Spring has sprung, and it’s the perfect time for getting together with family and friends, and enjoying the season’s freshest ingredients.
Whether you’re planning a picnic, or entertaining at home, with the right tools and knowledge, you can share amazing food and memorable moments with the ones you love.
Leonie from The Hunter’s Pantry shares her recipe for entertaining success.
“It all starts with the right ingredients,” says Leonie.
Spring brings with it a natural abundance of freshness that signifies growth. The leaves return to our deciduous trees, home gardens and vege patches flourish and bloom, and it seems that the local farmer’s markets and supermarkets up their offerings. Spring weather lends itself to garden lunches, picnics, lighter meals and lots of fresh simply cooked food.
We love spring because the milk used for cheese is fragrant with fresh flowers and green grass; new release oils arrive in store; new cookbooks are released; and the range of seafood is more abundant. These treats just make you want to cook!
“You don’t have to be a MasterChef; knowledge builds over time and inspiring cooks emerge. We’re always happy to give advice on how to use ingredients or provide tips on how to intensify flavour,” Leonie says.
Get inspiration from a single menu item. It might be your favourite flavour or spice (Aleppo pepper for example) it might be a technique you feel really confident doing (like BBQ or roasting), it might be a single ingredient that looks perfect (the perfect head of cauliflower or a chunk of goats cheese).
You can find inspiration: in-store, from The Essential Ingredient staff, on the website or social media.
Plan ahead and keep it simple so you are not stressed, and you don’t miss the fun; your guests are there to enjoy your company, your food is a bonus. Focus on building your skills, and your confidence will grow as a result.
If you’re still stuck for ideas, you’ll find a range of beautiful cookbooks to inspire you at The Hunter’s Pantry, or why not try a specialty cooking class? Classes range from very hands on classes focusing on specific techniques, right through to classes that are more like having a private chef cook for you.
“There are plenty of classes to choose from at the Cooking School, whether you’re looking for market to table tips, or want to learn to cook a new cuisine,” says Leonie.
If you’re looking for inspiration for entertaining, pop into The Hunter’s Pantry and talk to the team.
The Hunter’s Pantry, Ph: (02) 4926 1991.