When it comes to lockdown living, one of the things I’ve most missed is going out for a great meal. Catching up with friends over some fabulous food is one of my favourite past-times, and 11 weeks of lockdown have seen me cooking every.single.night. Whilst I’ve enjoyed learning a few new recipes, and eating hyper-local, I’d be lying if I said that I wasn’t dying for a night off! So, when Hickory got in touch to see if I’d like to try a trial-run of their new Hickory@Home service, it felt like perfect timing.
Hickory is an award-winning food and events company, so it’s so wonderful to be able to enjoy their delicious dishes at home. The Hickory philosophy is all about celebrating the incredible produce we enjoy here in Scotland by using it to create inventive dishes. Talk about a match made in heaven! As of this week, Hickory@Home will be delivering to homes in Edinburgh and East Lothian – so if that’s you, I’d highly suggest you get your orders in quick!
The meal comes portioned out in labelled containers, and I was emailed over the menu with cooking instructions the day before it all arrived. After popping dessert in the fridge, I got to work, laying everything out, and getting everything organised. Rather delightfully, there are even nibbles for the cook to enjoy whilst they get everything prepped!
Since dinner was a team effort – we popped the homemade focaccia in the oven to warm for five minutes and got to laying the table. Served warm with cultured butter and seaweed salt, it was such a delicious start to the meal. We nibbled on the beetroot crisps too – dunking them into a creamy edamame hummus and garlicky ajo blanco, chilled almond soup.
Starters were as tasty as they were easy to assemble – English asparagus and new season Scottish potatoes were sautéd in the pan, the served with a rich and creamy Berkswell cheese custard and topped with a Parma ham crumble. The perfect start to a summery supper – I’ve already got the ingredients on my next shopping list so I can recreate it again!
The main course was equally fantastic – Miso and onion roasted chicken, served with truffled mac n cheese and herb salad. Truly, a dish to fall in love with. Arriving butterflied in its own roasting dish, we popped the chicken in to the oven whilst we were enjoying the starter. The chicken itself was heavenly – covered in a sticky miso sauce, it was pretty much the roast chicken I dream about each Sunday. Cooked alongside shallot petals and spring onions, it was a real treat to enjoy. Served alongside the richest, creamiest truffled mac’n’cheese and a zesty dressed salad, it was a perfect balance.
I could go on (and on) about the chicken (seriously high-quality, cooked to absolute perfection, still dreaming about it), but dessert was just as spectacular. A decadently rich chocolate and green tea fondant served with a rather indulgent clotted cream ice cream and pistachio crumb. The mix of hot and cold, chocolate and cream was really delightful, and I just loved the molten green tea filling – talk about a show stopper!
As if all that wasn’t enough, the meal comes with a fabulous red wine – Somelieri Dolcetto Monferrato DOC 2017. It was such a clever choice, as it really went well with each and every course.
The quality of the meal was so impressive, and following the instructions meant that we got to enjoy a restaurant-quality dinner at home. During a time like this, it’s these kind of of treats which really stand out, and really make a whole weekend.
The set-menu and wine is £65 for two people and you can order your own at https://hickoryfood.co.uk/home-delivery/