TRUDIE PUTS TOGETHER EXPENSIVE CHRISTMAS HAMPER

A preposterous limited edition Christmas hamper that has been put together by Trudie Styler has become a much wanted item among the rich and famous people of this globe. The range of festive gift baskets for London department store Selfridges are all filled with organic products from the couple’s English country estate and were available at a very “democratic” price of £140 (including a donation to the Rainforest Foundation). Trudie commented that she has “always been a big advocate of local shopping and what could be more local than your own backyard? ”

One of the items in the basket is a spinach & bacon quiche. This quiche is part of the Lake House Organics range, which includes chutneys, meat and cheese products, as well as great breads, scones, cakes and organic free-range eggs.

How to make it? Well. here is the recipe:
[b]Pastry[/b]
175g plain flour
75g butter
1 egg (beaten)
30ml cold water

[b]Filling[/b]
2tbsp olive oil
250g spinach
6 rashers smoked bacon, cubed
1 large onion, finely chopped
110g cheddar cheese, grated
2 eggs
150ml single cream
150ml milk
Salt, pepper and nutmeg

To make the pastry, rub the butter into the flour until it resembles fine breadcrumbs. Mix in the egg and water, cover and place in the fridge for 30 mins. Roll out the pastry and line a 25cm flan tin and return to fridge.

For the filling, heat a frying pan with a couple of tablespoons of oil and add the spinach. Keep turning it over until it has wilted then place in a colander to drain. Lightly fry the bacon and onion. Cool, then place in the flan case with the spinach. Cover with the cheese. Beat together the eggs, milk and cream, and season with salt and pepper. Pour into the flan case and sprinkle with a couple of pinches of nutmeg.

Bake at 180C/gas mark 4 for 30-35 mins.

[b]Some more info about all this:[/b]
In December 2007 Trudie launched her own bespoke food brand, Lake House Organics, using ingredients from her Lake House farm and estate. The range is available at selected stockists including Selfridges Food Hall or through www.lakehouseorganics.co.uk.

The exact content of the hamper is:
1. Selfridges Premier Cru Champagne 75cl
2. Lakehouse Christmas Cake 1kg
3. Lakehouse Blackcurrant Jam 340g
4. Lakehouse Raspberry Jam 340g
5. Lakehouse Gooseberry Mint and Sage Jelly 113g
6. Lakehouse Beetroot Chutney 240g
7. Lakehouse Cassis 500ml
8. Lakehouse Chocolate Coin 75g
9. Lakehouse Beeswax Candles

In case you were also interested to get your hands on one, they are already sold out.

Partially based on article on WENN.com and the Independent.co.uk.