50+ gifts for food lovers that support local shops & makers

50+ gifts for food lovers that support local shops & makers

I might be biased, but when it comes to gift-giving, it’s pretty difficult to go wrong with food-related gifts. After all, everyone needs to eat. 

But I also believe that purchasing gifts from local shops and artisans makes the experience even more special. Not only are many of the gifts one-of-a-kind, but they have a huge impact on both the local economy and the people who live and work here.

So before you head online to order from a big box store or national gift box company, take a look at this list and see if you can find a local substitution. Most of the items are available for purchase online. So you can still do your holiday shopping from the comfort of your own home, while also doing some serious good for local establishments. 

The following list will not only give you an overview of some of the amazing foodie gifts available from local retailers, it’s also a curation of some of my own favorite items, all of which I’d be delighted to give (or to receive).

If you have questions or need more suggestions for specific gift ideas, you can also feel free to email me at lori@onmilwaukee.com.  I’m happy to make recommendations or help however I can. Happy holidays everyone!

Click to find gifts by category:

Books

Culinary experiences

Grow your own

Random Awesomeness

Specialty food & beverage items

Serveware and kitchen tools

Textiles

All of these newly published tomes (plus probably a dozen more) are on my personal wish list this year, so my guess is they’d be great bets for any of the serious (or curious) cooks in your world. As a bonus, all are currently in stock at Boswell Books. 

Boswell Books

2559 N Downer Ave., (414) 332-1181

boswellbooks.com


Order online for convenient local pick-up!

The WokX


“The Wok” by J. Kenji López-Alt ($50).

You can’t expect to pick up a book by J. Kenji López-Alt and not learn something. It’s one of the things I love about his cookbooks (and his YouTube video series), both of which offer much in the way of education, while keeping me liberally entertained. 

While this book definitely focuses on technique, it’s not short on recipes. You’ll find things like Sichuan-style blistered green beans, cheesy scallion pancakes, pad Thai and his “internet famous” San Francisco–Style garlic noodles (which I cannot stop making). There are also plenty of lessons to be learned here from proper freezing techniques to a velveting technique (an approach to keeping meat tender) that actually works. Ultimately – and much like his former cooking bible “The Food Lab” – The Wok is an absolute goldmine of knowledge.

The Cook You Want to BeX


“The Cook You Want to Be: Everyday Recipes to Impress” by Andy Baraghani ($35).

I’ll admit the title of this book did not draw my attention. But the recipes inside definitely did. In Baraghani’s quest to find his style, he combines the home cooking he learned from his Iranian parents with his professional cooking background to reimagine countless well-known dishes in utterly delicious ways. 

The big flavors in this book drew me in and the recipes – which are unique but still accessible – offer tons of inspiration. The recipe for Very Crispy Garlic Chile Oil is reason alone to purchase this book. But you’ll also find mouthwatering recipes for things like buttered potatoes with salted lemon; big shells with spicy lamb sausage and shawarma roast chicken with shallots and lemon.

The Woks of LifeX


“The Woks of Life: Recipes to Know and Love from a Chinese American Family” by the Leung Family ($35).

I don’t follow many food blogs these days; but The Woks of Life is an exception. It’s taught me a great deal about navigating the condiment aisles at Asian grocery stores and purchasing the best quality items. I’ve also found more than a handful of stellar recipes. So when I saw that the Leung family had released a book with 100 of their favorite recipes, I didn’t hesitate to purchase it. 

Recipes run the gamut from easy weeknight meals like beef and broccoli to spicy beef biang biang noodles and cantonese pork belly fried rice. In fact, it’s become a great addition to my growing collection of Chinese cookbooks thanks to its home cook-friendly lay-out and trustworthy recipes.

Mi CocinaX


“Mi Cocina: Recipes and Rapture from My Kitchen in Mexico” by Rick Martínez ($35).

The fruit of a 586-day, 20,000 mile road trip throughout Mexico, this cookbook by Rick Martínez not only offers up a lovely collection of recipes that showcase the diversity of cuisines in Mexico, but Martínez’s personal story as he delves into his Mexican heritage. The book is worth it for recipes like cochinita pibil from the Yucatán; Oaxacan tamales; and a huge collection of salsas, including the gorgeously smoky salsa de chipotle y chile de arbol, which I could eat on just about anything. But you’re sure to find more favorites from the collection of 100 unique dishes.

I love this book because it tells an important story. Each recipe is personal and it’s part of the author’s quest to get to know his homeland (and therefore himself)  through food. As Martínez points out, it’s also an important counter to the long-lauded written by white authors including Diana Kennedy and Rick Bayless. Thank you, Martínez.

Bar MenuX


“Bar Menu: 100+ Drinking Food Recipes for Cocktail Hours at Home” by André Darlington ($28).

It’s been a while since I hosted a party, but I’ve definitely got the bug. And this book has no shortage of inspiration for easy-to-make dishes that are worthy of a simple weeknight happy hour or a bigger bash with friends. In fact, it’s among the more user-friendly guides to boozy eating and entertaining that I’ve come across.

Recipes include tasty options like smoked rosemary almonds, a reimagined cheese ball, cherry kofte, piri piri shrimp cocktail, soba noodles and even a few desserts. You’ll also find over 30 cocktail recipes, companion cocktails for each dish, curated menus for a variety of occasions and tips for saving time, including batching cocktails.

EatenX


“EATEN”

I love the idea of gifts that keep on giving, and magazine subscriptions are one of those lovely gift ideas that I think we often forget about.  In the case of EATEN, it’s a beautifully designed indie print magazine that focuses on all things food history. You’ll find old recipes, intriguing essays and stories about fascinating people who’ve graced the edible landscape over time.

The art direction is zany and wonderful and the content is smart and well-researched. So, if you know someone who loves learning more about food, culture and the stories behind items like Earl Grey tea, the rise and fall of tiki culture and the Oleo Wars, you might consider wrapping up an issue of this feast of a magazine (along with a full subscription) and putting it under the tree.  Find it at eatenmagazine.com (single issues $20; one-year subscription $55)

Experiential gifts have so many benefits. They don’t take up space. They allow recipients to break from their usual routines. And they have the potential to create happy memories that can last a lifetime.

Gift cards

It’s going to be a long winter for restaurants. Give them a boost by gifting a foodie you know with a gift card from one of our great locally owned bars or restaurants. It’s among the best gifts you can give this season.

Saint Kate gift cardX


Artful dining at Saint Kate Arts

Got a friend who appreciates the arts? There’s no better gift than a dining experience at Saint Kate – Arts Hotel where dining experiences vary from locally inspired artisanal fare at ARIA to bubbly brunch or evening drinks at their Giggly Champagne & Wine Bar. Neapolitan style pizza at Proof and well-prepared casual fare at The Bar in the gorgeous lobby are also up for grabs. 

Purchase a Marcus gift card here (any $ amount).

No wrapping required!

Give the gift of experience, and let us give back to you! When you buy a $100 Marcus Gift Card, you get a $25 Promotional Bonus Card to keep! Hurry, this Promotional Bonus Card offer expires December 31st.

Buy now

Summerfest gift card

Summerfest itself might not be a foodie destination. But did you know that these handy gift cards are good for all sorts of fun things, including tickets to food-based events like Milwaukee Food Truck Fest and Taco Fest, which take place on the Summerfest grounds? Indeed. It’s a gift your food-loving friends will love.

Find it at the Summerfest store (any $ amount).

