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Mitchel House Introduce Tapas Menu

Mitchel House Restaurant, Mitchel Street, Thurles, is the first Tipperary restaurant to introduce a Tapas Menu .

Tapas Menu At Mitchel House.

The word “Tapas” is derived from the Spanish verb tapar meaning “to cover”.  Indeed the word “Tapa”  in Spanish means “lid” or “cover”.
There are possibly several explanations for why it has come to denote a type of food:-
• A commonly cited explanation is that an item, be it bread or a flat card, etc., would often be placed on top of a drink to protect it from fruit flies; at some point it became a habit to top this “cover” with a snack.
• It is also commonly said that since one would be standing while eating a tapa in traditional Spanish bars, they would need to place their plates on top of their drinks in order to eat, making it a top.
• Another popular explanation says that the King Alfonso XII stopped by a famous venta (inn) in Cádiz (Andalusian city) where he ordered a cup of sherry. The waiter covered the glass with a slice of cured ham before offering it to the king, to protect the wine from the blowing beach sand, as Cádiz is a windy place. The king, after drinking the wine and eating the tapa, ordered another sherry “with the cover.”

How Best To Partake Of The Tapas Menu At Mitchel House

First piece of advice I will offer is to use a simple approach and order what you want when you want it.

If you are a party of four persons, the most popular way is to order four different dishes to have placed on your table for all to taste and share. Consumers of tapas food are usually people who enjoy good food and wine combined with good conversation in a relaxed unhurried atmosphere and like to try out new dishes. You may then follow with individual dishes for a 2nd or indeed 3rd course and also remember you can always order your dessert from their vast  à la carte dessert menu.

Included on the Traditional Tapas Menu at Mitchel House are:-
Patatas Bravas. (Deep fried Potatoes with spicy tomato sauce and garlic mayonnaise.)
Mejillones a la Marinera. (Steamed Mussels with garlic white wine sauce topped with cream.)
Albondigas. (Spanish style meatballs (100% Irish Beef) in a tomato sauce. My personal favourite.)
Pollo al Ajillo. (Roasted Chicken wings in Caramelized garlic, olive oil and herbs.)
Chorizo Castellana. (Hot spicy Spanish sausages with crab apple jelly.)
Ensalada. (Mixed salad with toasted pine nuts, tomatoes, apricots and Cashel blue cheese.)

Mitchel House also offer their own style Tapas food which includes:-
Crab Meat, Sweetcorn and Rice Cakes served with tomato mayonnaise.
Grilled Marinated Beef served with rocket salad and Parmesan cheese.
Fresh Cod in a beer batter with tartare sauce.
Chicken and Wild Mushroom Terrine with marinated red onions.
Portobello Mushrooms with garlic, onion and smoked cheese.

All of the above dishes come keenly priced at just between €6.00 and €7.50 per portion.

Tapas food without wine is like an egg without salt and Mitchel House boasts the finest stocked wine cellar in Tipperary. Try their Moscato Passito (Denominazione Di Origine Controllata.) So its Italian and not Spanish, who cares, it’s just so perfect with mature cheese dishes or any dessert.

Give it a try and remember reservations for the Mitchel House Restaurant can be booked by:-
Phone: 0504-90776
E-Mail Here: mitchelhouse@eircom.net

Product Recall On Bonsoy Milk By Food Safety Authority

Bonsoy Soya Milk

The Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) today advised that a product recall is being undertaken on a soya drink called ‘Bonsoy’, which has been found to contain high levels of iodine, which can affect the function of the thyroid gland and may cause some people to feel unwell.

The product is available from Health Food Shops and cafés, the latter which uses the product in the production of Latte (from the Italian caffelatte, meaning “coffee and milk”).
The authority was alerted after nine people, aged between 29 and 47, and an infant child, reported feeling unwell after using the brand. One of the victims, a newborn infant became ill due to its mother drank Bonsoy Soy Milk during her pregnancy.

Consumers are being warned not to consume the affected Bonsoy product, manufactured by Muso Co. Ltd , distributed by Spiral Foods Ltd,  which is packaged in 1 litre tetra pack containers.
Testing found drinking just one-eighth of a cup of Bonsoy, which is imported from Japan, would exceed the daily safety limit of 1,100 micrograms. A healthy daily iodine intake is about 80-150 micrograms for adults.

Following a withdrawal of the product by the food safety authorities in Australia and New Zealand, the FSAI is currently in the process of contacting Irish distributors and suppliers of Bonsoy to ensure that all affected product is withdrawn from sale. The FSAI is continuing to monitor this withdrawal.

Bonsoy soya drink contains ‘Kombu’ which is a seaweed product that naturally contains iodine. Iodine is an essential element required to produce thyroid hormones. However, if consumption levels exceed tolerable daily intakes, the thyroid function may be affected.

Consumers who have the affected product are advised not to drink it and to dispose of it or return it to the store where it was purchased. Consumers who have already consumed this product over a prolonged period and who thinks they may be affected are urged to consult their doctor for medical advice.

The recalled product is described as follows:- Bonsoy Soy Milk, 1 litre: All dates up to and including  Best Before 03.11.11; APN/EAN/TUN Number 9312336049037.

