Chef Neven Maguire returns to RTÉ One with a brand new six-part series of Neven's Irish Seafood Trails.
As he travels around Ireland, the Cavan man will meet with some of the producers and chefs who are responsible for Ireland’s great seafood reputation.
In this fourth series of his hugely popular seafood travels, Neven includes Kerry, Dublin, Mayo, Cork and Galway. And, as always, Neven prepares delicious dishes based on local produce throughout the series.
Neven starts his trails in beautiful Tralee Bay, home to one of Ireland's oldest oyster fishing grounds. At Fenit Harbour, he joins husband and wife fishing team Alan Browne and Mary O’Brien, and heads out on an oyster dredging trip.
Unusually, the oysters in Tralee Bay are wild rather than farmed, and the oyster bed is one of the most unique in Europe. Halfway between Fenit and Tralee is the tiny village of Spa, home to Spa Seafoods – a fishmonger and seafood takeout restaurant.
Next, Neven meets chef Aidan O’Shea who shows him a recipe for Nasi Goreng, a tasty Indonesian egg fried rice dish made with pork, Irish prawns and monkfish.
Still in Spa, Neven calls in at the Oyster Oval cricket pitch nestled beside the bay, and the official grounds of County Kerry Cricket Club. He watches the players in action and chats to Chairperson David Ramsay.
Our host is not only surprised to find a cricket pitch beside the sea, he also learns that the club was established in 1872 and today includes members from more than 16 nations. A crucial part of any cricket match is when the players stop for tea.
Luckily the Oyster Tavern is just across the road and is a popular place for the cricketers to eat. Neven meets the Oyster Tavern’s Chef Darren Thibeaud who shows him how to make 'Poached Melody Of Seafood’ with organic Irish salmon, fresh prawns, crab claws, hake, monkfish and mussels.
Neven’s own recipe this week is Brill with Balsamic Lentils, Smoked Bacon, Vegetables, Creamed Mushrooms and Spinach
Neven's Irish Seafood Trails airs on Wednesday 5th January at 8.30pm on RTÉ One.