WI Bakery & Cafe BookX


Wisconsin Bakery & Cafe book

Know someone who would appreciate a year filled with discounts at local bakeries and cafes? This new coupon book would make a great stocking stuffer!    The new Wisconsin Bakery & Cafe Book includes 30 locally-owned bakeries, cafes, and coffee shops throughout Milwaukee and Waukesha Counties. Books are $20 and contain 30 opportunities to get $5 off of every $20 purchase at any of the participating venues (up to three times at each location). Even better, a portion of all proceeds from each book sold will be donated to the Wisconsin Bakers Foundation with the goal of raising $20,000 to fund scholarships for individuals pursuing careers in baking and pastry arts. Purchase your Bakery & Cafe Book here ($20).

Cooking classes

Cooking a meal at home is one of life’s greatest joys, especially when you’ve mastered the techniques needed. For those interested in learning a new skill or how to make a new dish, cooking classes can be an amazing gift (and one that keeps on giving). The following venues offer gift cards which can be redeemed for cooking classes. Check out their websites, call or stop in for additional details.

cooking gnocchiX


Braise Culinary School, 1101 S. 2nd St., (414) 212-8843

braiselocalfood.com 


Classes run $70 per person

Order gift cards online here.

Chef Pam’s Kitchen

280 W. Main St., Waukesha, (262) 271-6121

chefpamskitchen.com


Classes run $59-$100

Order gift cards online here.

Glorioso’s Appetito, 1020 E. Brady St., (414) 291-5887

gloriosos.com/appetito


Classes run $75-$150 per person

Order gift cards online here.

Milwaukee Public Market, ​​400 N. Water St., (414) 336-1111

Milwaukeepublicmarket.org


Classes run $35-$90 per person

Order gift cards online here.

Semolina, 2472 S. Kinnickinnic Ave., (414) 249-4472

semolinamke.com


Pasta making classes: $65-$105 per person

Stop by the shop to purchase a gift card

Troquet

1409 N. Wauwatosa Ave., Wauwatosa

troquetevents.com


Wide variety of cooking classes: $95-$125 per person

Order gift cards online here.

Plants bring life to any home; but edible plants bring even more benefits. Consider these indoor edible garden kits as gifts for anyone who’d appreciate the joy of harvesting something fresh, even during the winter months.

microgreens kitX


Milwaukee Microgreens growing kit

Microgreens are teeny tiny sprouted greens that are packed with both intense flavor and concentrated nutrition. They’re flavorful, versatile and can be added to soups, salads, smoothies, eggs, sandwiches, pizza (and well, just about anything). They’re also easy to grow at home, with first harvest in as little as a week after planting. Each kit contains step-by-step instructions, a reusable growing container and mister and enough soil and seeds for two harvests. Grow kits are available in three assortments: broccoli and radish; purple kohlrabi and turnip; or purple cabbage and kale.  Refill kits are also available.

Get it from Milwaukee Farmers United ($15).

Mushroom kitX


River Valley Ranch mushroom kit

Know a mushroom lover who would get a kick out of growing their own mushrooms at home? River Valley Ranch sells kits which contain everything needed to grow cremini or white button mushrooms.They even provide step-by-step instructions and video tutorials on their site to ensure mushroom growing success. Get them from River Valley Ranch ($22-$32).

herb garden kitX


Indoor herb garden kit

This mini indoor herb garden is the perfect gift for a home chef who loves the flavor of fresh herbs all year round. It uses seed cultivars appropriate for indoor use and comes with a timber planter box that’s sized well to fit in a bright window. The Mediterranean kit includes thyme, rosemary and chives. The Culinary herbs kit includes parsley, basil and cilantro. They also come with a money-back guarantee.

Get the Mediterranean Kit at Sparrow Collective ($19).

Get the Culinary Herbs kit at Urban Sense ($21).

wooden propagation stationX


Wooden propagation station

Did you know that you can cultivate an endless supply of winter herbs for the kitchen by taking cuttings? You can. In fact, if you happen to know someone who has both a green thumb and a penchant for cooking, this wooden propagation station is the perfect gift. Choose from various types of wood, as well as the positioning of the glass vases. Get it from Camino Woodshop ($20-$42).

champagne problems candleX

Champagne Problems candle

‘Tis the season for burning candles. It’s also the season to celebrate. For that reason, I’d argue that this candle is a particularly apt gift. It bears notes of citron, white peach, pineapple, cardamom, jasmine and flint. But, at its core, it smells like a flute of champagne… in other words: delicious. Give this one to your bubbly-loving friend… or anyone who needs a reminder that every day is a reason to celebrate. 

Get it at Big White Yeti ($20).

mushroom notecardsX


Mushroom & Fungi Cards

These whimsical greeting cards are perfect for the mushroom lover in your life. They’d make the best thank you cards ever… and heck, snail mail is a lost art, so let’s bring all the love notes back! While you’re there, get them the matching notepad or mini notebook too!

Find them at The Waxwing ($24).

Tacos coasterX


Tacos coaster

Made locally by Milwaukee’s Sugarhouse Leather, these “Let’s Go. Tacos.” coasters are a sure bet for the taco lover in your world. Hand-cut and stamped, these lovely leather coasters develop a lovely patina as they age. Mix up a few of these with the “Shoot it. Tequila.” coasters and you’ve got a set that’s certain to garner a smile from the lucky recipient.

Get them at Beard MKE ($10 each).

black fig incenseX


Black fig incense

This fruity, woodsy incense from P.F. Candle Co. blew my mind when I purchased it at a gifty shop in De Pere. So when I ran out and found it locally at Orange and Blue Co., I was pretty excited. It smells of fruit, spice and evergreen trees, so it’s perfect for the holidays.  Find it at Orange and Blue Co. ($11).

Be the Change candlesX


Be the Change candles

Give them a beautiful bold reminder to Be The Change in the world every single day, while treating them to a home filled with amazing culinary-inspired scents. Choose from spiced honey, black amber and plum (my personal favorite), coconut bamboo or chili pepper and mandarin. 

Find them at FlyBlooms / Bronzeville Collective ($22.50).

We write to taste life notebookX


We write to taste life twice notebook

“We write to taste life twice, in the moment and in retrospect” (Anais Nin). Maybe I’m old school, but I often keep a notebook on hand in the kitchen to jot down ideas, refine recipes or jot down items that need to make it onto the grocery list. This one is well-built with a heavy weight cardstock cover and chipboard back and its twin loop binding allows it to lie flat for writing. Find it at Swoon ($13).

Tomato leaf candleX


Tomato leaf candle

I don’t know about you, but I miss a few things about summer. One of them is the smell of tomatoes picked fresh from the garden.  This soy-based candle from Fern & Nettle burns clean and puts off top notes of lemon peel and tomato leaf, herbal mid-notes and a base of green leaves and moss. Best of all, it’s all but guaranteed to fill someone’s kitchen with that intoxicating aroma. And that’s positively priceless. Get it at Fern & Nettle ($16 for an 8-ounce candle).

slate boardX

Slate board

Every food lover deserves a gorgeous slate board, which provides a dramatic display (and cool surface) for displaying any number of foodstuffs from fabulous cheeses to appetizers, sushi or sashimi. This gorgeous board made by Brooklyn Slate Co.is lovely and comes in an easy size to store. Bonus? It’s dishwasher safe. Find it at Village Cheese Shop ($39).

brie bakerX


Brie baker

Does anyone really need a brie baker? Well, no. But it’s among the little luxury items that make perfect gifts (largely because most people wouldn’t bother purchasing one for themselves). These sleek modern bakers would make a lovely gift for anyone who entertains. At 7″ wide, these ceramic dishes will accommodate an average round of brie or camembert (or even a round of glorious Rush Creek Reserve). It also comes with a wooden spreader for serving. Find it at The Home Market ($32).

gnocchi boardX


Gnocchi board

Housemade pasta is generally simple to make and it doesn’t require a lot of fancy tools. But as you branch out, there are a few gadgets that make the process easier. Take for instance a gnocchi board, which makes it easy to add all those little grooves which help the pasta to pick up all the delicious sauce. This wooden gnocchi board is not only functional, it’s pretty enough to hang on the wall in the kitchen.

