Gambas Pil Pil

I remember the first time that I ever had prawns pil pil, it was in the market in Barcelona. I sat at the counter of one of the tapas bars, and watched how they fired up the plump fresh prawns with fiery chilies, aromatic garlic and smokey paprika. They were out of this world… They served them with very thinly sliced sourdough toasts that were brushed with olive oil – so I could scoop the prawns pil pil onto the toasts to create the perfect bite, heaven! It is one of the easiest and fastest suppers that I know.

Recipe, StarterClodagh McKenna23 April 2025fish, BBQ

Baked Feta with Honey and Rosemary

Recipe, StarterClodagh McKenna13 February 2025Vegetarian, valentines, ITV TM

Butternut Squash And Coconut Soup

This soup is a ray of sunshine in a bowl during the grey days of autumn. The butternut squash is so sweet and creamy, and I love spicing and warming it up with cumin and garam masala.

Recipe, Starter, SoupClodagh McKenna6 January 2025Autumn

Crab, Blood Orange & Fennel Salad

Recipe, Christmas, StarterClodagh McKenna11 November 2024Autumn, Winter, Starter, Christmas

Roast Carrot Soup With Wild Garlic & Pecan Pesto

This soup is a ray of gorgeous sunshine during these greyer months: adding ginger to carrots gives them zest and zinginess, a trick which works just as well with butternut squash.

Vegetarian, Starter, SoupClodagh McKenna1 September 2024Autumn, Spring, Soup

Curried Parsnip & Apple Soup

A zingy winter soup with seasonal vegetables. Every Saturday morning I start a big pot of broth in my kitchen. Once it is on the go it encourages me to cook soups like this winter warmer..

Recipe, Soup, StarterClodagh McKenna1 September 2024Autumn, ITV TM

Honey & Thyme Roasted Figs With Ricotta & Sourdough

I have an enormous fig tree, and during autumn I have an endless supply of delicious ripe figs. These figs simply roasted with thyme and honey are heavenly. You could leave out the sourdough toast if you wish and serve it as is.

Recipe, Starter, VegetarianClodagh McKenna1 September 2024Autumn

Tomato Tart Tatins

Recipe, Starter, VegetarianClodagh McKenna25 July 2024Jubilee, tart, Starter, sharing, Vegetarian

Wild Garlic Soup

This wild garlic soup, takes me right back to the forest where I picked the herb. I have added a topping of roasted almonds and sheep’s cheese for added texture and contrast. Hazelnuts, brazil nuts or pine nuts work too.

Recipe, Starter, SoupClodagh McKenna4 April 2024Spring, Easter, Soup

Salmon Rillettes

Recipe, Starter, ChristmasClodagh McKenna26 March 2024Fish, Glow, Starter, Christmas

Baked Camembert Star

Recipe, Christmas, StarterClodagh McKenna3 December 2023Autumn, Winter, ITV TM, Christmas, Side Dish

Tuscan Bean Soup

This hearty and nourishing soup makes a nice starter for a dinner party or is delicious after a winter's day walk.

Recipe, Lunch, Starter, SoupClodagh McKenna3 October 2022Autumn, Winter, ITV TM

Courgette Flowers Filled With Ricotta, Honey & Pea Shoots

Recipe, Starter, VegetarianClodagh McKenna4 August 2022Summer, Our Little Sustainable Farm

Summer Bruschetta Two Ways

Bringing a taste of Italy to your kitchen using seasonal fruit and veg to make a delicious summer bruschetta two ways: sweet tomato and peaches with ricotta.

Recipe, Baking, StarterClodagh McKenna25 July 2022Summer, ITV TM

Fried Courgettes Flowers Filled With Fresh Ricotta Mint & Honey

These sweet, creamy and crispy blossoms are one of my all time favourite suppers, and are at their best with wild honey — do use the wild stuff, it makes a world of a difference to the flavour of the dish.

Recipe, StarterClodagh McKenna10 June 2022Vegetarian

Prawn Cocktail

Sweet, juicy prawns bathed in a piquant sauce and served on a bed of crisp lettuce – you have to admit, this does sound like heaven! Prawn cocktail is one of those retro dishes that got a bad rap in the eighties (like chicken kiev), because of the many poor restaurant variations, but it is so good if you use the right ingredients.

Recipe, StarterClodagh McKenna31 May 2022Spring, Fish

Beetroot, Blood Orange & Pomegranate Gravlax

A recipe to impress, it looks delicious with it’s vibrant colours and tastes incredible!

Recipe, Christmas, StarterClodagh McKenna24 May 2022Fish, Winter, Christmas

Chicken Liver Pate

Love this anytime of the day or night :) Good quality chicken livers whizzed up with Irish butter, fresh thyme, garlic and brandy.

Recipe, Starter, ChristmasClodagh McKenna24 May 2022Chicken, Winter, Christmas

Vegetable Platter with Summer Dips

These two dips are so easy to whip up and both only take about 10 minutes to prepare. Serve them as I have here on a platter with lots of delicious seasonal vegetables.

Recipe, Vegetarian, Starter, LunchClodagh McKenna17 May 2022Spring, 10 minutes, Easter, Jubilee

Asparagus Mimosa with Crispy Pancetta

This zingy asparagus dish is the roast of the town! I tend to find that asparagus works best when the dishes are straightforward and uncomplicated. Here, I simply bake it, then give it a little something extra with a dressing of lemon, shallots and Dijon mustard.

Recipe, StarterClodagh McKenna4 April 2022Summer, Spring, ITV TM