thefoodiegifthunter.co.uk

Just having a quick virtual browse round to see what’s new for Spring for the foodies, and here’s just a few of the things that have caught my eye:

Gluten free fishcakes

* From The Fish Society, a tasty treat for those needing a gluten free diet. Norcakes are fishcakes from Norway that have seen neither potato (so you get more fish) or a breadcrumb (so you get no gluten). Great sounding flavours, either Pollock & Lemongrass or Salmon & Dill. Perfect standby comfort food for me.

* I love TheDrinkShop.com, it’s such a great source of such a huge variety of different drinks, the stuff you don’t necessarily see in the supermarket. They’ve just listed SW4 Dry Gin, which I have yet to see on sale round here, or make it into my glass, but it sounds great. And I’m intrigued by the Bitter Truth Pimento Dram, which is pimento and rum. Could make for an interesting evening!

Light my Fire, with chocolate

* Always a sucker for chocolate, I like the cheeky bars that Jamie Oliver is doing, which include Light My Fire (dark chocolate with mandarin and ginger) and Get Fresh (dark chocolate with a hint of mint). The flavours are nothing new, but the chocolate is 72% cocoa solids, as well as organic and fairtrade, so on top of that to have great looking packaging is a real positive. Cheer someone’s day up, any day, with one of these.

* I know this won’t tick the local box, but it is seasonal. Natoora have Wild Pink Radicchio in from Verona, which they say is very nice grilled, and I would be tempted to try it in risotto, having made one before with “normal” radicchio. I am expecting this to be slightly less bitter than the red version.

* The Eden Project is one of my favourite places, but it’s a bit of a drive from here in the East Midlands. Pleased to see their online shop suddenly looking really snazzy and interesting with some great things on it. For the foodies, then there is the Olive Lovers Gift, which has an olive sapling, and a jar of their own marinated olives. This is going to be one of those taste good, do good gifts, going to support the ongoing work at the Project. They’ve got some great chicken houses too, if keeping your own is on your to do list this year.

So just a few new things that have caught my eye, that I’ll be storing away as ideas for great gift ideas for someone, at some stage, this Spring. What’s caught your eye? I’d love to know.

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Walnut & Cinnamon Biscuits from Sharpham Park

In a perfect world, we would all be able to eat exactly what we want, stay in perfect health and feeling great and, preferably, not putting an ounce on! But it can’t be that way for everyone and if you have food intolerances, that’s bad enough, but if you absolutely adore your food then that’s even harder. I have a fabulous foodie friend who is wheat, dairy and nut intolerant, not to mention red meat not being a friend to her system.

Should the love of your life be a sensitive foodie soul, then here’s a few suggestions on gifts that tick the boxes on the foodie front but won’t make the night end in tears.

* Something tasty to accompany the morning cup of tea might go down well, so have a look at these wonderful sounding Cinnamon & Walnut Spelt Biscuits from Sharpham Park. Suitable for those avoiding wheat, these will perk up a cuppa and if you want to bring something special to evening drinks too, then add a packet of the Tomato & Onion Spelt Bites.

* Going a step further, then try treating them to Organic Hazelnut Macaroons from Popina. These are suitable for those who need either a gluten or dairy free treat. Incredibly tasty, they will make you forget about the things they don’t contain and just concentrate on the fabulous tastes that they do.

Little Wallop Goats Cheese

* For something a bit more savoury, but without the cows milk, then how about the wonderfully named Little Wallop Goats Cheese. It’s washed in cider, and wrapped in vine leaves, so looks as good as it tastes. To add a little extra something on the side then add in the Beetroot & Apple Chutney from Godminster.

* Of course most intolerances don’t necessarily mean you don’t get to eat meat but if you have to avoid gluten then you’ve probably been avoiding most sausages. Search no more though, as Sally’s Sizzling Sausage Co only makes gluten free variants, in flavours from Pork & Leek to Chicken & Tarragon. If you’re feeling indecisive, then buy your loved one the sausage taster pack, and put a bit of sizzle into Sunday.

* Something sweet to follow on from all that sizzling? Limit the temptation with theseindividual gluten free cakes from Honeybuns. Presented in a great looking gift tin, these are little parcels of gluten free goodness that make a great treat for any time of the day.

* As long as I can eat chocolate, I am happy. For those who need dairy, wheat, gluten and nut free, then try this Completely Dairy Free Organic Chocolate Gift Pack from A Lot of Chocolate. Plenty of great flavours, including mint, ginger and cayenne.

