thefoodiegifthunter.co.uk

Glass cake stand to show off your creations

I’ve written many times about how much shopping I do at Not On the High Street, as it really does have unusual and unique gifts for pretty much everyone on my list. Not to mention a few things for myself finding their way into the basket! And now its sale has started, so the temptation is even higher. Here’s a roundup of the best bargains on offer for foodies:

1. There are some great cocktail kits in a box in the sale, from margaritas to cosmopolitans. Not a massive reduction at 10% but these are a good looking gift, a bit of fun, and will feel incredibly decadent to receive!

2. I’ve written many times about how useful tea towels are, for all kinds of purposes other than the original intended one. There are some very highbrow literary ones in the sale at half price, spanning D H Lawrence to Oscar Wilde.

3. For the mini gourmets, the personalised kids aprons will help to make them feel really special in the kitchen, which might be another reason for them to want to get involved. There are four different designs available, so something suitable for everyone.

4. I know a lot of people are still surrounded by lots of snow and ice, so it’s hard to think of warm, sunny days and heading out on picnics. But if you want to be prepared, not to mention green, then the eco picnic set could be a good advance purchase. There are also some funky Thermos flasks in the sale, to help keep something cool and delicious completely cool.

5. I got a glass cake stand last year, and I love it. If you’ve got a keen baker, then the stand in the sale is really nice. It’s also reduced by 40% and is now just £15.

Just a few things for the foodies! Try not to get yourself too distracted by everything else!

Enter your email address:

Delivered by FeedBurner

Can you eat & shop well on the motorway?

I’ve tried giving you the tastiest Christmas gifts for foodies that can be delivered to your door, right up to the last minute (and look out for tomorrow’s post for the really last minute versions). But what happens if you’re heading off on a long journey to somewhere remote, that hasn’t heard of dial up, let alone broadband, and you’ve remembered someone you’ve forgotten?

Well, supposing that you’ll have to tackle the motorway network, then what happens if you pull in and try the shop? Some of you might be lucky and find that Tebay is the nearest services, and perhaps their legendary farm shop might still be open, in which case you’re sorted for the foodie. But from everywhere else?

Well, I tried this this morning at Cambridge services on the M11. I would think I was in luck for most foodies, as there was an M&S Food. Of course, you could choose any of the Christmas specials, but you could also do things like tortilla chips and dips, preserves and pickles, tins of nuts, or a whole bag of clementines. I’d also be tempted to throw in the Ouidinot champagne (especially as there’s £5 off) and a bottle of port.

You might get even luckier if you pull into the services, and find one of the rare, but growing, number of Waitrose versions of these food havens. But what happens if there’s neither or they’re shut?

I wandered round the typical services shop, and was a little stuck. I might be tempted to buy the foot scrub in the foot shaped pack, although it may only be good for the sink. There wasn’t a proper book section, but a small selection of special offer cookbooks. If you could find something on local specialities you might be onto a little winner.

I did think you could do a whole nostalgic tastes bag (couldn’t find hampers, but eco friendly shopping bags). Salt & vinegar Monster Munch, Sherbet Fountain and maybe even a box of After Eights. You could probably find a suitably cheesy CD to really set it off (Best of the Nolans anyone?) although sadly no bottles of Snowball.

Sometimes the answer in these situations is generosity. Plunder the magazine racks, but don’t just buy one foodie magazine, buy a whole stack. Along with Olive, Delicious etc, there was more unusual stuff like Country Kitchen, Country Smallholding, Cake Craft & Decoration and Organic Garden & Home. There was ribbon that wouldn’t have looked bad, and my best tip if the wrapping paper isn’t great is buy the Financial Times. That salmon pink newsprint always looks classy.

The chocolate selection wasn’t inspiring, so I would have followed the same principle and just bought up every flavour of Green & Black chocolate. You can make pretty patterns with the colours, and the flavours are pretty good, with something for everyone. I’m very partial to the cherry and the almond, and you could do a fruit theme, all milk, all plain, or just go mad with the whole range.

I ignored the Slankets and strange electrical gadgets that only seem to come out at Christmas. I would go for a good flask, a water bottle, and a waterproof backed picnic blanket, as everyone can always use extra of any of those. And they speak of warm days ahead, which is always good.

And if you’re tempted to buy flowers, again be generous. The Christmas bouquets they had weren’t bad, but were mean. Buy three or four, and wrap them together. Again, you could employ the Financial Times trick, it’ll really upgrade those carnations.

So, I hope you turn up where ever you are going safely, after not too long on the road, and bearing gifts for everyone, and gifts that will ensure everyone is still talking by Christmas lunch. If in doubt, watch this to see the hazards of raiding the wrong part of the shop!

Fabulously atmospheric post of dining at motorway services by rightee on Flickr.

Beetroot Relish from Jamie Oliver

You’ve been making a list, checking it twice, you’ve worked out what’s naughty and what’s nice. And now you’re having a sudden panic as you’ve counted up the presents and you’ve forgotten someone! If it’s a foodie gift you’ve forgotten, then never fear! Here’s some last minute suggestions you can still order in, so no need to brave the High Street just yet.

