Rachel de Thample - Gifts from the Modern Pantry

First published in Great Britain in 2019 by

Kyle Books, an imprint of Kyle Cathie Ltd Carmelite House, 50 Victoria Embankment, London EC4Y 0DZ

www.kylebooks.co.uk

Ebook ISBN: 9780593190890

Text copyright 2019 Rachel de Thample

Design and layout copyright 2019 Kyle Books

Published in North America by Betterway Books, an imprint of Penguin Random House LLC

penguinrandomhouse.com

All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or utilised in any more of by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, without the prior written permission of the publisher.

Publisher: Joanna Copestick

Editorial Director: Judith Hannam

Editor: Hannah Coughlin

Photography and prop styling: Ali Allen

Food styling: Rachel de Thample

Production: Emily Noto

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CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

Food, more than any other gift, is one you can engage with on so many levels. It doesnt just look pretty (although, I hope youll agree that all of the recipes in this book are as beautiful as they are tasty), it stirs all your senses. The fragrance of jasmine truffles or the sweet spices from a jar of mango chutney. The texture of melt-in-the-mouth olive oil shortbread, the delicious chewiness of cardamom banana chips, or the crunch of a cauliflower beer pickle one of my favourites!

Edible gifts also provide a thoughtfulness you just cant get from something shop bought. I love connecting presents with moments Ive shared with the recipient. Indeed, many of these recipes were crafted as a consumable capsule of a specific memory. The roasted chestnut biscuits were inspired by a picnic in a local park just beyond the parks avenue of ancient chestnut trees. Foraged, roasted and baked into biscuits, I froze them to give at Christmas. The rose honey came from the most fragrant and velvety red rose Id ever seen from my friends allotment and honey from a local beekeeper. The infused vinegar on was created after a lovely early summer afternoon with my friend Sara foraging for elderflowers. Ive also been inspired by gorgeous friends whove made me beautiful edible gifts, which Ive been desperate to recreate myself.

Pouring love and thought into a present and taking a moment away from your busy life to really think about who is receiving it is so much more enriching than stressing around the shops looking for a shoe that probably wont quite fit.

The idea of a modern pantry is of course completely open to interpretation, but for me and those I spoke to about it, the words healthier, faster, small batch, less waste, resourceful but also gourmet, creative and fun arose. Ive kept these things in mind here. I also have a bit of a reputation for being thrifty, but in a way that is modern and gourmet at the same time. Those whove tried my banana skin vinegar, strawberry top shrub or preserved lemons will attest! Seasonality is also key. My adventures in the kitchen are led by natures larder, and even better are gifts made from things youve grown, gathered or sourced locally.

For me, food should be as nourishing as it is delicious. Taste is always my priority, but I think homemade will always be more nourishing than something thats shopbought or processed. Certainly, some recipes are healthier than others, but if you can provide a delicious gift that has added benefits or a treat people can consume without any conflict, then it makes the offering so much richer.

PERFECT GIFTS FOR ALL OCCASIONS

BEREAVEMENT: Mayan Chocolate Biscuits, Lavender & Lemon Verbena Herbal Tea, Marmalade & Toast Truffles, Chocolate Hazelnut Spread

BIRTHDAYS: Worcestershire Sauce, Oak-aged Chilli Sauce, Coffee Balsamic

CHRISTMAS: Christmas Kraut, Honey-fermented Cranberries, Sloe Gin, Chestnut Snowballs

COCKTAIL PARTY: Garden Gins, Horseradish Vodka, Ros Kefir, Turkish Coffee Kombucha, Trio of Snacking Nuts

DINNER INVITE: Sanchias Pickled Ginger, Mango Chutney, Lime Pickle, Garden Gins, Cream Soda Kefir, Jasmine Truffles

EASTER: Lemon Curd, Chocolate Hazelnut Spread, Rhubarb Ginger Biscuits, Peanut Butter & Banana Biscuits, Bespoke Bars & Buttons, Honey Bunnies

FOODIE FRIEND: Hoisin Plums, Smoked Beetroot Pickle, Cowgirl Kimchi, Banana Skin Vinegar, Horseradish Salt, Persian Dried Limes

GET BETTER: Nourishing Pot Noodles, Rose Honey, Rosy Turmeric Spice Mix, Classic Sauerkraut

KID-FRIENDLY: Cream Soda Kefir, Chocolate Hazelnut Spread, Peanut Butter & Banana Cookies, Roasted Plum Leathers, Cinnamon Apple Rings

LEAVING PRESENT: Craft Malt Vinegar, Horseradish Vodka, Garden Gins, Oak-aged Chilli Sauce, Sanchias Pickled Ginger, Beer Pickle