I confess, I’m not the best when it comes to feeding myself on the daily. As someone who has not had the greatest relationship with food, it has taken a lot of active brain rewiring to show up for myself and cook nourishing meals, day in and day out. But after a lifetime of grappling with diets and restrictions, I have finally reached the point in life where I am realising that variety is what is needed to have better meals, not scarcity. The biggest step towards making this practice a reality in my life, has been to seek out all the ways in which I could add flavour and variety to my meals with the least amount of effort. While I would love to say that I have the skills or patience to make my own chilli oil or to recreate healthy pastas recipes I have seen online, the reality is anything but.
What has helped, is discovering quite a few homegrown brands that are making delectable condiments that can add and/or elevate even the most basic dishes. From amping up a cheese and vegetables sandwich with a hint of ghost chilli honey to tossing all the leftover vegetables at home with rice noodles and creating a simple sauce of bean infused chilli oil and unsweetened peanut butter - I have found ways to hack my way into eating better. In my pursuit of finding even more variety when it comes to condiments that will make cooking for myself easier, I recently discovered the homegrown brand Small Batch Co.
The gourmet condiments brand is redefining the way home cooking is approached, and promises to simplify creating gourmet dishes from the comfort of our own kitchen. The brand shares on their website how they are rooted in the philosophy of meticulous craftsmanship, emphasising quality and flavour above mass production. By creating sauces in small quantities, they are prioritising the artisanal approach, delivering condiments that elevate ordinary meals into flavour-filled experiences.
At the heart of Small Batch Co. lies their commitment to the 'Culinary Art of Fuss.' According to the website, this philosophy is what drives their process, by ensuring that every sauce is made with utmost precision, care, and a deep understanding of ingredients. From selecting premium produce to the manual production of each batch, their in-house chefs work diligently to ensure a flawless result.
The brand offers three distinct lines, each catering to different culinary needs. The Signature Batch features blends like the Citrus Zest Pepper Butter and Roasted Ghost Chilli Honey, perfect for those looking to add depth and complexity to their dishes. These sauces combine everyday ingredients with refined flavours, making them versatile enough for cooking, and even dipping.
Their J-Batch of products is a unique line specifically crafted for Jain consumers, a rather rare but thoughtful addition in the world of gourmet sauces. All sauces in this collection, such as the Three Chillies Picante Schezwan Sauce and Umami Thai Chilli Basil Sauce, follow the Jain food philosophy, avoiding root vegetables while delivering rich, flavourful profiles. For those who love spice and heat, their Red Hot Batch is a great bet; featuring their spiciest sauces this line is not for the weak. From Bean Infused Crispy Chilli Oil to Red Hot Three Chillies Picante Schezwan Sauce, this range promises intense heat combined with carefully curated flavours, ideal for those who like their food with a fiery kick.
The brand’s latest release, the Smoked Pineapple Thai Chilli Sauce, is a great exemplifier of how they find new avenues to push the limits of what pre-made condiments and flavours can be. Blending the sweet tang of fresh pineapple with the heat of red chillies and the freshness of lemongrass, this sauce is a bold statement of how gourmet condiments can completely transform a meal.
While Small Batch Co. has a whole host of Asian-inspired sauces that can lend itself to Chindian dishes and even simple sandwiches, the brand goes well beyond that, offering a global repertoire of gourmet condiments. The aforementioned Citrus Zest Pepper Butter offers Mediterranean flavours, blending creamy butter with fresh lemon and black pepper for a Tuscan-inspired indulgence. While their Verde Chilli Olio Italiano is a fusion of traditional Italian flavours and fiery green chillies. Made with handpicked chillies and extra virgin olive oil, this condiment can add a bold, herb-y twist to any dish, from pasta to grilled meats.
Whether I’m going to whip-up a quick pad-thai with their Slow Roasted Peanut Pad Thai Sauce instead of ordering in, or make a Roasted Ghost Chilli Honey and Halloumi Starter the next time I have friends over, the Small Batch Co.is a brand that just might find a rightful spot on my shelf, as someone who is actively looking to elevate my home-cooked meals to gourmet status in a jiffy.
Follow the brand here.
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