H.B HOME BIRD

[homebirdfood]

Sticky Toffee Pudding

I can’t even attempt to put a healthy twist on this. It’s the sweetest, gooiest, moistest dessert there is and it’s also one of my favourites! I used Nigella Lawson’s recipe for this dish and it really isn’t difficult; it just takes care at attention to detail as you go through all the steps.

Instead of using individual pudding tins, I doubled the recipe and used a deep dish 6-inch tin and 8-inch tin. This requires a longer cooking time - I baked these at 150 C for almost an hour making the puddings really moist and preventing them from burning on top.

Sticky Toffee Pudding is an incredibly sweet dessert so it is best served with freshly whipped cream instead of ice cream.

You can find the full recipe here: http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/3682/ultimate-sticky-toffee-pudding

[homebirdfood]

Blueberry and Apple Muffins

Ingredients:

1½ c. flour

2 tbsp. cornstarch

1½ tsp. baking powder

pinch of salt

110g butter

¾ c. sugar

2 eggs

½ tsp. vanilla

180ml Buttermilk

1c. blueberries

2 small red apples (unpeeled), thinly sliced

Method:

Preheat your oven to 180 C and line a muffin tin with baking cups.

In a large bowl; sift and combine all of the dry ingredients and set aside

In an electric stand mixer, add the softened butter and sugar. Cream together until light and fluffy, add the eggs, 1 at a time and beat until well incorporated. Add the vanilla.

Add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture along with the buttermilk and mix until fully combined

Fill each baking cup about ⅔ full. Top with blueberries and about 3 apple slices, tucking them gently into the batter.

Bake in the center of the oven for about 25- 30 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean when inserted.

Transfer to a wire rack to cool and enjoy!

[homebirdfood]

Lemon and Poppy Seed Bread

Ingredients

1 2/3 cups self-raising flour

2 Tbsp poppy seeds

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1 cup caster sugar

Zest of 2 lemons

1/2 cup butter, at room temperature

3 large eggs, at room temperature

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

2 Tbsp sour cream

60ml

Juice of 1 Lemon

Recipe

Preheat oven to 180 C and line an 8x4 loaf tin

Measure all the dry ingredients and set aside

Using an electric mixer, cream the butter, sugar and lemon zest until smooth. Add the eggs one at a time whilst continuing to whisk, adding the vanilla with the last egg

Mix the milk and sour cream together and heat for 10seconds in the microwave to bring to room temperature

Add the flour, milk mixture and lemon to the butter mixture and mix on a low speed until combined

Bake for ~40 minutes until a knife inserted into the center comes out clean

[homebirdfood]

Fig Cashew and Coconut Bites

A delicious paleo snack full of fibre, good fats and protein!

Ingredients:

1 Cup Dates

1/2 Cup Cashew Nuts

1 Tbsp Almond Butter

1 Tbsp Coconut Oil

1/2 Tsp Vanilla Pod, Scraped

1 Cup Desiccated Coconut

Method:

In a food processor, blend the dates, nuts, butter, oil, vanilla and a table spoon of the coconut until well blended

Cover a baking tray in grease proof paper

Roll teaspoonful’s of the mixture into cylindrical shapes and space evenly apart on the tray. Pop in the fridge for ~10minutes to set

Remove from the fridge and roll in the coconut

Enjoy as a healthy snack or breakfast on-the-go

[homebirdfood]

Asian Style Noodle Jar

The perfect quick, simple and healthy lunch that takes minutes to prepare and makes a change from the usual soup, sandwich or salad! Pop all the ingredients into a sterilized mason jar, simply add boiling water and enjoy!

Ingredients:

Portion to your liking

Fine Egg Noodles

Teaspoon of rapeseed oil

Umami Pasta

Hoison Sauce

Soy Sauce

Mixed Asian Veg

Freshly Chopped Scallion

Chili Flakes

Freshly Chopped Coriander

Recipe

Places the noodles in the base of the jar, top with the umami, soy and  hoisin, mixed veg, scallion, and a sprinkle of chili flakes, followed by a sprig of coriander

Cover and store in the refrigerator. When ready to eat; top with boiling water and allow to stew for 3-5minutes before digging in!

