Jamie's 30 minute dinners..

[anonymousbrainsnatcher]

Sorry if we've already done this, but is it worth a watch? Have all last week on sky plus to watch at a "convenient moment" (whenever that is!) and just wondered what people thought?

Thanks.

Oh yes actually my filling was very thick, it ended up being a tall, round, thick pie: so that may be it...

Just made the chicken pie - used tarragon instead of thyme because I think it goes better, and omitted the nutmeg. It was nice - well DH and I liked it, the DC were a bit meh. They liked the veg tho.

Feta filo pie worked perfectly for me, with timings exactly as he said (I mean the timing of the cooking; I wasn't able to assemble it at Jamie speed, but admittedly I didn't really try to). It was lovely :)

I had also watched the episode and I think the pan he used was very like the one I have; certainly looked the same size. Maybe that's key.

Ooh that is interesting, the chicken pie recipe is in this month's Sainsbury's magazine and I thought it looked good.

I make macaroni cheese with cauliflower anyway so will skip that one I think.

I have only caught a few moments of the program here and there, and I was a bit to hear him describing a huge plate groaning with fresh berries as a 'cheap' dessert. There was easily £10 of fruit there - which isn't my idea of an economy meal!!

I am generally a Jamie fan though, a lot of my routine recipes are his.

I don't think economy is really much of a consideration in these meals, alibabaa!

Some of them have been really expensive - e.g. the roast dinner using a whole fillet of beef, or the one which was on tonight - 4 x racks of lamb.

But they don't all use expensive ingredients - the piri piri chicken used chicken thighs, which aren't that expensive.

I made the chicken pie tonight and DH and I both thought it was really yummy! I made it dashing between the hob and the lappy, watching the programme on 4OD, so it certainly took more than 30 mins. NB: I put an extra heaped teaspoon of flour in, ignoring the bit where he says to trust the flour to thicken up the runny sauce, and so the filling was a bit thicker than I would have liked. My own stupid fault! Would definitely make it again.

No I didn't think it was really - but to describe it as cheap I thought went a bit far!

I am not adverse to spending money on good food, and we spend more than a lot of people do which I realised on that thread the other day about weekly shopping budget!

I've not seen the series really, but to me a 30 minute meal is something for midweek where I generally try and keep the costs down [hgrin]

I will sneak a look at the book the next time I'm in Sainsbury's definitely, and I would pick Jamie over Nigella for sure. I love her puddings and her cakes always come up a treat, but have never got on with her actual meals for some reason.

I have been salivating over this programme of an evening.

I make a cheating cheese sauce when I'm in a hurry with mascarpone, creme fraiche and cream heated in the microwave and stirred up together. Works like a dream and makes it an extremely easy dinner.

I love this programme. I have to watch it every day. Not quite sure why! I have it recorded on Virgin+ as well, much to DH's puzzlement.

Do you think the programme will come out in DVD? Would love to buy it.

I've got my book. Am making the pregnant pasta tonight - am pathetically excited about it!

I wouldn't be surprised if it did, Maria - it's very visual, especially as it does seem to be pretty much 'real time'.

I've got my book and am also making the pregnant pasta tonight!

What sausages did you get? I stumbled across some M&S ones that have chili and fennel in them apparently (called "Sicilian") so they seemed like a fortunate discovery. We shall see.

I am impressed with the book. We had pregnant pasta the other night which was ok but I think we used too many fennel seeds.

I am looking forward to trying some of the chicken dishes.

I don't usually like Jamie Oliver but overall I am impressed with this show, way better than Delia's ' use a tin of stewing steak and frozen mash' approach to quick meals.

Loving the series and have tried a few recipes mostly without puddings though, excellent results, imreally want the book now :)

Is it just me or are the c4 website recipes buggered? On the pasta one there was no mention of adding the tomatoes and water.

DirtyMartini - I got my sausages at the local butcher's who makes his own sausages. I got just ordinary pork but they're very tasty.

I used Gluten free sausages for the Pregnant Pasta. There's no breadcrumbs/rusk in them so you get more meat - and more taste - plus, my brother was eating with us and he's intolerant. Quick change of pasta and we were good to go :)

mmmm, proper sausages from a butcher

I shouldn't really have been in M&S at all because of the Hooters thing; I've been trying to hold to the boycott. I do find it hard to stay away from the food section though

Actually, my worst crime was probably that I went in there and came out without any biscuits. Or cake, or anything sweet at all. Then slogged home on the bus and collapsed with the baby and suddenly realized the enormity of that oversight.

I can confirm that Pregnant Pasta is lovely and destined to become a household staple

I didn't make the whole menu as we don't like chicory and we generally don't have dessert either. The whole pasta dish took about 15 minutes although the time I saved was spent washing up the food processor instead of cooking

Put it in the dishwasher!

If you haven't got a dishwasher, get one!

[hgrin]

I just used a bag of rocket and watercress salad and dressed it with the lemon and olive oil as we don't like chicory either. It was yum. The lemon really brought out the flavours in the pasta.

The frangipane tarts were absolutely delicious too. Maybe not for every dinner but fab as a treat. We had ours with vanilla ice cream.