This is definitely my music mantra at the moment. Its just so catchy:) I’m having flashbacks to years ago when Ally McBeal  had her personal theme tunes that played in her head. This one is my theme tune. Only problem is that I actually have no idea who the artist is, or what the song is actually called. If you know please get in touch, here on my blog or through thejuice@sqeez.ie

Had a lovely dinner party last night to celebrate a relation’s engagement. In case you haven’t picked up from previous posts I am not the best cook in the world! But I did succeed in making a really tasty dessert last night that went down a treat!

Seriously I even surprised myself:) its quick, easy, not that expensive to make & is particualrly good if you’re looking for something relatively light.

Easy Peasy Italian Pick Me Up

Tiramisu

Serves 4

Ingredients:

• 250g mascarpone
• 4 tbsp Kaluha or Tia Maria
• 150ml strong coffee or espresso, cooled to room temperature
• 150ml single cream
• 4 tbsp caster sugar
• 16 sponge fingers
• Bar of 70% of chocolate bar
• Cocoa powder, to dust

Method: How to make easy tiramisu

1. Whisk the mascarpone with 2 tbsp Kaluha and 50ml coffee, until everything is thoroughly mixed together. Whisk the cream with the icing sugar until smooth, then fold in the mascarpone mix

2. Pour the remaining coffee & Kaluha into a bowl Take one sponge finger at a time and dip it in to the coffee. Set it to one side and continue with the remaining biscuits

3. Line 4 serving glasses with 4 sponge fingers, breaking them in half if you need to. Spoon the mascarpone mix in until you reach the top of the glass. Refrigerate for 20 minutes to allow the flavours to infuse.

4. Remove the tiramisu from the fridge. Take the frozen chocolate bar and grate a little chocolate over the top of each Tiramisu. Finally, dust with sifted cocoa powder to serve.

Download the colouring pictures from our Sqeez website

www.sqeez.ie/fun-for-kids

Get the kids to colour it, then send it back to:

Mr Sqeez’s art Gallery

Batchelors

72-74 Bannow Road

Cabra West

Dublin 7

It will be posted to our website & all entrants will receive a Mr Sqeez certificate!!!!!

A friend of mine is contributing to Christmas dinner this year by making the starter. Wheaten bread & smoked salmon is what is on the menu. In order to pretend she put a wee bit of effort in it was suggested perhaps she actually make the bread herself from scratch.
Anyway this is the recipe that is recommended as fool proof, delicious & stress free. All the ingredients people want at christmas:)

 225g (8ozs) wholemeal flour

300g (11ozs) self-raising flour

1 heaped teaspoon of baking powder

1 rounded teaspoon of bread soda

1 large egg, whisked with enough buttermilk to make 570mls (1pint) liquid

Use a loaf-tin 23cmx12.5cmx7.5cm (9”x5”x3”deep), well greased.

Preheat the oven to 190 C, 375 F., Gas 5. Cooking time is 50-60 minutes.

Only if necessary reduce the heat to 180 C, 350F, Gas 4 half way through the baking.

Put all of the dry ingredients into a bowl and mix well together. Stir the egg and butter milk mixture in to the dry ingredients to make a soft dough.

Spoon into the tin and spread out. Bake in the upper part of the oven until golden brown and cooked through.

Turn out onto a wire tray to cool.

12 Days of Christmas

Where: Docklands, Dublin.

Dates: 12th of December to the 23rd of December 2008 from 12 noon to 8pm daily.

A relatively new event to Dublin, this festive market is sure to kick-start your Christmas preparations into action. Over 80 traders will be taking part, each offering a wide variety of gift ideas for family and friends. Choose from craft jewellery, stained glass giftware, beautifully carved wooden toys, leather goods and home accessories.

You’ll have plenty of opportunities for a quick bite, as you happily make your way through the stalls. Be tempted by continental pastries, mince pies and hot snacks to keep those energy levels up. The food stalls also provide some nice ideas in the way of food presents, for example: fine cheese and cake (not eaten together of course!)

