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 Jamie 'gets his hands dirty in the garden', and produces another fine cookbook September 6, 2007
Amazon Reviewer
409 out of 436 found this review helpful
Not particularly renowned for their 'leap off the shelf' type covers, the Jamie Oliver cookery books have seemed a little uninspiring, and, to some extent, this one follows suit in an off-white colour background with a centred photo of Jamie in his garden.
However it is what is between the covers that counts!
Generally speaking, as the `celebrity chefs' seem to spin out one book out after another, it is easy to wonder what on earth can possibly be different about the latest offering?
But, as defined in the Amazon text, from the back cover - this book is indeed `no-nonsense, simple cooking with great flavours all year around', based on the produce from Jamie's garden......Over 100 new recipes, plus some basic planting information and tips if you fancy having a go at getting your hands dirty as well!'
Written to coincide with his latest TV programme series, the text is the typical Jamie Oliver banter that has made him so
famous, e.g.
from `Winter Veg':-
`I've obviously reached the age where I've started to sound like my old man.....Now, when a good day gets rained off, and the cold weather kicks in, I always think, `Well, the garden's going to love it.'
And I've learnt that if you plan ahead and plant an assortment of winter veg in the summer you can reap the rewards from your garden every day of the year.....'
and
`Bubble and Squeak with Sausages and Onion Gravy
Bubble and Squeak is a classic British dish of smashed-up winter veg traditionally made from the Sunday roast leftovers. Use about 60 per cent potato to get the right consistency, then whatever veg you like - carrots, Brussels, swedes, turnips, onions, leeks or Savoy cabbage.'
Dedicated to Steve Irwin, 1962 - 2006, alongside a suitably pensive garden shot of Jamie, this weighty tome has 407 high quality matt pages, split over seasonal chapters:-
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter
with `A nice little chat' opening the book and ending with `Useful Stuff' and Jamie's `Thanks', as always - just before a full index, enhanced by V = `Vegetarian Meal' referencing and bold for illustrated dishes, which are plentiful.
On-location shots are littered throughout.
Each chapter opens with a seasonal, double page spread showing with the associated main ingredients, followed by introductory text.
Each recipe has relevant opening text, the number of servings, the list of ingredients and clear directions.
The book also includes advice on how to grow the JO way and harvest the selected ingredients, along with sections dedicated to other relevant areas, some a little more sensitive than others, such as:-
`The Shock of Battery Farming'
`What I have Learned about Shooting'
Other information section examples include the definition of `The Different Cuts of Lamb', `Types of Hen Eggs` and `How to Barbecue'.
A very small taste of the typically JO-defined recipe titles contained within:-
Eggy Breakfast Crumpets
Incredible Roasted Shoulder of Lamb with Smashed Veg and Greens
Really Very Delicious and Simple Lamb Tartare
Rhubarb and Custard Kinda Souffle
Best Barbecued Meat and Homemade Barbecue Sauce
English Onion Soup with Sage and Cheddar
Pizza Bomba
The Quickest Tomato Sauce
Creamy Rice Pudding with the Quickest Strawberry Jam
Proper Chicken Caesar Salad
The Mothership Tomato Salad
Roast of Incredible Game Birds with Proper Polenta
E. F. R
Wild Mushroom and Venison Stroganoff for two lucky people
Homemade Tomato Ketchup
Cheeky Chilli-pepper Chutney
Welsh Rarebit with Attitude
Superb Squash Soup with the best Parmesan croutons
Winter Crunch Salad with a mind-blowing sauce
A great buy, and good fun. March 25, 2008
S. Welch (Somerset, UK)
22 out of 25 found this review helpful
I bought this book as I had been watching the TV series. The recipes are great and very easy and if you don't have any of the ingredients, I have missed a few things out and it still tasted great. The book itself is a lovely thing to have too, great graphics and Jamie has written about all of the veg he grows too, which has encouraged me to start my own patch. And that is quite something as I am not good as growing things!! He's made it really easy to understand and not too off putting!. A great book.
From a vegetarian's point of view. January 13, 2008
G. Colman (North wales)
50 out of 60 found this review helpful
As a vegetarian im always cautious of buying cook books, but this book supplies veggie recipies a-plenty, and most of the recipes that aren't can be made so by just taking out or replacing the meat element. I like that Jamie is not a cook that only considers a meal a meal when it has meat in it.
Made one of the recipies tonight, and it was delicious!
All in all an aesthetically beautiful book (the photography is combined with cute illistations which are endearing) and the writing is easy to follow and completely free of pretention. Recommended.
Honest to goodness cooking January 12, 2008
Paul Everdark (UK)
18 out of 21 found this review helpful
I was a real sceptic to cookbooks a few months ago. 'It's alright for these celebrity chefs', I would say, 'It's their job to cook up gastronomic epics. We just don't have the time or money for it.'
However, I've admired Jamie Oliver ever since the infamous school dinners campaign, and I thought that I'd give this book and a few recipes a try, if only to confirm my cynical attitude.
Well, I'm converted. Contrary to my previous belief, it's all about proper, honest home cooking with foodstuffs that are readily accessible (from supermarkets and farmers markets), and the recipes are realistic and well explainedin Jamie's endearing matey, lad-round-the-corner tone. Hardly pretentious like I first thought.
And, the incredible thing is; they work! Honestly, you'd think that it'd be of a 'maybe I'll get it right next time' affair, but it isn't. If you follow the instructions, you'll end up surprisingly close to the glossy photos you see in the books. And, of course, the end result is delicious.
As I said, I'm converted, and I feel genuinely enthusiastic about what I eat now. It really doesn't take up as much time or money as you think (perhaps even less when you get into the swing of things), and this will be a New Year resolution that I will eagerly stick to. And I have Jamie and this book to thank for it. Fantastic.
Oh, and I will never have my tomatoes any other way again.
Absolutely Fantastic January 24, 2008
Bzuca (Portugal)
13 out of 15 found this review helpful
I own everyone of his books, and honestly I wasn't going to buy this one. Not that I wasn't pleased with the previous ones, but I looked at it and though it must be just another version of the previous books. He just keeps getting them out every year, always a new book, it got to a point where it must be just marketing... browsing through the food section on a bookstore the other day I picked up a few books and was amazed on how dull these books looked, and picked up this book just to show a friend how different things could be - didin't know what was inside, but was familiar with the style.
It blew us both away. She was seeing it for the first time and marveled at the texts, the page layout, the colours, the photos, the food. I was seeing it once again, but it always seems to surprisee even further. Nice tips about little details, great recipes, but as always such an honest book. I don't know the guy or exactly how he is in real life, but he comes through as a real nice character, full of joy, life, passion for food, good honest food.
You wont regret it, great book. I'm glad I looked at it, it's another valueable addition to my collection.
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