Category: Food

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Plant All The Things

seeds

It’s a New Year and January has already given way to February. Many of us at TOG are keen vegetable growers and we’re now looking forward to spring and the growing season ahead. The harvest last year was super, so let’s hope for a repeat.

Join us at TOG for a free seed and plant swap on Saturday 21st February from 3PM to 7PM. We’ll be planting lots of seeds on the day and hopefully no one will go away empty handed. We’ll have plenty of pots, bags and potting compost.


If you have anything surplus that you’d like to share, why not bring it along…. seeds? plants? cuttings? We’d love to hear your own stories of what you like to plant in your own garden or space. Tell your friends and family about the event. If you’re involved with any community gardens, then definitely tell them also. The kettle will be on all day with plenty of tea and coffee and biscuits.

From 7PM that same day, it’s our regular monthly Open Social event which you are welcome to join also. There’ll be pizza and plenty of chat and craic as usual. TOG is a non-profit space run by unpaid volunteers. Donations are always welcome.

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A Real Jam

We’re big into our jams at TOG….. Linux, Python, Finish-a-thons… you name it. Last Saturday at our regular monthly Open Social, we ran a real jam… blackberry and apple to be precise!

With 3.2kg of blackberries collected from the Royal Canal in Dublin and Kildare, and apples from one of our members’ trees, we made a huge pot of jam which filled about 24 jars.

Our Open Social is usually a foodie affair anyway, with our pizza oven going. This one was especially busy with both the pizza and jam. Everyone got to have a stir of the pot, and we all got to take a jar home…. still piping hot.

If jam making and other foodie things interest you, get in touch. We might do another session soon. Check out our gallery for even more photos.

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Koji, Miso and Beyond: A Fermentation Workshop Exploring the World of Flavors and Preservation

Join us for an exciting and informative workshop as we explore the wonderful world of fermentation! From preserving fresh produce to cultivating healthy gut bacteria, fermentation has a multitude of benefits that have been enjoyed by people around the world for centuries. In this workshop, you’ll discover a variety of fermentation techniques and learn how to create delicious and nutritious foods that are not only good for you, but also bursting with flavour.

During the workshop, we’ll delve into the science behind fermentation and discuss the different types of bacteria involved in the process. We’ll cover a range of techniques, including:

  • Salting foods to encourage the growth of lactic acid bacteria, which are used to create delicious dishes like sauerkraut, kimchi, and Indian-style pickles.
  • Utilizing acetic acid bacteria to convert alcohol into vinegar, a versatile ingredient used in everything from salad dressings to marinades.
  • Using a SCOBY (Symbiotic Culture Of Bacteria and Yeast) to ferment sugary liquids and make refreshing kombucha, a probiotic drink that is packed with health benefits.
  • Harnessing the power of koji enzymes to transform foods and create rich, complex flavours. This ancient Japanese technique is used to produce soy sauce, miso, and sake, among other things.

Date: Tuesday 28th 6.30pm until 10pm

Cost: €20 plus fees

Location: Unit 1B Motor City, Kylemore Road, Dublin 12, D12 KRW1

Booking via the following link: https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/koji-miso-and-beyond-a-fermentation-workshop-exploring-the-world-of-flavo-tickets-598313992257

Not only will you learn the techniques for each of these fermentation methods, but we’ll also discuss how to troubleshoot common issues that may arise during the fermentation process. You’ll walk away from the workshop with the skills and knowledge you need to start fermenting your own foods at home.

Join us for an evening of learning, tasting, and fun, and discover the magic of fermentation!

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St Mary’s Hospital Display Table

Hillary and Gary with the display table

St Mary’s Hospital reached out to us for help a while ago. It’s a multidisciplinary community hospital in the Phoenix Park, that offers stroke rehabilitation to patients of all ages, provides in patients rehabilitation to older population and provides residential care to older persons.

They run a gardening project for residents and were in need of a display table for their plants. They sell plants to visitors and staff to help cover the funding of the garden project. Our member, Gary was happy to jump on board as an avid gardener and maker to make up a display table.

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Summer Green Thumbs

The summer is in full swing and our gardens and windows sills are full of life. Our community is made up of people with diverse interests and skills. It is not all computers and tech. Below are photos from our members what is growing at the moment.

Fresh potatoes ready for the pot.

Over 1kg of rhubarb ready to make something sweet.

A bee visiting some flowering artichoke.

The last of the loganberries with some rosemary photobombing.

Great use of awindow sill for some coriander, basil & chives.

And finally some shallow fry courgettes.

Check out our gallery for lots more photos.

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Super Fly Trap

flytrapThis time of year, everyones kitchen seems to be buzzing with tiny fruit flies. If you were taking part in a hackathon to build a fly trap, this one would probably win….. and there’s not an Arduino or a line of code in sight. But what is the mystery mixture in the glass? We hear rumours of beer and vinegar. Drop in to our kitchen to have look.