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Simply Nigella: Feel Good Food
"Part of the balance of life lies in understanding that different days require different ways of eating . . ."
Whatever the occasion, food-in the making and the eating-should always be pleasurable. Nigella Lawson's Simply Nigella taps into the rhythms of our cooking lives, with recipes that are uncomplicated, relaxed, and yet always satisfying.
From quick and calm workday dinners (Miso Salmon; Cauliflower & Cashew Nut Curry) to stress-free ideas when feeding a crowd (Chicken Traybake with Bitter Orange & Fennel) to the instant joy of bowlfood for cozy nights on the sofa (Thai Noodles with Cinnamon and Shrimp), here is food guaranteed to make everyone feel good.
Whether you need to create some breathing space at the end of a long week (Asian-Flavored Short Ribs), indulge in a sweet treat (Lemon Pavlova; Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Pots) or wake up to a strength-giving breakfast (Toasty Olive Oil Granola), Nigella's new cookbook is filled with recipes destined to become firm favorites.
Simply Nigella is the perfect antidote to our busy a calm and glad celebration of food to soothe and uplift.
Whatever the occasion, food-in the making and the eating-should always be pleasurable. Nigella Lawson's Simply Nigella taps into the rhythms of our cooking lives, with recipes that are uncomplicated, relaxed, and yet always satisfying.
From quick and calm workday dinners (Miso Salmon; Cauliflower & Cashew Nut Curry) to stress-free ideas when feeding a crowd (Chicken Traybake with Bitter Orange & Fennel) to the instant joy of bowlfood for cozy nights on the sofa (Thai Noodles with Cinnamon and Shrimp), here is food guaranteed to make everyone feel good.
Whether you need to create some breathing space at the end of a long week (Asian-Flavored Short Ribs), indulge in a sweet treat (Lemon Pavlova; Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Pots) or wake up to a strength-giving breakfast (Toasty Olive Oil Granola), Nigella's new cookbook is filled with recipes destined to become firm favorites.
Simply Nigella is the perfect antidote to our busy a calm and glad celebration of food to soothe and uplift.
617 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 24, 2015
126 people are currently reading
1261 people want to read
About the author
Nigella Lawson
45 books979 followersNigella Lawson is the daughter of former Conservative cabinet minister Nigel Lawson (now Lord Lawson) and the late Vanessa Salmon, socialite and heir to the Lyons Corner House empire, who died of liver cancer in 1985. Lawson attended Godolphin and Latymer School and Westminster School before graduating from Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford, with a degree in Medieval and Modern Languages.
Lawson wrote a restaurant column for the Spectator and a comment column for The Observer and became deputy literary editor of the Sunday Times in 1986. She became, among other things, a newspaper-reviewer on BBC1 Sunday-morning TV programme 'Breakfast with Frost'. She has also co-hosted, with David Aaronovitch, Channel 4 books discussion programme 'Booked' in the late 1990s, and was an occasional compere of BBC2's press review 'What the Papers Say', as well as appearing on BBC radio.
Following slots as a culinary sidekick on Nigel Slater's 'Real Food Show' on Channel 4, she has fronted three eponymous TV cookery series broadcast in the UK on the channel. She has had two series of 'Nigella Bites' in 1999-2001, plus a 2001 Christmas special, and 'Forever Summer with Nigella' in 2002, both of which yielded accompanying recipe books. Her style of presentation is often gently mocked by comedians and commentators, particularly in a regularly-occurring impersonation of her in the BBC television comedy series 'Dead Ringers', who perceive that she plays overtly upon her attractiveness and sexuality as a device to engage viewers of her cookery programmes, despite Lawson's repeated denials that she does so.
She was voted author of the year at the 2001 British Book Awards. More than 2 million copies of her books have been sold worldwide.
Lawson wrote a restaurant column for the Spectator and a comment column for The Observer and became deputy literary editor of the Sunday Times in 1986. She became, among other things, a newspaper-reviewer on BBC1 Sunday-morning TV programme 'Breakfast with Frost'. She has also co-hosted, with David Aaronovitch, Channel 4 books discussion programme 'Booked' in the late 1990s, and was an occasional compere of BBC2's press review 'What the Papers Say', as well as appearing on BBC radio.
