skippy2020's review against another edition
4.0
I first discovered the gorgeous Nigella Lawson, when she wrote a food column in Vogue magazine, in the early nineties, and I have loved her food writing ever since. Her cookbooks are always more about the writing than anything else for me, and this one doesn't disappoint on that front. I always find her writing inspiring, making me want to rush into the kitchen and create.
But I find the joy of any cook book is a sum of the combination of writing, recipes, and design for me - and in this, I found the photography is a little lackluster. But the recipes are accessible, and her writing shines through. Not her best, (it's no "How to Eat" or "Nigella Bites") but still a great read, and book that is endlessly useable in it's simplicity.
But I find the joy of any cook book is a sum of the combination of writing, recipes, and design for me - and in this, I found the photography is a little lackluster. But the recipes are accessible, and her writing shines through. Not her best, (it's no "How to Eat" or "Nigella Bites") but still a great read, and book that is endlessly useable in it's simplicity.
jlevans's review against another edition
5.0
For more reviews, check out: http://jamiewritesthings.blogspot.com
Quite simply, my favourite cookbook.
Why? Well, as a lover of cooking and eating myself, there isn't really anyone who comes close to Nigella when I need to experience, through word or television, the passion, the excitement emulated, in waves, like (mind the shameless simile, please) an eagerly opened hot oven. This book has it all.
It drips with the humour, the sass and the intelligence we've all come to associate with the Domestic Goddess. But, where this book differs, is that like the pale, white and pink nursery innocence of the cover, it's fresh. It feels new. The recipes aren't rehashes. They're genuine, well thought out forages into novel and exciting ways of cooking. And I'm not talking about turning your kitchen into a gastro-pub: this is Nigella, after all, who makes no excuses for being lazy (which I am forever thankful for). I'm talking about zingy takes on traditional fare. Fancy some cookies? Why not try a spoon-ready, cookie dough ramekin, fresh from the oven, all gooey and chewy?
Not only are the recipes new, though. Nigella herself; her writing, the insights into her personal life, all seem revamped. It's as if we're having a stove-side natter with the cook, and she's telling us how she's finally, finally found her place in life. Her new home, her family, her friends. Her new kitchen is referenced a few times throughout, and I do truly believe that cooking and eating helped her through her darkest times. And she shares this with us, her eager readers. It is a beautiful pleasure to behold.
If you're not into food or cooking then I assume you probably won't want to read this, but I assure you, you should. I read every Nigella book from cover to cover not just because of her recipes, but because they are genuinely good reads that let us snuggle in closer to her with every subsequent publication. I'm vaguely remembering something Nigella once said, something about never needing to write an autobiography, because her cookbooks serve the same purpose. This is true. So, so true.
5 stars, of course.
Quite simply, my favourite cookbook.
Why? Well, as a lover of cooking and eating myself, there isn't really anyone who comes close to Nigella when I need to experience, through word or television, the passion, the excitement emulated, in waves, like (mind the shameless simile, please) an eagerly opened hot oven. This book has it all.
It drips with the humour, the sass and the intelligence we've all come to associate with the Domestic Goddess. But, where this book differs, is that like the pale, white and pink nursery innocence of the cover, it's fresh. It feels new. The recipes aren't rehashes. They're genuine, well thought out forages into novel and exciting ways of cooking. And I'm not talking about turning your kitchen into a gastro-pub: this is Nigella, after all, who makes no excuses for being lazy (which I am forever thankful for). I'm talking about zingy takes on traditional fare. Fancy some cookies? Why not try a spoon-ready, cookie dough ramekin, fresh from the oven, all gooey and chewy?
Not only are the recipes new, though. Nigella herself; her writing, the insights into her personal life, all seem revamped. It's as if we're having a stove-side natter with the cook, and she's telling us how she's finally, finally found her place in life. Her new home, her family, her friends. Her new kitchen is referenced a few times throughout, and I do truly believe that cooking and eating helped her through her darkest times. And she shares this with us, her eager readers. It is a beautiful pleasure to behold.
