No-one’s chicken soup is quite like Grandma’s, obviously, but theirs (with kneidlach and lokshen) came a close second. Our second course of starters — chicken yakitori skewers, mini spring rolls, lamb kofta and chilli beef skewers — were all accompanied by finger-licking dips.
Impossible to choose our favourite main course (though special mention must go to the super-delicious, braised sweet and sour red cabbage). The delicate honey and lime grilled chicken was perfectly complemented by roast potatoes with herbs and garlic. The fussier of the family contentedly consumed chicken schnitzel and zingy Mediterranean vegetables. The pan-seared duck breast was moist and the pulled beef succulent.
Sticky toffee pudding was pure indulgence but wonderful and so, judging by the tester’s oohs and aahs, was the chocolate fondant. All dishes (£4 to £14 per head) serve one person but in some cases could be (grudgingly) shared between two. Minimum order for delivery is £25, or you can collect from Borehamwood.
My next culinary challenge was my daughter’s 14th birthday party. Birthday outings were simply not lockdown-compatible, so, being a Jewish mother, I concentrated on food. (In line with the Government guidelines, friends were entertained one at a time, in hour-long slots, social-distanced and outdoors.)
Blondies Kitchens sent us its Nutella-stuffed personalised cookie, ready-to-bake cookie dough roll and bake-at-home cookie dough. The house filled with amazing smells and the cookies were a hit with everyone.
From Fel’s Honeypops, we received warm waffles with various toppings, good old-fashioned candy floss and popcorn and a letterbox treat box filled with prepacked sweets and chocolates. All putting a big smile on the birthday girl’s face
Lollysbakes delivered tie-dyed cupcakes with happy birthday messages which were superb; gooey, glorious (and gluten-free... who knew?) brownies; and an apple pie, my personal treat, that was perfection.
Alex Nitka’s afternoon tea in a box (£44 exc delivery) included traditional sandwiches, home-made scones with cream and jam in separate pots, lemon possets, macarons and bite-sized carrot cakes and flapjacks. I laid it all out on the best china and escaped the 14-year-olds’ celebrations and all thoughts of Covid. And, for a lovely moment, I was able to sit back and enjoy the sunshine with a delicious tea for two.
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