Birthday and anniversary celebrations

My wife and I share our anniversary with our daughter and we celebrated with the youngest one at Pizza Express. This was our first visit at the St Annes Square, Belfast restaurant.

It's spacious and has plenty of natural lighting and I must say one of the nicest in Belfast!! Staff were fab also. Some great menu choices and deals. For the kids there's a 3 course meal for £7, girls had dough balls and salad to start followed by mini penne with ham and pepperoni pizza and then ice lollies. 

I had garlic bread with cheese, my wife had a tomato and mozzarella salad-both were lovely. For main I had an American hot pizza and my wife was so pleased to see her all time favourite dish back on the menu-cannelloni, which she ordered. Both were exceptional. To wash it all down we had water. Great vfm at £36!! All round fantastic

Dubai Duty Free Arabian Night

Yesterday evening Dubai Duty Free hosted an evening of Middle Eastern fun, food and frolic at their Arabian Night extravaganza. It was held in the oasis, that is The Thermal Village, which is situated in the grounds of the Galgorm Resort and Spa. 

The Dubai Duty Free Irish Open 2017 is currently being played at the Portstewart Golf Club on the picturesque North Coast of Northern Ireland. 

The Spa at Galgorm is a wonderful facility and I did get a good look around-will have to try it out soon.

The Thermal Village is a World Class outdoor venue to relax and unwind and soak in hot tubs and soak in the stunning views.

On arrival there was a drinks reception in The Orangery and canapés served in the village. The canapés were arancini, mini chicken Sumac baskets and non alcoholic Bloody Mary shooters. These were very tasty, complimented each other and went down very well!! The food was a mixture of classic Northern Irish and Middle Eastern.

Starters were then served, buffet style, in the Tee Pee, which had seating for 100 plus guests. The starters that I had were the pickled vegetables, flatbread, hummus, apple ketchup (amazing), very creamy chowder, smoked salmon,duck rillette and Baba ganoush. The culinary team at the Galgorm got it spot on-I really thought I was in Dubai!!

Throughout the evening there was an impressive falconry display comprising of Owls, Hawks, Falcons and an elegant Golden Eagle. There was also a chance to dress in traditional Arabian attire as shown off by four glamourous models and yours truly!! Also guests had a chance to get Henna (Mehndi) by the International Mehndi artist Binder Tohani.

The drummers played after dinner accompanied by fire artists​. Dinner was a fine feast of chicken harissa, aubergine and okra bamya, Ottoman lamb, BBQ meat (chicken, Merguez sausage and Rump steak). There was also beef and Guinnes pie and smoked haddock on a bed of creamy cabbage. I had all but the beef dishes (including Merguez sausage) and must admit surpassed my expectations and tantalised the taste buds. The mix of the spices was spot on!!

I must say that the whole evening, venue, food, service and event were World Class and we were blessed with dry and mild weather!!

I had to forego dessert and the band as had to relieve babysitter!! Big thanks to Aileen, Dubai Duty Free and the Galgorm.

Due to rights restrictions I'm unable to name or show pictures of any of the players or officials, suffice to say I did get to meet many wonderful people especially the CEO of Dubai Duty Free.

Belle Isle Castle

26 of us took over the whole of the magnificent Belle Isle Castle last week for 3 nights/4 days. 16 adults and 10 kids filled the grandiose property in Lisbellaw. We took enough food, provisions and drink for the four days and treated ourselves to a meal out on one night and takeaway pizza on another. 

The castle is set in its own private estate and there is plenty to do from walking to sailing, croquet to clay pigeon shooting. We took cricket sets, swingball, badminton, footy and rugby balls and all of us partook.

There was more than enough cutlery, crockery, glasses and gadgets to keep us going in the fully equipped kitchens. Also on hand were dish washers, glass washers, washing machines, fridges, gas and electric cookers and a 24/7 running Aga!!! There is a stock of tea/coffee and cereals available but we brought our own.

In the numerous reception areas were loads of books/magazines, TVs, Ipad dock, brilliant comfy sturdy furniture and fires in every room.

The many bedrooms were tastefully decorated in period furniture, some even having four poster beds!!! There was lots of hanging space (with hangers) and bathroom robes and toiletries were provided.