Following slots as a culinary sidekick on Nigel Slater's 'Real Food Show' on Channel 4, she has fronted three eponymous TV cookery series broadcast in the UK on the channel. She has had two series of 'Nigella Bites' in 1999-2001, plus a 2001 Christmas special, and 'Forever Summer with Nigella' in 2002, both of which yielded accompanying recipe books. Her style of presentation is often gently mocked by comedians and commentators, particularly in a regularly-occurring impersonation of her in the BBC television comedy series 'Dead Ringers', who perceive that she plays overtly upon her attractiveness and sexuality as a device to engage viewers of her cookery programmes, despite Lawson's repeated denials that she does so.
She was voted author of the year at the 2001 British Book Awards. More than 2 million copies of her books have been sold worldwide.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 72 reviews
October 25, 2015
For more reviews, check out: http://jamiewritesthings.blogspot.com
Quite simply, my favourite cookbook.
Why? Well, as a lover of cooking and eating myself, there isn't really anyone who comes close to Nigella when I need to experience, through word or television, the passion, the excitement emulated, in waves, like (mind the shameless simile, please) an eagerly opened hot oven. This book has it all.
It drips with the humour, the sass and the intelligence we've all come to associate with the Domestic Goddess. But, where this book differs, is that like the pale, white and pink nursery innocence of the cover, it's fresh. It feels new. The recipes aren't rehashes. They're genuine, well thought out forages into novel and exciting ways of cooking. And I'm not talking about turning your kitchen into a gastro-pub: this is Nigella, after all, who makes no excuses for being lazy (which I am forever thankful for). I'm talking about zingy takes on traditional fare. Fancy some cookies? Why not try a spoon-ready, cookie dough ramekin, fresh from the oven, all gooey and chewy?
Not only are the recipes new, though. Nigella herself; her writing, the insights into her personal life, all seem revamped. It's as if we're having a stove-side natter with the cook, and she's telling us how she's finally, finally found her place in life. Her new home, her family, her friends. Her new kitchen is referenced a few times throughout, and I do truly believe that cooking and eating helped her through her darkest times. And she shares this with us, her eager readers. It is a beautiful pleasure to behold.
If you're not into food or cooking then I assume you probably won't want to read this, but I assure you, you should. I read every Nigella book from cover to cover not just because of her recipes, but because they are genuinely good reads that let us snuggle in closer to her with every subsequent publication. I'm vaguely remembering something Nigella once said, something about never needing to write an autobiography, because her cookbooks serve the same purpose. This is true. So, so true.
5 stars, of course.
Quite simply, my favourite cookbook.
Why? Well, as a lover of cooking and eating myself, there isn't really anyone who comes close to Nigella when I need to experience, through word or television, the passion, the excitement emulated, in waves, like (mind the shameless simile, please) an eagerly opened hot oven. This book has it all.
It drips with the humour, the sass and the intelligence we've all come to associate with the Domestic Goddess. But, where this book differs, is that like the pale, white and pink nursery innocence of the cover, it's fresh. It feels new. The recipes aren't rehashes. They're genuine, well thought out forages into novel and exciting ways of cooking. And I'm not talking about turning your kitchen into a gastro-pub: this is Nigella, after all, who makes no excuses for being lazy (which I am forever thankful for). I'm talking about zingy takes on traditional fare. Fancy some cookies? Why not try a spoon-ready, cookie dough ramekin, fresh from the oven, all gooey and chewy?
Not only are the recipes new, though. Nigella herself; her writing, the insights into her personal life, all seem revamped. It's as if we're having a stove-side natter with the cook, and she's telling us how she's finally, finally found her place in life. Her new home, her family, her friends. Her new kitchen is referenced a few times throughout, and I do truly believe that cooking and eating helped her through her darkest times. And she shares this with us, her eager readers. It is a beautiful pleasure to behold.
