Hamper ideas for foodie husband

[hampergoals]

I was thinking of putting together a hamper of slightly nicer than we would normally buy ingredients for my husband.

He loves to cook but he’s normally catering to small kids (ie fussy little sods). So I was thinking some slightly fancy staples might be nice.

So far I’ve got:

Fancy sea salt flakes
Nice smoked paprika
Some posh coffee beans

I’m specifically thinking of things that he can use to cook with rather than just eat immediately as we will have plenty of festive food in the house.

Any ideas much appreciated!

Truffle oil
Balsamic vinegar
Vanilla pods

Sun-dried tomatoes
Dried porcini mushrooms
Fancy pesto
Pink peppercorns

Look at some of the Ottolengi products. Lots of fancy spices etc

That's a good shout. Ottolenghi does nice hampers too.

Pomegranate molasses, preserved lemons, tahini, nice couscous, those lovely jars of jumbo butter beans.

Belazu have nice things -preserved
lemons, balsamic pearls etc.

Preserved lemons
High quality EVOO
Infused oils
Saffron strands

M&S sell fermented black garlic bulbs now - quite fun. A good smoked paprika is always welcome. Weirdly the TKMaxx home place is worth a browse. They have stuff in nice little tins.

Have a look on the delli market website, i got absolutely loads on there for dds stocking and presents for some nephews who are into cooking.

Also just M&S in general. Their jars of Ottolenghi style stuff in the grocery bit are really good value.

And gochujang. You can never have too much gochujang.

I too was going to say Ottolenghi. DH bought me the Simple cook book and I now have all manner of preserved lemons, pomegranate molasses, dried roses etc in the cupboard. Does he have a tagine?

Years ago DH and I did a sushi cooking lesson at Yo Sushi. I still make it now. Maybe a hamper of sushi rice, nori, preserved ginger, rolling matt, sushi vinegar etc

I like Vietnamese and Thai food, so have lots of things in the freezer- kaffir lime leaves, lemongrass sticks, various chillis, galangal etc. Not the easiest to give as a gift, unless you could hide them in the freezer somehow.

Maybe herbs/spices ideas like ras el hanout, Lebanese 7 blend, saffron, Chinese 5 spice, sumac.

Also look at the Sous Chef website. Lots of good stuff available!

Fancy tinned fish - Spanish anchovies, sardines etc. Or Swedish ansjovis which are sweeter/less salty and form the basis of Jansson's temptation potatoes which feature in one of Nigella's Christmas specials

Italian pickled veg and/or mostarda di frutta to accompany Christmas ham and cheese boards

For a sweet treat Fortnums does Christmas coal which is delicious

Truffle dust
Black garlic
good balsamic and oil
zaatar
anchovy paste
olives
artichokes in oil

Maldon chilli salt flakes
Gochujang paste
Hot pepper jelly
Fig relish
Lao Gan Ma Crispy Chilli in Oil
Fancy olive oil and balsamic vinegar

The foodie section of the Harvey Nicks website is good for inspiration.

Does your DH have any favourite recipes that you could buy upgraded ingredients for?

I bought some really nice pickles and everything seasoning by a brand called Shetletdky’s a few weeks ago from Delli. They were so delicious, just looked and they’re sold out there but available on the website…

https://shedletskysdeli.com/collections/seasonings

You can buy jarred whole truffles.

What about a whole/part of a Parma ham? Or do your own honey roasted ham.
Potted duck (duck rillettes)
Bread starter
Fancy milled flour
Chilli jam
Bacon jam
Posh chutney
Craft alcohol, mead, liquors, amaretto etc
Luxury posh chocolate
Whipped flavoured butter
Yogurt kit
Paneer kit
Clotted cream
Apple butter
Roasted chilli oil
Hot ones chilli sauces