A Taste For Life

DJ Alison Curtis’s favourite eats

What did your mother make you?

In many ways, my mum was a pretty traditional 1970s/1980s cook, but when my sister and I wanted to become vegetarians, she went with it and changed what she made for us. She experimented a lot and I think she surprised herself!

What is the meal you will always remember?

We had a cottage in Canada, and my family lived off barbecue food for the whole summer. We even made desserts that way — bananas with chocolate chips and marshmallows were firm favourites.

What’s the first dish you ever cooked?

Probably a very basic veggie stir-fry! In college, we lived on basic stir-frys and mac ‘n’ cheese.

What is your comfort food?

I love pasta with peas, avocado, tomato and olive oil — a massive bowl is my go-to when I just want to be fed and full.

What is your hangover cure?

Hash browns with mushrooms and a fried egg usually does the trick for the first round of food. But later in the day, I really crave a chip butty with loads of mayo.

What do you drink?

A lot of water, a lot of coffee and moderate amounts of red wine. I wouldn’t drink minerals or be a cocktail person, but I do enjoy a nice glass of rouge.

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

Only three things! OK: Pancakes; pasta; and, for balance, peaches!

What is always in your fridge?

Yogurt, broccoli, carrots, hummus, soy sauce, olives, pesto and maple syrup!

What’s your signature dish?

I love making pizza from scratch. The dough is so easy to make and tastes so fresh. I love throwing on asparagus, beets, peppers and goat’s cheese and pepper.

Worst meal ever?

Probably something I made in my 20s!

What is your guilty pleasure?

Making a very buttery apple crumble. I do this every so often on a Friday. The trick, really, is a bit of extra butter and a whole lot of brown sugar and cinnamon.

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

I would go to Yamamori in Dublin for a have a nice, quiet dinner with my husband — as it’s rare these days — and I’d have a massive bento box.

Favourite restaurant in Ireland?

Moloughney’s in Clontarf is great for a family Sunday brunch. And Ard Bia at Nimmos in Galway is an incredible place, that is full of delicious dishes. D’lush Cafe in Wexford town has an impressive menu.

What’s your sweet treat?

I love dark chocolate, and I’m also a sucker for cupcakes, all flavours!

Are you careful about what you eat?

I do watch my fat intake, as a year ago my cholesterol was a bit high, and ever since then I have read labels a bit more carefully. Other than that, I am lucky I just don’t really crave the bad stuff that often. I have a weakness for salty nibbles, though.

Any foods you’ve had to cut out?

I have cut down on cheese considerably in the last few years, and I really miss it! I mean, it’s cheese — it’s the best food ever! Alison Curtis presents Today FM’s Saturday Breakfast from 8am to 11am, and Sunday Breakfast from 7am to 10am. Find her on Twitter @alisontodayfm, or on Instagram or Snapchat @radioalison In conversation with Sophie White

“I’ve had to cut down on cheese and I really miss it. I mean, it’s cheese — it’s the best food ever!”