All I want for Christmas ... food writers Hugo Arnold and Tom Doorley reveal their Santa wish-lists
Tom Doorley:
When writing a list for Santa, I have always believed it's vital to give this hardworking saint a bit of leeway. I try not to be too specific, nor too presumptuous. Give him a broad canvas, that's my Christmas motto.
Herb plants: Basil and coriander plants from Lidl for €1 a pot. (The considerate giver will pot them up into something a bit bigger and maybe more visually appealing.)
Seeds for the edible garden: A gift token for a mere €10 from Brown Envelope Seeds will yield some choice edibles in the fullness of time. These organic vegetable seeds are all grown and packed in west Cork (028-38184).
Olive oil: The best olive oil is expensive and although it's not an infallible guide, price is often an index to desirability. Try 500ml of Prima Opera, a glorious Italian olive oil for €15.60 sourced, bottled and sold by Country Choice in Nenagh (067-32596).
Fruit trees: Heritage apple and pear trees from Future Forests in Bantry are suitable for planting around Christmas. Make mine an Egremont Russet (027-66176, www.futureforests.net).
Pâté: Pork and duck from the organic Ferme de Terre Rouge in the hills above Nice go into a superb range of pâtés and terrines, €9.50-€9.95 for a 250g jar from Le Caveau, Market Yard Kilkenny (056-7752166, www.lecaveau.ie).
Cheese: At Christmas, my taste in cheese becomes very traditional. Give me a full kilo of Montgomery's farmhouse cheddar from Somerset (€25.30 from Sheridan's, Dublin and Galway) and lots of fully mature Cashel Blue and I'm in heaven.
Charcuterie: The salamis and cured meats from Frank Krawczyk of Schull are stunning. They are available from On The Pig's Back, The English Market, Cork.
Chocolate: Give me Green & Black's organic plain chocolate, Valrhona or a box of chocs from Charbonnel et Walker of Old Bond Street in London. I share a passion for their violet creams with the late Queen Mum and the hard centres are the best in the business. Brown Thomas has some in their gift shops, or see www.charbonnel.co.uk.
Smoked salmon: Most salmon farming is an environmental disaster, so I eat only wild smoked salmon. I reckon the best comes from Frank Hederman at the Belvelly Smoke House near Cobh, Co Cork and from Sally Barnes, who deals solely in wild fish, at the Woodcock Smokery in west Cork. Both are available from Sheridan's, Dublin and Galway.
Champagne: Champagne is the very definition of what I don't buy for myself, but Veuve Foury Grande Reserve NV at €29.99 from Country Choice in Nenagh is so delicious and significantly cheaper than many inferior grandes marques that it could become a bit of a habit. On the other hand, Krug Grande Cuvée (€125, McCabe's, Dublin), the greatest non-vintage fizz in the world, is for very special occasions. And if I sniffed at the very-hard-to-find Pol Roger Cuvée Winston Churchill (€115) it would be in rapt appreciation.
Aga can: It has been more than two years since we waved goodbye to our Aga, and life has not been the same. Once you fall in love with an Aga, there's no going back. I want one for Christmas. The two-oven model, oil-fired, finished in traditional cream, to be precise. That will be €9,500 delivered and installed (and a bloody good investment). Campbell & Cooke Ltd, 16 Rutland Place, Dublin 1 (01-8786099).
Dinner somewhere nice: Tempted as I am to suggest The French Laundry in California, at this time of the year I think I'd prefer Guillaume at Bennelong, within the arches of the Sydney Opera House. Obviously, one would have to fly first class with Quantas and stay at the deeply cool W Hotel within 10 minutes' walk. www.sydneyoperahouse.com, www.quantas.com.
A turkey baster: These come in stainless steel, plastic and glass. As the squeezy bit tends to deteriorate, it doesn't really matter which one you go for.About €15.
Gaggia gelateria: For all that left-over Christmas pudding, which you can use to make ice cream. There is nothing to beat fresh ice cream, and kids love to make it, too. Around €500.
A Japanese knife: One of these may well revolutionise your cutting technique. www.japaneseknifecompany.com.
Hugo Arnold:
A tin of proper paprika: Which comes in sweet and hot guises. About €5 from good delicatessens.
An expensive tin of foie gras pâté: There is nothing to beat this gem. About €25 for a tin to serve four, or two if this writer is involved.
BOOKS:
Feast: Food that Celebrates Life by Nigella Lawson (Chatto and Windus, £25 in UK) is all about largesse. Christmas gets top billing, but Easter, Valentine's day and other less hallowed events are also covered.
One of my top books of the year is The River Cottage Meat Book by Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall (Hodder and Stoughton, £25 in UK). This is a marked reminder about what factory farming has done to meat production over the past 50 years. Read this and think.
How to Cook Better by Shaun Hill (Mitchell Beazley, £25 in UK) is thought-provoking as well as revealing.
The Food of Spain and Portugal by Elizabeth Luard (Kyle Cathie, £25) reveals that this is an area full of culinary opportunity. Still on the Iberian theme, Casa Moro, by Sam and Sam Clark (Ebury Press, £25) has oodles of inspiring delights from the lands of paprika and yoghurt, chickpeas and grilled fish.
Irish Oyster Cuisine by Máirín Uí Chomáin (A&A Farmar, €14.99) has every way with this glory of the sea.
Slow Food Ireland A useful guide to producers with addresses and contact details. At €5 from Slow food members or €6 including post and packaging from Elisabeth on 086-3949270, it's great value.
Asia: Food and Travels by Alastair Hendy (Mitchell Beazley, £25) is beautifully photographed and styled. Feast on the likes of Hill Station Chicken Curry with new potatoes, Coconut Fish Curry, and Temple Aubergine with Sweet Chilli Shrimp Sauce.
The Handmade Loaf by Dan Lepard (Mitchell Beazley, £15) will wean you off sliced pan in a jiffy.