place in Kilkenny on the following dates: July 5th – 9th (St Canices Neighbourhood Hall), and July 19 th – 23 rd (St Canices NS), along with another week to be added in August. All camps take place from 10am – 1:30pm Monday – Friday. Full details can be found on the website bricks4kidz.ie/carlowkilkenny-waterford. For more information on their camps, other venues, or to book a place, contact Kealan on 085 144 2783 or by email at ktyrrell@bricks4kidz.com. Spaces are limited on camps, so call today to book your space!

Build skills, confidence, friendships & memories at a Designer Minds Kilkenny summer camp

The first of Designer Minds three actionpacked Science, Technology, Engineering, Art & Maths Summer Camps in Kilkenny is just over a week away. These exciting camps are a great way for children to learn new skills, build their confidence, make memories and friendships, and have lots of fun…. All at the same time!

Designer Minds will be inspiring, educating and entertaining young minds at Loreto College for three whole weeks this Summer (July 5th-9th, July 19th-23rd and August 9th-13th). If you are on a staycation in another county for any of these weeks, then be sure to look out for a Designer Minds Summer Camp there too. They run their camps nationwide!

“My daughter attended the camp in Kilkenny. She bounced home every evening, full of enthusiasm from the activities she took part in. There was great variety during the week, so thank you to all the team at Designer Minds” – Denise, Kilkenny Summer Camp 2019

Designer Minds is one of Ireland’s leading STEAM camp providers. They have been featured on TG4, recommended by The Sunday Times, The Irish Times, The Irish Independent, and thousands of parents and children around Ireland.

This year’s camps are full to the brim with fun games, exciting experiments and team-building challenges. All camps will be run outdoors where possible. This year’s topics include Sports Science, Minecraft, Coding, Team Building, Architecture, Robotics, Engineering, Circuit Building, Art & Design and so much more….

You can secure your place with a €10 deposit today, at www.designerminds.ie/ camps. Sibling discounts are available.

Art It – In everyone there is a creative streak waiting to emerge

DiDi’s Walk In Studio for All Ages

ART It is a wonderful airy space at MacDonagh Shopping Centre run by artist DiDi Dobree-Wilson that offers a walk-in art experience for all ages. You can have fun decorating an artwork with your child or you can drop him/her off while you catch up on your shopping. Children from the age of 5-13 can enjoy the excitement of DiDi’s summer camps. They are always stimulating, educative and fun, and often include other activities such as sewing, cooking, crystal art, string painting and much more. For the 8-13 year children bring a packed lunch for a full day’s entertainment.

Parties at Art It are great craic and are for all ages! Paint, glitter, gem a piece from a very wide selection of objects, draw a live model, paint pottery, paint a canvas and so much more. Pick what appeals to you, find your inner child and have fun! Art It also runs art classes in acrylic and oil painting, first experience classes for the young and fun art Saturday classes during the school term.

To check us out you can either call DiDi at 086 3085270, Facebook us at Art It Kilkenny, Instagram us at artitkilkenny, website us at www.artit.ie or look DiDi up at www.contemporaryartandpaintings.com.

Secret Valley Wildlife Park

Come and enjoy a day out in the Sunny Southeast and experience wildlife from all around the world

Secret Valley Wildlife Park is located on fourteen acres with over 40 species from farm animal favourites to exotics. We have implemented new regulations for the safety of our visitors, staff and animals. Upon arrival you will receive feed for the baby goats, Llamas and Alpacas. Get up close with Toby the Tortoise as he walks around the park and animal encounters shed. Our one way system brings you around the paddocks to the ponies, capybara, ring-tailed lemurs, capuchin monkeys, and Rhesus macaques. The animal encounters shed homes the meerkats, prairie dogs, bunnies, reptiles, macaws, our raccoon and much more! Visit the old farmyard where our pigs, donkeys, goats and Shetland ponies live. Our outdoor play area, obstacle course and picnic area, located by the farmyard remain open and sanitized daily. The Quad Train runs all day long and takes you on a seven minute during all around the farm through the paddocks, the farmyard, down by the pond and the hawthorn lane. This is an additional €2 a head. Our coffee shop, The Hungry Tortoise, offers a menu of speciality sandwiches and hot food. Why not get a gormet McCabes Coffee and enjoy in our picnic area beside the peddle tractor park. We also sell all our furry favourites in a teddy from our gift store. Other merchandise also available.

Visit our Instagram and Facebook for daily updates on our animals @ secretvalleywildlifepark. You can buy and book tickets on our website secretvalley.ie. Booking is essential. Adults €10 Children €9 and family rates available see website for more. Group bookings and birthday parties available call 0872050069 or 0539244023. We are constantly growing and expanding with lots of new and exciting features to come. Watch this space!!

Bundoran ready to embrace staycationers

From the famous Fairy Bridges to the stunning Tullan Strand to being the surf capital of Ireland, Bundoran, County Donegal is the ultimate family destination this summer for your staycation! Nestled in the southern most tip of Donegal, beautiful bracing Bundoran by the sea has become synonymous with its tradition of hospitality right across the seaside resort for many centuries.

Enjoying stunning views of Donegal Bay, the first stop in the county on the Wild Atlantic Way has something for the whole family who are looking to fill every moment or that someone who just wants to relax and let the world go by. Five hotels, numerous self catering apartments and holiday homes, B&Bs and hostels ensure that every budget is catered for while attractions and entertainment options won’t leave you wanting for something to do. Check out our impressive Fairy Bridges and make a wish on the Wishing Chair. Enjoy a stroll on the Rougey Walk and embrace that sea air. Settle down for the day on our Blue Flag beach or spend the afternoon experiencing the fun of the fair at Bundoran Adventure Park including the View Wheel lifting you to a height of 36 metres above ground.

For the sports enthusiast there’s surfing with our surf schools showing you how to get to your feet and facilities for beginners, intermediates and professionals right across the coastline. The golfer is looked after with our 18 hole championship links course and with sea, lake and river fishing close at hand the angler in your life is well catered for as well!

How about a horseback ride across a golden strand and through sandy dunes? Look no further than Bundoran. On calm days you can experience the coastal nooks and crannys from a sea kayak on the Atlantic.

Nearby there’s hill walks and hikes and Bundoran provides the perfect base for an adventure to explore the surrounding areas including the Gleniff Horseshoe, Mullaghmore, Ireland’s Oldest Town – Ballyshannon, Donegal Town and further west to the highest accessible sea cliffs in Europe – Sliabh Liag.

When the hunger pangs are at you, you’ll find many of Bundoran’s cafes and restaurants open for takeaway from your traditional fish and chips to your full dinner with options from Irish to European, Chinese to Indian. Many will have outdoor dining in place this year too.

Finally, end your day with a loved one and take in one of Donegal’s stunning sunsets across Donegal Bay. Want to check it out before you get here? See our brand new webcams streaming live 24/7 at discoverbundoran.com/ webcam and when you get here, we’ve made it even easier for you to upload that treasured photo memory with free wifi at our Main Beach and Tourist Office.

Things will be a little different this year and some things may be subject to change, but we are gearing up this year to give you a staycation to remember – for more see www.discoverbundoran.com and check us out on social media.