If you're not into food or cooking then I assume you probably won't want to read this, but I assure you, you should. I read every Nigella book from cover to cover not just because of her recipes, but because they are genuinely good reads that let us snuggle in closer to her with every subsequent publication. I'm vaguely remembering something Nigella once said, something about never needing to write an autobiography, because her cookbooks serve the same purpose. This is true. So, so true.
5 stars, of course.
February 11, 2018
Nigella's post-divorce cookbook. As she writes in her introduction to the Beginnings chapter, "out of endings come new departures," (p.347) and this book is indeed full of new departures: many of the recipes are low carb, gluten-free, or vegetarian, and designed for one, two, or three people rather than a crowd. Though Nigella is quick to reassure the reader that
I wish I had an excuse to make some of the gorgeous looking recipes in the "Sweet" chapter (lemon pavlova! brandied pumpkin ice cream!) but, alas, I don't, and have contented myself with the toasty olive oil granola from the "Beginnings" chapter instead.
Throughout, the writing is beautiful: funny, inviting, wise. I know I'll be cooking from this book for many years to come.
you will never hear me talking about "healthy" food. I loathe the term, but not as much as I am disgusted by the contemporary mantra of "clean eating." [...] Food is not dirty, the pleasures of the flesh are essential to life and, however we eat, we are not guaranteed immortality or immunity from loss. We cannot control life by controlling what we eat. (p.ix)As ever, Nigella's recipes are about ease of preparation and delicious eating. I've cooked mostly from the first, "Quick and Calm" chapter and (except for the riff on a Caesar salad (p.4), which was pretty but rather too fibrous for my taste) can recommend the fish dishes especially. The soup recipes in the "Bowlfood" chapter are also all great.
I wish I had an excuse to make some of the gorgeous looking recipes in the "Sweet" chapter (lemon pavlova! brandied pumpkin ice cream!) but, alas, I don't, and have contented myself with the toasty olive oil granola from the "Beginnings" chapter instead.
Throughout, the writing is beautiful: funny, inviting, wise. I know I'll be cooking from this book for many years to come.
December 3, 2015
Wanna have some fun? Read a big ol' cookbook on transit. Everyone on the train will want to talk to you about it. That said, I'm glad I got this one out from the library as opposed to buying it. Not much here that tweaked my cooking interest.
November 14, 2015
I just ordered this book for my permanent bookshelf, but I wanted to check it out first to see if these were recipes that I would make.
Normally, I do not use a lot of cookbooks; I kind of cook like I paint a bit of this, a dab as my grandma used to say of that, but when I use cookbooks I love great photos of the food, good simple food and easy preparation and recipes that I can truly make at home and look elegant.
This book is great! I used to watch Nigella on her cooking sheet and thought her food was interesting but really heavy and not as healthy as I try to eat. I am so glad that I gave it a look. This is a different Nigella than I knew. This food is bright, elegant, truly simple and absolutely delicious. I like that it has beautiful snapshots of the finished recipe and the recipes have a small easy to find and use ingredient list. I love that she uses a lot of vegetables that are some of my favorites like black beans, sweet potato, and avocado.
I loved the sake drumsticks, drunken noodles, Cuban beans and all of the avocado dishes. The green tahini sauce is great and I made the gf peanut butter cookies that received rave reviews. I am still working my way through the book but there are very few recipes in the book that did not appeal to me and even the ones I may not make I could see modifying to my tastes. What a well done book.
Normally, I do not use a lot of cookbooks; I kind of cook like I paint a bit of this, a dab as my grandma used to say of that, but when I use cookbooks I love great photos of the food, good simple food and easy preparation and recipes that I can truly make at home and look elegant.
This book is great! I used to watch Nigella on her cooking sheet and thought her food was interesting but really heavy and not as healthy as I try to eat. I am so glad that I gave it a look. This is a different Nigella than I knew. This food is bright, elegant, truly simple and absolutely delicious. I like that it has beautiful snapshots of the finished recipe and the recipes have a small easy to find and use ingredient list. I love that she uses a lot of vegetables that are some of my favorites like black beans, sweet potato, and avocado.