1. Jamie Oliver has some great stuff, without his face on it, that I think makes a great standby foodie present. There are good preserves and oils and, lets face it, you’re going to trust these more than some awful flavoured collection from the corner shop. A duo of beetroot relish and red onion pickle, wrapped in a funky teatowel, or a mixing bowl, would make a brilliant gift. Or I suppose I should have said a pukka present. Order by Thursday this week to guarantee pre Christmas delivery, and benefit from free delivery. Perfect!

2. Treat them to a different foodie day. All of the major experience companies offer very interesting days, and most still seem to be guaranteeing pre Christmas delivery. From Virgin, you could buy the Cupcake & Cocktails Experience, or learn some new dishes at the Novelli academy or spend a day cooking fish with Keith Burke. Not quite doing it for your foodie? Try Red Letter Days or Buy A Gift or check out the fantastic courses for real artisanal food at The School of Artisan Food, from patisserie through to wild yeast baking.

3. Heal’s have some great foodie gifts, and you’ve got through till midnight this Sunday to order from them. Truly a

Love it or loathe it, it's a great gift

present of love if you hate the stuff, but if your foodie loves the stuff, then they have a great Marmite gift. I’ve featured the pate gifts before, and you’ve got a choice of game, meat or fish, so something for everyone. There’s some cool stuff in their barware section, like the Beer Cooler Zinc Tub, ideal for the beer and party loving foodie. Looking forward to warmer days ahead, then I like the Metrokane Wine to Go Neoprene Carrier, perfect for picnics.

4. For the serious foodie with expensive tastes, then London Fine Foods is perfect hunting ground for great gifts. They have everything from Beluga Caviar to White Truffles, milk fed Pyrenne’s lamb and fabulous Jamon Iberico de Bellota. There are gift boxes on offer or, if the choice is too much, gift vouchers! The provenance and quality will make any foodie’s Christmas morning!

5. For your pick of great foodie presents, it’s also still not too late to order from Natoora. For most of the UK, orders can go through up until 22nd December, some parts of London are the 23rd. There are beautiful boxes of macaroons (watch this space, I say 2010 will be the year of the macaroon) and panettone, and if the choice is too much there are some great hampers already put together. Check out the Pure Indulgence and Great British Christmas versions.

That should keep the foodies very happy with their presents come Christmas morning, and should keep you happy by shopping from the comfort of your own chair!

Crack your nuts in style

I love it when the Cox & Cox catalogue arrives, particularly now the Christmas one is here. Looking at it with a specific task of finding something for someone who adores food and everything associated with it is not difficult. It might be the only gift you give them that has no actual food involved! Here’s my choices:

1. For the home bakers and cookie queens, I would check out their cookie cutters. By Christmas Day it may be too late to give the festive ones, or it could be useful for next year. There are festive snowflakes, ones to make a cookie Christmas tree and also a great jigsaw piece cutter. If they are very artistic then they may like the gingerbread house cutters.

2. For home loving cooks with open fires I suggest the extending toasting fork. Can there be anything better than toasting a crumpet by the fire? Useful for use around the campfire too, when summer comes back around!

3. For those who love their nuts, then how about a fabulous chestnut roasting pan? Or crack their nuts in style with a cute but functional squirrel nutcracker. And for a bit of nut innovation, check out the walnut key which makes opening them an absolute breeze.

4. For lovers of liquid refreshments, I love the very stylish silver plated wine cooler. This looks incredibly beautiful and tasteful, as well as being expensive looking but without the price tag. A good edition, or for foodies who have taken the pledge, then the matching water jug is also very beautiful.

5. For the smallholders and keen gardeners with fruit trees, then the five drawer apple rack is perfect for keeping the fruit in great condition throughout the winter. You could also keep potatoes or onions in it, it’s beautifully made and sure you will find space for it somewhere.

6. For foodies with a love of the great outdoors, I would choose the “invaluable” picnic knife. As long as you don’t subscribe to the Japanese traditions, where you would never give a knife, it signifies the cutting of ties. If you’re confident in your ties, then this knife is perfect, particularly as it has an inbuilt corkscrew. Everything a perfect picnic needs!

If you’ve not got to know Cox & Cox before now, then Christmas is a perfect time to start. These are unusual things that you won’t find on every high street, offering something a little more unique for your loved ones.

A nice cup of tea and a sit down. And cake.

Call it a hunch, but I reckon there’ll be traffic queues and toilet queues at the grand houses of the UK today. This must be peak viewing day for National Trust properties and other national treasures such as Chatsworth, which these days is less of a trial for children, thanks to kid’s trails and playgrounds, and for food lovers, as most places have caught on pretty quick.

