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Food/recipes

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Original poster

I know people like to criticise Jamie Oliver but I've saved a fortune this week with his ministry of food recipes

118 replies

deaconblue · 13/01/2009 14:32

I know the book is aimed at novice cooks, but I cook a lot and don't think it's patronising. Have had a go at 4 recipes so far, not one has taken more than 15 mins preparation time and we reckon each meal has cost about £5-6 (feeds 4 or 3 pigs). Am impressed so far.

OP posts:

SlubberdegullionMaNaMaNa · 13/01/2009 19:59

I've have been snobbish for the same reason pointy. I might have a look at my next trip to a bookshop.

janeite · 13/01/2009 20:04

Thanks MrsM - don't think I need any recipes for salads, so will give it a miss!

Might try the jalfrezi recipe though, which I think is on the website. His curry recipe from "The Naked Chef" is very good.

twoluvlykids · 13/01/2009 20:09

I've got 2 of his books, which I really like, but reading the above comments makes me think maybe I'll get this one as well.

We've got a new agreement that the kids will take it in turns to cook once a week each - I'm basically fed up with them moaning "We always have blah blah", so I said "Well you cook then"

DS is cooking on Thurs, this week, DD's not sure.

Maybe I'll get her to do a Sunday roast...

pointydog · 13/01/2009 22:17

I want to buy jamie at home too. I fancy jamie something rotten

IwishIwasamermaid · 13/01/2009 22:36

My DH, who has never cooked in his life before, decided that to help me out with 2 DC's under 18 months he would do some of the cooking

But....he bought this book and its been fab! I love the chicken and leeks and the sizzling beef. Also the steak and mushroom ciabatta is yummy. However the Moroccan fish thing was not yummy.

It's been a great success, although DH must use every bowl, pot, knife etc in the kitchen no matter which recipe he is doing!

cheesesarnie · 13/01/2009 22:38

does it have many veggie or can be translated to veggie recipes?i cant afford book to make cheaper food-how sad!

QueenEagle · 13/01/2009 22:43

I borrowed this book from my neighbour after she gave me some of her tomato soup. I have photocopied loads of recipes which have taken my fancy....i made yorkshire puddings tonight and I am trying the pasta, bacon and pea dish tomorrow. Looks very good and very straightforward and simple.

swottybetty · 13/01/2009 22:50

this is the singke best cookery book ever written. every other cookery book is based upon the belief that the people reading it can already cook but just want to get poncier. this book really is the best ever non-cooks guide.

i gave it to DH for xmas he never cooks and he has cooked three things from it already and has folded down the pages of other stuff he is going to do. his family are staunch non-cookers and when they flicked through the book at xmas they really made me smile saying "oooh, i've heard of all the ingredients for this recipe...!"

i am a fairly decent cook and have got a lot from the book too. also agree with OP that its fab that its all reasonable priced ingredients. and not too many of them -- i hate long lists of ingredients and thats something JO's been guilty of doing with his earlier (fancier) cook books.

all my DC will be given their own copy on their 14th birthdays /

jute · 13/01/2009 22:51

Nigel slater good for no nonsense stuff too swotty

pointydog · 13/01/2009 22:56

yes. but I don't fancy nigel

swottybetty · 13/01/2009 23:06

jute i am nigels biggest fan (but not in a sexy pointydog jamie-love type way ) and i think appetite went a bit of the way to do what ministry does but was still too poncy for DH .... my dh is really not very poncy at all.

JuliaFrogspawn · 13/01/2009 23:07

I read Nigel irons his pants and his recipes are " the bleeding obvious"

swottybetty · 13/01/2009 23:22

MaHumbug · 13/01/2009 23:34

notgettingmuchdone - a food chopper is what you need!

I started cooking a braised beef recipe earlier today (not from Jamies book) I started it at 4 and it was ready at 8.30.

prep time 20 mins yeah right! (this is only possible if you have about 10 people preparing the food.)

annaje · 14/01/2009 09:36

I really like this book, but agree with Shopping Bags about the amount of stock in the Pie - way too much. Have also tried

Stew (a pretty average stew - but came out fine)
Chicken with posh ham - very nice - DH asks for this every week now
Lasagne - I might be a personal thing - but really didn't like the creme fraiche.

Has anyone tried the curries or the basic curry sauce (in the sauce section at the back)!

nailpolish · 14/01/2009 09:38

have won a copy on ebay
really looking forward to trying it out, thanks shopping for starting this thread

jute · 14/01/2009 09:38

I've got Nigel Slater's Real Fast Food which isn't poncey at all. It's all 'reach to the back of your cupboard and drag out a tin of ...'

Read Toast as well. He did come across as a bit unusual (but in a nice way).

McDreamy · 14/01/2009 09:40

I got it for Xmas and hadn't really looked at it until last night (after reading this thread). Looks really good, thin I will try some of his curry recipes.

mrsmaidamess · 14/01/2009 10:14

I like Nigel Slater a lot, but can't help but think his recipes are not really a meal a lot of the time.

For example, he will serve grilled mackeral (whole) with a wedge of lemon and a handful of chard. Can you imagine my 7 year olds face if I served that up?

I love to read his books, as books, not to follow the recipes. Although his Pork chops in Mustard sauce are amazing.

bratnav · 14/01/2009 10:23

I got the JO book from my MIL for Christmas (she knows I adore cooking), so far I have tried:

Lamb Rogan Josh - amazing
Chicken and Leek Stroganoff - yummy
Morrocan Fish Stew with Couscous - very nice but half the amount of lemon juice
Meatloaf - everyone asked for more
Chicken Fajitas - a bit meh, but then DP cooked this and he could burn water

All in all very impressed, especially as DP has glanced at it and said he thinks he could manage a few of the recipes himself.

My MIL is a sneaky so and so and I love her for it.

DownyEmerald · 14/01/2009 10:38

I can't cook, but am really beginning to think I ought to start! Well, I can but have to follow a recipe and have no idea what anything should look like at any stage so a bit hit and miss - so this sounds ideal for me!

I'm keen to start helping with dd's food.

Agree with mrsmaid - I adore Nigel from his Marie Claire days, but a lot of his things aren't a meal! I would be happy but dp would just say 'where's the rest!'.

mrsmaidamess · 14/01/2009 10:39

Downy it is a great book, really good family recipes and very simple to follw, but taste like you are an expert.

CharleeinChains · 14/01/2009 10:43

I heart Jamie.

Must say i love the MOF cookbook, even though im a chef i have still used it to try the recipes and they are great!

I have made all the recipes and they are all great but especially the chilli and my kids love the burgers. The wild rice salad is also fab.

I have all 9 JO books and this is my second favorite!

McDreamy · 14/01/2009 10:45

Charlee - so what's your fav?

Tortoise · 14/01/2009 10:46

Is there a lasagne recipe in the book? I am trying find an easy recipe for it.

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