Friday, May 7, 2010

Seaweed to go!


Since the launch of   Prannie Rhatigan’s book the 'Irish Seaweed Kitchen’ there has been a considerable increase in the popularity of some of the seaweed products we sell in the store. We thought it would be a good idea to share some of them with you, and perhaps if you are already using them you could leave a comment below and share how you use seaweed too!



About The Seaweed Industry 
(interesting facts about Seaweed from Michael Guiry’s Seaweed Site)
In 2003, the Irish seaweed industry employed nearly 500 people (full-time and part-time), exported 85-90% of its produce, and had a turnover of over €12 million. This somewhat unusual industry had a very high employment: export ratio, activity was mostly concentrated on the western seaboard, and most collection took place in areas that are – by European Union standards – severely disadvantaged

Local Seaweed
These days Seaweed can be found in a variety of products. Living on the doorstep of the Atlantic we are extremely fortunate to have quite a few seaweed attractions, as well as seaweed producers in the region.  A local favourite is the Voya Seaweed Baths in Strandhill where you are treated to a fabulous hot bath full of nutritious seaweed freshly harvested. To replicate the wonderful feeling of a seaweed bath in your own home, we have plenty of the nourishing Voya product range available in our toiletries department. We also stock Ri Na Mara, Irish Seaweed Cosmetics, and Seavite body lotions and potions.
Eating Seaweed
There are numerous health benefits associated with eating seaweed, it is a widly known anti-oxident as well as containing a mixture of iron, calcium, vitamin A,E,K, B-complex (B1,B2,B3,B5,B6,B12) and  folic acid.

We have a wide range of seaweed products including some especially tasty ones from Donegal based Quality Sea Veg. Their products are hand harvested, hand packed, sustainable, traceable plus you have the benefits of some very  unique tastes enjoyed in your kitchen. Their top three most popular seaweed products in our shop at the moment are: 
1. Sea Spaghetti- can be eaten raw but its best boiled or steamed for at least 10 minutes. It's also great roasted or added to stir-frys, cereal or used as a base vegetable on which to serve fish.
2. Atlantic Wakame- a wonderful mild sweet flavour this is highly nutritious and low in calories. It shouldn't be cooked for too long though. It makes a bright green garnish for salads, superb in soups or wrapped around fish when baking or roasted and chopped it gives a sweet crunchy bite to seafood dishes.
3. Sweet Combu Crisps- a pleasant delicate tasting snack. Ideal on its own or served with sauces, seafood chowders, soups stews and seafood dishes. It's best to microwave or grill for 20 seconds for a crispy roasted snack.
Other Quality Sea Veg products include Carragheen, Sea Salt and Dulse, and Dillisk, and then in the Clearspring range we have  Japanese Arame, Sea Salad and Wakame.

So let us know, have you experimented with all these new seaweed ingredients? What have you tried? Would you recommend any recipes to us?
PS: Check out Prannie's recommended recipe of Sea Spaghetti and cheese straws here



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