Pop the noodles into boiling water with sea salt and cook over a medium heat until tender. Remove from the heat, strain and rinse with ice cold water. Stir a teaspoon of rapeseed oil through the noodles to prevent them sticking

[homebirdfood]

Grilled Avocado and Egg

Ingredients

1 Avocado

2 Small Free Range Eggs

1 Scallion, Finely chopped

Mixed Seeds

Sea Salt

Black Peppercorns

Recipe

Preheat the oven to 180 C, Grill Mark 6

Half and the avocado and remove the stone, leave the skin intact

Crack the eggs into the pit of each half

Season with salt and pepper. Pop onto an oven proof tray and grill until the egg is cooked to your desired consistency and the whites have turned white (about 4 minutes is perfect!)

Top with scallions and mixed seeds before returning to the grill for a minute

Remove from the grill and serve and enjoy as a delicious lunchtime snack or healthy breakfast 

[homebirdfood]

Grapefruit Jam

Photo credit: The Food Depth

When life gives you grapefruits...! Yes, I did that classic mistake of running into the shop, seeing what I thought were “giant” oranges and coming home to realise these were absolutely not oranges and in fact, they were grapefruits! 

Grapefruits, although a great metabolic booster, are very bitter to taste and not the most pleasant of fruits to eat. They do, however, make a great marmalade!

Before you throw out food, a simple google can give you an alternate use that you know you will be thanked for!

Following this simple recipe from Homemade Gifts Made Easy, you can’t go wrong regardless of how much or little jam making experience you have! Our jar didn’t set as well as we had hoped, but still tasted delicious over toast or granola!

Full ingredients and recipe:

http://www.homemade-gifts-made-easy.com/grapefruit-marmalade-recipe.html

[homebirdfood]

Food For Glowing Dewy Skin

I’m a firm believer that food should be our medicine! We are what we eat, and when we feel good on the inside, it shows (and we glow!) on the outside. 

Refined sugars, processed foods, alcohol, and caffeine can tend to dry out our skin. These substances are often highly concentrated and pull on our bodies water stores to process them through our system. Our skin is constantly shedding old cells, and being replaced by new ones and so needs a steady flow of micronutrients, good fats and oils, and plenty H2O to help support this growth and replenishment. 

Consuming more foods that are “from food, for food”, will help boost not only your energy, mood and overall wellbeing, but will help restore your moisture levels and give your skin the much-needed hydrating boost it’s after!

Here are some of the best foods you can consume to replenish dull, lack-luster skin.

All products can be found at www.evergreen.ie - a brilliant find I’ve recently stumbled across, all about natural remedies!

Coconut Oil

Aside from being an edible skin and hair tonic, Coconut Oil is a brilliant source of Vit E which is essential for skin cell growth and general health. Coconut oil can also be applied directly on the skin; it contains fatty acids that have antimicrobial properties and disinfect.

Try Nature’s Aid Premium Liquid Coconut Oil from Evergreen

Almonds

Almond’s have been coined as the go-to snack for those of you wanting to curb cravings and snack wisely. Almond’s are one of those foods that are packed with nutrients including protein, fibre, vitamin E, magnesium and good fats. They’re also a high source of antioxidants which prevent oxidative stress to the skin and slow down the ageing process.

If you are 23 and think you have wrinkles; calm down! This is most likely dry skin. Start with your diet and watch your skin time travel back a few years!

For a change, try Carley’s Raw Organic White Almond Butter

Avocado

Clear Spring Organic Avocado Oil

Omega Fatty Acids

Omega 3 nd 6 fatty acids are essential, which means they must be obtained from the diet. Oily fish, such as mackerel, are high in Omega fatty acids. However, if you happen to be like me and don’t eat fish, these can be obtained from supplements. 

Udo’s Choice Ultimate Oil Blend would be my go to product. You can order online at www.evergreen.ie. The great thing about this product, aside from it being a natural, herbal blend, is that it incorporates all the essential Omega’s; 3,6 and 9. 