I loved the sake drumsticks, drunken noodles, Cuban beans and all of the avocado dishes. The green tahini sauce is great and I made the gf peanut butter cookies that received rave reviews. I am still working my way through the book but there are very few recipes in the book that did not appeal to me and even the ones I may not make I could see modifying to my tastes. What a well done book.
March 30, 2017
I don't know if there has been a Nigella book I have disliked enough to give less than 5 stars to. Don't care enough to go back and look, so assuming they are all 5star books to me, well, here then is another.
What I like most about this one is Nigella's slight shift towards healthier living. This time she includes some ingredients and recipes that are less loaded with salt, sugar and saturated fats. In Simply Nigella she really is keeping an eye on the better way to access the right goods on your food group pyramid.
I think I'll be making quite a few recipes from this one, except Roasted Radishes.... I'll leave that one on the page.
What I like most about this one is Nigella's slight shift towards healthier living. This time she includes some ingredients and recipes that are less loaded with salt, sugar and saturated fats. In Simply Nigella she really is keeping an eye on the better way to access the right goods on your food group pyramid.
I think I'll be making quite a few recipes from this one, except Roasted Radishes.... I'll leave that one on the page.
June 18, 2017
Interesting cook book from England's premier home cook.
Found a couple of recipes to interest me. Well worth a browse if you're looking for inspiration.
Found a couple of recipes to interest me. Well worth a browse if you're looking for inspiration.
January 15, 2017
Great Book, Classic Nigella recipies that you would expect from her.
Easy to follow recipies, beautifully illustrated.
Purchased This Hardback copy from WH Smith for £6 Bargin price for such a well balanced book.
I'm looking forward to trying out some of her recipies. Especially the Lemon Pavlova, Lemon and Meringue you can't go wrong. Plus the Tequila and lime chicken.
The book is split into several Chapters:
QUICK AND CALM
BOWLFOOD
DINE
BREATHE
SIDES
SWEET
These are a few of the recipies that feature in the book:
* Sweet potato, ginger and orange soup
* Thai noodles with cinnamon and prawns
* Chicken traybake with bitter orange and fennel
* Tequila and lime chicken
* Beef chilli with bourbon, beer and black beans
* Potato and pepper bake
* Criss-cross potatoes
* Salted chocolate tart
* Nutella Brownies
* Chocolate chip cookie dough pots
* Chai muffins
There are 125 recipes in total.
I think this book is suited for everyday cooking as well as special occasions as there is something there for everyone.
Easy to follow recipies, beautifully illustrated.
Purchased This Hardback copy from WH Smith for £6 Bargin price for such a well balanced book.
I'm looking forward to trying out some of her recipies. Especially the Lemon Pavlova, Lemon and Meringue you can't go wrong. Plus the Tequila and lime chicken.
The book is split into several Chapters:
QUICK AND CALM
BOWLFOOD
DINE
BREATHE
SIDES
SWEET
These are a few of the recipies that feature in the book:
* Sweet potato, ginger and orange soup
* Thai noodles with cinnamon and prawns
* Chicken traybake with bitter orange and fennel
* Tequila and lime chicken
* Beef chilli with bourbon, beer and black beans
* Potato and pepper bake
* Criss-cross potatoes
* Salted chocolate tart
* Nutella Brownies
* Chocolate chip cookie dough pots
* Chai muffins
There are 125 recipes in total.
I think this book is suited for everyday cooking as well as special occasions as there is something there for everyone.
December 12, 2015
This book is more restrained, less luxurious than her previous books. This is a new Nigella, and it feels like she's finding her footing.
It's a little new agey, but the recipes are sound. For me, the best chapters were sides (the cucumber avocado salad) and deserts (I love bundt cakes). She gives you the backstory on each recipe, as well as variations, storage and other tips. She references her other books a lot, and also has borrowed some recipes from other sources (though she's upfront about that).
Not a bad read, but not as solid as her other books. No nutritional information provided.