Get it from Camino Woodshop ($34).

spoon rest and utensil holderX


Ceramic spoon rest and/or utensil holder

This cheerful design is bound to instill a bit of joy each time the lucky cook lays down their spoon (or puts it away). The hand-thrown and glazed spoon rest is  5″ x 5.5″, so it accommodates just about any utensil. It’s also dishwasher and microwave safe.

Get the spoon rest from Shelby Page Ceramics ($24).

Get the matching utensil crock ($48).

salt cellarX


Handmade salt cellar

I’ve been on the hunt for a great salt cellar for years (currently, my salt resides in a mason jar, which isn’t the most efficient set-up). But I recently came across these gorgeous wooden cellars made from painted sycamore wood and I fell in love. They’re stylish, appropriately sized and boast an inset lid, so it stays put. Other colors are available.

Get it from Wisconsin-based QH Woodworking ($65).

CrushGrind millX


CrushGrind Mill

There’s nothing like freshly ground spices. And while I love my mortar and pestle, sometimes I’d prefer to shortcut the process. That’s where the CrushGrind Mill comes in handy. It works great for pepper (or salt); but it also accommodates multiple spices for creating custom blends. It produces grinds from coarse to fine and boasts ceramic parts (with a 25-year warranty), so it’s a solid investment. It’s among the tools every cook should have in their kitchens.  Find it at Spice House ($45); local pick-up is available.

Ceramic mugs

For me, mugs serve multiple purposes. I use them as drinking vessels for just about any type of liquid (they keep cool liquids cooler longer than glass). And when they’re filled with coffee, tea or any type of hot liquid, they double as hand-warmers. Handmade ceramic mugs are also a source of joy for me. Every time I pull one out of the cupboard, it makes me smile. I can’t be the only one.  Here are some mugs that I think would make remarkable gifts.

Striped mugsX


Striped mugs

These gorgeous mugs are tall and attractive, boasting cheerful blue stripes and a sandy glaze. They’re made by Milwaukee-based maker Covet and Ginger.  Find them at Orange & Blue Co. ($42); local pick-up is available.

eucalyptus mugX


Eucalyptus mug

The contrasting pattern on this Eucalyptus mug made by Indigo Pottery Studio in Georgia is fantastic. The over-sized handle ensures a comfortable grip (and lots of real estate for hand-warming).

Find them at The Waxwing ($30).

mugs by jessieX


Snowflake tumblers

The best handwarmers are the mugs without handles. These 8-ounce winter-themed tumblers are among my favorites from local ceramicist Pottery by Jessie, based in Mukwonago. They’re sure to be a go-to choice for coffee, tea and hot chocolate all winter long. Find them on Etsy (set for $120); local pick-up is also available.

Calm your tits mugX


A reminder to calm down

Enjoying each moment is a goal to which we should all aspire. And this mug reminds – albeit with tongue-in-cheek messaging – that few things are important enough to get our undies in a bundle about. Made by Gilhouse Pottery in Muskego, you can find this mug in a few different iterations online at the Gilhouse Pottery site, at Pop’s Marketplace or at Vintage Grounds Coffeehouse ($25).

marbled mugsX


Marbled mugs

These chic black and white mugs made by Milwaukee-based maker Aaron Zeleske are not only eye-catching, but the coloration varies from mug to mug, ensuring you’ll have a unique set if you purchase more than one. Find them at The Waxwing ($40).

rustic pasta bowlX


Rustic pasta bowls

These gorgeous bowls are made from dark stoneware clay with a glazed interior and a beautiful rustic unglazed exterior. They’re the perfect size for a heartwarming bowl of delicious pasta, but they’re shallow enough to make the perfect serving vessel for any number of dishes. Gift them on their own or pair them with a bag of housemade pasta from Semolina pasta shop just down the street. Find them at Ursa ($28).

Cheese rocks glassesX


Cheese themed rocks glasses

These handy rocks glasses celebrate Wisconsin’s award-winning cheeses and cheesemakers. Printed right here in Milwaukee, they’d make the perfect gift for any cheese-loving spirits or cocktail lover. 

Find them at Swoon ($12 each).


Cheese boardX


Cheese board & accoutrements

Speaking of cheese… this wine bottle shaped cheese board ($24) would make a great gift unto itself, but it’s fun and easy to spiff it up with items that are perfect for unique cheese pairings. Examples include Nutkrack candied pecans ($15); Quince & Apple pear mostarda ($8) and Indulgence Dark Chocolate Sea Salt bar ($7). Include a patterned cheese knife ($5) to round things out!  Find these items at Story Hill BKC Bottle Shop.

These are gifts for the foodies who have everything. They’re little indulgences that will make their everyday lives more delicious. Even better, every time they create something delicious using one of these items, they’ll think of you.

Oro olive oilX


Really good olive oil

I’d argue that good olive oil is an everyday must-have. But it’s definitely more costly than the grocery store variety. Fortunately, we have Oro di Oliva, an exceptional locally owned olive oil shop, right in our backyard. Here are some of my favorite Oro olive oils.

As extra virgin olive oils are concerned, I have a love affair with the Picual Spanish olive oil, which is gorgeously grassy and a bit peppery with hints of tomato leaf (375 mL for $21). 

However, if you want to venture into flavored oil territory, I’d highly recommend the harissa oil, which is spicy, slightly smokey and perfect on so many things from potatoes and salmon to roasted chicken; it plays beautifully with orange zest ($15 for 200 mL). Oro’s rosemary olive oil is another of my go-to’s; it adds an herbal depth to everything it touches, from scrambled eggs to roasted cauliflower ($16 for 200 mL).  I’ll also never go back to store bought roasted sesame oil after trying Oro’s. It’s deep and rich and a little goes such an incredibly long way. Try it on popcorn or drizzled over ice cream. Seriously. ($16 for 200 mL). Get them at Oro di Oliva

Momofuku soy sauceX


Next level soy sauce

If you have a friend who cooks, they probably want a bottle of this. But I’ll let you decide for yourself. Here’s what they say about it: “Meet Momofuku Soy Sauce. If you’re used to grocery store soy sauce, you’ve never had anything like this. Our restaurant-grade version is made from organic ingredients and steeped with kombu for 48 hours to unlock a world of depth and flavor.”

Find it at Ursa ($14).

Disco InfernoX


Disco Inferno

Gift the spice loving cocktail lover in your life with this unique flavor enhancer (which can also be used to liven up just about any recipe). Use it to spice up a margarita, negroni, bloody mary or even a cup of hot chocolate. This brandy-based infusion incorporates Bird’s Eye, Scotch Bonnet, Aji Panca and Chiltepin chilis along with cinnamon, Euphrates mint, rosewater and sea salt to create a balanced – but very spicy – flavor bomb. Use with caution. Find at Bittercube Bazaar ($18).

