NEIGHBOR FOOD, a small grocery store in Motomachi, Kobe, opened in 2014 as a sister store of Jeroboam, a wine specialty store located diagonally across the street. It offers a wide variety of daily essentials perfect for pairing with wine. The store offers a wide selection of carefully crafted, high-quality foods, including organic vegetables, rice, cheese, ham, and sausages sourced from local farms in Japan; homemade side dishes like terrines, pickles, and smoked chicken that pair perfectly with wine; baked goods like bread, cookies, cakes, and muffins; olive oils, sauces, and spices sourced from small producers overseas; herb cordials, canned goods, and jams. We discovered a unique item at NEIGHBOR FOOD that makes a great gift for a home party or friends and family: the "NF Original Recipe Handmade Kit," an original ingredient kit that lets you easily make the cookies and cakes sold in the store at home. Among the many varieties available, including pancake mix, banana bread, and chocolate cake, this time we chose the "Oatmeal and Raisin American Cookies" and "Carrot Cake."

NEIGHBOR FOOD "NF Original Recipe Handmade Kit"
Left: Oatmeal and Raisin American Cookies (650 yen), Right: Carrot Cake (900 yen)


The "Carrot Cake," which can be made without eggs or dairy products, comes in a kit that includes carrot cake mix made from a blend of domestic wheat flour, whole wheat flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking powder, baking soda, and salt, as well as brown sugar, vegetable oil, walnuts, and raisins. Add some carrots (if you can get organic ones, it's recommended to use the skin on), soy milk or 100% apple juice, and the tools you need, then follow the recipe and get started! (Detailed instructions with photos are available on the official website!)

Contents of the Carrot Cake Kit (900 yen)

Carrot cake, with its subtly sweet flavor, is perfect for breakfast and pairs well with coffee. The oatmeal and raisin cookies have an addictive, rough, rugged texture, and can be customized with chocolate chips or nuts. This is a unique and recommended gift that also adds to the fun of making and enjoying it together.