Gift Guide 2020

07 Dec

Gift Guide 2020

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Gifts for the food lover in your life…

 

It’s that time of year, and so here are a few lovely gifts for food lovers.

 

So many things have gone online or can now be delivered since the start of the year, so there are plenty of options for really delicious, great quality food and ingredients that can arrive via your letterbox. Most are UK based, but hopefully you can find the books and some of the other goodies wherever you are in the world!

 

  • For those who have been making sourdough, and cast iron pot is a great addition and this Crane pot is spectacular.

 

 

  • Send top-quality handmade chocolate truffles, marmite-filled chocolate bars (my favourite), salted caramel sauce, kids snowman lollies, cookies and brownies from Paul A Young to happy recipients.

 

 

 

 

  • For cookbooks and books about food, Falastin by Sami Tamimi and Tara Wigley is my current obsessions, as are all the books that Honey + Spice sell – I could read Bee Wilson’s books every day.

 

  • I am mesmerized by Leticia Clark’s beautiful Instagram photos of Sardinia, and her book Bitter Honey is on my wishlist.

 

 

  • I’m using as little single-use plastic as I can, and beeswax wraps like these are bright, cheerful and a great alternative to clingfilm.

 

  • Food banks are being used by many more people this year, and the gift of food can be a lifeline. I’m donating to our local food bank, and you can find yours here. Most accept donations of money and food.

 

  • Finally, we all know that experiences are the best kind of gifts, and Rachel’s Kitchen gift vouchers are a lovely way of giving fun as well as practical skills and the ability to make and share delicious food. You can buy gift vouchers through the website and they can be used for both online and in-person classes. Just let us know who to make the e-voucher out to, and it is yours to pass on.

 

Above all, now more than ever, I’d urge you to support your local, independent shops and restaurants.

 

Have a wonderful festive season, and wishing you a very happy and healthy 2021!

Chocolate Pots de Crème
Serves 4-6

Ingredients
150g good quality dark chocolate, chopped
300g double cream
80ml milk
Pinch of sea salt
4 large egg yolks
4 tablespoons light soft brown sugar
To serve: whipped cream, chocolate shavings or fresh berries (optional)

Ramekins with approximately 120ml capacity. Adjust the baking time and quantities if
larger/smaller.

Method
• Preheat the oven to 160C.
• Place the chocolate, cream, milk and salt in a saucepan over a medium heat and stir continuously until the chocolate has melted and the mixture is hot but not boiling.
• In a large bowl whisk the egg yolks together. Add the sugar and whisk again. Very gradually add the hot chocolate mixture while whisking. A folded tea towel under the bowl will stop it slipping.
• Place the ramekins in a roasting pan or deep-sided tray and divide the custard mixture between them. Place the tray in the oven, very carefully pour hot water into the tray to reach halfway up the ramekins. Place in the oven and bake for 25-35 minutes, or until the edges are set but there is still a slight wobble when you move them.
• Carefully remove from the oven, take the ramekins out of the tray using oven gloves and place on a cooling rack.
• Serve warm or at room temperature with whipped cream, chocolate shavings or fresh berries if you like.

NOTES:
Cooking time will vary depending on the capacity of your ramekins.
Keep leftovers in the fridge.

I’ve made these with semi-skimmed milk instead of cream, and they work. Cream gives them a luxurious, silky touch that is missing with the milk, but if that’s all you have they’re still pretty tasty (and rich!) with milk.

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