Add a bottle of Garden Variety bloody mary mix (it’s so good) for $8.

aranya pepperX


Diaspora Aranya Pepper

Vine-ripened and hand-harvested in southwestern India, this pepper is complex with notes of red wine and nutmeg. It’s excellent for simple dishes that showcase its remarkable flavor. Think: steak au poivre or cacio e pepe.

Find it at Scout Wine Merchants ($13).

Santa saltX


Beautiful Briny Sea’s Santa Salt

It looks festive, but it’s delicious all year round. Santa Salt, named for the red and green colors in the blend, combines the fruity, floral heat of pink peppercorns with organic rosemary. It’s delicious on everything from scrambled eggs and seafood to poultry and pasta. Surprising uses? Try it in a shortbread recipe. Or add some to your next gin & tonic. It’s magical. Find it at Scout Wine Merchants ($8). 

sourdough starterX


Sourdough starter

The sourdough craze that tipped off in 2020 has made lots of people sourdough curious. This is a gift for that friend who’d love to bake bread (or sourdough pancakes, waffles, English muffins or pizza), but thinks they don’t have time. Get them a jar of this dehydrated sourdough starter (yes, its name is Roy) and a copy of “10-Minute Sourdough: Breadmaking for Real Life” by Vanessa Kimbell. Life-changing. Find the sourdough starter at Ursa ($10).

Cacao infusion kitsX


Cacao infusion kits

Know a chocolate lover who also enjoys tinkering with fun DIY projects? These infusion kits from Tabal are available in two sizes in flavors like cacao and cinnamon or cacao and vanilla. They can be used to add flavor to any type of high proof alcohol (vodka, brandy, whiskey, etc) for use in cocktails or baking.  A cacao-vanilla old fashioned?  Yes, please.   Find them at Tabal Chocolate ($10 or $20).

woman apronX

Face to Face Apron

Aprons are utilitarian, but they don’t need to be boring. In fact, this gift-worthy apron is a worthy choice for that strong, fashionable female friend who also happens to kick ass in the kitchen. It comes complete with a convenient front pocket for stashing a towel, oven mitt or other useful items.  Get it at The Waxwing ($38)

Nightmare apronX


Nightmare Before Christmas apron

I also found this amazing hand-sewn “Nightmare Before Christmas” apron, which is just perfect for any Tim Burton fan. After all, folks like us listen to that soundtrack all year round (or at least between October and January). Fits sizes medium to 2XL. Also available in purple.

Get it from local maker Wicked Sistah ($24).

bitch oven mittX


Off color oven mitts

Every cook needs a great oven mitt (or three); and they’re typically among the most utilitarian (read: boring) items in a kitchen. So why not liven things up with these hilarious, super insulated 100{d2b09b03d44633acb673e8080360919f91e60962656af8ade0305d5d8b7e4889} cotton oven mitts made by Blue Q.

herb oven mittX


Not only will they elicit a smile every time they’re used, 1{d2b09b03d44633acb673e8080360919f91e60962656af8ade0305d5d8b7e4889} of the sale of all Blue Q Oven Mitts is donated to hunger relief throughout the world, including malnutrition programs at Doctors Without Borders.

Get Bitch, I’m the Secret Ingredient mitt at Swoon ($16.99).

Get Parsley, Sage, Rosemary mitt at Swoon ($16.99).

Kitchen towels

If there’s one thing that has a tendency to wear out in an active kitchen it’s the kitchen towels. That makes them a welcome gift for most cooks. Of course, if you can find towels that are both functional and fun, that’s even better. These fit the bill.

yellow kitchen towelX


Yellow hand-died towel

I’m in love with the gorgeous color of this hand-dyed flour sack towel. It’s 100{d2b09b03d44633acb673e8080360919f91e60962656af8ade0305d5d8b7e4889} cotton and lint-free, so it’s perfect for drying glassware. It measures 26” x 26”. Additional colors are available. 

Get it from local maker Kilo Delta Designs ($12.50).

home sweet wisco towelX


Home Sweet Wisco towel

This towel would be a great fit for any Wisconsin kitchen. This 28” square towel is made of absorbent cotton. Also available in white with green or red print.

Get it from local maker Heather’s Craft Hutch ($15.49).

tie-dyed napkinsX


Cloth napkins

These 20” rainbow hued hand-dyed cloth napkins give me an immediate burst of joy. They are made from absorbant finely woven 100{d2b09b03d44633acb673e8080360919f91e60962656af8ade0305d5d8b7e4889} cotton, making them perfect for everyday use. A set of six includes one of each color: fuschia pink, aqua teal, sunshine orange, leaf green, royal blue and golden yellow.  Get the set from local maker Kilo Delta Designs ($48).

Olia Hercules’ recipes for Christmas vegetables | Christmas food and drink

Olia Hercules’ recipes for Christmas vegetables | Christmas food and drink

Caramelised cabbage stuffed with mushrooms, onions and chestnuts

This is an impressive vegetarian centrepiece inspired by a recipe in an old book called Moldovan Cuisine, in which the cabbage is braised in stock. I prefer steaming cabbages, especially if using the tender sweetheart (AKA pointed) variety. If your cabbage is very big, you may need to steam it for a little longer than the recipe states: use your instinct here. The filling can be made in advance and frozen, then thawed before being stuffed into the cabbage.

Prep 20 min
Cook 50 min
Serves 4

200g chestnut mushrooms
1 medium pointed cabbage
(about 800g)
40g
butter or oil
2 banana shallots
, finely chopped
100g shiitake mushrooms
50g
cooked chestnuts, roughly chopped (or toasted pine nuts or walnuts)

For the sauce
1 small garlic clove, peeled
100ml creme fraiche
Salt and pepper
A pinch of paprika
– I particularly like the smoked stuff

Grate the mushrooms on the rough side of a box grater (this is much easier than chopping them finely). Cut the top 5cm off the sweetheart cabbage and shred it thinly. (If you are using a regular white cabbage, and it is on the large side, cut it in half across the equator – one half will feed four; if yours is a larger party, use both halves and double the filling quantities.)

For the sauce, finely grate the garlic into a bowl, then add the creme fraiche, some salt, pepper and a sprinkle of paprika.

Melt the butter or oil over a medium-low heat, add the shallots and a generous pinch of salt, and cook, stirring often, for 10-15 minutes, until soft and lightly golden.

Add the mushrooms and shredded cabbage, and cook for another five to 10 minutes. Season generously, then add the chestnuts (or nuts). The filling should be very well seasoned.

Trim the stalk off the bottom of the cabbage so that it can stand up stably, but do not take off so much that the layers fall apart. Place the cabbage upright in a steamer (if your steamer is not big enough to accommodate it, use a large colander over a pot of boiling water and cover with a lid) and steam for about 15 minutes (or a little longer if your cabbage is large and its leaves are tightly closed together); you need the cabbage to soften enough to make it easy to stuff.

Heat the oven to 240C (220C fan)/465F/gas 9. Gently prise the leaves open and generously stuff the filling in between them. Brush the outer leaves and any exposed ones with a little oil, then roast for five minutes. It should be charred and delicious-looking; if you feel it needs more colour, give it another five minutes.

Present whole at the table, then cut it into wedges and serve with the garlicky creme fraiche alongside.

Brussels sprouts in miso butter and honey glaze

Olia Hercules’ sprouts with miso
Olia Hercules’ brussels sprouts in miso butter and honey glaze.

