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Original poster

Nigel Slater, Kitchen Diaries - What have you cooked?

45 replies

Queenmummy · 27/10/2006 14:27

I got this a while ago and have cooked quite a few of the recipes now. Here's what I've done and what we thought of them - I'd be interested to hear what others thought of the same dishes? Also - any must-try recipes in the book that I haven't done yet?

*Pork burgers with lime leaves and coriander (March) - really nice and tasty - def. do again
*Chicken salad with watercress, almonds and orange (March) - a big hit and we have made it loads of times - it's something that has well and trully been added to our cooking regulars
*Chickpea and sweet potato curry (March) - nice, but not spectacular. I liked it, but DH not too keen (too 'vegetarian' apparently )
*Chicken with mushrooms and lemon grass (March) - nice, would do again
*Thai fishcakes (April) - Fantastic - DH has done these several times
*Roasted chicken wings with lemon and craked pepper (April) - Fantastic - have done these loads of times now. Also did it with larger chicken pieces for a meal - a successful adaption
*Roast lamb with cumin and fresh mint (June) - lovely - will do again
*Zucchini cakes with dill and feta (July) - nice enough, but a bit stodgy. Might give them another go
*Grilled squid with lime and thyme (September) - really chewy and nasty
*Roast aubergines with tahini (October) - lovely - served this with the lamb (above) - will def. do again
*Sauteed chicken with spices, fennel and cream (December) - very greasy and oily and not spicy enough, plus a hassle to cook - won't bother again
*Grilled pork steaks with vermouth and fennel (December) - nice, but nothing special

Anyone made the lemon and orange cheesecake? I keep meaning to give that a try as it looks gorgeous

OP posts:
moondog · 27/10/2006 14:29

Ah,have it by my bed to drool over but as yet haven't cooked much!
My cooking style is very similar to his anyway but it's great to read your comments on the recipes!

Molesworth · 27/10/2006 14:37

I have it by my bed too - you've inspired me to actually try some of the recipes now

LittleScarer · 27/10/2006 14:43

Recently made the English apple cake which was lovely!

Original poster
Queenmummy · 27/10/2006 15:18

Thanks for replies - keep them coming! I'll give that cake a go Littlescarer.

Looking at the book to do my post has encouraged me to cook something nice for dinner tonight - I've decided to do the chicken with mustard seeds and coconut milk (luckily I have all the ingredients in already) - I'll report back on it tomorrow

OP posts:
LittleScarer · 27/10/2006 16:11

mmmm, that sounds yum!

I really want to do the chicken wings but never seems to have seem at the supermarket!

katierocket · 27/10/2006 16:15

the sausages with lentils is really good
chicken burger things - nice but rich
Haddock with bacon - delicious, very light

Loads of others but can't remember of top of head.

It's a fantastic book isn't it.

oxocube · 27/10/2006 16:51

worth adding to the Christmas list then?

caffeinequeencanpoacheggs · 27/10/2006 16:55

Now, I know my name suggests that I'm not a culinary genius.
BUT, I can tell you that DH is. And we've just not used this book (got for Christmsa last year) that much as it's more of a "reading" book. For a start, it's really thick so not that easy to lie open to refer to. Plus I think a lot of the bits have been in his other books.

yoyo · 27/10/2006 16:58

By my bed too but have cooked nothing from it. I do use his other books and think a lot of his recipes are repeated or maybe have a few variations. May trawl through later as have an Ocado order to place and am mighty bored with our meals. He doesn't really do low fat though and as I haven't shifted summer weight gain this might not be a good idea.

merrily · 27/10/2006 17:00

The mushroom pappardelle is great - very quick and easy and delicious. Has become one of our regular meals, as my veggie DH loves it.

The chocolate brownies are divine - highly recommended - in fact I think I will make some more this weekend! thanks for reminding me!

I think I've tried a couple of the more fancy recipes, but can't remember which ones off the top of my head. Must have another flick through it...

merrily · 27/10/2006 17:02

forgot to say, I think the mushroom papperdelle is September or October, and the brownies are December, right at the end of the book. yum!

LittleScarer · 27/10/2006 18:07

Let's face it, the book just looks so good, there is little need to cook anything!

OldieMum · 27/10/2006 18:13

The spare ribs are excellent and we have them regularly. We enjoyed the ham with butter beans last night, the second time I've made this recipe. Another thumbs up for the apple cake, and for the haddock and bacon dish, too. I think it's a valuable book, particularly because it's organised seasonally.

MrsMuddle · 27/10/2006 18:48

I was feeling inadequate when I read the thread title, because I too got it for Xmas last year, and it's been beside my bed ever since! I love reading it, but I haven't actually cooked anything from it, so I'm really glad to see that some of you are the same! (I also have Nigella's Feast beside my bed - it's also uncooked from!)

Original poster
Queenmummy · 27/10/2006 19:28

I'm glad I'm not the only one who has piles of recipe books on their bedside table ! DH thinks I'm strange. I haven't cooked anything from Feast yet either MrsMuddle - nothing has really 'grabbed' me yet. I don't think it's as good as her previous books. I'm doing quite well with Kitchen Diaries, Jamie's Italy and Tamasin Day-Lewis Kitchen Bible though. It was my new year's resolution to actually COOK from my recipe books rather than just look at them - it was a great resolution, as has resulted in me becoming a much better cook, and us eating much more interesting meals. We've also had lots of friends/family over to eat more often, which I love - nothing nicer than people you care about eating food you've prepared in my opinion (oh dear, have gone all evangelical again.....sorry to those on 'smug watch' ! )

By the way - the chicken with mustard seeds and coconut milk is simmering on the stove as I type, for when DH comes in. It looks and smells pretty good - can't wait to try it. I didn't have any curry leaves so didn't bother with those, and had to use ground coriander instead of coriander seeds - I'm sure it'll still be fine.....

OP posts:
Pruni · 27/10/2006 19:32

Message withdrawn

foxinsocks · 27/10/2006 19:33

I don't know which book this one is but I made his homemade burgers (the pork ones and the beef ones) and they were delic

oxocube · 27/10/2006 19:39

Pruni, I have visions of cooking like you and your dh. I can just imagine the two of you, side by side, in a little cottage with a wood-fired stove and lots of candles, labrador at your feet and honeysuckle twining around the door. That was my dream. My reality is juggling easy dinners (one of which is usually left to reheat in the micro) between picking up from ballet and taking to football, between yelling at dd to do her piano practice and mopping up cat pee from the hall. And making sure 3 reluctant kids wash at some point and clean their teeth. Please don't disillusion me

foxinsocks · 27/10/2006 19:41

I'm impressed you can get your dhs to cook proper food (as in food that requires more than a cursory glance at the microwave)

why are you starting no more threads Pruni?

oxocube · 27/10/2006 19:44

I agree re Nigella's 'Feast', btw. I enjoyed reading it but haven't actually cooked anything from it yet.

Pruni · 27/10/2006 19:46

Message withdrawn

Pruni · 27/10/2006 19:47

Message withdrawn

Pruni · 27/10/2006 19:47

Message withdrawn

foxinsocks · 27/10/2006 19:52

how did I miss it

xena · 27/10/2006 19:52

foxinsocks- me too my DH never cooks anything (although he once bought and cooked the dc's a fray bentos steak and kidney pie- which has promted me to make my own pie as they loved it!) have to remind myself not to say how good it is of them though after a thread a while ago on the subject!!
Great thread for me queenmummy will definalty buy the book I have been coverting for a while!

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