Where’s the Salt?

Last year (2005), the hubby and I did our Christmas shopping in Kinsale. We took a day off work and went on a gentle stroll through the quiet, picturesque streets, picking up books, local crafts and other goodies before heading off for a boozy lunch in Fishy Fishy. Martin Shanahan was working his magic in the kitchen, so we lingered, maybe a little longer than we should, given the main task of the day.

On Christmas Eve, we realised that thanks to the Fishy Fishy / wine induced haze, we had only half our shopping done and a last minute dash round Grafton Street was all that could save us!

This year, (2006, really) things were different. We took a day off in early December, gave up on our dreams of leisurely shopping combined with boozy lunch, and head for Cork city. This time we were equipped with lists and a plan of military precision. The hubby had already made 2 trips to stash bags in the car before we decided to stop for lunch.

We were lucky to get a table at the tiny Cafe Idaho on the corner of Caroline St. They had added special Christmas touches to their menu, such as gingerbread cafe latte, with lumps of crystallised ginger which added gingery subtlety to the coffee and which was served with a lovely moist gingerbread.

The highlight was my lunch of Gubbeen and smoked salmon potato bake. They probably could have sourced a better smoked salmon, given the abundance of great suppliers in Cork, but it was such a simple, easy dish, I’ve recreated it a few times at home.

Well fortified by a warm Chilean red, which induced a feeling of goodwill towards all, we head back out to the mean streets of Cork, ready to do battle once again. The hubby suggested that as we were making such good progress, we sneak into the cinema, to check out Daniel Craig in Casino Royale. Unfortunately for him, I was a woman on a mission, determined to get all the consumerism over and done with in one day.

And so we did.

Happily, over Christmas, my mammy took charge of the toddler and we saw Mr. Bond on the big screen. Never a huge 007 fan, I’ve nonetheless rather unwillingly accompanied the hubby to every single one of the Pierce Brosnan episodes. Casino Royale I loved.

Happy New Year everyone!

Gubbeen & Smoked Salmon Potato Bake

To serve 4

8 medium sized potatoes
100g Frank Hederman or Ummera Smoked Salmon cut into strips
1/2 a baby Gubbeen broken into bite sized chunks
Salt & Pepper
Olive oil / butter

1. Boil the spuds till just done. Add to an oven proof dish and toss in a little olive oil or butter.
2. Mix in the smoked salmon and dot the Gubbeen over the top.
3. Pop under the grill until the cheese is bubbling and turning golden.