These are inspired by Vichy-style carrots, which are glazed in honeyed butter. If you happen to have any leftovers, they’d make for a very flavourful bubble and squeak.

Prep 10 min
Cook 15 min
Serves 4-6 (as a side)

500g sprouts
40g butter
1 tbsp miso paste
1 tbsp honey
2 sprigs fresh thyme
A pinch of sea salt

If the sprouts are small, leave them be, but cut larger ones in half – I prefer using cut sprouts here, because the miso butter clings to the cut sides more easily.

Put the sprouts and the butter in a wide 20cm frying pan and set over a medium heat. Once the butter has melted, add four tablespoons of water, cover with a tight-fitting lid and leave to cook on a medium-low heat for five minutes.

Remove the lid, add the miso, honey and thyme, and cook for another five minutes, or until you are happy with their softness – my preference is for sprouts that are easy to cut with a regular butter knife – but use your judgment. If at any point the miso and honey look as if they’re going to stick to the bottom of the pan, add a splash of water and deglaze the pan.

When the sprouts are ready, serve immediately or leave them in the pan, ready to reheat quickly later.

Fiona Beckett’s drinks match

Under £10
Chateau Guiot Costières de Nîmes 2019 £9.99 (or £7.99 on “mix six”) Majestic, 13.5{d2b09b03d44633acb673e8080360919f91e60962656af8ade0305d5d8b7e4889}. Warm, generous Côtes du Rhône-like red that would go beautifully with the cabbage – it’s not certified organic, but does take a minimal intervention approach.

Over £10
Monsant Comunica La Pua Blanco Celler Comunica 2019 £17.37 Les Caves de Pyrène, £19 The Good Wine Shop, 13.5{d2b09b03d44633acb673e8080360919f91e60962656af8ade0305d5d8b7e4889}. Orange wine would be a terrific pairing with the stuffed cabbage, and this deeply coloured Spanish white garnacha is a great example.

Cookies! Baking Tips, Tricks, and Recipes

Cookies! Baking Tips, Tricks, and Recipes
Cookies! Baking Tips, Tricks, and Recipes
Sparkling Snowflake Cutout Cookies

PHOTOGRAPHY TERRY BRENNAN, FOOD STYLING LARA MIKLASEVICS

‘Tis the season for baking. Making your own holiday cookies can be rewarding and they are always welcome at get-togethers throughout the season, whether you’re hosting or arriving with a delicious plate of treats in hand. Plus, they make great homemade gifts. I have gathered tips and recipes from pros that I have highlighted so you can create with confidence not only this holiday season, but anytime the baking urge strikes throughout the year.

The following classic sugar cookie recipe by cookbook author Georgeanne Brennan will not only make beautiful snowflakes or other wintry shapes now, but you can also make treats for any occasion when you cut the cookies into a variety of other shapes. Twin Cities chef and Saint Paul College Culinary Arts instructor Jason Ross’ tips will help you turn out the cookies you are looking for. And everyone’s favorite chocolate chip cookie can be made soft and chewy or crisp if you have pastry chef and author of “The Baking Answer Book,” Lauren Chatmann’s tips and recipes on hand. Plus, elevate bars with more tricks from Chatmann below.

Cookie Do’s from Chef Jason Ross

Scrape the Bowl to Get Fully Mixed Dough: Do it after adding eggs, adding dry to wet, or wet to dry ingredients. Mixer attachments don’t quite reach the bottom and sides of the bowl, so parts are left unmixed. Use a rubber spatula to stir the unmixed parts back into the dough—and scrape the paddle attachment.

Chill Dough: It makes the batter easier to handle and gives the flour enough time to fully absorb liquid ingredients and make more cohesive dough. For the chocolate chunk cookie recipe here—and any soft cookie—bake from frozen. This will make a tender, crisp cookie that stays chewy. Keep cookie dough balls ready in the freezer during the holidays in case of a “cookie emergency.”

Finish with Salt: Just a few grains sprinkled on top of cookies will hit the palate first, bringing out a surprise flavor. Don’t use enough so you can see it—like a pretzel—rather just enough for a little salt secret.

Cool Cookies on a Rack: Cookies will continue to cook on a hot pan. Unless they are too soft or fragile to handle, lift them off the pans with a metal spatula and cool on a wire rack.

Color Cues: Pay attention to brown color, especially around the edges, and lighter color in the center. This helps determine a perfectly baked cookie. Since cookies are small, a little more or less time makes a big difference. If a few cookies on a tray are done, pull them off to cool and finish cooking the rest of the tray.

Rotate Pans Halfway Through Cooking: All ovens have hot and cool spots, so rotate pans to get even cooking across the tray. Be quick—you don’t want the oven to cool down.

Cookie Spread

The way cookies spread and thin has a big impact on crispness, softness and chewiness.

  • More creaming of butter and sugar will add more air and increase spread; less creaming, less spread and chewier cookies.
  • Lower temperature, even just a few degrees, slows cooking and gives dough more time to spread. Higher temperature will make thicker cookies since it firms up more quickly.
  • More sugar—especially syrupy sugars like honey, molasses or corn syrup—will spread more easily and make softer cookies.
  • Overmixing flour decreases spread and makes doughy cookies.

Must-Have Tools

Scoop: Use a portion control scoop instead of a spoon to avoid messy fingers and quickly and easily scoop balls the same size. Cookies will bake more evenly. Use it for ice cream too!

Digital Scale: It helps especially for measuring flour—the weight difference between cups of flour can be surprising. If you don’t have a scale, avoid compressing flour into the measuring cup; instead spoon it into the cup and level off with the straight edge of a butter knife.

Parchment Paper and Silicon Mats: These both work well and have an impact on cooking besides ease in cleanup: Cookies will spread more on a silicon mat and stay tighter on parchment. Parchment browns cookies a little more nicely, while silicon will yield slightly less crisp cookies. If I had to choose one, it would be parchment, but both have their place depending on the cookie you are baking. If using aluminum pans without either of these, try a little oil spray and possibly dust with flour if you have had trouble with cookies sticking.

More tips from Ross and use your skills with his Chocolate Chunk Cookies recipe here.

Cookie and Bar Tips and Tricks from Lauren Chattman

Tips and Tricks: Soft and Cakey Chocolate Chip Cookies
• Cream butter and sugar together. This will whip some air into the dough, so your cookies will puff up a bit in the oven.
• 1/4 teaspoon of baking powder along with the soda will provide more lift.
• Subtract an egg yolk and use an extra egg white. Egg whites contain more water than yolks which when evaporated in the oven helps cookies rise like little cakes.
• Use twice as much brown sugar as white sugar. Brown sugar, which is slightly acidic, will react with the baking soda in the recipe for a higher rise.
• Add a little extra flour—enough to add structure, but not so much that it will dilute the sweetness of the sugar.
• Chill the dough. Cold dough will spread less in the oven, creating a cakey center.
• Turn up the heat. If a recipe calls for 350°F, increase to 375°F. A hotter oven will allow the cookies to bake before spreading, resulting in cakey centers.

Tips and Tricks: Crisp and Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies
• Use melted, not softened butter for a dense and chewy texture.
• Subtract an egg white and add an extra egg yolk. Yolks have more fat than whites, which give cookies a fudgy rather than cakey texture.
• Use twice as much white sugar as brown. White sugar, which is neutral rather than acidic like brown sugar, will cause your cookies to spread rather than rise. It will also give your cookies a nice crispness around the edges.
• Turn down the heat. A cooler oven will let the cookies spread without drying out.
• Do not overbake. Cookies will continue to firm up and dry out as they cool off, so pull them out of the oven while they still look a little damp on top.