* And finally if they’re avoiding caffeine, then I’d buy them the Rooibos tea from Bellevue Tea. Naturally caffeine free, this tea tastes great, and comes beautifully packed, in individual envelopes. Very stylish, very tasty.

Most places are getting better at labelling these days, so you should have an easier job of identifying great gifts for even the most sensitive of foodies. Failing that, skip food that day and just order the biggest bottle of champagne (if they’re not avoiding alcohol) or a mammoth bouquet (assuming they don’t get hayfever). Lets hope they’re not so sensitive that whatever you do makes them cry!

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Gadgets are go this Christmas!

I am not sure why, but there aren’t so many foodie gift lists come out of the UK, most seem to come out of the US. It’s possibly down to the fact they use the word more, but then I’m not sure what the English (UK) alternative is, as gourmet, epicure and gourmand always feel a little bit more elitist, a bit more out of reach. Anyway, whatever the linguistic differences, the list on Health.com was great, and here are my UK alternatives to their Ultimate Foodie Gift Guide.

1. I loved the idea of the Apple Tree to Be, a great gift for a keen gardener or allotment keeper, a healthy eater, or just for that person you never have a clue what to buy them. For a British alternative, try the Miniature Apple by Trees Direct or a Bramley Apple Tree from Trees2MyDoor, which would be a great gift for a cook or home baker.

2.Whilst I can see that this scrapes into a healthy foodie gifts on the basis of the health benefits of garlic, really the Chef’n Garlic Zoom is just a great gizmo for the kitchen. Given that it’s just under £8 on Amazon, it would make a great stocking filler for anyone really, even for a serious cook, just for a laugh. I would probably make this my top foodie gadget for under £10 this Christmas.

3. Not sure if the health benefits of gingerbread are well documented, but missing parts Gingerbread Men may make you laugh, which is good for your health. Your gingerbread man could end up headless before you get to him, but at least you’ll know he’s “armless”. Sorry, bit early for panto, but cute gift for kids and homebakers. I love that these are called ABC Cookie Cutters, as in already been chewed!

4. Sadly, I can’t find a UK source for the Ebelskiver Filled-Pancake Pan, which is a real shame. These are apparently a real delicacy in their native Denmark, and they look delightful. Should you be passing a branchof Williams Sonoma anytime soon, they have a great one. The rest of us, well, we’ll have to campaign for Williams Sonoma to open up over here! We’ve got Anthropologie now, surely this should be the next import?

5. Perfect for coffee lovers with an eco-conscience, I Am Not a Paper Cup looks just like a proper take out cup, but can be used time and time again. Save the planet, still get good coffee. Perfect.

6. The Cook or Be Cooked Wii game is not available here in the UK. Buy a decent cookbook instead.

7. Growing your own herbs is brilliant and so worthwhile. There are all kinds of options for this, from pretty windowsill growing versions, through to the high tec approach of the Aero Garden. What seeds you add in is up to you.

8. The lunchskins are not available in the UK, but the principle of using less plastic at lunchtime is good. I love the bright coloured tiffin tin that John Lewis have, which would allow you to have several lovely courses at lunchtime without them getting mixed up.

9. The Breville Smart Oven looks like a perfect bachelor pad gadget, and lots of pre-settings mean it’s perfect for non-cooks and gadget geeks alike. Again, not available here yet, so maybe one to add to Santa’s list for next year.

10. I like the sound of The Pioneer Woman Cooks, a cookbook from self-proclaimed accidental country girl, Ree Drummond. Cook up Cowboy Calzones and Cheese Grits for a very, very different take on Christmas lunch.

11. This is something I could do with, as I always get the amount wrong so I would be grateful for a spaghetti measure. The Joseph Joseph one is funky looking and neat, and a good gift for under £10.

12. For seriously accurate cutting, dicing, slicing and julienning fruit and veg, then they need a good mandoline, and the De Buyer is the one recommended by Health.com. Four interchangeable blades give them the ability to even do waffle and crinkle cuts. Fancy!

13. I wish there was something like the EcoVine organic wine club membership but sadly not. The best bet in the UK is Vintage Roots, who specialise only in organic wine. Order them a bottle once a month.

14. Glow Gluten Free Cookies are not available here, but there are plenty of good gluten free goodies now on offer throughout the UK. M&S have a whole gluten-free hamper this Christmas, which would be great for those who don’t normally get such tasty treats. Or try Gower Cottage for gluten free brownies, chocolate loveliness without the gluten!

