Monday, December 2, 2013

LET'S TALK TURKEY!

WHAT KIND OF TURKEY?

Cullens Quality Butchers offer-

Traditional Free Range Turkeys on the bone ranging from 
10 – 22 LB.

Boned and Rolled Turkeys, Stuffed or Unstuffed. 
- This is the whole Turkey taken off the bone and rolled and tied into a nice joint - it contains the white breast meat as well as the darker leg meat. 

Adding Cullens Traditional Homemade Stuffing is a very popular choice! 

Other options are - the Turkey Crown (White Breast meat still on the bone) or do a boneless Turkey Breast (just the white meat).

Fancy an alternative……
but still a roast that’s full of festive flavour!
Try Goose, Duck, Rib of Beef or Venison.


WHAT SIZE TURKEY DO I NEED?

At Cullens we get asked all the time ‘what size Turkey do I need?’
as a guide for making that decision:

10-12 LB         5-6 people
12-14 LB         6-7 people
14-16 LB         7-8 people
16-18 LB         8-9 people
18-20 LB         9-10 people
20-22 LB         10-11 people

For a smaller gathering, we supply Turkey Crowns and Turkey Breast. 
Talk to our Butchers and they can advise you on the right size.

Remember ‘Better to be looking at some than looking for some!’


Call Cullens Quality Butchers on 0404 69719 to place your order.

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

Comfort Food


Comfort food is calling as the nights close in 
and it's getting colder out.

We have some great comfort food recipes to warm you up!
check out......

l

Thursday, October 31, 2013

Colcannon

HALLOWEEN


Today Halloween is all about the sweets! 
But afterwards some warm hearty food is what's needed
Colcannon is full of flavour, it's warming and filling... perfect for a cold autumn night! 


COLCANNON

An old Irish Halloween Dish of potatoes with cabbage or kale.
It is tradition to serve colcannon with prizes of small coins concealed in it.


Ingredients:
1 lb Cabbage finely chopped or Kale
2 lb Potatoes peeled and cut
1 Cup Milk
2 leeks chopped
Salt & Pepper
Some grated Nutmeg
Butter


Preparation:

Cook cabbage (or substitute with Kale) in salted water until tender and drain.
Cook potatoes in water, drain and mash.
Cook the chopped leeks in milk until tender.
Add the mashed potatoes to the leek & milk.
Season with some salt and pepper.
Grate in some nutmeg.
Add the cabbage (or kale) along with some butter.
Mix to combine.
Serve hot in a big bowl with a serving spoon
with an extra knob of butter on top.





Cullens Quality Butchers
Main Street, Wicklow Town. Tel: 0404-69719

Monday, October 14, 2013

Casseroles


When it comes to comfort food, it's hard to beat a casserole.  
This simple cooking method takes everyday cuts of meat and transforms them into hearty, delicious meals full of flavour. And whats more these slow cooked dishes are easy to make!

Best cuts to choose from:

Beef: 
Chuck Steak (Rib Steak), Round Steak,
Topside, Silverside.

Lamb: 
Shanks, Diced Lamb, boneless Shoulder,
neck of Lamb.

Chicken:
whole Chicken cut into portions usually 8 pieces or any 'on the bone' cut.

Pork: 
Diced Pork Shoulder.

Handy hints:
*Cut ingredients into similar size pieces so they cook evenly.
*Use an ovenproof casserole dish - so you can transfer from the hob to the oven only using one dish.
*A tight fitting lid ensures the dish doesn't lose moisture during the cooking process.
*Choose cuts that are tougher but when slowly cooked will become tender, but won't disintegrate.
*Coat the meat in flour and brown first.- this seals in the juices.
*Always work in batches.
* Making a casserole in advance intenisifies the flavour.


Making a casserole:
Step 1: Place flour on a plate & season.
Step 2: Add the meat and toss to coat.
Shake off excess.
Step 3: Heat the oil in the casserole dish.
Step 4: Add the meat and brown in batches.
Step 5: Transfer the meat to a plate.
Step 6: Add the veg to the casserole dish....such as onion, carrot, celery cubes, cook until slightly softened.
Step 7: Return the meat to the dish, add the liquid stock, wine, tin tomatoes, herbs & spices.
Step 8: Cover tightly with lid. Cook according to recipe. 
Remember Simmer slowly for 1 and 1/2  -  2 hours

Cullens Quality Butchers
Main Street
Wicklow Town
www.cullensbutchers.com
0404 69719 

Tuesday, October 8, 2013

Traditional Bacon & Cabbage

Traditional Bacon & Cabbage

Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 60 minutes
Serves 4-6
                                                                                            
Ingredients:         1½ Kg (3lbs) Cullens Quality Butchers’ loin of Bacon.
1 carrot.
2 celery sticks.
2 leeks.
1 teaspoon peppercorns.

Topping:
1 tablespoon mustard.
1 tablespoon breadcrumbs.
½ tablespoon brown sugar.
Knob of butter.

Mustard Sauce:
50g (2oz) butter.
25g (1oz) flour.
1 tablespoon mustard.
250ml (1/2pt) – mixture of the cooking liquid
and cream. (125ml of each).
1kg ( 2lbs) of cabbage, finely sliced.

