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Sunday, February 05, 2012

Information

Karl Moore and Dundalk MHA Cookery Course

Karl Moore about the 10-week cookery course:

Patrick O’Connor from the local branch of Dundalk Mental Health Association organised the course with myself. The course was held in O'Fiaich Institute of Further Education in Dundalk. There were 12 students in total and the support was provided by local volunteers from the local branch: Nuala, Brid and Fidelma.

The course ran for 10 weeks and consisted of:

Week 1:

Introductions to class, plan & goal for course.
Hands on cookery: Curried chicken pilaf

Week 2:

Baked cod coujons in wholemeal crumbs (hands on cookery)
Fresh dill mayonnaise/green salad (hands on cookery)
Cajun sweet potatoes (hands on cookery)
Green minestrone soup (demonstration)

Week 3:

Italian beef & vegetable lasagne, granary garlic & herb bread (hands on cookery)
Low fat strawberry granola cheesecake (Demonstration)

Week 4:

Vegetarian Quiche Lorraine- spinach, broccoli, red onion & low fat cheese (hands on cookery)

Week 5:

Sweet and sour pork stir-fry with sautéed egg noodles (hands on cookery)
Spanish omellette (demonstration)

Week 6:

Lean beef, onion & mushroom hotpot (hands on cookery)

Week 7:

Chicken enchiladas (hands on cookery)
Grilled lemon, lime & chilli salmon darne (demonstration)

Week 8:

Oven baked low fat lamb pattie on wholegrain bun with green salad/beef tomatoes & creme fraiche(hands on cookery)
Recap of course; Questions &Answers.

Week 9:

Discussion about the effects of having a healthy diet by a qualified Nutritionist.

Week 10:

Discussion & Tips on exercising by qualified Fitness Instructor.

During the course the students learned overall cookery skills & knowledge about the benefits of a healthy lifestyle. They also learned craft skills of different cookery methods which they can incorporate in their daily lives but most of all it was a great reward to see the students build on their confidence and work together as a team. By the end of the course all the students were excelling themselves with their new found cookery skills so much that there are plans to incorporate it as an annual event. The students themselves were even inquiring about the possibility of a follow-up course at completing an advanced level.

It was a well deserved achievement for all the students who received their Certificates at a presentation evening on Monday, 28th February, in Dundalk, Co. Louth. Overall it was a great success by all involved in the Dundalk Mental Health Association.

Photos from Certificate Presentation on 28th February, 2011:

Cookery Course Students with Karl after the distribution of certificates

Cookery Course Helpers, Nuala and Brid with Karl

Cookery Course Students with Karl after the distribution of certificates

About Karl Moore

karl_moore

Karl is originally from Dublin, Ireland. He trained professionally as a chef in:

College of Catering, Dublin, Ireland
French Culinary Institute, New York, USA
Institute of Italian Culinary Education, USA
Callebaut Chocolate Academy, the UK.

He has travelled the world learning culinary delights and worked alongside great chefs. Karl's great inspirations are:

Karl Josef Fuchs, Spielweg Hotel, Munstertal, Germany (3 Michelin stars)
Ken Hom -oriental celebrity TV chef
Derry Clarke - L'Ecrivan Restaurant, Dublin, Ireland.

He also enjoys teaching cookery classes & promoting Irish regional and local produce.

Karl has been recently presented with Happy Heart Award from Irish Heart Foundation. Congratulations!

happy_heart_award

Karl is the host of "Karl's Kitchen Flavours", a culinary & lifestyle show on Dundalk Radio FM 100. Each month Karl leads listeners on a culinary journey of their senses by cooking live over the airwaves and also hosts discussions with a variety of personalities who share their passion for culinary delights.

Below is one of the videos recorded during th live Radio Show:

Karl recently teamed up with Patrick O'Connor from Dundalk Mental Health Association and organised a 10-week cookery course for people interested in healthy eating options. To learn more about the course, read the next article.

Healthy Eating for a Healthy Mind

Our brain needs a constant flow of energy in the form of glucose to nourish the millions of cells. However, glucose alone cannot sustain us and we need a supply of other ingredients such as vitamins, minerals, essential fats and proteins. Some foods can be high in fuel or energy but low in these essential ingredients. What we eat has a major affect on our general health both physically and mentally. Achieving balance in our diet is important. Where possible eat a variety of freshly prepared nutritious foods. Some people find that their mood effects their appetite, comfort eating when feeling low or bored, or having no appetite when feeling anxious or depressed.

Tips for a healthy diet:

Eat a variety of foods – meat, fish, vegetables, fruit
Eat plenty of carbohydrates for energy – bread, potatoes, rice, pasta
Restrict fatty and sugary foods – chips, biscuits, chocolate, fizzy drinks
A regular intake of vitamin B & C can help combat stress. Vitamin B can be found in green leafy vegetables, wholemeal bread and butter. Vitamin C can be found in fresh fruit, orange juice, blackberries.
A high fibre diet helps to cleanse the system – whole wheat, bran, vegetables.
Drink plenty of fresh water. Too much tea and coffee overstimulates the system.
Try to avoid rushed meals. Sit down, relax and enjoy your meal.
Remember eating should be a pleasant experience.

More information about the connection between diet and mental health can be found in Mental Health Foundation's publications.

(click on the images to be taken to MHF's website and download pdfs)

Below is a selection of healthy eating recipes prepared especially for Mental Health Ireland by a professional chef, Karl Moore.

To view/download recipes, please click on the links below:

Amalfi-Style Chicken

Asian Style Lobster Salad NEW!

Balsamic Strawberries with Ricotta Cream

Blueberry and Lemon Traybake

Chargrilled Irish Lamb Tortillas with Spicy Corn Salad

Chicken and Lemongrass Laksa NEW!

Chickpeas, Chorizo and Feta Cheese

Crispy Skin Salmon with Pea and Feta Cheese

Hoi Sin Pork and Garlic Noodles

Irish Smoked Salmon and Potato Quiche

Spinach, Ricotta and Sweet Potato Pie

Tasty Crab Spring Rolls with Crab Cakes and Watercress

White Butter Bean and Chorizo Crostini NEW!

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