Nigella Christmas

[Pinkjenny]

Far be it for me to criticize the Domestic Goddess, I am a huge fan, but I feel a bit cheated by Nigella Christmas. All the recipies have a certain sense of deja vu, I feel like most of them have already appeared in other books, especially in Feast.

I'm at work though and don't have any of her others with me, maybe I am mistaken.

[Pinkjenny]

I should have known better.

Nigella, I stand corrected and will never knowingly criticize you again.

[MrsMuddle]

Yes, I agree. I looked at it in Waterstone's the other day, and I had a huge sense of deja vu. I have most of her other books (OK, then all of her other books!) and apart from the home-made foodie presents, I think I've seen most of the recipes before.

[Pinkjenny]

I'm tempted to return it. Can you return books to Tesco? Maybe I'll get Jamie's Ministry of Food instead. But I always find he uses so many ingredients.

[midnightexpress]

The fact that all of her books seem to have a section on Christmas should have been a warning to you PJ.

I am a huge fan normally too, but she does seem to have gone off a bit lately. Not convinced by the Nigella Express series at all. Almost like a self-parody.

[Pinkjenny]

I agree midnightexpress, I probably wouldn't have noticed but for the fact that I was idly flicking through Feast on Monday.

I thought she had come up with something new. Express was OK imo, but waaaaay too many ingredients to make it remotely quick or easy. I am a lazy cook. I don't want to spent £50 on ingredients for one meal.

Although the caramel croissant pudding is goo-ood.

[hannahsaunt]

Express is one of my most used books - it's fab. Don't own Feast. Does that make Christmas a go-er and spare my family from another Delia Christmas?

[SexyDomesticatedDad]

I do own all her books along with about 100 other cookery books . Had a flick thorough the Xmas book but I'm sure DW would ask why I'd bought more 'gastro porn' - she doesn't complain when i turn out good food though . Can I resist that one - I saw it in Sainsbugs for £14 I think. Delia Xmas is good and Feast has a very good Xmas section.

Express is pretty good - I don't think you need to spend £50 on any meal though - but has a few short cuts that work out. The flan works well - esp. if you use coconut milk instaed of evaporated [yummm]

[janeite]

I thought it looked like lots of re-hashed recipes, so probably won't bother with it, although it does look pretty, pretty!

I haven't made anything out of "Express" yet, apart from Blackberry crisp, which is gorgeous; we tend to use raspberries or cherries rather than blackberries though (just bung a bag of frozen in a dish and let them sit for a bit before topping).

[janeite]

Any more opinions on this?

[pointygravedogger]

Nigella is a very mediocre cook. It's all teh same old stuff with a glossy finish.

Rubbish.

[jujumaman]

I just made a Nigella sweet potato and squash soup that I think comes from "Christmas" (found the recipe online)

It was disgusting, it tasted - there's no other way to describe it, like vomit. I'm usually quite a good cook and have made lots of tasty Nigella things in the past, so I don't think I ballsed it up.

If anyone can tell me I must have done and their version is delicious I'd be interested to hear. God, it was nasty, am blenching just thinking about it. Dh thought I'd lost it once and for all

[pointygravedogger]

she cobbles together any old slightly wacky stuff. She's all front.

[jimmyjammys]

i've have a copy of express ordered! hope it turns out to be ok. How to Eat is my fave cookery book of all time. For christmas, I would recommend Tamsin Day Lewis - she has a great section on Christmas in her book inc different puddings, all manner of roasts and what to do with leftovers. You def won't need a separate christmas book.

[SexyDomesticatedDad]

Regularly make a sweet potato / squash soup (not following any recipe though) - its one of our boys fav soups!

I must like her front more than most as just ordered it for £10 via book people - it was on show at the playgroup. So this way I aslo help playgroup funds!

[jujumaman]

sdd

Can you give me a rough idea of how you make it? Want to work out how I made such a calamity. Thanks

[ADragonIs4LifeNotJustHalloween]

I have to recommend the "non conformist christmas pudding" from Feast. It is utterly fantastic (although halve the ingredients unless you have 12 adults for dinner).

[ADragonIs4LifeNotJustHalloween]

"I must like her front more than most" [snurk]

[Pinkjenny]

I can't quite bring myself to return it. Just having all her books in the house makes me feel very virtous and domestic goddess, satin dressing gown wearing-like.

Or something.

[SexyDomesticatedDad]

Approximate recipe - peel and roughly chop 1 - 2 onions (depending on how big they are). Pour a couple of good lugs of oil into pan (I tend to always use olive oil - a 'basic' version for cooking) and then add onion. Cook on moderate heat for about 10 mins until soft but not browned. At this pointyou can also chop up some chilli and pop in if you want a bit of heat. Peel and chop the sweet potato - depends on size but would do maybe one large / 2 medium, also chop up the squash (squash needs to be peeled). The BS & the SP use about the same weight or so. Put them into the pan with the onions and give them a bit of a blasting on the heat so the edges just start to tinge a bit (not burnt!). Then cover with stock (usually use stock made from chicken carcass) OR plan water is fine. Bring to boil and simmer for about 20 - 30 mins. Then blitz with a hand blender. Tend to season at the end - usually lots of fresh ground pepper, salt and usually a small tsp of ground cumin. Once season cook on for a bit longer. If the mix is quite thick dilute back down with milk or milk / water mix but DON'T boil up after you've added that (even if you reheat it).

This general soup guide works for many things - leeks & potato / OR broccoli (use left over stalks!)& potato. Key is to get the flavour in at the start by sweating veg off correctly.

[jujumaman]

ah, thank you sdd

Nigella's recipe involved cinnamon and nutmeg, I suspect it made it so revoltingly sweet, also she said dont' peel the sweet pot and squash which made it lumpy in places.

Will try yours and see if you live up to your - domesticated - billing!

[SexyDomesticatedDad]

I think you need to add more 'earthy' flavours hence a bit of chilli and the cumin and / or coriander is a good tip. Plently of seasoning too.