It's a little new agey, but the recipes are sound. For me, the best chapters were sides (the cucumber avocado salad) and deserts (I love bundt cakes). She gives you the backstory on each recipe, as well as variations, storage and other tips. She references her other books a lot, and also has borrowed some recipes from other sources (though she's upfront about that).
Not a bad read, but not as solid as her other books. No nutritional information provided.
October 20, 2015
Bit disappointed with this one. Nothing much in it you would really cook and I don't love the photography style. Ok it's much more realistic than over styles pics but it's not inspiring.
December 12, 2015
Gorgeous book. Coffee table book. Too many recipes calling for avocado. Guess I could substitute mashed green peas.
February 6, 2017
January 2017 cookbook club. This on was... eh, ok. A lot of things that didn't really need recipes. Slow cooker Korean beef was terrible, roast chicken was tasty and the spiced cauliflower salad was interesting. Best thing by far was the granola, but 1/2 cup of olive oil and 1/2 cup maple syrup is pricey! However, it's addictive and I would make it again.
January 19, 2016
This was my Mum's Christmas present from my Dad... I've never seen her hint so hard for a particular present (so I told him!).
I really like the style and layout of this particular cookbook - perhaps a few too many whole-page photos which create breaks between the ingredients and the method in some of the recipes, but otherwise very stylish and easy to follow. I love cookbooks with an introduction to each recipe and a bit of padding around the recipes themselves, probably because I like to read cookbooks rather than just use them as reference, and take ideas that I work into my own cooking. This fits the bill perfectly.
The first recipe I used (Oven-baked schwarma), I only used the spice mix - I wanted a marinade rather than a whole recipe. It was incredible, and has already been copied into my 'reference' book!! Next on the menu is 'Old Rag Pie' (sounds weird, but with filo, feta, thyme and honey, it sounds good to me).
Highly recommended for those who like a cookbook for reading and inspiration, as well as fantastic recipes.
I really like the style and layout of this particular cookbook - perhaps a few too many whole-page photos which create breaks between the ingredients and the method in some of the recipes, but otherwise very stylish and easy to follow. I love cookbooks with an introduction to each recipe and a bit of padding around the recipes themselves, probably because I like to read cookbooks rather than just use them as reference, and take ideas that I work into my own cooking. This fits the bill perfectly.
The first recipe I used (Oven-baked schwarma), I only used the spice mix - I wanted a marinade rather than a whole recipe. It was incredible, and has already been copied into my 'reference' book!! Next on the menu is 'Old Rag Pie' (sounds weird, but with filo, feta, thyme and honey, it sounds good to me).
Highly recommended for those who like a cookbook for reading and inspiration, as well as fantastic recipes.
March 8, 2016
Ik had werkelijk geen idee wat ik van dit nieuwe Nigella boek kon verwachten. De omslag en titel van het boek deden me vermoeden dat ook Nigella Lawson de weg naar de gezonde voeding had gevonden. Een combinatie die ik me moeilijk kon voorstellen vermits haar naam me vooral aan het gebruik van goede porties volle boter doet denken.
Het openslaan van het boek voelde dan ook een beetje aan als een ontdekkingsreis. Zou Simply Nigella plots het tegenovergestelde van haar eerdere boeken zijn? Zou het nog aanvoelen als een Nigella boek? Er is immers heel wat gebeurd in het privéleven van deze kokkin sinds het verschijnen van Nigellisima. Gebeurtenissen die een grote invloed hadden op haar leven en dus misschien ook wel op haar kookgewoonten en ingesteldheid.
...
Mijn volledige recensie kan je hier terugvinden.
Het openslaan van het boek voelde dan ook een beetje aan als een ontdekkingsreis. Zou Simply Nigella plots het tegenovergestelde van haar eerdere boeken zijn? Zou het nog aanvoelen als een Nigella boek? Er is immers heel wat gebeurd in het privéleven van deze kokkin sinds het verschijnen van Nigellisima. Gebeurtenissen die een grote invloed hadden op haar leven en dus misschien ook wel op haar kookgewoonten en ingesteldheid.