If you're not into food or cooking then I assume you probably won't want to read this, but I assure you, you should. I read every Nigella book from cover to cover not just because of her recipes, but because they are genuinely good reads that let us snuggle in closer to her with every subsequent publication. I'm vaguely remembering something Nigella once said, something about never needing to write an autobiography, because her cookbooks serve the same purpose. This is true. So, so true.
5 stars, of course.
ejdecoster's review against another edition
3.0
I've enjoyed many of the Nigella recipes I've tried, but the flavor combinations almost always have me initially suspicious. Sometimes I wait for a bolder friend to try out recipes and tell me which ones are worth it.
clarab12's review against another edition
5.0
When I first got this book I just wasn't sure about it and I'll admit i left it on my shelf for quite some time. In the past month however I decided to test out some of the recipes and holy moly i'm in love!
So far I have made
lemon meringue pavlova
sweet potato mac n cheese
the Caesar salad
Spiced Lamb stew with goats cheese cobbler (so so good!)
Cookie dough pots
Salmon Avocado watercress and pumpkin seed salad
Crunchy Chicken Cutlets
and
The cider and 5 spice bundt
These were all very very good, I would recommend the Lemon meringue pavlova and the lamb stew to everyone!
Now i'm just left wondering what I should try next!
So far I have made
lemon meringue pavlova
sweet potato mac n cheese
the Caesar salad
Spiced Lamb stew with goats cheese cobbler (so so good!)
Cookie dough pots
Salmon Avocado watercress and pumpkin seed salad
Crunchy Chicken Cutlets
and
The cider and 5 spice bundt
These were all very very good, I would recommend the Lemon meringue pavlova and the lamb stew to everyone!
Now i'm just left wondering what I should try next!
hannahmayreads's review against another edition
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
5.0
Before I begin I must confess I will always be a Nigella fan, even after discovering at a recent talk she gave that we disagree on the proper way to eat a scone (jam first obviously), so there is little chance of me disliking this book though it is not my favourite of hers.
There are some real standouts - the lemon pav is perfect, the sweet potato mac and cheese a real crowd-pleaser, make-ahead mash has me intrigued and I'm impatiently waiting for the cold weather to make the spiced lamb stew with goats cheese and thyme cobbler topping and the Indian spiced shepherd's pie. The section with quick pickles is excellent, and I too understand the strange need to pickle - I think it plays on my inner preservation instincts. There are many more recipes to discover, and I know many of them will become favourites I return to over and over again.
In true Nigella style, the writing is almost poetic and will have you salivating. As always, I recommend you read this book and not just cook from it. It's half the beauty of it really. You can tell that this book comes from a different place - her children are older and so the recipes are more adult, with greater emphasis on recipes to entertain, and interestingly, more recipes to eat alone. This is no health food book, but it does feel fresher and brighter. Even the photography is light and bright.
There are some real standouts - the lemon pav is perfect, the sweet potato mac and cheese a real crowd-pleaser, make-ahead mash has me intrigued and I'm impatiently waiting for the cold weather to make the spiced lamb stew with goats cheese and thyme cobbler topping and the Indian spiced shepherd's pie. The section with quick pickles is excellent, and I too understand the strange need to pickle - I think it plays on my inner preservation instincts. There are many more recipes to discover, and I know many of them will become favourites I return to over and over again.
In true Nigella style, the writing is almost poetic and will have you salivating. As always, I recommend you read this book and not just cook from it. It's half the beauty of it really. You can tell that this book comes from a different place - her children are older and so the recipes are more adult, with greater emphasis on recipes to entertain, and interestingly, more recipes to eat alone. This is no health food book, but it does feel fresher and brighter. Even the photography is light and bright.
graceyu's review
4.0
Like the recipes, but especially love Nigella’s notes and techniques. My only quibble with this cookbook is many of the recipes require ingredients that I wouldn’t typically have in my kitchen, so they’re less approachable.
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