[homebirdfood]

Lemon Meringue Pie

Ingredients

Pastry Ingredients

8oz Self raising flour

2oz Icing sugar

4oz Real butter

1oz Frytex

Pinch of salt

Juice of ½ a small lemon

1 Egg Yolk

2 Tbsp Ice cold water

Filling Ingredients

2 level tbsp cornflour

100g golden caster sugar

finely grated zest 2 large lemon

Juice of 2 large lemons

juice 1 small orange

85g butter, cut into pieces

3 egg yolk and a 1 whole egg

Meringue Ingredients

4 egg white, room temperature

200g golden caster sugar

2 level tsp cornflour

Method:

1. Prepare your pastry using my own mam’s recipe, found here. For best results, prepare the night before and allow to chill in the fridge for at least 8 hours. Remove 1 hour before rolling to bring the passtry to room temp. 

2.  Tip the pastry onto a lightly floured surface, gather together until smooth, then roll out and line a 23 x 2.5cm loose-bottom fluted flan tin. Trim and neaten the edges.

3. Prick the base with a fork and line with foil, shiny side down. Preheat the oven to 150 C. Bake the pastry case ‘blind’ for 15 mins, then remove the foil and bake a further 5-8 mins until the pastry is pale golden and cooked. Set aside.

4. To prepare the filling;  mix the cornflour, sugar and lemon zest in a medium saucepan. Strain and stir in the lemon juice gradually. Make orange juice up to 200ml with cold water and strain into the pan. Cook over a medium heat, stirring constantly, until thickened and smooth. 

Once the mixture bubbles, remove from the heat and beat in the butter until melted. Beat the egg yolks (save white for meringue) and whole egg together, stir into the pan and return to a medium heat. Keep stirring vigorously for a few minutes, until the mixture thickens and bubbles, but doesn’t curdle. Take off the heat and set aside while you make the meringue

5.  Put the egg whites in a large bowl. Whisk to soft peaks, then add half the sugar a spoonful at a time, whisking between each addition without overbeating. 

Whisk in the cornflour, then add the rest of the sugar as before until smooth and thick.

6. Quickly reheat the filling and pour it into the pastry case. Immediately put spoonfuls of meringue around the edge of the filling, then spread so it just touches the pastry. Spoon the rest into the centre, spreading so it touches the surface of the hot filling.

Return to the oven for 18-20 mins until the meringue is crisp and slightly coloured. Let the pie sit in the tin for 30 mins before slicing. 

[homebirdfood]

Top 10 Detox Foods

I’m trying to give my body (and energy levels) a much-needed reboot! After a few intense weeks, I’m feeling a little run down and although I have been working hard, I haven’t been nourishing my body and giving it the goodness it needed.

Although a detox can be used to lose weight; it’s also a great way to cleanse your insides and boost you up to restart - which is exactly what I need right now!

The healthiest detox diet avoids refined, processed foods and includes low to no intake of meat, dairy, and sugar. Coupled with increased water consumption, a typical detox includes plenty of vegetables, whole fruits, berries, nuts and healthy fats such as avocados and seeds.

Here are 10 Foods you should include in your detox diet for the ultimate cleanse and reboot!

ALMONDS

Benefits:  Almonds contain lots of healthy fats, fiber, protein, magnesium and vitamin E which, in combination, help to lower blood sugar levels, reduced blood pressure and lower cholesterol levels

AVOCADO

Benefits: Source of healthy, monounsaturated fats

BLUEBERRIES

Benefits: Blueberries are the king of antioxidants, a little substance that removes any baddies from inside your body which can cause damage to cells

BROCCOLI

Benefits: Broccoli is a great source of B vitamins which promote cell metabolism and energy

GINGER

Benefits:  Ginger is the best catalyst to include in your detox diet as it improves the absorption of nutrients and aids them in getting to work quicker!

LEMON

Benefits: Not only is lemon a great source of Vit C which helps promote immunity, but lemons also contain pectin fibre which is very beneficial for colon health and also serves as a powerful antibacterial

GRAPEFRUIT

Benefits: Grapefruit is a proven metabolismm booster, promoting cell rejuvination and weight loss

SWEET POTATO

Benefits: Sweet Potato are a great source of beta-carotene which helps our bodies produce vitamin A, which promotes healthy skin cells that glow from the inside out - you are what you eat!