Find more tips from Chattman and recipes for soft and cakey and crisp and chewy chocolate chip cookies here.

Plus: Elements of science combine to create your perfect treat in her Cakey or Fudgy Brownies Recipes

Sparkling Snowflake Cutout Cookies and Icing

PHOTOGRAPHY TERRY BRENNAN, FOOD STYLING LARA MIKLASEVICS

Sparkling Snowflake Cutout Cookies

Makes 2 to 3 dozen cookies

I like to make snowflake cutouts in different shapes and sizes, then ice some with white frosting and some with blue, and decorate with sparkling white and blue sprinkles. For a variation, use holly-leaf cookie cutters and green food coloring with red hot candies for berries. Like all iced, cutout cookies, these are best eaten within 1 week. —Georgeanne Brennan

For the Cookies
1¾ cups all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon salt
²⁄³ cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
½ cup sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

For the Icing
2 egg whites
4 cups powdered sugar, or more as needed
Blue food coloring or blue gel

  1. For the cookies: Heat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. In a separate bowl, beat together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla. Add flour mixture in three batches, mixing each time until a smooth, not sticky, ball can be formed. Divide into two balls, wrap in plastic wrap, and refrigerate 15 to 20 minutes.
  3. Flour a rolling pin and lightly flour a working surface. Roll a ball out to a generous ¹⁄8 inch thickness. Using snowflake cookie cutters, cut out several shapes and sizes. Using a metal spatula, transfer to baking sheet, spacing cookies at least ½ inch apart (they will expand as they bake). Shape remaining dough scraps into a firm ball and repeat. Repeat with second dough ball.
  4. Bake 6 to 8 minutes, until delicately browned on bottom and pale golden on top. Remove from oven and let cool on sheet at least 5 minutes. Using a metal spatula, gently loosen cookies and transfer to a flat surface to cool slightly before icing. (If cookies are warm, icing will spread more easily. However, icing when cookies are fully cooled is fine.)
  5. For the icing: In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat together egg whites and sugar 5 minutes, until stiff enough to spread. If too stiff, add 1 teaspoon water and beat. If too thin, continue beating and add up to ½ cup powdered sugar.
  6. Divide icing into 2 bowls. To 1 bowl, add 2 drops blue food coloring and mix well with a spoon.
  7. Using a knife or stiff spatula, gently spread icing on cookies. Add sprinkles immediately. Set aside on a flat surface to cool completely.
  8. Arrange cookies in a single layer on a platter and cover loosely with wax or parchment paper. They will keep up to 3 days at room temperature. To store in an airtight container up to 1 week, line container with wax or parchment paper. Place cookies in single layer. Top with a layer of wax or parchment paper and repeat.

A Sweet Gift: Choose a special teacup and saucer set and package it with a bag of cookies and a favorite tea to create a gift for a perfect pause, a quiet minute.

Nutrition info (per serving) Sparkling Snowflake Cutout Cookies: Calories 142 (38 From Fat); Fat 4g (Sat. 3g); Chol 17mg; Sodium 35mg; Carb 25g; Fiber 0g; Protein 1g

More Cookie Recipes

Stenciled Gingerbread Cookies Recipe

Enjoy the seasonal taste of gingerbread in grown-up style—and you don’t need to worry about whether to start with a bite of a little gingerbread fella’s feet or head. (If you want to bake ahead, these cookies can be stored carefully in an airtight container for about two weeks.)

Cranberry Macadamia Nut Cookies Recipe

Keep old cookie friends but make new ones this holiday baking season

Toffee Squares with Pretzel Topping and Hazelnut and Honey Diamonds

PHOTOGRAPHY TERRY BRENNAN, FOOD STYLING LARA MIKLASEVICS

Bars and Brownies

You may think of bar cookies as basic party fare, but if you elevate them by using delicious ingredients and attractive decorations, they make a perfect addition to holiday dessert choices. While they are easy to make, there are some guidelines that Chattman suggests for good results plus recipes.

Raise the (Dessert) Bar

Easy yet delicious and decorative, bar cookies elevate options for serving and gifting, including Toffee Squares with Pretzel Topping and Hazelnut and Honey Diamonds recipes.

Patchwork Bars

PHOTOGRAPHY TERRY BRENNAN, FOOD STYLING LARA MIKLASEVICS

Patchwork Bars Recipe Plus Top Tips for Baking Bars

Elevate easy-to-make bar cookies with festive toppings for any get-together or homemade gift this holiday season

Hungry for More?

Dark Chocolate Sea Salt Brownies Recipe
These intensely chocolate, not-too-sweet brownie bites by cookbook author Georgeanne Brennan are a tasty marriage of chocolate and a hint of savory.

Brown Butter Blondies Recipe

Celebrate with this twist from Twin Cities baker Sarah Kieffer

Green Mediterranean diet is best for reducing harmful visceral fat

Green Mediterranean diet is best for reducing harmful visceral fat

photo of green garden furniture and green plantsShare on Pinterest
A modified Mediterranean food plan, so-named the green Mediterranean diet plan may possibly convey the most rewards to all those on the lookout to shed visceral body fat. Picture credit rating: kolderal/Getty Photos.
  • A recent examine appeared at the wellbeing outcomes of a new variation of the Mediterranean eating plan known as the eco-friendly Mediterranean eating plan.
  • The inexperienced Mediterranean eating plan is far more productive than the original at lessening the amount of money of visceral excess fat all-around inner organs.
  • Visceral unwanted fat has been joined to early mortality and a host of other severe professional medical fears.
  • A essential aspect of the new diet plan is the inclusion of walnuts, which are rich in polyphenols.

A new massive-scale medical intervention demo discovered that a modified Mediterranean diet program — identified as the green Mediterranean eating plan — is far more productive at reducing visceral fat that can encompass and problems organs than the standard Mediterranean eating plan or a generally nutritious eating plan.

All a few diet plans resulted in a reduction of visceral fats, but the green Mediterranean diet plan doubled the benefit of the “traditional” Mediterranean diet plan.

The examine was performed by the Direct-Additionally demo research group. It was led by Prof. Iris Shai of Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel, and Dr. Hila Zelicha, now at the College of California, Los Angeles, aided by colleagues from Italy, Germany, and the United States.

The examine appears in BMC Drugs.

The green Mediterranean diet differs from the first Mediterranean diet plan in its emphasis on polyphenols.

Polyphenols are plant compounds that have been connected to protection from form 2 diabetes, some cancers, and coronary heart ailment. They also surface to guidance mind health and digestion.

Polyphenols are found in darkish chocolate, berries, crimson wine, and tea, as very well as some nuts, this kind of as walnuts.

On the green Mediterranean eating plan, as envisaged in this review, a human being consumes 28 grams of walnuts — about 7 nuts — 3 to 4 cups of inexperienced tea, and 100 milligrams of the aquatic plant Wolffia globosa (Mankai) — also known as “duckweed” — in a smoothie or shake every single working day. All are rich in polyphenols.

If not, the diet regime is the same as the original Mediterranean food plan, but devoid of the usage of crimson and processed meats.

For the 18-thirty day period randomized controlled trial, researchers divided the 294 members into 3 teams:

  • a person group followed a regular Mediterranean (MED) food plan
  • 1 followed a eco-friendly Mediterranean (eco-friendly-MED) diet plan
  • a closing team a person strictly followed nutritious dietary suggestions (HDG).