...
Mijn volledige recensie kan je hier terugvinden.
March 28, 2016
I am a vegetarian with a great reverence for ayurvedic cooking.
But besides, I am a person with a great love for glorious food and taste.
If you are an omnivore or have to feed them :), you will find the book really handy as there are lots of useful ideas and recipes. Even if they take time, they are still very simple.
I found this book very appealing thanks to Nigella's personal touch and free approach to many recipes. Many of them I can adapt, lots of them I can take as they are. And ideas! That's what I'm for in cookbooks - how to treat this or that ingredient, to make them sound this way or another, like a note. As for the melody, one can always play their own ))
But besides, I am a person with a great love for glorious food and taste.
If you are an omnivore or have to feed them :), you will find the book really handy as there are lots of useful ideas and recipes. Even if they take time, they are still very simple.
I found this book very appealing thanks to Nigella's personal touch and free approach to many recipes. Many of them I can adapt, lots of them I can take as they are. And ideas! That's what I'm for in cookbooks - how to treat this or that ingredient, to make them sound this way or another, like a note. As for the melody, one can always play their own ))
May 7, 2016
Love this cookbook, got it from the library but it might be one I have to buy. Fairly simple recipes full of the kind of stuff I usually have in my pantry. Lots of vegetarian recipes throughout. This book inspires you to skip take out for dinner at the end of a long day and make something lovely and delicious at home! She talks about time spent in the kitchen as a sort of meditative time to unwind at the end of the day...I agree, I think nigella is my spirit chef.
October 8, 2015
Standard issue Nigella, which isn't a bad thing. Lots of good ideas. A bit too much genuflection to trends for my taste, but I guess she has to cater to the gluten free super food crowd if she's going to sell books.
February 11, 2016
I really like Nigella. I find her class and blend of new and old world tradition lovely.
Sweet Potato, Black Bean and Avocado Burrito
Chai Muffins
No Churn White Miso Ice Cream
just to name a few.
Colourful, creative and fresh.
Must check out!
Sweet Potato, Black Bean and Avocado Burrito
Chai Muffins
No Churn White Miso Ice Cream
just to name a few.
Colourful, creative and fresh.
Must check out!
February 26, 2016
Nigella always writes her cookbooks in a very approachable style, and I find her recipes to be the same. Impressive, flavorful, and mostly quick recipes for weeknights and laid-back weekends abound in this cookbook.
March 27, 2016
Not only are the recipes in this book simple and mouth-watering, but Nigella has such a sumptuous and sensuous way with words, this cookbook took me longer to read than a cookbook usually does just because I wanted her words to linger.
December 5, 2016
Try the criss-cross potatoes, rhubarb and ginger compote and French toast "soldiers" with maple syrup.
October 1, 2023
Having got a few of Nigella's later cookbooks in quick succession second-hand, chosen according to those whose recipes from her website I had cooked most frequently over the last couple of years, I have started to see that this one is likely to be my favourite. Indeed, it feels I like I am, belatedly, among the target audience, with a good choice of several of my favourite types of dish: vegetable-based soups from various culinary traditions; slow cooker recipes or tray-bakes for meat pieces (far fewer whole chickens and big meat joints than in her earlier recipe collections) and a surprising number of dairy-free cakes. (At the moment, if I were cooking a three-course meal for (an)other omni(s), those would be its elements. Today's menu: How to Eat Mushroom Ragout with Oven-Baked Polenta in a little ramekin (not soup, but vegan); either HTE Greek Lamb Stew from the fridge - no feta or pasta, at least for me - or if I get round to it, Zoodle Chow Mein from The Clean Plate - followed by HTE Chocolate Raspberry Pudding Cake from the fridge - without the raspberry liqueur, sorry, bit too much faff and expense.)
