Caroline Boyle with brother Colm and head chef Aleksandar Dimitrov.

Mayo native publishes top Spanish cookbook

THE Mayo native behind one of the country's top Spanish tapas bars has published a smashing new book - A Taste of Salamanca: Spanish recipes from Dublin’s best tapas bar.

Caroline Boyle, the owner of Salamanca Tapas Bar and Restaurant on Andrew Street, Dublin 2, is originally from Ballindine, and is sister of Mayo footballer Colm Boyle.

Founded in 2002, Salamanca Tapas Bar and Restaurant was one of the first tapas bars in Ireland and it’s still at the top of the list for Spanish tapas in Dublin, as evidenced by winning Best Mediterranean Restaurant at Food Awards Ireland for the past two years in a row.

Now, in celebration of the restaurant’s 15th anniversary, A Taste of Salamanca will give you the ideas and tools to cook Spanish food to suit any occasion for your family or friends. The recipes have been adapted to make them fun and easy for you to prepare and cook at home.

The section on essential ingredients walks you through the basics of a well-stocked Spanish larder. Pinchos and appetizers and tapas dishes feature strongly in the book, and serving these with the recommended selection of salads and dips and sauces will be sure to impress your guests.

For something more substantial, the chef’s specials, such as chicken and chorizo paella, lamb cutlets with mojo picon sauce or crispy pork belly with romesco sauce, are sure to satisfy. And to finish on a sweet note, there are a few favourite desserts too.

Caroline has also shared her suggestions for a party tapas menu and a dinner tapas menu using recipes from the book. After all the time that Caroline has spent in Spain and the thousands of hours she has spent looking after her guests in Salamanca, she believes there is no better way to dine.

With recipes by head chef Aleksandar Dimitrov and photography by Agnes Chvojka, this book allows you to bring a taste of Salamanca – and a taste of Spain – into your own home.

Caroline Boyle and her team have been at the helm of Salamanca’s success since 2008. Caroline spends as much time as her work allows in various parts of Spain, gathering ideas. She is passionate about Spanish food and culture, which is reflected in the success of the restaurant.

All in all, Caroline works hard to create a Spanish and Mediterranean atmosphere in Salamanca in every way possible.

The book is available to buy online at www.salamanca.ie and in the restaurant. It will be available locally at Smyths Newsagents and Book Store in Claremorris and O'Toole's SuperValu, Tuam, and McHugh's Spar, Texaco filling station and newagents in Ballindine.

The book is retailing at €16.99.