weekend bites

THIS WEEK I’LL BE EATING...

... miso. It’s a fermented paste of soya beans and usually barley or rice, and it’s used in much of Japanese cooking. I’ll have it dissolved in hot water as a soup with tofu or I’ll stir a little into melted butter and use it as a dressing for vegetables. I like to simmer slices of aubergine in miso and water until soft and then add toasted sesame seeds and some sesame oil. Both brown and white miso are available in health stores.

A DELI-CIOUS DISTRACTION

During my recent visit to the West I came upon a little cafe and bakery in the coastal town of Lahinch and was seriously impressed by both the baking and the coffee. Currently open for takeaway only, Hugo’s Deli is at 9 Kettle Street and I can report that its sausage rolls are utterly seductive. However, it produces all manner of baked goods and the aroma that wafts out on to the street is magical.

GERMANY’S DRY DELIGHTS

A lot of people still think German wines are sweet, a hangover from the days of Blue Nun and Black Tower. Well, two smashing dry German reds have just arrived as part of the new Autumn selection in Aldi. I mentioned the Blütengarten Blaufränkisch last week but you might also try the Blütengarten Pinot Noir from the Pfalz. If it came from Burgundy it would cost a great deal more than €7.86. Three times at least! It’s perfect with duck or — very Germanic — slow-cooked pork.

HIGH-END AT HOME

If my recent review of Graham Neville’s fabulous cooking got your gastric juices going, bear in mind that while Dax is closed for five weeks you can experience Dax At Home. As Graham says, ‘why cook, when I can do it for you?’ Meanwhile I heard from Michelin- starred Derry Clarke of L’Ecrivain during the week. He and Sallyanne utilised China Sichuan’s click and collect service. The verdict? ‘Absolutely first class.’ Visit dax.ie and china-sichuan.ie for menus.