Adding to the festive atmosphere will be bands and carol singers performing familiar Christmas music and songs.

Find out more about the 12 Days of Christmas.

Farmleigh Christmas and Food Market 

Where: Farmleigh Estate, Dublin’s Phoenix Park

On Saturdays and Sundays from the 6th of December 2008 (on the lead up to Christmas), Farmleigh House opens its doors to its annual event of Farmleigh Christmas and Food Markets.

At the markets you enjoy fresh Irish produce including organic vegetables, chutneys, award winning cheese, fish, confectionary and much more.

Your Farmleigh Christmas events programme includes a live crib and kids Christmas room, Christmas puppet show, story telling for kids, Carol singing (with different choirs performing on different dates), barbershop harmonies, magic show, and horse and carriage rides.

Even the house itself is getting into the festive mood. It will be adorned with traditional Edwardian Christmas decorations!

Find out more about Christmas Events at Farmleigh.

Temple Bar Markets

Where: Temple Bar, Dublin City Centre.

You really could have your Christmas sorted at Temple Bar!  Three different markets in the 1 area – a true shoppers paradise!

The Cow’s Lane Designer Mart takes place every Saturday from 10am to 5pm.

Not just specific to Christmas, this market may hold the key for that tricky Christmas present that you’ve run out of ideas for. Here you’ll find a wide array of goods, for example, hats, photography, sculpture, ceramics, accessories, kids clothes and toys.

The Food Market takes place every Saturday from 10am to 4.30pm.

Stock up on some gorgeous fresh produce for the festive season. There are some fabulous ideas here for a tantalizing Christmas meal. With a variety of stalls to choose from, you’ll soon have your Christmas day menu in order. What a gourmet’s paradise – shellfish, fine cheese, gourmet sausages, cakes, pastries, farm fresh fruit and vegetables, fish olives and farm meats. As if all that wasn’t enough you can also buy some fresh flowers for that wonderful table arrangement.

The Book Market takes place every Saturday and Sunday from 11am to 6pm.

Choose from new, second hand, fiction, non-fiction, antique and specialist subjects. 

For those of you old enough to remember pre-cd/dvd times there is a stall, which stocks 7″ and 12″ vinyls (or as we used to call them – “records”). You never know, you could strike it lucky here and come across some extremely collectable music.

Find out more about the Temple Bar Markets.

Blackrock Market

Where: Blackrock Village, County Dublin.

The Blackrock Market takes place every Saturday from 11am to 5.30p.m, Sunday 12 noon to 5.30pm and Bank Holiday Mondays from 11am to 5.30pm.

At Blackrock Market, you have over 50 shops to browse through for your Christmas gifts.  What a treasure trove, rare collections of coins, notes, stamps, maps and prints. Book lovers will also be at home here with a fine array of old and new books. Fashionistas may find that quality piece of vintage clothing and of course the ideal accessories to go with it.

Shopping can be very hungry work, so fill that gap with some tasty international dishes, such as Indian, Italian, or Polish fare, or perhaps you may be happy with a wholesome smoothie!

Find out more about the Blackrock Market.

Red Stables Market

Where: Clontarf, County Dublin

The Red Stables Market takes place every Saturday from 10am to 4pm.

The Arts and Crafts section of the market features works by Irish and International artists. Why not make a trip out to Clontarf and see what’s on offer. That Christmas List is all but laid to rest after spending a day here. There’s such a vast array of goods on offer here including jewellery, sculpture, kids toys, stained glass, mosaics, handbags, knitwear, needlecraft, pottery, mirrors, etc.

The food market on the other hand may hold some good suggestions for some exciting Christmas menus.

Get those taste buds going with a fine selection of pies, crepés, handmade sausages, Italian food, cakes, coffee, homemade ice-cream, organic fruit and vegetables, vegetarian foods, olives and Mediterranean produce.

Find out more about the Red Stables Market.