We started Handpicked to give people a trusted source of unusual and inspiring gift ideas. There’s nothing more satisfying than seeing a present well received and it’s our mission to make that simple. Our Expert Panel make sure we stay on track but we hope, with our blog, we’ll hear more from you too. Comment away!

Our buying team have trying to track down all the loveliest souvenirs with which to celebrate Queen Elizabeth’s Diamond Jubilee. Our favourite so far is this gorgeous jug by Jan Constantine. See all our ideas here.

Soup Soup Glorious Soup!

It’s been so freezing cold, and the big chill looks set to continue, that the Handpicked office has taken to bringing Thermos flasks of soup (check out our smart Wilde & Wolfe range) to the office. This also covers us should we ever get snowed in, something that didn’t seem out of the realms of possibility, even in the shadow of Battersea power station. Ever ready to spread a bit of warmth, we thought you might like some of our favourites.

Bulk up any soup, bought or homemade, by adding a generous handful of dried cous cous. The hedonists among us (Heather, you know who you are) also bring in a small Tupperware container filled with grated cheese to add to the top just before serving.

This butternut & red pepper soup is crammed with antioxidants, and its cheerful orange glow is a winner too. Dice a large onion, and chop a red pepper and peeled, de-seeded butternut squash into cubes. Fry in olive oil for about five minutes, adding a crushed garlic clove or two in the last minute. Dissolve three chicken or vegetable stock cubes (we also like Marigold bouillon powder) in 1.7 litres of water, simmer for 30 minutes, then blend and serve.

Japanese Miso soup is healthy, and ideal if you’re trying to have a detox January. Jo loves the Clearspring varieties, and adds Soba noodles to prevent her hitting the Kit-Kats (and Hope & Greenwood truffle samples) at 3pm.

Natasha swears by her ‘bottom of the fridge’ soup. The mainstays are half an onion and two cloves of garlic sweated in olive oil. To these, she adds whatever is looking a little tragic in the vegetable compartment, and simmers for half an hour or so with a litre of vegetable stock. Grated cheese on top, fresh parsley if she’s got it, and lots of crusty French bread. It’s healthy and practically free!

I love roasted tomato and chilli soup for a bit of winter warmth. Cut around 15 tomatoes in half, and place flat side up on a baking tray. Drizzle with olive oil, season and place in an oven at 160 for about 25 minutes. In the meantime, chop up a large onion and a couple of garlic cloves, season and sweat in olive oil until translucent. Add a chopped up chilli (don’t forget to deseed), then add the oven-roasted tomatoes and blitz with a generous pint of stock.

Posted: January 28th, 2010 under Uncategorized.
Tags: Things we love, Top Tips