Spoil Dad with Fine Foodie Gifts from DukesHill and cook up some Ginger Beer Glazed Ham, recipe included

Father's Day is not that long away now, and what better way to show appreciation for the father/s figure in your life than with a thoughtfully curated artisan food and drink hamper? 

DukesHill offers a range of delicious gifts for the dad who has it all. And who wouldn't love a luxury hamper to arrive at their door?

Whisky Cask Cider Savoury Hamper - 10 items in a 14” wicker hamper - £69

This savoury hamper includes DukesHill Whisky Cask Cider, been matured for six very important months in single malt Scotch whisky casks, imparting warming notes of vanilla, oak and honey. 

There's a variety of charcuterie including Sliced Lomo, Sliced Bresaola, Sliced Porchetta, and Sliced Pastrami. The Isle of Mull Cheddar is known for its exceptional quality and flavour, to be enjoyed with Fig Chutney and Multi Seed Crackers.  

Contains: Whisky Cask Cider (3 x 330ml), Sliced Lomo (80g), Sliced Bresaola (80g), Sliced Porchetta (175g), Sliced Pastrami (175g), Isle of Mull Cheddar (200g), Multi Seed Crackers (100g), Fig Chutney (198g)

Weekend Breakfast Box with Coffee £44.50

Set dad up with the perfect start to his special day with the makings of the hearty breakfast. He'll be delighted to receive the finest sausages, bacon and black pudding, along with lemon & poppy seed pancakes and spreads. Comes complete with a bag of ground coffee. Just add a newspaper for a gloriously delicious morning. Or make sure his iPad's charged up!

Contains: Traditional Pork Sausages (400g), Smoked Dry Cured Streaky Bacon (350g), Black Pudding (500g), Ampersand Butter (210g), Wholegrain Pancakes (240g), Lemon & Poppy Seed Pancakes (240g), Seville Orange Marmalade (227g), Strawberry Jam (227g), DukesHill Medium Roast Coffee (250g)

Whisky cask cider and chocolate indulgence - 3 items - £45

This luxurious gift box contains two bottles of DukesHill whisky cask matured cider - an exquisite, smooth cider infused with rich vanilla undertones and subtle oak notes. There's a box of velvety Dark Chocolate, Roasted Almonds and Ginger Mendiants and to complete the gift - Chocolate Covered Orange Slices - a true treat for the senses.

But we promised you a recipe to enable you to cook up a special DukesHill feast, so here it is:-

Ginger beer cooked ham

Treat your dad to a Father's Day lunch starring a sticky, succulent ham with a delicious, tingly gingery kick. Cooking it in the best quality fiery ginger beer infuses maximum flavour into the ham. 

Serves: 25 | Cooking time: 4hr 30 minutes | Prep time: 30 minutes

DukesHill 5.5kg whole boneless uncooked Wiltshire ham

4 litres ginger beer - we suggested Luscombe's Hot Ginger Beer as being perfect for the job

1 onion, peeled and quartered

2 carrots, peeled and roughly sliced

1 tbsp allspice berries

1sp cloves

1 tsp black peppercorns

For the glaze

550ml hot ginger beer

200g light brown sugar

1sp English mustard

1 tsp ground cloves

Method

Put the ham in a large stock pot and add the onions, carrots and spices. Pour over the ginger beer and top it up with enough water, if required, to cover the ham. Bring it to the boil and allow to simmer until the ham reaches a core temperature of 75c when probed with a meat thermometer, for a 5.5kg ham it will take about four hours. Skim the scum off the surface every-so-often. When the ham's cooked and cool enough to handle, slice the skin off the top of the ham and score a diamond pattern into the fat. Allow to cool before glazing.

Preheat the oven to 190c. 

In a small saucepan, whisk together the glaze ingredients and bring to the boil. Allow the glaze to simmer until it has reduced down by two thirds, stirring occasionally. It should become a sticky syrup consistency. Use a basting brush to coat the glaze generously over the ham, before placing on a baking tray. Roast for 25 minutes but remember to baste occasionally, using the glaze from the tray. Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly before slicing.

Tanner's (of Shrewsbury) wine pairing: Mâcon-Vergisson Les Rochers. They say, “Fiery ginger beer is softened out by cooking but it still adds a punchy backdrop to the cured, succulent meat. A light red such as Pinot Noir would be great here, but we have opted for a crisp white. This Macon is almost in a Chablis style, with a crisp acidity that offsets the richness of the meat and the ginger spice.”

