Ways to elevate every mealtime

Jamie’s Head of Food Styling Ginny Rolfe shares her hints and tips for elevating every mealtime moment.

From what ingredients she shops for to how using simple serveware can make all the difference, there are so many ways you can elevate the everyday when it comes to mealtimes.

SHOP SMART

Shopping is where flavour starts...

Get the essentials

“I love to have ingredients like garlic, lemons and chillies to hand to add flavour and the perfect finishing touch. With these, you can elevate simple dishes to new heights – a little bit of garlic here, a strip of lemon peel or crumbled dried red chilli there can make all the difference to a sauce, stew or tray of roasted vegetables. Or finish a dish with finely grated lemon zest or finely sliced fresh chilli to give it that final flourish.”

Buy the best you can afford

“A humble tomato pasta is one of the nicest things you can have in the world, and by simply using the best quality tinned tomatoes you can afford, you can take it to the next level. It’s not about being overly fancy or complicated, it’s about heroing great produce, which can turn the everyday into something really special.”

Elevate your cooking

Small, easy wins to up your cooking game...

Glorious garnishes

“Frying off fresh rosemary or thyme in a little olive oil can add pops of green and a beautiful fresh flavour when sprinkled on top of a dish at the end of cooking. In fact, this would work with any woody herb.”

Round things off

“There are so many amazing vinegars out there – my favourite is the Vinegar Shed’s mandarin vinegar. My favourite all-rounder is a good quality red wine vinegar. Why not splash a little into your roasting tray of roasted vegetables, tomato sauce, steamed greens or a stew? It’ll add depth of flavour with minimal effort.”

Take care to prepare

“Jamie has always celebrated simple ingredients thoughtfully prepared, that will make your food taste better and look beautiful. I always think this when preparing salad. Trim, wash and dry the leaves thoroughly, then cut them into bitesized pieces. Add different textures, like scratching the outside of the cucumber with a fork to create grooves. Then present it proudly in a large bowl or serving platter with a simple French dressing, a mix of lovely soft herbs and freshly bashed pomegranate seeds for a fruity pop, or toasted nuts or seeds for crunch. Enjoy the moment and make it a ritual.”

The right tools

“A few pieces of equipment will make your life easier and give you those textures that will make your meals special. My favourites are a microplane for finely grating Parmesan, lemon zest or nutmeg; a speed-peeler – think ribbons of carrot or courgette for a beautiful salad – and a pestle and mortar, for bashing nuts for garnishing a dish, or to make a marinade, or herb oil.”

Mealtime moments

Ginny’s ethos on how to make every time you sit down to eat a meal feel special...

“We are all busy, whether it’s work, school, study or people to see. But even if you only have 10 minutes to sit down to eat, it’s worth it, so mark the moment, make it special – even if you’re on your own. Fill a jug with iced water and slices of lemon or orange, and a little stack of water glasses. Set the table with a jug of herbs or wild flowers (you don’t always need a florist!), placemats and a stack of napkins. The small sense of occasion will make it feel special. And having a piece of Jamie’s Big Love range can make something as simple as a salad be full of joy. I especially love the stylish Serving set. Its tactile mango wood is so nice to use, and is perfect for serving salads, platters of roasted carrots or veg.”

Taking the time

“The world stops when you share a meal with others, even if it’s for only a few, precious minutes. Taking the time to prepare food for others, even something as simple as a boiled egg and soldiers or a bowl of soup, is more than worth it. It can make you feel a greater sense of calm, give you more opportunities to speak to each other, to solve problems and to listen.”

Made with love…

“Feeding your family and friends is about the best form of love you can give, and making it extra special can bring you joy, pride and excitement. If you’re short on space, why not prop up a board on a couple of tin cans on your coffee table and all kneel around it to share a meal? Or put a tablecloth, or even greaseproof paper on a fold-away table with a few candles on.”

Always time for tea

“Having a break with a cup of tea is one of life’s simplest pleasures. Elevate that ‘me-time’ moment with a Cosy cuppa of tea, hot chocolate with mini-marshmallows or a mug of soup. These mugs also make sweet plant pots for herbs, little succulents or cacti!”