Jamie Oliver -5 ingredients Quick and easy

[tigermousewoman]

I'm in need of a distraction project from life - anyone fancy joining me in an attempt to cook my way through Jamie Oliver's latest?

So far .. have made Quick and easy fish curry. Made this for DM and I - went down well with us both. Used haddock as cheap and the rest was store cupboard which was handy. I was a bit heavy handed with the lime pickle and it showed in the taste so I'd def recommend to stick to his quantities there. The result was lovely and we both cleaned our plates though! Timing said 15 minutes or so and I couldn't do it in that as he had you both halving tomatoes and chopping the fish and then cooking the tomatoes all at the same time... so I did the prep in advance

Also tried Korean Rice - with Kim chi. This was a super tasty and easy lunch to put together. Really enjoyed it both of us (Dh and I). I wouldn't need the recipe next time as it's a great idea and technique to get your head around and will be good to have at my fingertips.

Plan tonight is harissa chicken tray bake.. looking forward to it!

I've seen good things about the flatbreads on here and I'm also planning those for tomorrow

Doing the sweet and sour chicken tonight - looking forward to it!

Sweet and sour chicken noodles was lovely - substituted frozen green beans for the sugar snaps as I have some that need using up (freezer space issue) and did extra chicken thighs as my knife skills are rubbish so lost most of the chicken attempting to debone

So simple, very nice and will make it, or variations thereof again

Loving this book. So many of the recipes I can imagine adapting and redoing to cook what's in the fridge whereas previous books I'd never have been able to do that as the recipe lists- even in "save with Jamie" is always too long.

Ginger shakin beef was delicious! Had it with rice. Think next time I'd just slice some peppers in with the beef rather than the faff of a third pot to blanch pak choi in.

Pork porcini pasta - this didn't quite do it for me somehow. It was nice and everyone finished it so it certainly wasn't terrible but I don't think I'll be getting requests for it again

Roast Tikka Chicken was lovely but there was too much fat on the veg. I used an Asda free range chicken so I'm getting one from the butcher next time to see if that helps. More veg needed too.

I've tried the lamb shoulder (lovely but needed more water as cooking). I added garlic and a squeeze of lemon at the end. Served piled over spinach (so it wilts a bit) and pomegranate seeds.

The green pasta was great, again, needed a squeeze of lemon. Would maybe add some chilli flakes next time.

The chicken pie was gorgeous.

I'd like to try the organge almond cake next and the pork mash.

I like a lot of the recipes but I think they need some extras to make them really good.

Lamb shoulder - I didn't have fresh plum tomatoes so I added canned. The result was bitter and one dimensional - I added pomegranate molasses and then some sugar, which improved it. It needs a contrast like greenery or a salad to life it. I'll make a similar idea again with the lamb but will alter the flavourings for the chickpeas to an old favourite using cumin seeds, chillies and onions and fresh coriander at the end.

I think the lemony courgette linguine is my favourite so far!

Egg Fried Rice:

No tofu in my fridge so skipped it out (sorry Jamie) and couldn't imagine egg fried rice without soy sauce so that got used- but really enjoyed it. Never used chilli jam in this dish before (didn't have any until I got it for this book) and would do again. Genuinely quick, easy and tasty. Will do again

Has anyone done the peachy pork chops? I quite fancy it but I can't think what to do to go with it? Peas and salad? Broccoli and rice?

There are a few like this - I like the look of the main thing but can't think of the right sides.

I did the 'Ginger shaking beef' on cakescakes recommendation and totally agree - great recipe. I used soybean paste rather than miso as I had that in, so will be making again but with miso. Steaks a bit of a treat for us so I was worried it would be a waste of good ingredients if I messed it up but it went down a treat

“and didn't use shiitake as couldn't get them in my regular supermarket (sorry Jamie - not sure where you shop- must be waitrose)”

I’m surprised. I live in an area where it is difficult to get exotic ingredients and my local Tesco and Morrisons stock shiitake mushrooms.

My friend bought the book recently and then decided she wouldn't be making any of the recipes so I bought it off her. There are loads of things that I would make, and I have found this thread very inspiring.

Re the shittake it must be because I generally shop at smaller branches (city stores) . I suspect if I went to a super sized store they'd have them

All day Mexican breakfast : another great one. Super simple but very effective - had as brunch but would also make a great tea time alternative on those nights when you want to do something simple like beans on toast etc. the only thing that's more trouble is slicing up the avocado and that was only really because it wasn't very ripe. I took his advice to season it well and that made a definite difference.

Wouldn't need the recipe next time so another one "in the bank"

If you like this one I'd also recommend the avocado and eggs with tomato and red onion from the Everyday Superfood book - it's more faff but I'm always really pleased with the result

Asian fish cakes - really liked these. I used a mini chopper rather than chopping by hand (everything but the salmon) and then combined on the chopping board

Would do with more green veg next time

Did the Sticky Mango Prawns, as a snacky tv supper with some ready made Indian samosas and bhajis. They were great but I think I overcooked them. The sauce was great for mopping up with the other bits

I made the gnocchi. It was a faff and took ages. Next time I will buy gnocchi and use the other ingredients for the sauce.

I have made

• herby chicken traybake: was amazing and the kids devoured it. Super easy and cheap and we'll add it to our meal planning. A definite winner.

• bangin beef stew: quite tasty but didn't go sticky like the picture and recipe indicated. I had to reduce down the stew and thicken with cornflour after cooking so it wasn't watery.

• sausage carbonara: this was ok and the kids ate it. Nothing out of the ordinary.

I liked the idea of the roast tikka chicken but although he only used one pan - cooking the chicken directly on the oven shelf sounds quite messy.

I screamed at the telly when he put the chicken directly on the oven shelf

WELL YES YOU WOULD DO THAT JAMIE, YOU DON'T HAVE TO FUCKING CLEAN IT

Makes me rage as I thought that recipe was looking like a winner.

I did the messy meatballs last week, didn

I did the Lamb shoulder with chickpeas.

It was a bit bitter - but the slow cooked lamb was lovely and there were far too many chickpeas (I soaked them over night as they were very old from the back of the cupboard).

Nicer the next day when it had mellowed a bit. I'd add something else sweet to it if making it again. The method was great though.

I just do the chicken on a rack in a roasting tin with the veg underneath. It's a simpler version of Empire eoast chicken

I do roast chicken like this a lot, often with lentil dhal.

spelling fail

Messy meatballs cont...

Didn't bother with pesto but did the rest and DC loved it

We've made the meatballs which were nice, the steak and aubergine which was good but far too much veg to eat and the comfort sausage bake which was ok but not worth the calories.

I want to make the shortbread and adapt a couple of the stews for the slow cooker. I'm also really interested in some of the seafood dishes but I'm the only one that eats it so we'll see!

I've done the tikka chicken but I only had chicken breasts so cooked them for 30 mins instead putting the vegetables in for about 20 mins before adding the chicken. Added onions to the roast veg.

It wasn't that messy, the tray catches drips and the rack can be dishwashed really easily. Or you could use a roasting dish with a rack. We have one of these from ikea that would be perfect. roasting tin