What would be in your Basket of Dreams?

Each time Dylan goes out on a new adventure, his guests always go off with a wicker basket packed with goodies for their trip.  Back in September, a family of 3 hired Dylan for a few days and so, as always, I gathered together some treats for them.

Now, I say “basket” but in fact, there are also some bits in the fridge and a box of homemade cakes.  In fact, a break with Dylan could almost be classed as B&B-on-the-go.  “So what do we get?” I hear you shout… Well the basket has fresh croissants and fresh bread or rolls, some miniature jams, half a dozen free range local eggs, a bottle of wine, a couple of juice cartons and the aforementioned cake.  The cakes themselves have become something of a talking point, with sweet delights from chocolate fudge cake decorated with Smarties (red ones only!) for a birthday cake, marble cake, lemon curd muffins and for one couple who weren’t really “cake” people, a special request was made for macaroons. Fortunately a book on making these almond flavoured treats had been among my birthday presents so this was the perfect opportunity to try my hand at this particular recipe.  To my relief, the verdict came back quoting them as “Mary’s mouthwatering marvellous macaroons” so I guess they were ok!

Anyway, I digress, back to my family of three… it was a lovely couple and their 9 year old son who had travelled down from the Midlands to take Dylan down to the coast.  An extra treat always packed into Dylan is his goodie bag. This is an indulgence of mine of some Black Jacks, Fruit Salads, Refreshers, Drumsticks, Fizzers, Flying Saucers, Space Dust (yes, remember that stuff…!), Pink Shrimps, Gobstoppers and other such retro sweets.  I call it an indulgence because these all take me back to the Tuck Shop and Corner Shop of my childhood and 1p sweets and flavours and smells that always make me smile.

Fresh local sausages and bacon are in the fridge keeping cool for breakfast as well as local butter and milk.  I try to source as much as I can from local farm shops rather than the big shops and can spend hours browsing around places like my local one http://www.overfarmmarket.co.uk/.  The Tea, Coffee and Sugar jars are all topped up and refreshed each time Dylan goes off and the salt and pepper cellar is replenished. Then in a paper bag is a selection of sachets of mayonnaise, ketchup, vinegar and the like.

Yes yes, but where does the title come from?? Well, the 9 year old lad returned in Dylan after his few days away with his Mum and Dad and he had named my wicker basket….”The Basket of Dreams” – who am I to say any different.

This though is where I need your help… What would you add? Or take away for that matter? I try to ensure that I know if my hirers are vegetarians as naturally would not want to offend, but is there anything missing? Would you prefer a bottle of ketchup to sachets? Should I do packets of biscuits rather than homemade cookies or cakes?   Look forward to hearing from you!