Interview with Aisling Hanley, businesswoman and busy mum
Aisling is effortlessly juggling her thriving bakery business, six kids, and two lively dogs. We sat down with her to discover her best tips and advice for managing such a busy and fulfilling life.
Tell me a bit about yourself, where you are from and what was your upbringing
I grew up in Swinford, Co. Mayo. I am one of 5 children. We lived beside the woods and playground, so a lot of my childhood memories are of playing on the swings, cycling in the woods and fishing in the river for crayfish. I, now live in Co. Galway with my husband , 6 children and 2 dogs. I own a wholesale bakery which supplies supermarkets.
What was your favourite food/dish growing up?
My father was and still is a great fisherman, and he also went hunting with our spaniels. My favourite dishes growing up were fried mackerel and roast duck
Was there anything you disliked?
Hairy bacon and lumpy porridge. My mother went through a stage of giving us a hearty cooked breakfast before school. I recall the rashers still had hair on the thick rind.
.Any food memories, fond or otherwise?
My father caught a shark! My poor mother as usual cooked what she was given but this time with a poor outcome. Even the dogs would not touch the boiled shark.
What’s your favourite meal now? To cook? To eat?
My favourite meal to cook is Christmas dinner. I love the Christmas Eve tradition of soaking the turkey in orange and buttermilk brine and making the sausage-meat stuffing the night before. My favourite meal to eat is monkfish curry or crispy duck.
What’s the kitchen appliance you wouldn't be without?
Waffle maker - especially for sleepover breakfasts with lots of hungry kids. It’s a lot easier than frying pancakes.
The one ingredient you wouldn’t be without?
PASTA.
Three ingredients, one dish. What is it?
Salmon, Rice and Soy sauce.
Do your children cook, bake?
Yes everyday – new TikTok recipes! Sometimes very successful and sometimes not.
Have you any tips to make life easier?
Batch cook. Turn left over bolognese into chilli con carne (simple addition of balsamic vinegar, cumin , cinnamon, and chilli to the sauce and serve with rice.).
Turn leftover bacon and cabbage into many meals example use the leftover ham and white sauce to make vol au vents.
Use the left-over bacon and mash to make potato cakes and leftover ham for sandwiches.
Do you have any tips to make food tastier? Healthier?
To make food tastier,
Add a teaspoon of ketchup,marmite and pesto to a bolognese or lasagne sauce.
Instead of breadcrumbs use crackers / crisps or cornflakes.
To make food healthier
Grate all the veg until they reduce down in curries / stews and bolognese..
My kids love Nutella. Instead of dolloping it onto bread with a knife, I use a teaspoon to reduce the amount they use. I also use a teaspoon to measure oil when frying.
To save on food waste?
Use up leftover pieces of cheese, meat, and veg on pizzas or omelettes.
Use leftover rice: to make fried rice. Just add soy sauce , eggs, and frozen veg.
Use leftover bread to make breadcrumbs, and freeze for homemade burgers, meatballs, and goujons.
Do you have any tips for encouraging your kids to eat more veggies?
Eat as a family where possible and if eating out, order a variety of dishes for everyone to try and share.
Try raw veg with hummus or grated carrot in sandwiches.
Grow veg and have your children prepare and cook them with you (we just grew lettuce, but they were so proud and everyone in the family made sandwiches with the lettuce in them)
What is your go - to supper on your busiest days?
Fajitas! Always!
How often do you sit down as a family to enjoy a meal together?
Every Sunday we have a Sunday roast in the evening. The kids help me prepare and we make a fun dessert, have fizzy drinks, set the table nicely and light candles. Also, Friday night is takeaway night, and we order from a local Chinese or chipper and sit down to eat the meal together.
Do you have any advice for helping kids enjoy mealtimes?
No snacking between meals if at all possible so they are hungry and looking forward to eating.
Have them set the table
Have them help prepare and dish up their own food, give them taste tests while you are cooking, and ask for their advice on seasoning and spices.
Eat with them and share your food.
Do you have any kitchen hacks?
Preheat your oven before prepping any food.
Instead of rubbing butter into scones use a grater to grate cold butter in. It's quicker and gives a better result.
Grate garlic instead of chopping.
What healthy snacks do you always have ready to go?
Grapes, Bananas, Yogurt , overnight oats, cheese and crackers.
What is your children's favourite meal?
Homemade meatballs or roast beef with Yorkshire puddings.