Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Food/recipes

For related content, visit our food content hub.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Original poster

Homemade food gift to take when invited for lunch...?

34 replies

Wigeon · 04/12/2013 20:28

I am going to someone's house next week for lunch and would like to take some kind of homemade food as a gift. The couple are much older than me, wealthy and upper class, so I am feeling slightly intimidated about what to make. So far, all I can think of is biscotti, eg www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/8022/fruity-christmas-biscotti. Any other ideas?

OP posts:
spudmasher · 04/12/2013 20:30

Truffles to have with coffee after the meal?

Original poster
Wigeon · 04/12/2013 20:32

I did wonder about truffles, but I've never made them before - are they ok to make, or will it look like my 2 year old did them?! I am a decent cook, but bit worried about trying something I've never done before, on this occasion!

OP posts:
blackandwhiteandredallover · 04/12/2013 20:33

Do you have kids? If so, some kind of christmas gingerbread or spiced biscuits, with christmassy decorations? If they are wonky you can blame it on the kids Wink

spudmasher · 04/12/2013 20:35

They are ok to make- use really good chocolate and chill them down overnight, taking them out just before you leave.

Original poster
Wigeon · 04/12/2013 20:37

It's a work thing, so although I do have kids, they definitely aren't coming, and I am trying to do the sophisticated career woman thing, not wonky mummy-and-toddler bake thing (which I am very good at!!).

Spiced biscuits type thing a good thing - will google!

Or Florentines? Will they just look like a messy dollop?! www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/sourcherryandstemgin_90639

OP posts:
MNHQ
TheOnlyOliviaMumsnet · 04/12/2013 20:38

Edible christmas gifts
HTH

spudmasher · 04/12/2013 20:40

Ok, forget the truffles....go for the vodka.

janeyjampot · 04/12/2013 20:43

When I saw your title I was going to recommend the Christmas biscotti in your link!

I made some yesterday and I have wrapped them up for the DDs' xmas fair at school. They look really good. I've made them for the last couple of years for relatives and friends and they are always well received.

Original poster
Wigeon · 04/12/2013 20:46

Oh, thank you Olivia! I am not sure Skittles vodka embodies the impression I am trying to give, but all the other things on that link look good.

Janey - are the biscotti attractive but just hard, stale tasting biscuits? Think that's what's worrying me about them.

OP posts:
janeyjampot · 04/12/2013 20:50

I know where you're coming from but they're always really expensive in the shops! Xmas Grin

Laquila · 04/12/2013 20:50

Another vote for biscotti. I've made chocolate and pistachio ones for the past couple of years and they go down really well. Sadly can't remember where the recipe came from, sorry! Florentines could also look lovely, or choc-dipped brandy snaps? You could allsomelt down chocolate, add interesting grown-up flavours and then break it into shards after its's cooled. Make some honeycomb and peanut brittle too and box it up with that and you've got some nicely grown-up pick n mix! White choc with goji berries, dark chocolate with sour cherries and macadamia nuts etc

janeyjampot · 04/12/2013 20:51

Actually they do taste really nice as well. I double the spice quantity and leave the nuts in quite large chunks which makes them feel more special, I think.

dairymoo · 04/12/2013 20:53

Ottolenghi has a fab recipe for spice cookies in his latest book Jerusalem. Can't link at the moment but I'm sure you can find them online. Look impressive, taste divine. Pretty easy too.

Original poster
Wigeon · 04/12/2013 20:57

Ooh I have Jerusalem!

OP posts:
Original poster
Wigeon · 04/12/2013 21:02

Ottolenghi cookies look delicious but possibly a bit rustic looking. Although the glaze makes them look good. Am erring towards biscotti at the mo...also because I could make them in advance...

OP posts:
Snowbility · 04/12/2013 21:02

I wouldn't do try hard, something simple probably shortbread made properly they are unbeatable. Rocky road with 85% cocoa - it's amazing. I'd focus on things you can't easily buy good versions of. Or you could do a Christmas pud...that's a lovely gift to receive, shop bought ones are often horrible.

andadietcoke · 04/12/2013 21:04

Nigella's Christmas rocky road is great. Easy, and yummy. I made it for a board meeting once and it went down extremely well.

Snowbility · 04/12/2013 21:08

Dh just screwed his nose up as biscotti - it's always the thing that doesn't get eaten - hard, dry biscuits....mind you I've only ever had them when I'm out, with coffee but I've never been thrilled by them.

Original poster
Wigeon · 04/12/2013 21:13

I LOVE Rocky Road, and have just googled Nigella's Christmas one, which looked YUM, but can you give it to grown ups?!

OP posts:
Snowbility · 04/12/2013 21:20

Or I have a triple choc cookie recipe, it contains an obscene amount of chocolate - stacked in a vertical pile with cellophane they look great and they taste fantastic.

Snowbility · 04/12/2013 21:24

Rocky road is just the best you cannot buy good rocky road...that to me is the essence of the best home made gift.

I'm making this one Rocky Road and of all the things I make, this is Dh's favourite - he likes dark, bitter good quality chocolate - there's no way this one is a kiddie favourite.

SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 04/12/2013 21:32

Easy chocolate truffle recipe here. And I found a recipe for Baileys truffles too.

SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 04/12/2013 21:34

Nigella took cinder toffee/honeycomb when she went to her friend for supper? That is really pretty easy to make, and people love it. It is fun too, when you put the bicarbonate in the caramel and it froths up!

andadietcoke · 04/12/2013 21:36

wigeon I've only ever made it for adults!

Laquila · 04/12/2013 22:55

Really good Rocky Road, with lovely biscuits and maybe brazils or hazlenuts, and bits of truffle in it, would be lovely. Calling it tiffin might be appropriately colonial! ;)