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PROUDLY SPONSORED BY BITESIZE WORDS Martina Murra
y WINTERYARD The genial folk at Bodytonic are turning Phibsboro into a boozy-foodie wonderland as the buzzy Eatyard food market transforms into Winteryard this month. Visitors can tuck into a range of specially concocted festive specials dished up by friendly food vendors, including Janet’s dumplings and rice bowls, wood-fired sourdough pizza from Village Pizza, and signature hotdogs from Gaucho’s Dogs. Meanwhile BBQ experts Smokin’ Bones will be suffusing the air with the scent of pulled pork and ribs, as the merriment continues with festive games, live music, Christmas markets, and more. With festive frolics continuing right through until January, tickets guarantee anytime entry, two drinks, and a Santa hat. Bookings via Eventbrite. @eatyard FESTIVE FLAVOURS AT FOXFORD Kathleen Flavin, Head Chef at Foxford, first created her own delicious Christmas Pudding recipe two decades ago, and the years since have seen her adding her own tweaks to a traditional recipe, resulting in puddings with a fuller flavour. Experience has taught her that the success of the recipe rests in soaking the fruit for one to two weeks prior to making the pudding, while also adding carrot and apple to keep the seasonal favourite nice and moist. “My preference is definitely for a traditional pudding. However I played around with a few ingredients when I started making puddings and have found that this one works best. Good quality fruit should be used and this has to be soaked in Guinness and whiskey for one to two weeks, it definitely makes a difference to the flavour.” She also recommends adding grated carrot and cooking apple to the mixture to ensure it stays moist. When it comes to making preparations for the festive season, Kathleen advises making at least two puddings. “They are so handy to serve to visitors or to give as a gift and are a lovely warm dessert throughout the winter.” She also cautions against overheating the pudding before serving, saying that this ruins the taste. Instead, she suggests cutting the amount needed and re-heating it “preferably in a saucepan over a water bath, or in the microwave if it’s just one slice.” A coeliac herself, Kathleen has created a Gluten Free Christmas Pudding (1lb €17.95) for Foxford, in addition to a traditional Christmas Pudding (1lb €16.95, 2lb €25.95), and a Mature Christmas Pudding (2lb). The Foxford Food range also features other delicious festive offerings including Mulled Wine Spice, Ham Glaze and Cranberry Sauce as well as an abundant selection of food gift sets and hampers. foxford.com 38 THE GIFT OF HOME FROM FOLLÁIN A Christmas gift from Irish makers Folláin consistently comes packed with jammie goodness, and this year’s offerings are no exception. The popular Cork based brand has put together a beautiful selection of Christmas Boxes celebrating the tastes and flavours of the season, while also continuing its partnership with The Simon Community. Folláin family member Mícheál O’ Lionáird said, “At Folláin, home has always been at the heart of what we do, from our family kitchen to our friends and customers. As we mark another festive season, we’re continuing our support for The Simon Community, a cause that resonates deeply with us.” For a third consecutive year, the brand is once again pledging 50% of the proceeds from all online sales to support the vital work of the frontline charity, which works tirelessly to combat homelessness. This year’s Folláin Christmas range includes a beautiful Christmas Preserve Gift Box (€30), packed with full size jars of Christmas Spiced Marmalade, Mulled Wine and Winter Berry Jam, Spiced Apple Jelly, Cranberry Sauce and Caramel with Irish Cream Liqueur. For those whose tastes are more savoury, a gorgeous Cheese Pairing Gift Box (€20), comes replete with full size jars of Chargrilled Red Pepper Relish, Caramelised Onion with Black Garlic Relish, Irish Tomato Relish, Fig Jam, Tomato and Chilli Jam, and Spiced Apple Chutney. Their limited edition 12 Days Gift Box (€14.99), also makes for a gorgeous gift for food lovers everywhere. The festive tasting treat contains twelve surprise mini-pots of Folláin preserves, tucked behind seasonally illustrated windows. The celebration of homemade goodness is available across the range of Folláin festive favourites and Christmas stocking fillers as part of the brand’s #GiftofHome Christmas campaign until December 31st at follain.ie @follainirishpreserves GIFTED – GRUB ‘N’ GOODS If artisan food gifts are in your sights this holiday season, then a visit to the Spectacular Christmas Food Emporium at Gifted in the RDS is probably as good a place as any to make a start on your Santa list. In addition to a series of live demos and workshops, the Contemporary Craft and Design Fair boasts a vast selection of stylish and sustainable gifts from hundreds of makers, designers, and artisan food producers. We’ve got our eye on Advent Calendars by Gran Grans Foods, decorations from We Make Good, and some fine table settings by Hornets Delight, all pictured above. As an added bonus there’s also 10% off all purchases on the opening day of the Fair. Gifted, the Contemporary Craft and Design Fair, takes place at Dublin’s RDS from Wed December 4th to Sun December 8th, with late night shopping from Wed-Fri until 9pm. giftedfair.ie