For more information, visit dukeshill.co.uk  

To learn more about Tanners visit https://www.tanners-wines.co.uk

Foodies will be clamouring for the wonderful gift boxes from Womersley Foods

Womersley Foods have an absolutely lovely range of beautiful gift boxes that will make a great gift for any foodies in your life.

As the weather gets warmer, lighter refreshing meals replace our hearty, warming winter favourites. Womersley’s delicious fruit vinegars are perfect for sprucing up salads, bakes or cocktails this spring!  

Great Taste Award Vinegars (contains Strawberry & Mint Vinegar and Orange & Mace Vinegar) best for dressings and additions to cocktails. Price: £21.76 

Womersley’s award-winning vinegars are made by hand in England using only the finest of all natural ingredients.

Sweet, tart, complex, and packed with a real punch, Womersley vinegars are perfect for uplifting your springtime salads, soups, cakes and bakes. They can even be added to a cocktail or G&T for a unique sweet-and-sour twist!  (That's Food and Drink says "I would never have thought of that. What an absolutely brilliant idea!)

Womersley’s beautiful packaging encapsulates the essence of spring. A delicious luxury product to bring to the kitchen.  

Womersley’s vinegars and jams are available on Amazon (https://rb.gy/rk315h), Wholefoods and Womersley’s own website https://womersleyfoods.com

DIY Food Gifts: Edible Treats for Every Occasion

Gift-giving is a timeless way to express love, appreciation, and celebration. When it comes to finding the perfect present, there's something uniquely heartwarming about homemade gifts. 

In the realm of thoughtful and delightful offerings, DIY food gifts stand out as a delicious and personal choice. 

Whether it's for a birthday, Christmas, Easter, or just to show someone you care, creating edible treats can be a delightful and rewarding experience. In this blog post, we'll explore a variety of DIY food gifts suitable for every occasion.

Infused Oils and Vinegars:

Infused oils and vinegars add a genuine gourmet touch to any kitchen. Create unique flavour combinations by infusing olive oil with herbs, spices, or even citrus peels. Similarly, experiment with fruit-infused vinegars like raspberry or apple cider vinegar. Package them in elegant glass bottles, adorned with personalised labels, for a stylish and tasty gift.

Pickled Onions:

You can obtain large jars of pickling vinegar which come ready spiced, though you can add peppers to the mix to add a little extra to them. Buy small pickling onions, prepare them and place them in the jar of pickling vinegar and follow the instructions on the jar.

Homemade Spice Blends:

Elevate your loved one's culinary adventures by gifting them homemade spice blends. Create signature mixes like a versatile taco seasoning, a zesty barbecue rub, or a fragrant curry blend. Package the blends in decorative jars and include recipe suggestions to inspire their culinary creativity.

Decadent Chocolate Truffles:

Unleash your inner chocolatier and craft a batch of luxurious chocolate truffles. Experiment with various coatings such as cocoa powder, chopped nuts, or shredded coconut. Arrange them in a decorative box or tin, and you have a sophisticated and indulgent gift perfect for celebrations or simply as a sweet gesture.

Personalised Biscuit Mix Jars:

Layer the dry ingredients of your favourite recipe in a glass jar to create a visually appealing and convenient gift. Attach a recipe tag with instructions on how to turn the mix into delicious biscuits. This DIY food gift not only looks charming but also allows the recipient to enjoy the process of baking.

Handcrafted Flavoured Syrups:

Elevate someone's morning routine with handcrafted flavored syrups for their coffee. Experiment with vanilla, cinnamon, or fruit-infused syrups. Present them in stylish bottles, and your loved ones will appreciate the extra effort you put into making their everyday moments a little more special.

Customised Hot Chocolate Mix:

Perfect for Christmas holidays or cozy nights in, a customised hot chocolate mix is a delightful and comforting gift. Layer cocoa powder, sugar, and marshmallows in a jar, and include a note with serving suggestions. Top it off with a festive ribbon and a charming mug or set of mugs for a complete package.

Herb-Infused Honey:

Give the gift of sweetness with herb-infused honey. Combine honey with herbs like lavender, rosemary, or thyme for a unique and aromatic twist. Present the infused honey in elegant jars, and your loved ones can enjoy adding a touch of gourmet flair to their tea, toast, or desserts.

DIY food gifts offer a personal touch that shop-bought presents often lack. From infused oils to decadent truffles, these edible treats are not only delicious but also reflect the care and effort you put into creating them. 

The next time you're pondering the perfect gift, consider heading to the kitchen to whip up something truly special. After all, the way to someone's heart is often through their stomach.

(Image courtesy Bernadette Wurzinger from Pixabay)