New cookbook from Gaz Smith & Rick Higgins

And For Mains is a new book featuring recipes and stories from Gareth (Gaz) Smith, the award-winning chef and owner of Dublin restaurants Michael’s and Little Mike’s, and Rick Higgins, a fourth generation butcher who runs Higgins Family Butcher in Sutton on Dublin’s northside. The hardback book combines the recipes that Gaz is known for with stories from the Irish food scene, from how to select the best Irish beef and the journey from the field to your plate, to the reality of crab fishing in the Irish Sea and the search for the capital’s best pints. And For Mains is a perfect gift idea for those who enjoy great food and great produce as well as good banter. The recipes have been adapted to ensure home cooks can recreate the dishes in their own kitchens without the need for expensive kit or hard-to-find ingredients. With 63 recipes, choose from seafood classics or meat feasts to seasonal salads and sumptuous sides. Readers will learn insider tricks like how to cook the perfect steak, the art of the reverse sear and a range of one pot wonders including one hour roast chicken.

Some dishes we would especially enjoy having made for us are Smoked Haddock and Prawn Lasagne, Austrian Pork Stelze (Gaz lived in Austria for many years); and Chocolate Amarena Cherry Brownie Cake.

The book was conceived over ‘pints and chats’ between Gaz and Rick, friends and business partners for many years, who wanted to share their knowledge and the stories and recipes they love.

And For Mains is available now, €40, in store at Michael’s Mount Merrion, Little Mike’s, Higgins Family Butcher, Sutton, and also at andformains.ie