LIFESTYLE
Some weeks are a bit dry in the grocery department, a mini cut before a holiday or event, recovering from a stomach bug, or just generally trying to get all the healthy foods in. But then some weeks get a little bougie, a little luxury and very full of flavour. A balance is good, we love some extra items but we also like to fit in our jeans.
We're not buying everything at once, or showing off by eating it for every meal. But we are about seeking the small, luxurious details that turn simple dishes into something exceptional.
Cheese to Savour
Yes tangy mature cheddar has its place on cheese on toast but if you're looking for something unique then forget the standard supermarket selection. Instead go for aged comté with a nutty tang, or a wedge of raw milk brie, or a small wheel of Époisses de Bourgogne. Our personal favourite is Occelli in Foglie di Castagno. This rustic Italian cheese wrapped in chestnut leaves is made from a blend of cow's and sheep's milk. It is aged for months, allowing the chestnut leaves to impart a distinct earthy, nutty, and slightly sweet flavor with a woodland aroma. Pair with hand-baked crackers, a drizzle of single-estate honey, or a scattering of roasted nuts. It’s simple, but the flavours linger long after the last bite.
Oils, Vinegars, and Condiments
A high-quality single origin extra virgin olive oil is transformative, make sure its in a tin or dark glass to preserve its polyphenols and never store it on the counter, keep it in the dark. Aged balsamic vinegar from Modena adds a whisper of sweetness to roasted vegetables. A jar of truffle honey or a pinch of saffron elevates even the simplest dish. Maldon smoked salt adds a further layer of flavour. These are the details that can shift every dish from routine to remarkable.
Fruits and Vegetables That Speak for Themselves
Organic is always preferred, although not totally necessary for every fruit or vegetable. For elevated upgrades look for heirloom tomatoes, ruby-red pomegranates, and tiny artichokes. A bunch of Mizuna or Lollo Rosso can make a salad feel like a plated masterpiece. Swapping out broccoli for broccolini makes a dish feel restaurant level. Go big on your mushroom risotto using Shitake, Porcini, Oyster and Cremini. Let the colour, texture, and aroma guide you when you're choosing. The entire process becomes an experience rather than a task.
Carefully Curated Pantry Staples
Stock your shelves with the kind of ingredients that inspire and make you feel like you are Nigella, Jamie or Anthony. Single-origin chocolate, artisanal pastas, grains with story, farro from Tuscany, black rice from Italy, or a bag of hand-milled polenta. Keep a few jars of preserved lemons, sun-dried tomatoes, or delicate capers to add that additional finishing to your dishes. Real soy sauce, brands like Kikkoman that are truly fermented, a good miso paste and homemade stock are all major flavour enhancers.
Drinks That Feel Like a Reward
A bottle of Ruinart champagne, a crisp organic wine, or a locally roasted coffee with a fragrance that fills the kitchen. A chilled floral tea, ceremonial grade matcha and elderflower cordial from Fortnum & Mason. The ritual of pouring, making, and drinking slowly, this is the true luxury of the grocery list.
The quiet luxury of this list is in the enjoyment of the quality, not the pretentiousness or the price. Each ingredient invites you to slow down, take your time, and craft the kind of meals that linger, not just on the plate, but in memory.