All teams were supplied life style academic periods and actual physical exercise tips, alongside with a free of charge gym membership.

Scientists provided the walnuts, tea, and Mankai, along with recipes for environmentally friendly smoothies.

Dr. Aaron Cypess, of the Nationwide Institutes of Health’s Nationwide Institute of Diabetic issues and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, was not associated in the review. He praised the research to Health-related News These days:

“The medical demo was executed very well, and these sorts of extended-time period eating plan interventions are incredibly tricky to execute. The study has created quite a few hypotheses that can now be examined relating to the system by which polyphenols have an impact on VAT mass.”

“VAT” stands for “visceral adipose tissue,” which is an additional term for visceral extra fat. “Adipose” describes a entire body tissue that outlets body fat.

At the conclusion of the trial, reductions in visceral fat ended up assessed by way of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). All a few teams shed a similar volume of overall entire body bodyweight.

Individuals on the eco-friendly Mediterranean diet regime decreased their visceral fats by around 14{d2b09b03d44633acb673e8080360919f91e60962656af8ade0305d5d8b7e4889}. All those on the Mediterranean diet plan misplaced 6{d2b09b03d44633acb673e8080360919f91e60962656af8ade0305d5d8b7e4889}, and the healthier diet group lost 4.2{d2b09b03d44633acb673e8080360919f91e60962656af8ade0305d5d8b7e4889}.

Although one’s over-all weight and visual appearance are generally the metrics by which persons choose eating plans, visceral fat is a much a lot more critical concern.

Dr. Zelicha informed MNT that “in terms of the wellbeing risks related with extra body fat, visceral adipose tissue is significantly much more unsafe than the extra ‘tire’ all around your waist.”

“VAT,” explained Dr. Zelicha, “has been linked to various health and fitness problems, this kind of as high blood stress, being overweight, dyslipidemia, and diabetic issues. It also improves mortality hazard, earning it additional vital to maintain an eye on.”

Visceral fats is deep in the physique and uncovered around internal organs, not like the surface layer of extra fat that we can see.

“Most interventions now available do not goal deep adipose tissue specially,” pointed out Dr. Cypess, “yet rewards of body fat mass decline, in standard, are nonetheless valuable.”

Because it can’t be found, deciding if one has VAT is not a basic endeavor. Even though Dr. Zelicha observed that midsection circumference is a reasonably very good indicator of the presence of VAT, MRI and laptop or computer tomography (CT) scans are the gold specifications for detection.

“However, CT entails ionizing radiation, and MRI has emerged as a highly effective non-invasive prediction tool, but it is very expensive and time-consuming,” she cautioned.

There is even now a want, Dr. Zelicha mentioned, for a improved, simply available, and validated resource for evaluating VAT.

As of the time of writing, the eco-friendly Mediterranean diet plan is the routine that most appreciably lowers visceral extra fat, according to the modern investigation.

As Dr. Cypess famous: “Most diet programs guide to a reduction in the adipose tissue all-around organs. Even in this analyze, the HDG handle arm led to visceral extra fat decline, just not as significantly as the [green Mediterranean] diet plan.”

Since successful meal plans will typically supply at least some reduction in VAT, Dr. Cypess asserted, “the ideal diet plan and physical exercise program is the a person that the person can adhere to for months and a long time into the long term.”

Dr. Zelicha explained that aerobic workouts such as working or cycling have “been shown to be a powerful method for visceral adipose tissue reduction.“

In Prof. Shai’s before analysis, such physical exercise together with walnut consumption amplified the effect of the conventional Mediterranean diet program in cutting down VAT, reported Dr. Zelicha.

“Eating far more plant-centered fat,” advised Dr. Zelicha, “such as olive oil, avocados, nuts, and seeds, and avoiding very simple carbs and trans-fatty acids can enable reduce VAT.”

Luxury for less! 11 delicious, impressive and cheap dishes, chosen by top chefs | Food

Luxury for less! 11 delicious, impressive and cheap dishes, chosen by top chefs | Food

Who needs truffle and caviar? With some leftovers, new tricks and a little ingenuity a dish can look and feel fancy, despite its cheaper ingredients. Whether adding some lavishness to lunchtime, or hosting a chichi dinner, here are 11 top chefs’ recommendations for recipes that are budget-friendly and uncompromisingly luxurious.

Pasta with prawn sauce

Asimakis Chaniotis, executive chef at Pied à Terre, London
When we cook prawns in the restaurant or at home I always keep the heads, with a little bit of prawn meat in them – I put them in a box in the freezer. For two, I would use around 10 prawn heads. Sweat down onion and garlic, then add the prawn heads. Caramelise them a bit and then deglaze either with an aniseed-y alcohol like ouzo, or you can use wine. Reduce that, then add tomatoes and simmer for half an hour. I use a stick blender and pulse, rather than puree, to crush the heads a bit. Simmer for another two minutes, then pass them through a sieve, pressing the heads, to get the maximum flavour, and discard the shells. To make it really fancy, top with herring or trout eggs – much cheaper than caviar – and maybe some basil, then a squeeze of lemon or lime juice.

Chickpea and chorizo stew

Monika Linton, founder of Brindisa, London

Chickpea and chorizo stew.
‘Simple but tasty and hearty’ … chickpea and chorizo stew. Photograph: Ben Monk/Getty Images

This stew was devised for the tiny shop we used to have in Exmouth Market in central London. With only a single electric ring to cook on, we wanted a simple but tasty and hearty dish. It’s quick and easy to make, yet it feels indulgent and rich, and is perfect as we enter the colder months. Heat a splash of olive oil in a large pan, add 200g coarsely cut cooking chorizo, 200g diced pancetta and one finely chopped onion, and fry for three or four minutes. Add a glass of red wine, 400ml sofrito sauce and 400ml water, bring to the boil then simmer for five minutes. Add two 660g jars of chickpeas, two cloves of crushed garlic and two tablespoons of fresh oregano, and simmer for a further five minutes. Season to taste, then eat with good bread.

Spaghetti with mussels

Jacob Kenedy, chef patron of Bocca di Lupo, London

Spaghetti with mussels.
‘As much refinement of flavour as pasta with lobster or clams’ … spaghetti with mussels. Photograph: Burcu Atalay Tankut/Getty Images

This has the glamour of a really good seafood pasta, because it is a really good seafood pasta. I’m amazed at how cheap mussels are when other seafood is so expensive. You can choose to make it with or without tomato; I like to use a bit. Cook spaghetti in well-salted water – not as salty as the sea but maybe as salty as tears. It’s worth investing in good pasta because it doesn’t cost that much more. Cook a bit of garlic and chilli in a pan, then a second later, the mussels. Add a couple of spoonfuls of a tomato sauce, just enough to make the sauce blush. Toss the pasta with the mussels and cook the lot together, adding some good olive oil at the end. You could add a bit of parsley or basil, but I wouldn’t. This is messy and fun, and has as much refinement of flavour as pasta with lobster or clams, but it’s cheap as chips.