The most impressive room was the banqueting room. Beautiful furniture, a huge stags head candlearbre and a long table which the 26 of us all sat around.

It would be lovely to stay here for longer!!! It was really well worth it-the whole family was under the one amazing roof!!

Chicken masala

I want to share with you a fantastic, quick and useful recipe for Chicken Masala. For the chicken I used six rotisserie thigh pieces from Tesco, which I skinned and deboned (only because my wife doesnt like skin and my two daughters find on the bone meat too messy!!). To these pieces I added a tablespoon of chopped fresh fenugreek and one of coriander.

For the masala I heated a tablespoon of ghee to which I added my spices of 1 teaspoon turmeric, 2 of garam masala, 1 of cumin seeds and 1 of salt. Then I added a diced onion and 2 teaspoon of ginger/garlic paste. This was cooked for a few minutes then I added one diced tomato and 1 tablespoon of tomato purée. This was simmered with a small glass of water and reduced. 

The chicken was then introduced and simmered for 5 minutes. The seasoning was checked and when perfect will be served with parathas and my healthy chick pea and mushroom brown rice pilau-oh and of course my chilli achar!!! 

This is a super way of using remnants of a roast chicken, for example and is quick, cheap and easy to make. 

If you have any comments please email me on: belfastfoodman@hotmail.com

Healthy kids lunch

My two girls (8 and 5) have packed lunches at school. It's a challenge to try and be inventive whilst giving them wholesome, nutritious food. 

My two love fruit and veg so I vary what they get. Today they have kiwi, orange and apple for break and carrot and cucumber for lunch with cheese and ham in brown bread.

For drinks they get water. It's a challenge as other kids get juice, chocolates, biscuits etc and I'm always reasoning with them-but the message is getting through!!!!

Email me belfastfoodman@hotmail.com with your lunch time fayre.

Institute of Hospitality Party

My wife and I attended a private Institute of Hospitality Party at The Roof Top in The Ivory. 

On arrival we were greeted to a Prosecco reception (we had apple juice) before mingling and having wonderful snacks consisting of Mediterranean chicken and vegetable skewers, succulent fish in a crispy batter and goats cheese tartlets. The food was absolutely fantastic and I believe the beef sliders weren't bad either!! 

The party was a celebration for everyone involved in making the dinner on 5th May, in The Titanic, a huge success. Outgoing Chair, Michael Cafolla, thanked the sponsors, the winners and Michelle McTernan, as one of his last duties before the baton is passed to Marianne Hood. Marianne best wishes for next week and your year ahead-you really have big shoes to fill!!!

There was a never ending supply of Jawbox gin on offer and this helped to oil everyone's cogs. The Ivory Roof Top is a splendid place to have a party both big or small. The outdoor balcony offered up some nice views and we were blessed there was no rain!! The staff were perfect in every way and very professional. All in all a superb evening.

On Top Of The World at India Gate

My two daughters and I attended a wonderful talk on Nepal yesterday at India Gate in Belfast.

The event was put together by the Irish Nepali Association in conjunction with the Nepalese Tourist Board. There were lots of local Nepalese as well as Northern Irish in attendance. 

We arrived just as the representative from the Board was telling us about why one should visit Nepal-from it's wonderful people, to the food and yoga, to the breathtaking scenery of the Himalayas including, of course, the home of the 8850m Mt Everest - The Top Of The World.

It was also extremely humbling and amazing to hear Dr Nigel Hart, our very own Northern Irish, Everest conqueror, give a talk about his scaling Everest. It's fantastic to think that our wee NI has produced someone who has climbed Everest. Dr Hart relayed his experiences and shared some fantastic insights and pictures and has published a paper on the physiological effects of altitude on the body. In recognition of these feats he was duly recognised and made an Honorary Ambassador by the Nepalese Tourist Board.

After the formal proceedings we were treated to a truly wonderful Nepalese/Indian buffet lunch consisting of onion bhaji, chicken, rice, vegetable salad and daal. The food was excellent and provided by India Gate. This was a superb venue for this excellent and well attended presentation and it has certainly made me want to visit Nepal-perhaps the Base Camp will be my destination.....