Spilling the beans

‘Dancing With The Stars’ regular and Ireland’s top Latin dancer on her passion for Haribo, Lebanese food and planning what’s for dinner

All your foodie gossip

What is the meal you will always remember?

My dad makes most of my food, and I have to say he makes plenty of meals I will remember. He loves to experiment with flavours from different countries. I love his dish with prawns, and his stir-fry vegetables with chilli.

What was your defining food experience?

I think it would have to be when I first tried Lebanese food. I love the flavours.

What’s the first dish you ever cooked?

Pasta bake with salmon, broccoli, mushrooms, garlic — and, of course, lots of cream and cheese. Extra healthy!

What is your comfort food?

Jelly sweets. I love munching on a bag of Haribo.

What is your hangover cure?

I don’t drink, but I don’t need any excuse to order a Chinese!

What do you drink?

During the day, I like water with fresh lemons while I’m teaching dance.

You can only eat three things for the rest of your life, what are they?

Rice, salmon, and eggs are always my go-to. They’re just so handy and tasty.

What is the most appetising smell in the world?

Bacon. Nothing beats waking up to rashers in the frying pan.

What’s always in your fridge?

Mushrooms; my Ma actually has an obsession with buying them. Milk, vegetables and chicken.

What is your guilty pleasure?

Salt and chilli chicken.

How important is food to you?

It’s my main topic of conversation. When I wake up, I’m already thinking of what I will have for my dinner. But on a serious note, it’s so important. Because I am dancing every day, I need to make sure I eat right.

You can go anywhere and have anything to eat with any one person. Where, what and who?

Somewhere sunny by the sea — I love fresh fish. And, of course, it would be with my boyfriend.

Favourite restaurant in Ireland?

That’s a hard one. I go to different places all the time to try new flavours. I recently tried Pandini’s, an Italian restaurant in Clondalkin. It was so nice — lots to choose from, and everything was so tasty.

And abroad?

Habibi, a Lebanese-style restaurant in Tenerife.

What’s your sweet treat?

A nice cake with a cup of tea. I love banoffi pie.

What’s your signature dish?

I particularly love making pork fillet with asparagus and egg-fried rice.

Are you careful about what you eat?

Yes. During the week I eat as well as possible, and then I allow myself one day to eat what I want.

What’s your perfect family meal?

Sunday roast, or a bowl of stew. Karen will be in the Aldi Marquee at the National Ploughing Championships on Tuesday, September 19, and also returns to RTE One for the new series of ‘Dancing With the Stars’

“When I wake up, I’m already thinking of what I will have for my dinner”