Our Taste of West, North & Mid Cork Tapas PlatterWho doesn't love tapas? They are the ideal, chilled out , perfect for entertaining dish, fit for any occasion. But where did this delectable dish come from and gain such popularity?
Tapas are Spain's greatest food invention. "Eat when you drink, drink when you eat" is the philosophy. Spanish men traditionally drink outside the home and rarely alone. They are not meant to be a meal (although a ración is a substantial portion). One tapa per person and a different one with each drink is the idea, then everyone enjoys tasting and sharing. Tapas food is real food - good local ingredients presented with flair.
Here at the Castle Hotel Macroom, we too offer a deliciously unique tapas platter, involving local ingredients from the finest producers in our locality.
Jack McCarthy’s of Kanturk Black Pudding
When Queen Elizabeth visited Ireland in 2011, McCarthy’s black pudding was served at the state banquet. It was chosen because of the quality and flavour imparted by the fresh blood from free range pigs, Macroom Pinhead Oatmeal, fresh cream and butter from North Cork Dairy and Midelton Special Reserve Whiskey.
Tapas are Spain's greatest food invention. "Eat when you drink, drink when you eat" is the philosophy. Spanish men traditionally drink outside the home and rarely alone. They are not meant to be a meal (although a ración is a substantial portion). One tapa per person and a different one with each drink is the idea, then everyone enjoys tasting and sharing. Tapas food is real food - good local ingredients presented with flair.
Here at the Castle Hotel Macroom, we too offer a deliciously unique tapas platter, involving local ingredients from the finest producers in our locality.
Jack McCarthy’s of Kanturk Black Pudding
When Queen Elizabeth visited Ireland in 2011, McCarthy’s black pudding was served at the state banquet. It was chosen because of the quality and flavour imparted by the fresh blood from free range pigs, Macroom Pinhead Oatmeal, fresh cream and butter from North Cork Dairy and Midelton Special Reserve Whiskey.
Follain Chutney
Based in Coolea, Macroom, Co. Cork, making Fresh Fruit Preserves, Marmalades, Jams, Relishes, Salsas and Chutneys. They create these delicious products from 100% natural ingredients. They also avoid the use of any obscure flavourings, additives or preservatives common to so many of prepared foods on the market today. A 100-year old Irish recipe, passed on through several generations, was the secret to Folláin’s first product, a chunky Grapefruit Marmalade which was launched back in 1983.
Coolea Farmhouse Cheese
Coolea Cheese is made from a very old Dutch Gouda recipe. Using high quality pasteurised cows milk, Coolea Cheese is ripened to a minimum of two months. It's texture is semi-hard to hard, when matured up to 18 months it’s taste becomes sweet, almost toffee like. Coolea Cheese is now sold all over Ireland, the United Kingdom, Wales, Scotland and their cheese mongers distribute the cheese all over the world.
Ardrahan farm House Cheese
handmade by Mary Burns at Ardrahan House Kanturk Co. Cork. This mature cheese exhibits all the classic characteristics of A farmhouse semi soft cheese. Its' pronounced aroma indicates maturity and correct development.
Macroom Oatmeal
This is used to make our adored brown soda loaf here in the Castle Hotel. It is stoned ground from freshly roasted oats and manufactured at Walton's Mill Macroom Co. Cork. Macroom oatmeal is favoured by highly acclaimed food Critics and chefs such as Darina & Myrtle Allen of Ballymaloe House and John & Sally Mckenna of the Bridgestone Guide to Good Food.
Gubbeen Chorizo Provensal
Artison made by Fingal Ferguson, using only quality ingredients, time and care - a marriage of traditional and modern flavours. This is produced in Schull Co. Cork Ireland.
Ireland's only buffalo mozzarella producer resides in the west cork area of Toonsbridge, just outside Macroom. Johnny Lynch's creamery is the place where this delicious, mouth watering soft cheese is produced, along with the help of cheesemaker Sean Ferry and Toby Simmonds of the Real Olive Company.
Pop in and enjoy our "Taste of West, Mid & North Cork Tapas Platter" in our award winning Dan Buckley's Bar and let your taste buds be tantalised!
