Organic food has traditionally had a reputation for being “good for you” but a bit boring! Organico Café (Bantry, West Cork, Ireland) turns this on its head offering food that is both exciting and delicious. Rachel Dare, who trained with Darina Allen at Ballymaloe, supplies the inspiration behind the menu in Organico Café. Rachel has a distinctive style, fusing a...

1 cup quinoa grain 2 cups water 100 g parsley and mint 100g cherry tomatoes dressing 100 mls olive oil 300 mls water 50 mls balsamic vinegar 1 tsp salt 1 tsp pepper 1 dessertspoon apple concentrate Rinse the Quinoa grain well under running water (this is beacuse there is a bitter coating on the grains) Bring to the boil...

1kg dried chickpeas 400 mls olive oil 2 lemons 5 cloves of garlic minced 1 inch piece of ginger minced 200 mls red wine vinegar 2 lrg red onions 3 teaspoon salt 2 tsp pepper Soak dried chickpeas over night then cook for about 1 to 2 hours(you know when its done as you will be able to crush one...

MIXED BEAN SALAD 500 g kindey beans 500 g cannolinni beans ½ cucumber 1 pkt parsley 1 pkt coriander 300 g red onion dressing 125 mls sweet chili sauce 100 mls vinegar 200 mls olive oil 1 lemon zest and juice 1 tsp salt 1 tsp pepper Soak the kidney and cannolinni beans for over night or at least 12...

If you use a good quality olive oil and organic red cabbage, carrots and seeds, this salad is very nutritious and high in fiber as well as healthy fats. Eat with some fresh poached or oven roasted fish or tofu and a small amount of Quinoa or brown rice for a light lunch or evening meal. 500 g red cabbage...

750 g white cabbage 500 g carrot 250 g apple 200 g onion make dressing in measuring jug 200 g mayonaise 250 g yoghurt 50 g olive oil 50 g white wine vinegar 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon pepper Thinly slice white cabbage cutting out any tough stalks out first, peel or scrape carrots (if using non organic or making...

Flaxseed Oil and general HealthMany people think that avoiding all fat is the best way of staying healthy, but actually there are some substances found in 'good' fats that are essential to our heatlth. Scientists have designated Omega 3 and 6 'essential' fats, as our bodies cannot manufacture them - rather we need to have them as part of our...

In Organico we try to practice what we preach. Many people say they use 'organic products wherever possible', but when you ask them the might use organic lettuce, in the summer. We are trying to use all organic products unless they are not available. All our soups, salads and bakes are made using organic fruit & vegetables (locally grown whenever...

Belonging to the same family as the buttercup, goldenesal Hydrasis canadensis is a perennial herb native to north America. It gets its name from the rich yellow colour of its root and the small cup like scars found there, which resemble the wax seals used in the 19th century to close envelopes. It is a difficult plant to grow in...

If you believe everything you read, Green Tea was "discovered" almost 5000 years ago by a chinese emperor. As he sat drinking his hot water tea leaves fell into his drink creating the refreshing drink we now know as Green Tea! Whatever the truth of this tale, Green tea does origninate in China and has been know for it's medicinal...