East London Food & Culture

A Beginner’s Guide to…Lazy Gourmand Sunday lunch DIY kits

Walthamstow chef Glyn Bell has devised a laidback weekend lunch service with the work done for you

What exactly is it? Walthamstow-based Head Chef Glyn Bell set up Lazy Gourmand with a small government start-up loan, unable find work as a chef anymore due to Covid. With ten years’ kitchen experience, he was “always frustrated by delivered food not being the same quality as you’d get in a restaurant.” His easygoing gourmet meals are delivered pre-prepared to be finished in 10-15 mins, with detailed instructions, in recyclable packaging.

Lazy Gourmand
Easy and well-packaged. Photos: SE

What’s the menu? It’s Sunday lunch – roasts and vegetarian equivalents – with a decent fish alternative, as well as starters and puds. It’s far easier to assemble the plates than some DIY kits we’ve tried, which means it’s a genuinely relaxing, glass-of-wine-in-hand affair. The artichoke tart starter (below) is only slightly delicate to build: a satisfyingly earthy combo of rich puree and light pastry, it’s finished with a tangle of courgettes, tomatoes, toasted hazelnuts, and drizzled with herb vinaigrette. Meanwhile the chicken liver pate, scooped up with sourdough, is densely moreish, topped with port jelly, and a little orange and plum chutney.

Lazy Gourmand
Delicate and pretty: artichoke tart starter. Photo: SE

The mains? The salmon (below) is the only item we must pan-fry from scratch, and a watercress potato cake, seasoned nicely by capers, needs to be browned on the hob and reheated in the oven. Fire and cream comes from a horseradish and dill sauce, with julienne beetroot salad for crunch. The beef main, meanwhile (see featured pic, top), is a dead simple reheat-in-the-oven job – just be careful not to overdo the pink rump, pre-cooked perfectly. Lovely veg: garlic and rosemary roast potatoes, honey roast parsnips, buttered carrots with thyme, spring greens with lyonnaise onions, horseradish crème fraîche, and boat-size Yorkshire pudding. A nicely smooth gravy, with real body, finishes the plate off.

Lazy Gourmand
Salmon with horseradish. Photo: SE

Desserts? Of the two, the lemon posset, with its sugared peel and zest, is arguably the most mouthwatering, accompanied by a crisp sugary shortbread; while the chocolate and walnut brownie oozes comfort with its salted caramel sauce and clotted cream. Take a stroll afterwards.

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What’s the verdict? This comes in at between £25-30 a head for three courses, cheaper than many of its contemporaries – and totally memorable. Ours is a wonderful leisurely afternoon, sharing each of the six plates over wine. And maybe some more wine. And then that walk.

Lazy Gourmand
Hike this beauty off afterwards. Photo: SE

Anything else we should know? It’s Sundays only. Order by 12pm Saturday for collection or delivery between 11am-1pm Sunday. They deliver to all E (so yes, E11, E10, E17, E15 etc), as well as N and NW postcodes (including, for Kentishtowner readers, NW5, NW1, N7 etc).

More info, prices (three courses from £25, mains from £13) and menus at Lazy Gourmand here.

We ate as guests of Lazy Gourmand. Photos: Stephen Emms

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