Last Christmas, a chef I recurrently work with admitted he hates do-it-yourself presents. For sure, I used to be aghast; who doesn’t love a do-it-yourself edible reward?! Maybe he has been scarred by countless jars of hedgerow jams and allotment veg chutney through the years (though I’m unsure I may ever get sick of do-it-yourself chutney, particularly whether it is one among Chetna Makan’s recipes). This chef is an expensive buddy, so I’ve completed what any good buddy would do and, ever since, have given him a do-it-yourself reward every time I’ve given him a gift. It bought me fascinated with edible presents, what constitutes one and why I like them a lot.
I’ll begin with a disclaimer: I am keen on Christmas. I’m speaking light-up earrings, carols across the village Christmas tree and Felicity Cloake’s mulled wine on repeat – I like it all. Nevertheless, I do get overwhelmed by the quantity of stuff that seems right now of 12 months. Do we want extra stuff? Household and buddies will ask me: “What would you like? What do you want?” There may be, in truth, little or no that I would like, and what I truly need is the recipe to your notorious chocolate cake or your granny’s recipe for her slow-cooked ragu. (Clearly I’m not the one one, given the success of on-line sensation Pasta Grannies.) Or maybe a bottle of that premixed margarita you made final time I visited your own home. To be trustworthy, you may bottle up any of those pitcher-style cocktails and I’d be thrilled. I like it all.
One of many standout presents I obtained final 12 months was a field of biscuits made by a buddy and her 80-year-old father, who was a well known baker inside the Cypriot group within the Eighties. And that is one thing I nonetheless do with my grandma. Certainly one of my favorite instances of the festive season is once we make mounds of kourabiedes, melomakarona and different Greek bakes (identical to these koulourakia or tahinobiskoto) along with her, to present as presents. They’re scrumptious – plus, I get to bake with my grandma.
What in case you don’t have your personal traditions for edible presents but? On this Saturday’s Feast journal and on the positioning you’ll discover loads of showstopping recipes which can be good for gifting. If you will a buddy’s for festive drinks, then hold a watch out for Mark Diacono’s shrubs and cordials. And in case you’re staying at somebody’s home and wish to give them slightly deal with, make sure you take Tamal Ray’s croissant butter with you for breakfast the subsequent day.
So, whereas there are a number of bah humbug folks out on the earth (like my chef buddy, who I shan’t identify and disgrace), I wager most individuals could be thrilled to obtain a do-it-yourself current. As a result of, certainly, what is healthier than the reward of somebody’s love and time, particularly when it tastes so darn scrumptious?
My week in meals
Kale protected | I not too long ago hosted a charity supper membership with my buddy Ravinder Bhogal, the place we raised virtually £10,000 for 3 necessary baby-loss charities. One of many dishes we served was Ravinder’s crispy kale chaat. Kale leaves dipped in a spiced batter and deep fried, then served with cooling yoghurt, candy and bitter chaat dressing and crispy toppings. I haven’t been capable of cease fascinated with it since. It’s on the menu at her restaurant Jikoni in London, and he or she consists of the recipe in her guide Consolation and Pleasure.
Seasonal scent | Bergamot might not be “new” however it’s in season. I like to show this deeply aromatic citrus fruit right into a liqueur (a bit like a limoncello) and use it to make do-it-yourself loukoumia, or turkish delight. Each are unbelievable for gifting, by the way in which.
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What I’m watching | I’ve solely simply began watching Martha, the meals documentary du jour. And, oh boy, it’s fabulous. The Netflix documentary is all in regards to the rise (and fall and rise) of the American homemaking billionaire Martha Stewart. It covers every little thing – her marriage, her authorized woes, misogyny, affairs … I’m already excited to curve up on the couch this night and end it. With a slice of completely made pumpkin pie, or one thing else as distinctly American as the woman herself.
That is an extract from our weekly Feast e-newsletter, written by Georgina, Yotam Ottolenghi, Meera Sodha, Rachel Roddy, Felicity Cloake and others. Enroll right here to get it free to your inbox each Thursday.