Flatbreads with toppings

Roberta Hall-McCarron, chef patron of The Little Chartroom, Edinburgh
You can dress up homemade flatbreads as a starter or a snack to make them look fancy. Flatbreads are quick and easy to make, with bread flour, dried yeast, water, yoghurt, sugar and salt, and here are a couple of ideas for toppings: you can make ricotta easily at home using just milk, cream, lemon juice and salt. Make a piperade – slice onions and peppers and sweat them together with grated garlic. Layer the ricotta, piperade, roasted courgettes and thin slices of salted courgettes, then some chopped toasted hazelnuts. Another option is to make a smoked mackerel paté – mix fillets with some creme fraiche, lemon juice and chives or dill. Put that on the flatbread, then finish it with different pickled vegetables for bright and lovely textures – cucumbers, radish and fennel work nicely – and you can add a bit of fresh apple too. To make an easy pickle, you just need vinegar, water, sugar and a little bit of salt, and you can jazz it up with mustard seeds or peppercorns. It makes you feel as if you’re doing something special at home, but it’s really simple.

Baharat-spiced aubergine parmigiana

Helen Graham, executive chef at Bubala, London

Aubergine parmigiana.
‘Tastes like more than the sum of its parts’ … aubergine parmigiana. Photograph: Mediterranean/Getty Images

Cut an aubergine finely – one aubergine feeds two – then fry until it’s crispy. Make a tomato sauce with garlic, tomato, a little bit of sugar and baharat, which is a spice mix that packs quite a punch. Layer the aubergine and the tomato sauce, your cheese of choice, and then sprinkle it with parmesan (or grana padano to keep costs down), some breadcrumbs, which could just be some old bread, blitzed up, and olive oil. If you want to make it more substantial, you could add in lasagne sheets. Then you just roast it. It makes a really nice centrepiece, which tastes like more than the sum of its parts.

Pea and mint fritters with garlic mayonnaise

Bettina Campolucci Bordi, author of Celebrate: Plant-based Recipes for Every Occasion

Pea and mint fritters.
‘A canapé or a starter’ … pea and mint fritters. Photograph: Anna_Shepulova/Getty Images/iStockphoto

You could do this as a canapé or starter, and it looks really nice on a plate, but it’s so cheap – basically frozen peas, potatoes and onions, and some mint. Boil and mash around 250g potatoes, and caramelise one red onion or some shallots. Put 500g peas into a blender or mash them up, then mix with the mashed potato, onions, a bit of gram flour and some mint, and shape into little fritters. If you want to make it fancy, you can quenelle them – shape between two spoons – then fry. If you want to be really resourceful, you can make the mayonnaise from aquafaba – chickpea water – which you might have saved from another recipe. Add some grated garlic to the mayonnaise, lemon juice and salt and pepper.

Tagliatelle with chicken in cream sauce

Katlego Mlambo, head chef at Kudu, London
Being French-trained, I’m a big fan of butter and cream, and it seems luxurious. A pasta – at the moment tagliatelle is my favourite – with a creamy sauce becomes a blank canvas that allows you to layer on flavours. Fry garlic, ginger and onions, then add about 200ml cream, some mozzarella, a squeeze of lemon juice and some lemon zest to give it a bit of freshness. I like grilled chicken thighs, which have more flavour and don’t dry out as quickly as breast. Marinate them in a quick marinade – olive oil, salt, pepper, garlic, ginger – and grill. I like generous slices, otherwise it could look like a mess in the bowl. Toss it all together, then finish it off with some freshly chopped coriander and another squeeze of lemon juice, then parmesan to make it feel more expensive, or any cheaper hard cheese.

Ham hock congee pie

Erchen Chang, chef co-founder of Bao, London

Ham hock congee pie.
‘Add whatever vegetables you have in your fridge’ … ham hock congee pie. Photograph: Funwithfood/Getty Images

Normally congee – similar to a risotto, but more liquidy – is a cheap, comforting dish, but by putting puff pastry on top and egg-washing it, it is suddenly turned into something different. You can make congee from scratch using any rice, but I would normally use short grain rice. Put a ham hock – one knuckle is enough – and 150g rice in a pot with water or stock. I’ll put in a 1in piece of ginger for flavour, so you can easily pick it out afterwards. Slow cook it for maybe an hour and a half, whisking it to make sure that the rice grain is broken down. Once the ham is cooked, remove and shred it, then return it to the congee. You can add different ingredients – for example, spring onion, or whatever vegetables you have in your fridge. I would add fermented mustard greens – something to give it that sourness. Transfer it to an ovenproof bowl and top with puff pastry, egg-wash it, then pop it in the oven for 20 minutes. You can prepare a big portion to set aside in the fridge or freezer for later, then just put puff pastry on top and pop it into the oven.

Mushrooms on toast

Paul Ainsworth, chef patron of Paul Ainsworth at No 6, Cornwall

When I was a kid we didn’t go to fine dining restaurants, so if my dad was treating us it would be something like a Beefeater. I’d always order the garlic mushrooms on toast, and this is a fancy version. You can get cultivated “wild” mushrooms in supermarkets, made up of mushrooms like oyster and shimeji. Get a loaf from the baker’s and slice it, then rub with olive oil, sea salt and garlic, and toast – if you have a chargrill pan, even better. Pan-fry the mushrooms in butter with garlic, fresh parsley and shallots. You could add a touch of creme fraiche so they become quite creamy. Put it on the toast, then top with a poached egg, drizzled with good olive oil and a pinch of sea salt and pepper. When you cut into the poached egg, the yolk self-sauces the dish. You’ve just got texture, crunch and a very inexpensive dish, but a real looker.

Pasta alla Norcina

Chris Leach, chef co-founder of Manteca, London
This is a dish from Umbria in the north of Italy, using pork sausage. Use any plain pork sausages – as opposed to something like pork and apple – and just crumble them open, cook in a pan with a bit of crushed garlic and a bit of white wine, then add around 100ml double cream. Finish with grated parmesan or grana padano and serve it with any short pasta, such as rigatoni or penne. The cream makes it feel a bit more luxurious. We serve a version of this at the restaurant with black truffles, but you could use cheaper truffle oil. Just a little drop into the cream, white wine and sausage brings out the porkiness.

Hummus breakfast

Eran Tibi, chef patron of Bala Baya, London
This is one of my favourite things to eat – my mum used to make it when we were kids. Take two or three big scoops of hummus and spread around a plate. Fry a bit of garlic, chilli and any spice mix you like – I like ras-el-hanout – for a couple of minutes, then add a spoonful of harissa and a tin of chickpeas with its liquor. Cook for about 10 minutes, and you get this spicy, umami, delicious chickpea stew. You can add whatever you have in the fridge, like leftover meat. While hot, pour it on top of the hummus. Top it with a soft-boiled egg, a couple of pickles and some good toasted bread. It’s warm, wintry, and the chickpeas get velvety and smooth.

Roasted potatoes level up with this crispy Parmesan and garlic recipe

Roasted potatoes level up with this crispy Parmesan and garlic recipe

Every day it seems like a new recipe sets the online food world ablaze and I’m often skeptical of the social media creation. But these Parmesan-crusted crispy potatoes stopped me in my tracks.

Americans love potatoes. In fact, the average American consumes over 100 pounds of potatoes per year, which is double the amount of our second favorite veggie — lettuce. We devour spuds in all shapes and sizes, from whole, to French fried, mashed, smashed, shredded and twice baked. We also adore cheese, whether it’s sharp and nutty, or smooth and creamy. So it’s no surprise the latest internet sensation involves both potatoes and cheese.

And after trying it for myself, I fully understand the passion for these oven fried potatoes.

Crispy on the outside and soft in the center, these tubers are buttery, cheesy, herby and completely addictive. They also require only one pan, less than 10 ingredients and less than an hour to make. What’s not to love?