Paula McIntyre celebrates Auld Year’s Nicht in a new BBC One special episode
Date Posted: December 23, 2022
It’s hogmanay in the hamely kitchen with Chef Paula McIntyre as she celebrates Auld Year’s Nicht with a delicious festive supper. Produced by Clean Slate Television with support from Northern Ireland Screen’s Ulster-Scots Broadcast Fund, Paula McIntyre’s Hamely Hogmanay airs on Friday 30th December at 7:30pm on BBC One Northern Ireland and Saturday 31st December at 7:45pm on BBC Two Northern Ireland.
On the menu is a warming bowl of cock-a-leekie soup. Paula doesn’t do things by halves so her version involves poaching a whole chicken, which leaves the meat beautifully tender. As Paula says, ‘if you’re harbouring any new year’s resolutions, this broth, full of leeks and barley and parsley, will get you off to a great start.’
Hogmanay wouldn’t be the same without whisky so Paula is off to Islay, where her ancestors are from, on a whisky pilgrimage. Joining her is whisky buff Lee Gibson. After a bumpy crossing from Portstewart to Port Ellen, they travel to a distillery in the west of the island. The journey proves to be worth it as they sample some whiskies made using traditional methods.
Back in the kitchen, Paula will be adding whisky to her next two dishes. For her main course she is making a malt and whisky lacquered duck which she’ll be serving with potato pancakes and a burnt apple sauce. And for dessert she will be sharing her recipe for Clootie Dumpling, a traditional Scottish dish with a scoop of whisky-infused cream.
Along the way, Paula will also reveal some of the Ulster-Scots traditions associated with Hogmanay. For example, there’s first-footing where the first visitor after midnight should always be a dark-haired man bearing gifts to ensure a warm and lucky year ahead.
The programme will conclude with a gathering of Paula’s friends whom she has invited to enjoy a celebratory feast. Guests include fellow broadcaster John Toal, a friend who will act as ‘first-footer’ and mezzo-soprano Carolyn Dobbin who will bring festivities to a close with ‘Auld Lang Syne.’