To Cook: Place the joint in a large saucepan. Add chopped vegetables and peppercorns. Cover with cold water. Bring to the boil, then simmer gently for approx. 20 minutes per ½ kg (1 lb). Set oven to Gas Mark 6, 200ºC (400ºF). Remove the joint from the saucepan. Reserve liquid. Remove the rind and score the fat. Place the joint on a roasting dish. Spread with mustard and breadcrumbs, sugar and a knob of butter. Place in the oven for 15-20 minutes. 
To Make the Sauce: Melt the butter, add the flour and mustard. Cook for a minute or two. Whisk in the cooking liquid and cream. Bring to the boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 3-4 minutes. Taste for seasoning. The sauce should have the consistency of thin cream. Keep warm. 
To Cook the Cabbage: In another saucepan cook the cabbage lightly with some of the cooking liquid. Drain well and toss in butter. Season to taste. Slice the bacon and serve on the bed of cabbage, a little of the mustard sauce and of course, some floury potatoes.

For more information, don't forget to check out www.cullensbutchers.com

Cullens Quality Butchers
Main Street
Wicklow Town
www.cullensbutchers.com
0404 69719

Thursday, September 19, 2013

KEEPING FOOD SIMPLE

Here are some top tips for keeping food simple -
  • Keep food as close to its natural state as possible is the best way to eat it.
  • Cooking simply keeps things quick and easy. It doesn’t take much effort!
  • Remember to use quality products.
  • The secret to cooking healthier meals is figuring out where to skim fat & calories.
  • Small changes….lighten a recipe or add some fresh healthy ingredients and your halfway there!
  • Use Marinades these will help tenderise the meat and keep it moist. They also can enhance flavour that you might feel is lost by removing the fat.
  • When pairing with Meat dishes -Switch White Rice to Brown Rice.
  • Use Wholegrain pasta instead. Or try adding a Salad.
  • Your plate should have a rainbow of colours…Along with your meat of choice; add some greens & a few carrots or some peppers, tomato & a salad.
  • Try cooking a stir-fry & add plenty of veg.
  • Remember to eat plenty of produce! Fruit & Vegetables are the foundation of a healthy diet, low in calories full of nutrients & are powerful antioxidants.
  • Use Spices & Herbs to get different flavours into your meals without adding unhealthy fats. If fat is needed to cook use olive oil or rapeseed oil.
  • Add fresh herbs at the end of cooking or dried herbs at earlier stages.
  • Use Less Salt.
  • Look at Portion Sizes.
  • Prepare your food so that is it low in fat before cooking.
  • Cook by Grilling and Roasting where possible. 
  • Bring the family together by sitting down together to enjoy a meal, engage in conversation, and savour the taste, texture, aroma of a good home cooked meal. Forget TV dinners!
  • Pay attention while you’re eating, tune in, eat slowly & chew your food thoroughly and enjoy every bite.
  • We all need new habits, try to make time and our food choices count.
  • Look at the Mediterranean diet –They savour mealtimes and have a proven healthy lifestyle.


Cullens Quality Butchers of Wicklow Town in association
with Dominican Convent Ecology Centre Wicklow
& Pura Vida Life and Fitness Coaching
& Jose Mounissy from ‘La Metisse’ Restaurant
Recently gave a Cookery Demonstration & Talk about
'Eating Healthy and the importance of a Balanced Diet'
As part of the Healthy Town Initiative

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Healthy Town Initiative

Have you heard about the Healthy Town Initiative? 
Well, it's a series of free events organised by The Irish Times 
and Pfizer Healthcare Ireland aimed to help the people of 
Wicklow Town to improve their overall health & well-being.

As part of the free events scheduled,  
Cullens Quality Butchers are hosting a 
Talk & Cookery Demonstration in association with 
the Dominican Convent Ecology Centre,  
Pura Vida Life and Fitness Coaching & Jose Mounissy
of the restaurant 'La Metisse'. 

What's on: 
A Cookery Demonstration & Talk
about 'Eating Healthy & 
the importance of a Balanced Diet'.

Talk Venue:

Ecology Centre Dominican Convent
  
When: Tuesday 17th Sept

Time: 7.30pm

Talk Topics to include:
Value of Lean Meat
Importance of Protein
Keeping Food Simple
Using Quality Product
Batch Cooking
Cooking Techniques
Recipe Ideas
Cooking Demonstration & Tasting

The Talk will be hosted by Robert Cullen from Cullens Quality Butchers 
& Adam Kelly from Pura Vida Life and Fitness Coaching & Cooking Demo
will be with Jose Mounissy from 'La Metisse'.

Healthy eating is about feeling great, having more energy
& keeping yourself as healthy as possible without
depriving yourself of the foods you love. 
This can be done by learning some nutritional basics
and putting them into practice.

As part of the Healthy Eating Week, 
Cullens Butchers will also be offering Special Offers
on Lean cuts of meat in their shop on Main Street, Wicklow Town.

To book into this free Talk & Cookery Demonstration 
call Cullens Butchers on 0404 69719 
or send an e-mail to: orders@cullensbutchers.com


Hope to see you there!


For more information on the Healthy Eating Initiative and other scheduled events check out: http://www.irishtimes.com/news/health/healthy-town




Cullens Quality Butchers
Main Street Wicklow Town