The Botanist: Happening Now: The Art of Entertaining
HAPPENING NOW: THE ART OF ENTERTAINMENT
Good food. Good friends. Good times. With the arrival of shorter days and longer nights, we’re ready for informal get-togethers at home. We asked our host with the most, Abi Clephane, to share her go-to recipes for this season, plus the one thing she always does to elevate the experience. Read on for her super simple ideas and the cocktails to serve with them when entertaining at home.
Recipes for Now
‘Hosting at home is ideal because at the moment I’m travelling a lot and it’s a chance to have a low commitment, open-ended drop in for friends and family who are also all juggling the joys of life too,’ says Abi. Her go-to dish? ‘Right now, I’m jumping on jazzing up crisps with serrano ham, cheese, olives and pickled chillies - they’re great for sharing.’ As for setting the tone, Abigail recommends the Greenhouse candle from Earl of East. ‘I always light it when I’m having folk round. It’s a nice, light and airy tomato vine scent that’s not too overpowering.’ And of course, she always has a bottle of The Botanist chilling too.
Feeling inspired? Below are three of her favourite recipes to try at home, plus the drinks to make with them. Cheers.
ABI'S LAYERED CRISPS
Abi's blue cheese stuffed dates
‘The first time I had these I was in wellies, sheltering from a storm in a byre in Perthshire and I ate them out of a paper bag! Now I always serve them as a kind of cheese/dessert hybrid. They are unbelievably simple. I like to use gorgonzola dolce if you like things a bit on the creamier, smoother side or if you like a spicy blue cheese then a Colston Basset Stilton or a Lanarkshire Blue is the perfect contrast to the gooey, sweet date.’
Recipe
Sweet. Salty. Surprising. Swap the cheese plate for this unexpected combination or serve as an aperitif. We recommend our Cask Aged Martinez.
INGREDIENTS
14 Medjool dates
75g blue cheese
METHOD
- Slice dates from end to end but not all the way through
- Remove any pits or seeds
- Slice your favourite blue cheese into 14 slices
- Insert cheese into dates and press slightly
- Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to eat
Pair with a Cask Aged Martinez
Abi's chocolate covered figs
‘Luxurious. Rich. Intense. These are an instant crowd pleaser and are so simple to make. Perfect with a digestif. We recommend the Cask Rested Amaro. Dark. Decadent. Delicious.
Recipe
‘Don’t forget the salt! Maldon smoked sea salt adds a nice edge to it.’ - Abi
INGREDIENTS
14 figs
120g dark chocolate
Sea salt to garnish
METHOD
- Wash and slice the figs lengthways
- Line a baking tray with parchment paper
- Melt the chocolate in a pan and dip half of each fig in the chocolate mixture before placing it on the tray
- Sprinkle with sea salt
- Refrigerate for roughly 30 minutes or until the chocolate has hardened
- Serve immediately or make in advance and store in the fridge for up to 3 days
Pair with a Cask Rested Amaro
Abi's cocktail of the month
‘My favourite cocktails are the really versatile ones, The Botanist Autumn/Winter White Negroni pairs well with any of these dishes'.