EGGS

Benefits: Eggs - my favourite! Not only are eggs a great source of inexpensive, high quality protein but eggs are also packed with iron, zinc and phosphorus’minerals that are vital for your body. Women need plenty of iron due to menstruation, and not getting enough could leave you feeling tired, run down and grumpy. Zinc keeps your immune system in top form and helps your body turn food into energy. Phosphorus is important for healthy bones and teeth.

BEETROOT

Benefits: Beetroot (or if you really want to go all in - beet juice) helps to detoxify the liver, cleansing bad toxins from your system and healing from the inside out

[homebirdfood]

Home Office Inspo

I’ve finally come to the conclusion that I need a home office! Things are getting busier now Dance Fix has taken off. I need some space and no interruptions. Plus, if I use my kitchen for much longer - I’ll have eaten all the contents of it!!

Right now, I have little space to dedicate a room in my apartment or home house for office use only so this will have to wait until my next move (2017!). But of course, I’m procrastinating on Pinterest to plan ahead and wanted to share some of my favourite finds!

Hope you enjoy! x

[homebirdfood]

My own wee wish...

I feel like Home Bird has been a little neglected lately, but all for good reasons – I’ve been a very busy bunny!

I’m still working full time in my job. My role has grown quite a bit in the past few months and like any job, it has its challenges and days where I’d rather be anywhere else – but I do realise how lucky I am to have been given the position I’m in, and with such an exciting company. The opportunities are endless and no two days are the same. 

For the days that are tough, I have my “person”. She’s my work sister (as we like to call each other!) and I honestly don’t think I would enjoy work half as much without her. She’s been the one I turn to and laugh about the madness with – no matter how crappy a day I may be having, she somehow manages to make me smile. It’s incredible how much someone can just get you and ‘click’ with you. She’s a star if ever there was one and I adore her to bits and pieces!

As for Home Bird; I’ve started writing for Irish Country Living as well as Easy Food Magazine, which has been so exciting. There’s nothing quite like seeing something you’ve made and created on a piece of paper – being able to hold something you’ve put so much work into. 

I’ve also been working hard to build a website for Home Bird to have one home to share my recipes, tips, nutrition advice, interiors and much more. The blog has really started to pick up in the past year and although it may be only a small part of my life at the moment, it’s all the things I love and adore, it’s the things that make me smile and excite me and get me daydreaming..

I started Home Bird to share all the things I admired about my mum; her way around the kitchen, her craftiness, love for her family and her home and so it’s become close to my heart and I don’t want it to go anywhere just yet – Home Bird is my little outlet and if it can interest others, than that’s just the cherry on the cake for me!

You may have spotted me sharing posts on an upcoming event I am organising -The Show Country Market. 

It only seems like yesterday I began putting a plan in place for the food, drink and craft event, which is taking place at this year’s Manorhamilton Agricultural Show, and now it’s upon us. The event will take place in the Bee Park, Manorhamilton on the day of the annual show, the 23rd of July.

I’ve always admired small business owners. People who put their every being into a product they believe in and create something so unique and high quality. This event started out as a way to promote these small businesses in our local area and has grown to something so much more. With over 22 businesses participating, across food, drink and craft categories; I have no doubt this event will be a success. This was always something I wanted to organise in Leitrim and now that it is finally coming to light, I cannot wait for the day to arrive. My only hope at this point is that it is a success for the businesses taking part, because that is what the Show Country Market is here to promote – if the rain stays away, well that’s just a bonus!

And last, but certainly not least...I’ve finally made a little dream of mine come to life. Anyone close to me knows dancing has been such a big part of my life. For as far back as I can remember, very few days have gone by where dancing didn’t slot into them in some way or another. My father claims I got the bug from him, but I’m convinced I entered this world moving and shaking!

It was always an ambition of mine to have my own dance business, and when the opportunity came along to take over Dance Fix Ireland, a company I’ve worked in for years; there was no other option than to grab the opportunity with both hands and, (albeit terrifying), take on my own business.

