This is the third series Neven has dedicated to seafood, and his search for the finest and freshest produce takes him to Kerry, West Cork, Mayo, Galway, Louth and Clare.
Programme five: CLARE
Neven’s first stop this week is The Armada Hotel at Spanish Point where chef Peter Jackson prepares his signature bread made with stout and seaweed. This is followed by Seafood Soup of Mussels, Cod, Scallops and local Flaggy Shore Oysters.
Neven then heads north to Lisdoonvarna home of the award-winning Burren Smokehouse where Birgitta Hedin-Curtin has been smoking fish for over thirty years. Birgitta recently opened a visitors’ centre called Taste the Atlantic: A Seafood Journey. This interactive exhibition tells the story of Irish salmon from its role in Irish mythology, to how it is fished and produced today. After a guided tour, Birgitta shows Neven the smokehouse where he sees how the salmon is salted and oak-smoked, and the difference between hot and cold smoking.
Neven visits The Roadside Tavern where Birgitta’s husband Peter Curtin serves craft beer brewed onsite at the Burren Brewery. One of Peter’s specialities is a beer called Euphoria, brewed with wild yeast collected by hand from the Burren rather than hops. Neven enjoys a salmon tasting and Birgitta advises on the best beers to pair with each type of salmon.
Neven travels west to the coastal village of Doolin and Russell’s Fish Shop, a takeout where both traditional Fish and Chips and more adventurous seafood dishes are on the menu. Chef Vivian Kelly shows Neven two of his most popular dishes – a classic French Bouillabaisse fish broth made with monkfish, king prawns, haddock and crevettes; and a Goan Fish Curry made with haddock, cod and hake.
Neven’s own recipe this week is Irish Organic Smoked Salmon and Leek Tart.
Neven’s Irish Seafood Trails is produced and directed by David Hare for InproductionTV and is sponsored by BORD BIA.
Bord Bia’s objective in sponsoring this series is to remind consumers that Irish hake, haddock and whiting are easy to prepare, easy to cook, and are a great choice for everyday meals.
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