Jamie's Italy

[Bloodybridget]

Just got a (cheap secondhand) copy of Jamie's Italy, which I ordered after having a most delicious Italian-themed supper at a friend's and seeing it on her shelf. She is a seriously good cook with an Italian husband, and probably knows exactly what she's doing without recipes, but I wanted something fairly simple and inspiring to up my game. Don't think I've ever had an Italian dish that I haven't enjoyed (barring travesties dreamed up by non-Italians).
Not much point to this other than to share my excitement and greedy anticipation! Also wonder if anyone else has the book and can mention favourite recipes?

My favourite is spaghetti with prawns & rocket.
Very simple, & I've usually got the ingredients.
I've also made it with spinach instead

The basic risotto Bianco recipe is good and then a few different twists, with seafood/pesto/mushroom & the Hunter's chicken stew is yummy

Thanks both! I have looked at those recipes and liked the sound of them. Planning to make the seafood risotto, which is based on risotto bianco, when we have a supper guest next week.

I love the cauliflower risotto recipe but nobody else ever likes the sound of it when I mention it!

@winecheesesleep I saw that in the index, but I didn't read it - it's a risotto with cauliflower, not using "cauliflower rice", presumably? I would definitely try the former, but not the latter!

[quote Bloodybridget]@winecheesesleep I saw that in the index, but I didn't read it - it's a risotto with cauliflower, not using "cauliflower rice", presumably? I would definitely try the former, but not the latter![/quote]
Oh no definitely not cauliflower rice! I quite like that sometimes but this is the proper cheesy buttery version. The cauliflower is cooked soft and half mashed in and half added in florets. Then there is a breadcrumb/chilli/anchovy topping you can add which is so delicious!

Mm, that does sound good! Thanks for the description!

I really love the recipes in this book. They're all so tasty and reliable. Our favourites are:

• Hunter's chicken stew (chicken cacciatore) I cook this quite a lot over the cooler months, it's rich and feeds many!

• Sausages and green lentils with tomato salsa - we just love this, so flavourful.

• Early autumn minestrone - it really is a meal unto itself but I usually serve it will garlic toast .

@bassackwards it's great to see people saying they love the recipes. Obviously it's quite an old book now but I see that as an advantage, really; JO has published so much now and he must be casting around for new, different stuff all the time, whereas I'd rather cook simple and hopefully fairly authentic dishes.