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Post by everso on Nov 10, 2010 19:32:39 GMT
My son is a bit of a foodie, and he loves cooking. Therefore, I thought I'd make him a sort of hamper as part of his Christmas present, filled with things like truffle oil, smoked paprika, etc. The sorts of things that you wouldn't necessarily buy yourself. Any suggestions?
Edit: Akcherly, bugger it, I think I should have put this in The Kitchen, rather than The Cellar.
Pat, can you please move it? Ta!
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Post by jean on Nov 10, 2010 23:34:40 GMT
Horlicks?
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Post by everso on Nov 10, 2010 23:37:40 GMT
More like Charbonnel et Walker drinking chocolate, Jean.
He's such a tart at times, my son.
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Post by Deleted on Nov 11, 2010 0:30:07 GMT
home-made scotch eggs.
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Post by Patrick on Nov 11, 2010 9:00:18 GMT
Ever noticed how hampers contain stuff that usually gets consigned to the back of a cupboard and forgotten about? You used to be able to buy some nice small bottles of olive oil with sprigs of herbs in (With rosemary etc) that not only looked pretty but were useful too (Pasta with rosemary oil roasted tomatoes and red peppers was a favourite). If you're going to buy anything wacky and different - make it the smallest quantity possible so it can be tried and not wasted.
You'd have to buy it at the last minute - but a smorgasbord of freshly cut cheeses from a proper cheese shop would be nice - (if he likes cheese). Say one or two with fruit in, or smoked varieties for instance, some roulade types perhaps.
A selection of wine or beers perhaps? (Once again, depending on preference) but there are some fabulous beers about - though you'd need to find a good independent off licence to find them.
Got any Sausage Shops nearby? Once again - would have to be a last minute job - but a selection of exotic sausages would be something. I remember supermarketwise, Sainsburys used to do these Garlic and Red Wine Sausages and they were fabulous! BUT you needed to wrap the buggers in half a dozen carrier bags to stop the smell leaking out!
If you're heading anywhere North before Christmas take a diversionary trip over this way and find a "Booths" - A fabulous Gourmet fest of a shop.
Oooh! that reminds me - How about some Cartmel Sticky Toffee Pudding? That's always a good hamper-ey type thing.
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Post by jean on Nov 11, 2010 9:20:21 GMT
But everso's son loves cooking, so the scotch eggs and the sticky toffee pudding would be a bit of an insult, wouldn't they?
This is a hard one to judge. I've got some of those little bottles of oil lurking in my cupboard.
I (seriously) suggest dried porcini mushrooms.
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Post by Weyland on Nov 11, 2010 10:00:28 GMT
But everso's son loves cooking, so the scotch eggs and the sticky toffee pudding would be a bit of an insult, wouldn't they? This is a hard one to judge. I've got some of those little bottles of oil lurking in my cupboard. I've never ever used one. They always lurk for years and then get chucked out. I tend to think "novelty". Maybe I've been missing something.[/quote] On a similar note, a jar of cèpes sèches. Mrs YI recommended them to me last time I was in France. Well worth having. They're dear enough there, so I dread to think what they might cost here, but I've never seen any here. A very small amount of these definitely adds a certain je ne sais quoi to practically any savoury dish or sauce. And others for all I know. Haven't tried.
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Post by everso on Nov 11, 2010 11:21:32 GMT
Jean, yes porcini - good one.
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Post by Weyland on Nov 11, 2010 11:33:12 GMT
Gentlemen's Relish.  |
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Post by everso on Nov 11, 2010 11:49:51 GMT
Yes, another good one.
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Post by Weyland on Nov 11, 2010 13:05:49 GMT
Sauerkraut -- the proper German white-wine kind. Lovely with Nürnberger Bratwurst, which you can get at Lidl or Aldi, and mustard, and mash. I've seen German Sauerkraut there as well, but they usually don't have it. I don't know why that is, and neither do the staff I've interrogated. But I have half-a-dozen packs in the freezer, bought in Germany. It's dirt cheap. The vacuum-packed foil packs keep for months even without freezing. Some people like thin-cut chips instead of mash, even in Nürnberg, but I'm old-fashioned. [Lovely city, by the way. Used to be the centre of the German toy industry. If you go there be sure to visit the Albrecht Dürer Stube. Great local beer, great local wine (I'm told), great local food.]  |
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Post by Deleted on Nov 11, 2010 13:40:53 GMT
i remember hampers my mum n dad used to get containing all sorts od weird and wonderful things that would never ever be eaten and just sit at the back of the cupboard. mainly odd things in tins. like a hamburger in a tin. i saw a tin of 'bacon roll' in a shop yesterday. aint sure what it is, i think its tinned bacon. i didnt buy it.
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Post by aubrey on Nov 11, 2010 14:26:29 GMT
Marmite.
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Post by everso on Nov 11, 2010 14:35:29 GMT
Or as my kids always called it: "Marmamite" No, I don't think he likes it. |
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Post by jean on Nov 11, 2010 17:24:54 GMT
Yes they are.  But they really are better dried - and they go a long way, so they're not as expensive as it seems. They grow in their millions around Bassano, but they cost as much as they do here |
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Post by Weyland on Nov 11, 2010 18:01:55 GMT
But they really are better dried - and they go a long way, so they're not as expensive as it seems. I can vouch for that. Great value, great flavour, easy to use, and a no-brainer for your gift, Ev. Meanwhile, I looked it up: the French word "cèpes" comes from the Catalan "cep", ultimately from Latin "cippus" meaning "stake". Porcini is the same stuff. In Germany it's Steinpilz, in Austria Herrenpilz, and in Dutch eekhoorntjes brood (squirrel bread). Hope this helps. They grow in Britain too -- penny-bun mushrooms. |
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Post by Patrick on Nov 11, 2010 23:10:43 GMT
I didn't know Russell Davies could cook!  |
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