So many of the recipes in Simply Nigellaare dairy-free that I can only assume that, at time of writing, Nigella must have been spending plenty of time with people, or with someone, who doesn't eat dairy. All the cakes in the index are dairy-free, and whilst of course there are some dishes where milk and cream are integral, it's a pleasure to look through so many recipes without needing to consider how they might work with modifications, or knowing I will just ignore them altogether. (There is so much junk in vegan cream that it's not a product I would consider using more than a handful of times a year, but vegan butter isn't too bad.) As I find cookbooks whose titles and covers are focused on intolerances to be a turn-off, and I am partly motivated to use recipes by an attribute probably easiest to describe as glamour (particular types of glamour I like), omni books such as this one and Gwyneth Paltrow's, which have plenty of dairy-free recipes without being emblazoned as such, are invaluable, inspiring and fun.
So many of the recipes in Simply Nigellaare dairy-free that I can only assume that, at time of writing, Nigella must have been spending plenty of time with people, or with someone, who doesn't eat dairy. All the cakes in the index are dairy-free, and whilst of course there are some dishes where milk and cream are integral, it's a pleasure to look through so many recipes without needing to consider how they might work with modifications, or knowing I will just ignore them altogether. (There is so much junk in vegan cream that it's not a product I would consider using more than a handful of times a year, but vegan butter isn't too bad.) As I find cookbooks whose titles and covers are focused on intolerances to be a turn-off, and I am partly motivated to use recipes by an attribute probably easiest to describe as glamour (particular types of glamour I like), omni books such as this one and Gwyneth Paltrow's, which have plenty of dairy-free recipes without being emblazoned as such, are invaluable, inspiring and fun.
January 9, 2017
Not my favourite collection of Nigella Lawson recipes. I had high hopes that her customary focus on tasty and feel-good cooking would translate to what, at first glance, appears to be a major nod to contemporary food trends (gluten-free, vegan/vegetarian, low carb, cheaper cuts of meat, superfoods and so on), but I've been disappointed so far. Avocados get more than their fair share of coverage. The portions also seem to be smaller than her usual generous quantities - the thai noodles with cinnamon and prawns barely fed me, let alone two. Does this signify the end of her self-acclaimed title of having never knowingly undercatered?;-)
The one stand-out recipe I've tried is the supremely decadent salted chocolate tart, which considering its calorie hit is rather out of step with the rest of the book, being more in keeping with her girdle-buster pie, but I'm nevertheless grateful for one satisfying result!
The layout is also annoying- the pictures are frequently on the same page as the intro or the ingredients and method are over the page, thus requiring a lot of flicking back and forth.
The one stand-out recipe I've tried is the supremely decadent salted chocolate tart, which considering its calorie hit is rather out of step with the rest of the book, being more in keeping with her girdle-buster pie, but I'm nevertheless grateful for one satisfying result!
The layout is also annoying- the pictures are frequently on the same page as the intro or the ingredients and method are over the page, thus requiring a lot of flicking back and forth.
February 4, 2022
I hate the phrase ‘health food’ whit a deep burning passion.
Why? You ask, well, because of the insulation that there are foods that are bad for you and foods that are good for you.
This is ridiculous; there are foods that one must eat in moderation (for sure) but non that could be considered harmful!
The reason for this book ‘simply Nigella’ is one of a transition of never calling your food ‘health food’ but accepting the need for food in moderation and the intrinsic nature of specific foods.
Let’s face it, we all know green is good; however, Nigella can convey the notion of eating food that is more nutritious not for the sake of doing so, but because that is how she feels at the time.
What a better time to read, new year new you, or at least new year new food!
A personal recommendation for those who are feeling sluggish after the winter holidays.
Why? You ask, well, because of the insulation that there are foods that are bad for you and foods that are good for you.
This is ridiculous; there are foods that one must eat in moderation (for sure) but non that could be considered harmful!
The reason for this book ‘simply Nigella’ is one of a transition of never calling your food ‘health food’ but accepting the need for food in moderation and the intrinsic nature of specific foods.
Let’s face it, we all know green is good; however, Nigella can convey the notion of eating food that is more nutritious not for the sake of doing so, but because that is how she feels at the time.
What a better time to read, new year new you, or at least new year new food!
A personal recommendation for those who are feeling sluggish after the winter holidays.