Throughout all the years of dancing, competing and performing, my mum would always tell me it was “my own wee wish in my own wee world” and how true that is now. I wished hard, I danced hard, and I worked even harder and it has all paid off.

 Juggling all these things isn’t always easy. I need to be organised and dedicated to what I’m doing. I need to follow every detail through and give nothing less than 110%. But it is possible and it is manageable. You can achieve anything you want, and make any little dream or wish come true when you are passionate and when you work hard.

 As Dory says; just keep swimming!

 Eimear x

[homebirdfood]

Show Country Market, Saturday 23rd July, 2016

It’s so hard to believe this event is just two weeks away. It only seems like yesterday I began the process of picking up the phone and endlessly calling local businesses to tell them about the Show Country Market.  Having met so many local producers since setting out on this journey, I’m so amazed at the quality of produce and the devotion of these people to their brand, business, food and drink, and their love for what they do. We have received so much support from not only the food and drink producers and craftspeople participating in the Show Country Market, but also from the local community, our official sponsors (Rooney’s Supervalue Manorhamilton) and the committee of the associated Manorhamilton Agricultural Show. I have no doubt in my mind that this event will be a great success for all involved, and I am so excited to share what we have put together for you!

This will be the first year the annual Manorhamilton Agricultural Show will host the Show Country Market, on Saturday the 23rd of July 2016.

The Show Country Market was brought together to bring to life some of our region's best craftsmanship, food and beverage producers, in an effort to support Irish and promote local businesses, whilst also breathing new life into the show and providing something for everyone.

Aside from the “food-festival” element, The Show Country Market will also host live demonstrations, informative talks and showcase traditional artisan techniques, to create an interactive environment in the SCM marquee. With talks and demonstrations on growing your own food, nutrition for the family, and setting up a small food business – there really is something for everyone to enjoy!

The highlight of the event will without a doubt be the exhibitors, and I am so proud of the line up we have. For you foodies, the following businesses will be exhibiting:

The Leitrim Organic Centre | Finnoula Kelm Homemade Bakery Products | Crave Guilt Free |Baked With Love | Jinnys Bakery  | The Shed Distillery | Café Bia Slainte | Thornhill Duck | Mary Murray Smoked Pork | Dromod Boxty  | Rooney’s Supervalue Manorhamilton | Coole Swan

For the health and beauty fans:

Made in Lucys Kitchen | Green Angel Skincare | Motivation Weight Loss Clinic

And for those of you looking for unique, bespoke craft pieces, jewellery and furniture:

O’Brien Willowcraft | Soraya | DA Cards | Hazelrock | Oak Alley | Fox Woodturning

I really feel this new addition of the Show Country Market is going to bring an exciting new level of activity and interest to the festival weekend and I cannot wait to see all this hard work come to life and look forward to seeing you all there!

 Eimear x

[homebirdfood]

Victoria Sponge Cake

Classic Victoria Sponge, with raspberry jam, fresh dairy cream and edible flower petals to decorate!

INGREDIENTS

225g Butter

225g Caster Sugar

4 Large Free-Range Eggs

1 Tsp of Vanilla Extract

225g Self Raising Flour

To decorate:

250ml Double Cream

1/2 Jar Raspberry Jam

Icing Sugar to dust

Edible Flower Petals (mine are from www.eatme.eu)

METHOD

Preheat the oven to 170°C. Grease and line 2 x 20cm springform tins. 

Using a mixer, cream together the butter and sugar until pale and fluffy. 

Beat in the eggs one by one before adding the vanilla extract. 

Sift the flour and using a spatula, fold in the flour until you have a smooth mixture. 

Divide the mixture into the two springform tins, and bang the tin off your work surface so to get rif of any air pockets. 

Bake for approx. 20 minutes, until golden. A sponge is fully cooked when it bounces back after being touched, or when it appears to be squeezing in from the edges of the tin. Allow to cool in the tin.

Meanwhile, prepare the filling by whipping the double cream. 

To serve; spread the raspberry jam on top of one of the bases before topping with cream. Add the second base and sift icing sugar on top.Top with a light sprinkle of edible flower petals and serve!