We made a quick dash to Belton House yesterday, our nearest National Trust property. If only because it has an amazing adventure playground for a 7 year old to blow off some steam in. I’d not been before so was keen to see where the food level was pitched at. And I was pleasantly surprised! Local produce was well featured, from Lincolnshire sausages through to local veg. There were gluten free cakes from Crimbles, which is a nice touch for not excluding anyone from tea time treats.

And there were cakes. Glorious, homemade looking cakes. Of course there was Victoria Sponge and Lemon Drizzle cake, but was thrilled to see Chocolate Beetroot (MGG pronounced it delicious) and Parsnip and Caraway amongst others. Decent tea, Belvoir cordials and no sign of instant coffee anywhere. Perfect.

Of course, the grande dame of this sort of thing has to be Chatsworth though. Their farm shop is a thing of foodie beauty, and the coffee shop has the most idyllic view. And I’m not just talking about the cakes. I am thankful not to be there today, as I am sure it is hectically busy, but enjoyed an afternoon there a couple of Friday’s ago. Tea was delightful (and scarily, no more expensive for three drinks and three fabulous cakes than 2 mediocre coffees, a glass of water and 2 cakes at Starbucks) and the staff suitably charming. And the picture perfect scenery just added to the whole occasion.

The farmshop itself is upmarket, not exactly cheap, but very clearly focused on food values. Great selection that you

The results of a farm shop dash at Chatsworth

could do your weekly shop from, or just choose some carefully edited highlights to add to the every day stuff you have. In my little haul there’s some great local salami,  slices of proper baked ham, a Lincolnshire plum loaf, Stout Porter from Tollgate Brewery, something from Peak Ales (we drank that already, so can’t check) and some Stichelton. The black pudding and oatcakes come from my earlier visit that day to the market in Hanley, which was responsible for this dish.

So, I would say planning a visit to a national treasure shouldn’t now mean compromising on your foodie values, even if you don’t take your own delightful picnic. Let me know if you think there’s a foodie treat hidden away at a national treasure near you, I’d love to notch up a few more. Although I’m going back to Chatsworth next week for the Country Fair, from 4th to 6th September. As you can imagine, it has a big food contingent. I’m pleased to see at least two very local suppliers in attendance: Belvoir Fruit Farms for great cordials and Brocklebys for the only organic Melton Mowbray pork pie around.

Advance tickets are still available, and there really will be something for all the family, whether they love their food or not. Just remember to pack a picnic for when you’re sitting in the traffic jam at the end of the day!

Around Britain in 100 recipes

Worth staying in on the next few Monday nights, as the Hairy Bikers are back. They’re touring around the UK again, and getting to see, and cook, the best on offer around the UK.

I feel we have a slight vested interest, as they visited the village and spent the day cooking at the Red Lion. We forgive them for making service late that night, they were charming and signed one of their books for the village raffle. They even signed an autograph for Mini Gourmet Girl, although I am not sure how they’ll feel about being on the wall next to Hannah Montana and High School Musical!

So, if you had a Hairy Biker of your own, what would you get them if you needed to buy a gift? Here’s a few suggestions:

1. A Royal Enfield. Vintage preferably.

2. American Camp Ovens – perfect for outdoor cooking that’s a bit more advanced than a few sausages over a disposable BBQ.

3. A decent picnic rug with waterproof backing – put an end to damp derrieres, wherever you end up eating.

4. A corkscrew with a hint of humour – I don’t like gimmicks, and things must work well first and foremost. But I do rather like the Parrot Sommelier Corkscrew from Alessi.

5. A homebrew kit- so there’ll be beer ready for the time they get back from their travels 

6. A motorcycle cake tin/jelly mould – indulge foodie recipes for cake and jelly in many variations but only one shape!

7. Dave’s Burning Hot Nuts – I’ve no idea if this is what you get from too long on the bike, but might be a good choice for those who like it hot!

8. A few nights in Bury – with a market like that on hand, where else would you go for a romantic few nights away? Choose somewhere with a mini bar, so you can stash your purchases, or get a mobile coolbox

So, here’s looking forward to few weeks of good cooking, no doubt a few bad jokes, and some good scenery. Dr T is also hoping for some good motorbike action, but there’s no accounting for taste!

Scotch Eggs like you've never had before!

We’ll be on our way through France when this is published, having already completed a fairly long drive down to Portsmouth to catch the ferry. Which means either running the gauntlet of British service stations, not to mention needing a second mortgage, or taking your own.

Guess which we went for for the first half of the trip?

So for today’s Saturday session, I’ve looked out for some great, interesting picnic food. After scanning quite a few, I came across an amazing selection on The British Larder. This is like foodie picnic heaven, but a lot is also very practical. Although possibly the frozen broad bean creme fraiche might not be!

If I had my choice, I would go for the Beetroot Tart Tatin, the Sesame Toasted Basmati Rice and Broad Bean Salad, Green Chilli Chicken Won Tons, and then following on with Chocolate Salami and the Gooseberry Polenta Slice. Heavenly!

So go on, make a picnic about so much more than picnic eggs and damp sandwiches!