The daily rituals and social haunts we had before lockdown, once so easily taken for granted, have quickly become some of the things we’re all missing the most about ‘normal’ life. So much so, that iconic food brands and well-loved restaurants all over have been busy releasing top-secret recipes, masterclasses and tips so that the nation can enjoy the comforts of their favourite food at home.
We’re looking at some of the easy ways you can make dining at home feel a bit different to the norm to rediscover that feeling of a night off or just enjoy something more indulgent.
Plan ahead and enjoy the process
So often, weekday meals can be the afterthought of a busy working day or result of a rushed food shop. Yet one thing the lockdown has given most of us now is more time in the day – and many people find that taking the time to plan out and cook a dish provides a satisfying, somewhat even relaxing experience.
Try planning ahead with your partner, family or household to decide on more conscious meal plans for your week. If you usually went out for dinner on a Friday night, why not choose that day for a more special menu and put together a shopping list of the things you’ll need?
Allow yourself time
When we go out to eat, whether that’s at a casual chain restaurant, your favourite local or somewhere more upmarket, we tend to see dining as more of an experience than an activity. So why don’t we recreate this at home?
Instead of seeing mealtimes as another milestone in the day, choose the day you’re going to treat as your ‘evening out at home’ and allow yourself the time to enjoy the time spent at the table, with your accompanying diners.
Think about the aspects you love the most about your favourite restaurants – is it the cosy lighting and ambience, or maybe it’s a good wine list or appetisers? Ditch the phones for the night, set out some tealights or pillar candles, curate an easy-going playlist and try your hand at some inventive side dishes if you’re up to the challenge.
Your favourite restaurants at home
You don’t have to be a natural cook to enjoy good food at home and luckily some of the UK’s biggest names have made it possible to enjoy your favourites through fresh meal deliveries, meal kits and exclusive recipes so, no matter the mood you’re in, you can enjoy a bit of luxury (or a ‘fakeaway’) in your own kitchen.
- Côte Brasserie created Côte At Home, a fresh delivery service based from its own menu, featuring chilled bistro meals, premium steaks from its butchery, a great selection of sides, desserts and even wine.
- London-based burger chain, Patty & Bun, has released nationwide DIY burger kits that provide everything needed to recreate some menu classics – including vegan burgers.
- Pizza Pilgrims has also released a nationwide at-home kit for frying pan pizzas, complete with written and video instructions, to enjoy authentic Neapolitan pizza, whilst Pizza Express has released recipes for a whole variety of favourite dishes, including its iconic dough balls.
- Renowned Italian deli-restaurant, Lina Stores, released some of its most simple recipes for pasta dishes (that don’t all require a pasta machine), using small lists of quality ingredients in true Italian style. If you don’t fancy making your own pasta from scratch, you could try a fresh pasta meal box from Pasta Evangelists.
- Have a Swedish-themed meal and recreate IKEA’s very own meatballs, with a DIY instruction sheet for the main event and accompanying cream sauce.
- Wagamama has created the ‘Wok From Home’ YouTube series, featuring cook-along videos for everything from its popular katsu curry to bang bang cauliflower and steamed buns.
Tell us about the different ways you’ve been enjoying your favourite restaurants or discovering new ways of dining at home. Let us know in the Have Your Say box or tag us in your posts on Twitter.