Cookery Book Club January - Two Hungry Italians and Nigel Slaters Eat/Jamie's Great Britain

[Pantah630]

Happy New Year everyone, sorry this is a bit late. We picked Two Hungry Italians, Nigel's Eat (as lots got it for Christmas) and/or Jamie's Great Britain for this month.

I have the Italians on order and will look in the library for either of the other two or check out Jamie's website.

We're running short of ideas for future months if anyone has any suggestions. We have The Jewelled Kitchen earmarked for warmer months. I bought Tom Kerridge on Kindle so am keen to do that one soon.

[pregnantpause]

Thanks pantah. Didn't mean to nag early on a lot of suggestions were in for a Claudia roden book- I held off on buying one because I didn't want to get the wrong one so perhaps that's an option. Tom kerridge is likely to be in libraries too, and though I haven't read it, perhaps would be nice as our last winter book in February, as I feel he might have a few hearty recipes suited to cold.

[glorious]

Thanks pantah . Yes please to Claudia Roden. Always looks great.

Need to get my my books for this month.

[ScienceRocks]

Thanks Pantah.i only have nigel slater this month, but that's just fine

Paul Hollywood might be a good bet for winter months. Felicity cloake has been mentioned previously, as has Gordon. Have we done Mary Berry yet? Might be fun to test Jamie's 15 minute claims too

[LeonardoAcropolis]

Jamie's 15 minute meals might be fun to do, I have cooked many meals from that book. They take a lot longer than 15 minutes though

I have just bought the new Great British Bake Off's winter book. Superb, does anyone else have it?

I am eagerly anticipating the new Hairy Bikers Asia book, out later this month. One for the summer perhaps?

[ELR]

Thanks marking place. Claudia Roden looks good, I have to say though after Jerusalem nothing really compares in my view!!
Bit old school but I really like Sophie grigson and also what about Rachel Allen?

[madamecake]

Thanks Pantah. Another yes to Claudia Roden here, and to 15 minute meals.

Have we done a French cookbook yet? Have a copy of Elizabeth David's French provincial cooking but not used it yet.

[pregnantpause]

Oooh, the book people have the jewelled kitchen for a fiver! And Rachel allens everyday, both of which I've bought so am happy to cover in later months
What Claudia roden book does everyone recommend? There are so many, and I'm leaning toward arabesque, but is that area covered with Jerusalem and jewelled kitchen?

[pregnantpause]

I made the lentil Bolognese from eat this afternoon. I added bacon, not through a desperation for meat but because it was gone off and I won't waste. It was very nice, though slightly dry, I would add a dash of white wine next time. My family loved it, including the children (3 and 5) which means I can definitely see me making it again sometime.

For lunch I also had the steak and buttered greens sandwich from eat, which is hardly a recipe, but certainly a very good idea, it was delicious.

[Cantdothisagain]

I've got Rachel Allen's book too Pregnant! And I also bought the Jewelled Kitchen from the Book People.

I would love to do a French book too. Have got a few but would happily buy another.

Heads up for anyone with a Kindle fire - the Medicinal Chef is v cheap on Kindle on Amazon (£1.09?) and it looks fab, accessible ingredients and healthy (don't necessarily subscribe to the specific health parts but agree that eating well is good for overall well being).

[pregnantpause]

The French brasserie is the only French cookbook I have, it's a very nice book, though I haven't used it yet (notices large gap in collection) I might have to expand in that area.

It also looks like I'll be buying fifteen minute meals for Feb

[Nolda]

I'm not keen on Jamie 15 mins after the 30 min fiasco in this house but don't let me stop you guys. I have bought Jewelled Kitchen on Kindle, it looks amazing. My purchase of both Greedy Italians has arrived and I can see lots of things I want to make.

[LeonardoAcropolis]

I've also bought the kindle Jewelled Kitchen, looks superb so looking forward to that one.

French books, I have Raymond Blanc kitchen secrets, Goose Fat and Garlic and Rick Steins French Odyssey. I haven't done much at all from those.

I have 2 Greedy Italians, the first one and will retrieve my JO GB from my parents, I donated it to them as I couldn't get along with it. Hopefully I shall be inspired this month!

[Cantdothisagain]

From Jamie's GB, do do do try the epic roast chicken salad. It isn't seasonally appropriate really but it's absolutely delicious.
I've not tried much else from there so will need to have a look in it again but that salad is a Jamie Classic IMO.

[pregnantpause]

Ooh, cantdo- I've planned the epic salad for mondays packed lunch, I will look forward to it.

I've made the pea and ham soup from jo gb- I can't remember it but have written it the margin-, absolutely delicious- keeps well and easy to scale down. Might try it again (and try not to forget it this time )

[Nolda]

Tonight we are having pollo casalingo al vino bianco from Two Greedy Italians. It's nearly ready. I'll report back with the scores on the doors ...

[pregnantpause]

Over the weekend I've made Nigels pinto beans and tortilla, which was nice, and fun as described, but greatly benefited from an added chilli and thyme, and can't have been healthy with 400g chorizo. Perhaps if I had used a hot chorizo it wouldn't have needed the chilli, but the DC (well the one that would eat it) enjoyed it and it was easier for dh and I to add chilli at the end. It definitely had the benefit of an easy meal to it.

Today I made nigels sausage, brussel sprouts and potatoes, which was a delicious bubble and squeak. Nothing fancy, just good winter fayre, and easy to cook. An apparent run on chicken breasts locally has meant the artichoke soup has to wait unfortunately.

[Pantah630]

Still awaiting the Two Hungry Italians so've not been able to join in yet. I did cook the katsu curry from HB for lunch at DS2s request. It went down a treat, clean plates all round. Has anyone tried baking the chicken rather than frying? I didn't like all the oil used so would like an alternative way of cooking or they won't be getting it very often!

[Pantah630]

A quick google and I found some of Jamie's Great Britain recipes online. I think I may make the welsh cakes as a treat for my Nanna and Great Uncle tomorrow. :)

[pregnantpause]

pantah- in the book he says he got the recipe from ponty market- if it's true (and I've no reason to believe otherwise as the photo is indeed ponty) then they'll be lovely. I would try making them, but they're ten for a pound in the market- I couldn't make them that cheap myself!

[Pantah630]

Will definitely try with that recommendation, we are many miles from Wales so you can only get in some supermarkets here.

[Nolda]

Well the chicken only got a 6/10 from DH I'm afraid. Nothing wrong with it in my opinion but nothing special (but they didn't claim it was to be fair). With DH's score it won't be made again. Yesterday we had a smoked trout and dill pasta dish from the other Greedy Italians book which was a big hit.

[glorious]

Ooh thanks pantah , think I'll try the crumpies.

[Pantah630]

Making the welsh cakes now, will be back to let you know how they go down with my Welsh relatives later. Very easy to make btw.

[glorious]

mmm I love Welsh cakes but have never made them so would be interested to know.

[Pantah630]

They went down well, my Nan is 94 and polished off 5 within minutes despite not being able to set all her dinner . I left them with about 20 and gave some to an elderly lady I used to clean for and still pop in once a week. I fancy a go at the crumpets now.

When I got home found The Two Greedy Italians has arrived, will have a browse in a bit.