It wouldn't be Christmas without Neven Maguire guiding us through sumptuous festive recipes, and this year is no different.
The celebrated chef is back with another two-part Christmas special, Neven's Christmas at Muckross Traditional Farms, this time recorded at Muckross Traditional Farms in the spectacular Killarney National Park, Co. Kerry.
Muckross Traditional Farms is an award-winning visitor attraction, offering an experience of Irish country life during the 1930s and 1940s with working farms and authentic farm cottages, and showcasing rural crafts.
Last week the Cavan chef cooked up Crispy Dublin Bay Prawns in Kataifi Pastry with Sauce Vierge, one of his own family recipes that he makes every Christmas. Neven also met guide Joan O'Connor to learn all about rural Christmas traditions in Ireland, and of course typical Christmas foods, such as cooking a Christmas turkey or goose over an open turf fire.
He also cooked Roast Rack of Lamb with a Pistachio Crust and a Black Forest Trifle made with poached cherries and chocolate custard, and also met whiskey producer Maurice O'Connell of Wayward Irish Spirits for a tasting of two whiskeys.
This week, however, it's all about traditional Christmas recipes, such as Yeast Bread which was typically baked on Christmas Eve. The recipe dates back to a time before rural homes had electricity, and Mary bakes the bread in a cast iron 'pot oven' hung over an open turf fire.
He offers up some ideas for elegant starters, such as Smoked Trout Pâté and Chicken Liver Parfait, as well as recipes for using up the last of those Christmas leftovers, like a Ham, Leek and Mushroom Pie.
If you're looking for a twist on your usual Christmas lunch, however, Neven has plenty of inspiration. For the centrepiece of his lunch, the star chef makes Roast Turkey Breast with Harissa and Citrus Butter, combining rich aromatic spices with the tender meat.
For those of us still picking our brains for last minute presents, Neven suggests making homemade biscuits, which is also a wholesome way to spend an afternoon. He shares his recipe for Oat Cookies with Cranberries and Walnuts and shows viewers how to present them.
His final creation is a classic cheeseboard, with those nutty, oaty cookies nestled in among cheeses, fruits and preserves.
"It was so interesting, and so much fun to be at Muckross Traditional Farms in Killarney for our two Christmas specials", Neven says." We got wonderful help from all of the staff and we were delighted to be there. I hope our viewers will enjoy the recipes."
Watch Neven's Christmas at Muckross Traditional Farms Thursday at 8pm on RTÉ One.
