Mourne Seafood Bar, Belfast

When I first started this blog I had hoped to post at least once a week or at least once every two weeks if things had been busy. So, three months after my last post, it’s time to come out of hibernation.

IRISH WHEATEN BREAD

This is my absolute favourite bread recipe. And possibly the only home economics recipe from my school I’ve kept.

RASPBERRY CHEESECAKE CUPCAKES WITH SPECULOOS BISCUITS AND WHITE CHOCOLATE BASE

The only way to top a cupcake in my eyes is to make it a CHEESECAKE cupcake. (I was going to try to join the two words a la cronut but it doesn’t work. Cheesecupcakes isn’t so catchy).

L’EPICERIE

I’ve lived in Ixelles now for almost three years, with this little cafe a stone’s throw away. Shamefully this was my first visit last weekend. But won’t be my last!

JAMIE O’S SPECIAL CRUMPETS, BACON + MAPLE SYRUP

If you’re looking for a stodgy soak-up-the-booze breakfast but are getting a bit bored of the usual fry up, you have to try this alternative.

ABATTOIR MARKET

If, like me, you’re routinely pretty shocked with some of the seemingly arbitrary but incredibly high prices of certain food items in Belgian supermarkets, you need to get to the abattoirs market at Delacroix. Quick step!

Mum’s ‘Double The Chocolate’ Oat Cookies

Almost every time I visit home, the mothership will make these for me (and I suppose for the rest of the family too).  

GRILLED HALLOUMI AND POMEGRANATE SALAD

What did the cheese say when it saw itself in the mirror? Haallllou-miii.

Stay with me. Staaaay with me.

BRITXOS (By LA BRITANNIQUE) + NUIT BLANCHE

Another weekend, another brunch.

A couple of weekends ago I was feeling especially delicate on a Sunday. The night before had been Brussels’ annual ‘Nuit Blanche’- a ‘sleepless night’ in French. It’s always one of my favourite nights of the year when dozens of art/dance/music/drama/interactive/younameit shows take place in one area of Brussels.This year’s offering did not disappoint.

BIA MARA

I love Brussels (most of the time) and I also adore its amazing range of comfort food. The word ‘stoemp’ even sounds stick-to-the-ribs carborific. Sometimes though, I CRAVE the comfort food I associate with home.

I come from a small village in the north of Ireland right next to the Belfast Lough.