So with all that out there to choose from, where do you start?
We’ve rounded up ten other great food sites that we’re pretty sure our Irish readers will enjoy.
Have a browse below, log on in, and let us know what you think!
Marco’s Little Black Book - http://www.knorr.co.uk/
Why log on? - For top tips from the maestro, Marco Pierre White and for his achievable yet impressive recipes.
This site features hundreds of tempting and achievable recipes for everything from cosy suppers to impressive dinner party dishes. Many of the recipes are accompanied by a video demonstration by Marco himself so you can follow the master step by step. The site is also packed with Mr Pierre White’s tips on buying and preparing top-class food, from techniques which earned him his three Michelin stars to little tricks he picked up from his mother.
www.videojug.com/tag/food-recipes
Why log on? - For short videos on whatever it is you want to know about food
Want to learn how to plant carrots, how to make a chicken curry in ten minutes or a chocolate cake without using eggs? You can do it all here by effortlessly watching videos. With its slogan “get good at life”, Videojug has all kinds of resources, somewhere between a Youtube specializing in “how to” and a Dummies’ Guide to Food.
www.supercook.com
Why log on? - You’ll find recipes for the ingredients in your fridge
Imagine a world where you could immediately find a recipe that uses up the ingredients in your fridge. Well it’s here – and Supercook.com is just one of a growing number of food sites that will do it for you. Enter a few ingredients in the search box, and it’ll throw out recipes to match what you’ve put in.
http://www.rte.ie/food/
Why log on? - It’s packed with recipes and resources from Irish sources
Given that the online recipe generator is one of the most practical food tools out there, we’ve chosen the RTE food site, which also has one, as another great resource for ideas. It’s nice to stay Irish!
www.epicurious.com
Why log on? - For handy cooks’ tools and dishes from the world over
With a section on tools like the food dictionary, a downloadable shopping list (generated from recipe favourites), and conversion and equivalent calculators, this site should be on everyone’s virtual kitchen bookmark list. And with videos on simple techniques, like the best way to cut an avocado, it produces the goods. Our favourite section is the “Around the World in 80 dishes” video and recipe series (no surprises on what the Irish entry is – Easy Irish Soda Bread!).
www.cheapeats.ie
Why log on? - To sift out good value food in Ireland
With postings on special offers in Irish supermarkets and shops, and occasional product reviews, it’s a blog about eating well in Ireland and getting value for money. For news on food in the credit crunch, local restaurant reviews, and feedback from readers, it’s worth keeping an eye on.
http://dinnerdujour.org/
Why log on? - For the cooking low down from working mums
Family favourites are top of the recipe list on this food blog from two hard working mothers, one based in Ireland and the other in the US. It’s obvious they’re passionate about food, but in a practical “it’s been a long day” kind of way. They’ll help you come up with an easy cook menu in five minutes flat, but occasionally go all out on creating that extravagant dinner party dish.
www.eatlikeagirl.com
Why log on? - For humour mixed with homely cooking
Forget the ‘Eat, Love, Pray’ frenzy and just head straight for eatlikeagirl.com instead. From London based Irish blogger, a lot of the lovely recipes posted here are Niamh Shields’ own creations. Times Online thought it one of the best food blogs in the world in 2008, so she must be doing something right! With a particular liking for pork, there are lots of simple but imaginative recipes for how to prepare it, but Shields writes just as fluently about veggie concoctions like butternut squash, chickpea and spinach curry.
www.tastespotting.com
Why log on? - Because your eyes are bigger than your tummy
This one is a feast for the senses, with plenty of luscious food photography flooding the front page. It’s really a collation of other food blogs (anyone who has one can post their foodie input here). While it’s chiefly a US based site, there are contributions from all over. Clever navigation options allow you to view posts by date, food category, popularity, or just random selection.
http://icecreamireland.com/
Why log on? - For quirky tales from foodie Ireland
This blog is something a little different, with posts on everything from info for the coffee geek to updates on food-based iPhone apps for Ireland. Its author-in-chief is Kieran Murphy, who is a director of Murphy’s Ice Cream (beginning its life in Dingle, it now has two shops in Dublin). So it’s no surprise that he’s up to date on happenings in the local sweet world. And we love his recipe for sea salt ice cream!
http://brownievillegirl.blogspot.com/
Why log on? - Because this girl is bonkers about baking
Brownieville Girl is big on baking and all things chocolate, as you’ll have gathered from the name of her blog. Steadfast member of The Cake Slice baking group (http://www.thecakesliceblogroll.blogspot.com/) - like a book club, but for baking bloggers - she tries out new recipes each month from a particular cookbook and shares the results with us readers. Her mission in life seems to be perfecting the brownie – so you know where to go when you’ve a serious craving for the ultimate chocolate recipe. Occasionally she covers healthy things like carrot, orange and ginger juice, but we’re happy to stick to the sugary stuff!