Jamie Oliver's Food Escapes: Over 100 Recipes from the Great Food Regions of the World

by Jamie Oliver

This new book of mine is all about fun, escapist recipes. It's an adventurous cookbook that embraces the big hitters from the incredible countries I've visited recently, as well as completely new things I've made up by taking cues from the influences around me. I've taken some of the most famous and exciting dishes from these beautiful places and tweaked them so you can recreate the paellas of Spain, the tagines of Morocco and the risottos of Italy easily, and authentically, in your own kitchen.

Every now and then, being brave, escaping the daily routine and filling up on other cultures is a great thing to do. Just get out there and discover the fantastic flavors, people, and places that exist just a flight away.

So, if you've been talking about going somewhere in particular but haven't gotten around to booking your ticket, I urge you to go for it. You'll come back feeling optimistic about life, with a head full of beautiful memories -- not to mention ideas for incredible dishes. In the meantime, let this book introduce you to some of the fantastic new recipes and flavors I've discovered, and maybe even reintroduce you to recipes you've loved and enjoyed on your own holidays, but just never knew how to make.

Genres: Cookbooks, Cooking, Nonfiction, Food, Travel, Adult

400 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2011

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.

James Trevor "Jamie" Oliver, sometimes known as The Naked Chef, is an English chef and media personality well known for his growing list of food-focused television shows, his more recent roles in campaigning against the use of processed foods in national schools, and his campaign to change unhealthy diets and poor cooking habits for the better across the United Kingdom.

Reviews

[Milena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jamie Oliver can do no wrong in my book! I was salivating while just reading the recipes and looking at the pictures. I am looking forward to trying a number of recipes, especially Paella, Creamy Mushrooms, Venetian Beef Steak, not to mention Spanish Vine Gelatto!

[Millie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Awesome pictures but other than his section on food and recipes from Sweden, there wasn't much that was novel for me in the book. I tried a French salad, which was meh. I have practically read all of Jamie Olivers books and have been following him sporadically ever since he debuted as the naked chef, and so far I can say that the only recipes that are guaranteed to be great from Jamie Oliver are his christmas dishes. He is a lovely down to earth soul, but his dishes are really hit or meh.

[N · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful book. He gives background at the start of each recipe before he goes into the directions which was so enjoyable to read. Plus each chapter starts with a lovely two page about each country. I felt like I was traveling with Jamie. Just wish I had been there to taste. I'm inspired to make the gravlax inspired by his trip to Sweden. and so many more of his recipes. Thank you Jamie.

[Foxthyme · Rating 5 out of 5]

How is it possible that Jamie Oliver's books just get better and better? I can't open one without the salivary glands kicking into gear. The recipes made always turn out fabulous. This one shows glimpses into food cultures all round the world.

[Carm · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book suitable for borrowing from the library. I think it's far too big for me to hold and use successfully. I thought the ingredients lists, while interesting, required specialized ingredients I'm not really interested in searching for and paying for. The number of pictures of Jaimie were excessive and took away from pictures of the countryside which would have made the book more interesting to me. Definitely worth viewing now and then when there is time and money for ingredients. Disappointed in some of the recipes selected for Italy and Greece as they didn't seem to reflect the country cooking these cuisines are famous for. I would have liked the book to have fewer pictures of Jaimie and describe more cuisines from around the world. As is the book only attempts to cover cuisines from 6 countries and I find myself wondering why for such a big and heavy book, the cuisines covered is so limited.

[E · Rating 3 out of 5]

A beautiful, but basically useless, cookbook. Quite enjoyed reading it, but I know I’m too unlikely to ever cook from it to give it shelf-room.

Why? The recipes are gorgeous, but I’ve got much more accessible versions of them in other books. They can also be a little imprecise. What, pray tell, is a “glug” of oil? I’m sure I could wing it; after all, that’s how I do most of my cooking. But when I actually do use a recipe, I don’t want to guess.

Oddly, I think I could say all of the above about all the Jamie Oliver books I have. Seems like a fantastic guy and one I’m always happy to read, but his recipes don’t inspire me.

[Avis Black · Rating 2 out of 5]

Nice photos but the recipes are basic, well-known ones for these regions and are found in many other cookbooks.

[Jama R · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great pictures.

[Heather Ashington · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cook books are an underrated leisure/travel read. This one was relaxing and motivational. Always enjoy a good Jamie Oliver.

[Elsabe Retief · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whenever my food mojo is lacking, I can just pick up Jamie and it is all back and beautiful. Where does this man get all the energy to inspire us so?
With more than 33 000 people going through Jamie’s Revolution kitchens in the UK ( teaching cooking from scratch) - he has to make a change for more people to skip going to a therapist and just get your fix right in your own kitchen. Getting people cooking again get us to not only benefit by eating healthy food but also enjoying the fruits of creativity and get us to connect and find true joy and happiness.
I have once again enjoyed this book tremendously- inspiration galore for the coming Christmas. Can’t wait to try some of the twists he has spun on familiar recipes!

[Francine Apollo · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you have seen Jamie Oliver on TV you will enjoy his introductions to each country he explores. There is a section on Spain, Italy, Sweden, France, Greece and Morocco. Each section is filled with photos to help evoke the experience in each country. Lots of recipes, some old and come new, in each adventure.

I picked it up at the public library to help flesh out my sense of Morocco as I have been doing a litrtle amateur study of that country. I was not disappointed.

Oliver captures some of Italy nicely. I enjoyed that chapter.

Highly Recommended for travel enthusiasts and foodies.

[Melinda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I probably won't make any/many of these recipes, but I loved reading about the different cultures and the ingredients that go into their food. The pictures were awesome; good thing Oliver is so charmingly photogenic because there are a lot of pictures of him! I also like the way he writes with grit and gumption, giving the impression that anyone can make this food with enough passion and practice. Especially liked the sections on Sweden and Morocco, the least familiar foods to me. Overall, a winner for me because it combines lovely pictures, travel, and food.