With summer peeking around the corner, sunny barbecues and picnics seem like more of a reality now rather than a mere dream.
Just as well, then, that some Irish businesses have been coming up with exciting at-home dining options, from an 'all you need' burger kit to grab-and-go mains and desserts (not to mention cocktails and beers).
Speaking of beers, there is good news for fans of Porterhouse Brew's award-winning beers. Plus if you're trying a more vegetarian lifestyle of late, one Irish food brand has a new product you might want in your freezer.
Butcher boxes
The family-owned Gleeson butchers has launched a range of butcher boxes for collection or delivery. The burger box, above, feeds six and comes with six Irish quarter pounders as well as six brioche buns and cheese slices along with smoked streaky bacon, crispy onions, potato wedges and more. The steak butcher box serves two and comes with a choice of steaks and potato sides as well as root veg for roasting, crispy onions, sauces and more. Priced from €35, the boxes are available for delivery (Fridays only) or via click and collection from Gleeson butchers across Dublin and Meath. For more see gleesonbutchers.ie.
A good brew
There's good news for Porterhouse Brew fans – a selection of its products have just landed in Lidl stores nationwide. The range of award-winning craft beers includes Rambler Juicy Pale Ale, Renegade New England IPA and XXXX Stout. Porterhouse joins a wide selection of craft beers from Ireland, Europe and America already available in Lidls around the country. porterhousebrewco.ie
Bank on it
The Red Bank restaurant in Carrick-On-Shannon, Co Leitrim is bringing casual dining to your door with a new Boxed To Go range. Featuring seasonal ingredients sourced through local producers in Leitrim, Sligo and surrounding counties, dishes include a buffalo burger made with Gannon's crispy chicken on a brioche bun (€13.50) and Jack The Lad battered haddock (€14) with potato wedges. For dessert, there’s a baked lemon meringue cheesecake (€6) and a Drumshanbo Gunpowder Gin and vanilla crème brûlée (€6). There’s also a range of Boxed To Go Brews featuring an array of craft beers and cocktails. Click and Collect is available Thursday - Saturday, 4.30pm - 8.30pm, and Sunday from 1pm - 8pm. Tel: 071 96 71392 or go to the website.
Strong enough
Irish brand Strong Roots has added fish-free fingers to its growing range of plant-based products. The Veg Finger (€3) is made from root vegetables wrapped in a gluten-free crumb. They join the existing Strong Roots range of plant-based burgers, cauliflower hash browns, sweet potato fries and more. Stockists include Dunnes, SuperValu and Tesco. See strongroots.com for full stockists info.
Family fun
If you’re looking for something to do with the kids Bosch, the house appliance brand, has announced another virtual bake-along. The Summer Bake-Along takes place on Instagram @boschhomeuk next month. Bosch culinary manager Eleanor Martin will host proceedings and will demonstrate how to make a lemon and summer berry cake. There are 100 spaces available with each participant receiving a free kit. The event takes place on Saturday 12th June 2021 at 11.00am but registration opens this Friday 21 May at bosch-home.ie/bake.