[homebirdfood]

Apple & Blueberry Bircher Museli

INGREDIENTS

1 Pink Lady Apple, Grated

50g Porridge Oats

25g Mixed Seeds

25g Dessicated Coconut

1 Tsp Ground Cinnamon

100g Natural Blueberry Yogurt

Blueberries, to sprinkle on top

METHOD

Put the grated apple into a bowl and add the oats, seeds, coconut and the cinnamon and mix well

 Stir in the yogurt and 100ml of cold water.

Cover and chill for several hours or overnight. Spoon the muesli into two bowls and top with coconut, honey, seeds and bluberries before serving up!

Enjoy x 

[homebirdfood]

SOY & GINGER BUDDAH BOWL

Buddha bowls, are the new instagram craze that just look to pretty to not capture and tag and they taste just as indulgent and delicious as they look. Also known as glory bowls or hippie bowls, these colourful, hearty and filling dishes are made up of various greens, raw or roasted veggies, beans and a healthy grain like quinoa or brown rice. 

I’ve put my own Home Bird twist on a buddha bowl and managed to whip up something good with what I had to hand! Try my Soy and Ginger Buddah Bowl with Chicken to treat yourself to something good for dinner!

INGREDIENTS 

(Serves 1)

Chicken Breast

40ml Dark Soy Sauce

3 Garlic Cloves, halved

1 Tbsp. Ginger Puree

Egg Noodles

Brocolli

Cherry Tomatoes

Corn, Chopped

Mushrooms, Chopped

METHOD

In a deep, oven-proof dish, pierce the chicken breast with a knife and marinade in the soy, garlic and ginger. Cover in tin foil and leave in the fridge to rest for at least 2 hours

Preheat the oven to 100C and cook the chicken in the same dish as it was marinading in, low and slow until fully cooked. 

Meanwhile, boil the brocolli and corn and lightly fry the mushrooms over a low heat.

Simmer the noodles until just cooked (no more than 5 minutes)

Once the chicken is cooked, allow to cool in the marinade and remove before cutting into thin strips. Strain the sauce and use this to pour over the egg noodles.

Serve in a round flat bowl, layering each ingredient in one at a time for the perfect savoury buddag bowl. Season with salt and pepper and serve!

[homebirdfood]

Beat the Bloat

Feeling bloated and looking 6 months pregnant after eating is something so many women (and men) deal with on a daily basis. So many factors can contribute to bloating; poor dietry choices, allergies, indigestion, IBS, carbonated beverages, water retention, even talking whilst eating - believe it or not! Bloating causes discomfort, aggrevation, and just makes you feel unattractive. 

Like all things realted to our diet - simple adjustments to the food we consume and limiting “baddies” from our diet can help beat the bloat. Here are some foods and beverages you should  avoid to help you ban the big belly for good!!

Food and Drinks To Avoid

Carbonated Drinks

Carbonated drinks contain high amounts of carbon dioxide. When you drink one of these beverages, you end up swallowing large amounts of this gas, some of which gets trapped in the digestive system and can cause uncomfortable bloating and even cramping. Plain old water is always the best way to hydrate yourself so ditch the coke and go for pure water.

Sugar-Free Foods

You may think you are choosing the better option when you opt for sugar-free gums’ jellies or yogurts; but these products often contain sugar replacers known as sugar alcohols ( watch out for xylitol, sorbitol and mannitol on labels) that can cause digestive issues - resulting in bloating. Stevia is the better alternative. 

Beer

Beer Belly is a real scientific thing! Like carbonated drinks, beer too contains carbon dioxide and fermented ingredients which makes up the perfect recipe for bloat! If you want to be really good, stick to water! But wine is the belly friendly alcoholic alternative.

Dark Green Veg

Just when you think you’re doing something good by packing in the brocolli, kale and cabbage!  These dark green vegetables are cruciferous vegetables, which contain a sugar known as raffinose. Raffinose requires bacteria in your gut ferment it in order for it to be digested, which produces gas and, in turn, makes you bloat. By having a diet rich in fibre, antioxidants and probiotics; you will strengthen your digestive system and promote gut bacteria in doing their job! But don't shun those healthful greens just yet.