May 1, 2025
Recipe book of the month for April 2025
I’ve made chicken shawarma with tahini sauce, quick pickled carrots and quick pickled gherkins. (Both pickles are delicious.)
Many of the savoury dishes didn’t appeal because I had given up alcohol for Lent and they contained tequila or bourbon, or I just didn’t fancy them. I really love Nigella’s food usually, especially the cakes. Her At my Table book has been used the most, following by Kitchen and Domestic Goddess. This one falls short somehow and I’m hesitating about keeping it. I think the only thing I made before this was the apricot and cardamom cake, which I found rather mildly flavoured, but which family said they enjoyed. I’ll keep it for a little bit longer but it’s not looking like a long-term plan. Only paid a little for it from a charity shop so it can go back, maybe!
I’ve made chicken shawarma with tahini sauce, quick pickled carrots and quick pickled gherkins. (Both pickles are delicious.)
Many of the savoury dishes didn’t appeal because I had given up alcohol for Lent and they contained tequila or bourbon, or I just didn’t fancy them. I really love Nigella’s food usually, especially the cakes. Her At my Table book has been used the most, following by Kitchen and Domestic Goddess. This one falls short somehow and I’m hesitating about keeping it. I think the only thing I made before this was the apricot and cardamom cake, which I found rather mildly flavoured, but which family said they enjoyed. I’ll keep it for a little bit longer but it’s not looking like a long-term plan. Only paid a little for it from a charity shop so it can go back, maybe!
January 18, 2020
As an experienced cook I have to admit, I just don’t get the big deal over Nigella. How many times do you have to have the “sensuality,” of food described? These recipes aren’t difficult but many are a lot of bother or so simple that they don’t require a recipe. A salad with one fried egg in it for dinner? I guess that’s how she stays slim. Alternatively you can make “shepherds pie with Indian spice,” a recipe with so many ingredients just assembling them is a pain.
It wouldn’t matter except that Nigella stresses that all of this home cooking and not particularly special.
Maybe Nigella’s popularity makes more sense in the U.K? Or maybe few people actually make these recipes and read them for fun? Maybe. If you’re going to actually cook, there are plenty of more practical books.
It wouldn’t matter except that Nigella stresses that all of this home cooking and not particularly special.
Maybe Nigella’s popularity makes more sense in the U.K? Or maybe few people actually make these recipes and read them for fun? Maybe. If you’re going to actually cook, there are plenty of more practical books.
January 12, 2018
Beautiful picture and lots of nice clean eating recipes. I am particularly interested in making the green tahini, picked thai chillies, and matcha latte. The recipe for the chia pudding is not correct. Was not set in the morning. A proper ratio of chia to milk is 1 cup milk to 3 tablespoons chia seed. Definitely a Nigella fan.
September 10, 2018
I read this cover to cover. I think it's the first cookbook I've read this way. Loved the intros to the recipes. One thing I appreciate about Nigella is that she's a home cook and not a chef, which makes her recipes very home cooking friendly. Also, my book is an autographed copy I picked up a couple years ago when in Chicago.
February 2, 2021
A 3.5
I know that I shall come back to this cookbook time and again, as I do with her other books. However it doesn't have as many recipes that call out to me instantly as some of the others, (Domestic Goddess, Christmas recipes, How to Eat especially) so not quite such a high rating. Still a nice cookbook though, and her recipes work for me
I know that I shall come back to this cookbook time and again, as I do with her other books. However it doesn't have as many recipes that call out to me instantly as some of the others, (Domestic Goddess, Christmas recipes, How to Eat especially) so not quite such a high rating. Still a nice cookbook though, and her recipes work for me
December 19, 2018
Like the recipes, but especially love Nigella’s notes and techniques. My only quibble with this cookbook is many of the recipes require ingredients that I wouldn’t typically have in my kitchen, so they’re less approachable.
October 2, 2019
As with all Nigella books, you just want to sit in her kitchen and eat anything she makes. I also love reading her blurbs since I can hear her voice in my head. No recipes stood out for me, but it's a lovely book.
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