So, the term healthy has perhaps been applied a bit loosely, but I really like a lot of these ideas. Worth adding to your own Christmas wishlist, or help solve your gift buying problems for difficult foodies! Happy shopping!

Go nostalgic this Christmas

Lets face it, Marks & Spencer is a Christmas institution, which is not necessarily where you want to spend Christmas. But if it was the only place still open on Christmas Eve, then there are some choices I would make on the foodie gift front. Actually, some of these are definitely worth turning up for before Christmas Eve! Here’s my choices:

1. I’ve actually really loved all the retro stuff they’ve done this year, and I would happily give some of these. I don’t think you can have too many cake tins, and this set of two is lovely looking. Could be quite tempted by the teapot and the mugs as well.

2. For kids big and small, and for a guilty foodie treat, then I love the limited edition Percy Pig Union Flag money box. Practical, stylish and tasty, all in one nightmare to wrap package! Sadly, I’d love to show you this but it appears you can only get this in the shops. And not online. Bit of a M&S fail I would say. There is an online Percy Pig special though, should you not want to face the High Street.

3. If there are chocolate lovers on your list, then have a look at the Chocoholics hamper. All presented in an attractive and practical magazine holder/wrapper holder, there is a veritable chocolate feast inside. They can snuggle up with Fairtrade drinking chocolate sprinkled with mini marshmallows, and dunk in a milk chocolate Florentine. They can drool over chocolate recipes, whilst eating dark chocolate or spooning chocolate sauce straight from the jar. Perfect!

4. For the vintage lover, then there is a full on 125 Year Souvenir Gift. The gold label tea caddy is great looking, and I love the Hedgerow Jam, not something you see much these days. With two mugs and a tea towel, you’re on your way to a nice cup of a tea and a sit down. Just get some toast on and you’re all set!

5. Food intolerances are no fun, and I’m thrilled to see M&S offering a great gluten free hamper. No need to feel left out, there is gluten free Christmas cake and Christmas pudding, plus a great selection of jams and chutney, tea and coffee, chocolates and cava. This just feels like great tasting products, rather than “specialist food”, which is how most people with intolerances would want to feel.

6. For something a bit simpler, and cheaper, but still with good taste, then I like the Risotto Set. The grater both looks attractive and useful, and comes with a bowl for grating into. It comes with the essential wooden spoon and also a packet of risotto rice with dried porcini mushrooms, which should be very tasty. If you want to make it truly authentic, then you need to add a good piece of Parmesan too.

So, some really good standbys and useful options for people you might normally find it difficult to buy gifts for. Of course I would still prefer to order everything online and get them to deliver it, but if you had to go somewhere on Christmas Eve for last minute gifts, these would be pretty good choices. Better than these anyway:

Panasonic Breadmaker - for the best smells a kitchen can emit!

After the cheese making kit, I began to think of the other essentials that you could make yourself, and the things that make it easier.

Starting with the basics really, and bread. And we would not be without our Panasonic Bread Maker. The SD255 is one of the most hardworking gadgets in our kitchen, probably second only to the kettle.

The smell of baking bread is one of the best smells in the world, there really is nothing like it. And this little machine turns out great loaves, sometimes very quickly, often overnight. It can add in fruit and nuts, it even copes with gluten free flours. Although sadly even it can’t magic them into a loaf that is like real bread!

And we don’t buy pizzas much any more. Just knock up the dough in this and then create away! With a great tomato base (normally onion, garlic and passata cooked down a bit) your imagination can run riot, limited only to what’s in your fridge or store cupboard. It’s a great activity with kids, and all happens before they can get bored with the idea. From prep to table in under an hour, perfect timespan for cooking with kids.

And of course you don’t need to be limited to plain old white flour. I love the huge variety on offer at The Flourbin, and am still working through my last order. I got a bit carried away, but there are so many different flours you end up wanting to try them all!

And if you need some other inspiration for recipes, then I would recommend Fresh Bread in the Morning, and Bread Machine Magic. More bread than even a French bakery might stock!

Truly money well spent, and each loaf costs less than 50p to make. You won’t get a bread that quality for that cost at the supermarket, so really it’s a cost saving machine, but one that is not dull and will fill  your house with the delightful smell of warm bread. Just don’t time a loaf to cook as you’re going to bed! You won’t be able to sleep!