The product claimed to slow the aging process and help prevent arteriosclerosis, to lower cholesterol levels, prevent fatty liver, prevent breast cancer and prostate cancer and strengthens bones, while moderating the symptoms of menopausal disorder caused from a decrease of female hormones.

Party To Go – Latest From Mitchel House Restaurant Thurles

Mitchel House Restaurant

Mitchel House Restaurant

Mitchel House Restaurant have just announced their new outdoor catering menu “Food To Go” just in time for the Christmas party season.
This new service is ideal for entertaining at home whatever the occasion.

So if you are planning a Family Surprise, a Christening Party, a Barbecue for friends, a Wedding, a Confirmation or First Holy Communion celebration,  or indeed any spur of the moment gathering, from the privacy and comfort of your own home, Mitchel House can now provide you with superb cuisine assistance, totally hassle-free.

This service will removes all the associated stress from your planning, thus allowing you time to enjoy your party and take all the credit normally accruing to every good Host and Hostess.

Note: For all orders please give minimum notice of at least 48 Hours to allow the restaurant ensure they can completely tailor fit your event or function to your own very special requirements.

Please feel free to contact Mitchel House to discuss more elaborate menus which can also be easily arranged to suit your every need.

Party To Go can be contacted at  TEL: 0504 90776 or call into Mitchel House, Mitchel Street , Thurles or Café Mitchel, Slievenamon Road, Thurles and allow your catering problems to become theirs.

For full details and pricing range why not log on and download their menu here.  www.mitchelhouse.ie/media/files/partytogo.pdf

Tipperary Farmers Receive Euro-toques Awards

Euro-toques Ireland is the Irish branch of the European Community of Chefs and Cooks and two of the five Euro-toques food awards went to farmers in the Tipperary area who had added value to their produce.

The Apple Farm

The Apple Farm


The Apple Farm, Moorstown, Cahir, Co Tipperary, received an award for its range of apple and fruit varieties, juices and fruit produce.
The Traas family moved from the Netherlands to Ireland in the late 1960’s to grow fruit. The family had been growing fruit in Holland since the 1800’s, but because it was difficult to find new land suitable for fruit-growing, Willem and Ali Traas decided to make a move to Ireland.
The range of produce on sale at the farm is quite diverse with 60 varieties of apples of which about 15 types are available in the farm shop. Four varieties of strawberries, three of raspberry, four of cherry, three types of plums, and two of pears, compliment the range in the farm shop. Some of the farms strawberries are available as pick-your-own each summer.

Drumeen Organic Farm near Urlingford, on the Tipperary border was recognised for its Happy Heart organic rapeseed oil.

Drumeen Farm

Drumeen Farm

Kitty Colchester began producing the oil on her parent’s, Ben and Charlotte’s organic farm earlier this year. The Colchesters have a 200 acre organic holding with Angus cattle, sheep, poultry, turkeys, honey and some forestry.
They also grow their own feed, which is where the idea for the Happy Heart Oil originated. Having done some research into the nutritional benefits of rapeseed oil, Kitty started pressing, labelling and bottling earlier this year.
The product retails at between €5.50 and €6.00 for a 500ml container.

Speaking at the awards, Euro-toques Commissioner General Feargal O’Donnell urged the Irish Government to provide a safety net for small food producers. He said regulatory requirements and compliance costs were making many businesses uncompetitive and were a deterrent to the setting up of new food enterprises.

Minister for Food Trevor Sargent told the awards ceremony that he would continue to promote the cause of the local producer, and also a fair distribution of rewards, placing the protection of our environment and our long term food supply at the heart of all policy decisions.

Thurles Chamber Xmas Dinner

Sen Fergal Quinn

Senator Fergal Quinn

We understand from Mrs Anne Strapp, President of Thurles Chamber, that all preparations for the Thurles Chamber Annual Christmas Dinner are now at an advanced stage.

Chosen Venue: The venue has already been chosen and Thurles Chamber will return to last years splendid venue, the Anner Hotel, located on the outskirts of Thurles town here in Co. Tipperary. The Anner Hotel is a 96 bed roomed hotel situated on its own private grounds with beautifully landscaped gardens. Originally a country house, the hotel has greatly expanded to include modern amenities, including swimming pool, whilst still possessing its old world charm.

Date: The date set for this annual Christmas event is Thursday, December 10th, 2009 with Dinner commencing at 6.15pm sharp. Tickets to this years event will cost €45.00.

Guest Speakers: Guest Speakers on the night will include Senator Fergal Quinn and Mr Mark Fielding, Irish Small and Medium Enterprises (ISME).

Mr. Mark Fielding ISME

Mr. Mark Fielding ISME

Tickets: Table accommodation for individuals or business groups wishing to attend this gala event will, where possible, be arranged to meet with each reservation request.  Those wishing to attend what is guaranteed to be a very enjoyable, seasonable and informative event, are invited to contact Thurles Chamber at their Chamber Offices, by telephoning 0504-23407 for tickets.

Staff will be on hand to deal with any queries, questions and requests that you may have, in relation to the night’s activities.