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Thursday, December 16, 2010

Nigella Kitchen: Cookbook Review


The domestic goddess is back, and she's brought us a "comfort chronicle" on her love affair with the kitchen!  Although I knew it deep down and even voiced it a few times over the past couple of years, I don't think I realized the true extent of how much I craved a new book from Nigella.  Her older ones get pawed and referenced pretty regularly...I DVR old episodes to sustain and inspire me...but being able to hold her thick new labor of love in my hot little hands...stroke it...use it to plan the future...I totally needed that.  In this book, she shares the tools, ingredients, recipes, and stories that sustain her...that enrich her...that emanate from the soul-that-is-Nigella.  I think most of us who spend so much of our lives in the kitchen feel that it is our sanctuary as well as a place we associate with the people we welcome into our home.  I just love the way Nigella puts it when she says..."I need my kitchen to work, but I also want it to enchant."  Yup. Pretty sure we were separated at cosmic birth. Do I need to tell you that I adored this book...from the get-go?  Nigella and I...we just spent a solid week together in the kitchen.  We reminisced a bit and pulled out some of her old books (I'll fill you in more another day)...but mainly, we focused on Nigella Kitchen

Amongst all the little slips of paper poking from the pages, I chose a week long menu of a few things that I couldn't bear to wait any longer to try.  They are all simple selections that fit into my schedule...even in the midst of holiday madness.  There are more dinners and elaborate meals that I will be making in the more relaxed days that ring in the new year.  

I started out with a simple Tomato Curry which I served on a bed of brown rice.  Grape tomatoes and peas simmered in a curry bath made for a quick, flavorful lunch!
My absolute favorite thing I made this week...earning the title of my new favorite salad...was the Chinatown Chicken Salad!  Oh. Em. Gee.  A fabulous combination of crisp lettuce and bean sprouts with ruby strips of peppers, the brightness of cilantro, meaty shreds of chicken, and crunchy fried wontons...all tossed in a mouthwatering dressing...with a few peanuts dotting each bite.  Sounds irresistible, no!?  I'll dedicate a whole post to it soon, but until then...feast your eyes on my new favorite salad.
Next up is a steaming bowl of  soup laden with fat noodles, thinly sliced pork, veggies and an addicting broth.  I slightly adapted her Vietnamese Pork Noodle Soup to make a big bowl of The Ramen girl and Nigella-inspired goodness!
Up next, I served up the Small Pasta w/ Salami, in which ditalini and white beans are flavored with salty salami, herbs, and tomatoes.  This was a quick week night meal that pleased both the adults and the kiddos.
Probably the equivalent of pasta tossed with a simple garlic-infused olive oil and then sprinkled with a good grating of Parmesan, Spaghetti with Marmite makes for a lightning-quick, salty-yeasty-can't-put-down-your-fork type of lunch!  Plus, it was my first foray into the world of Marmite...now I must find other applications for this intriguing jar of brown goo!
You didn't think I could finish the week off without a bit of dessert, did you?  Of course not.  Venturing away from my favorite gingerbread (which incidentally, also happens to be a Nigella recipe)...I made a big pan of tempting Guinness Gingerbread.  It's sticky, moist, and perfectly rich.  BUT.  It's not taking the place of said go-to recipe.
So, all that said and done...I definitely recommend Nigella Kitchen.  If you love the queen of simple excess, then you'll love this book ☺.

Curious about the next dish on my Nigella itinerary from this book?  An old favorite of mine...Chicken with 40 Cloves. Aw yeah...bring on the garlicky goodness.


*I was sent an ARC of this book by the publisher for review if I wished...but the opinions stated in this post are all mine.


Would you like to comment?

  1. Sounds like a great book! Like always, your food looks delicious.

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  2. I've marked so many things to try in this book, I don't even know where to begin!

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  3. Nigella has this awesome ability to combine deliciousness with simplicity. . love her and her recipes always!
    Great review and a must buy!

    US Masala

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  4. This is a prefect time for this book. It's going on my Christmas list! Everything looks so colorful and good! Yum!

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  5. what a review--- must buy i think ! loved ur take on her new labour of love !

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  6. I'm pretty much dying for a copy of this book. I ordered a copy, which was lost in the mail, and then canceled. Then I went to the local bookstore and they were all sold out! Nigella is probably my favorite lady of the kitchen for sure. Looks like you made some really tasty things. I love all of it and am intrigued with the salami and pasta - yum!

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  7. I want a plate of that chicken salad, like, right NOW! Then, I'll take a bowl of the curry...

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  8. that chinatown chicken salad appeals to me. i love having some different textures in my salad.
    great review... i will have this soon in a few days( shhh yeah i know what my kids got me already hahah)

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  9. I can't decide which of Nigella's books is my favourite, but Kitchen is definitely in the top two or three. Ever since I have got it, I can't stop cooking from it - and when I was reading it through first time I felt sad when I got to the end!! The amazing thing is Nigella is as nice in person as she sounds in her books - I met her briefly after a presentation she did at a foodie event a couple years ago. You've done a great review, and I love your photos of the recipes you have tried - they all look delicious. Don't miss her Venetian Carrot Cake on page (p 278)- I've just made it again this week - it's the best carrot cake I have ever eaten.

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  10. I have been a fan of Nigella for years. She is so beautiful and she always executes her recipes with effortless grace. I loved how you tried out several of her recipes to share with us. Thank you for sharing with me. I hope you have a wonderful day!

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  11. Well gee now..I am just going to HAVE to get this book...Nigella is one of my favorites and your pictures make me want to eat the page...

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  12. Ops..here I go again..

    Did anyone ever try her lamb with pomegranate??! Oh MY GOD! If you like lamb, and like it with mint jelly (a must to go with lamb) then you will LOVE it with pomegranate! It is so good...

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  13. I JUST received this book last week and haven't even gotten a chance to open it yet because of school! You've gotten me excited though! Everything looks wonderful.

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  14. i have yet to try anything from nigella, but from the looks of it, i'm really missing out!

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  15. It sounds like me when I got the Barefoot contessa frm the library :)

    Love the little pastas, but what I would love most now is a steaming bowl of noodle soup! Funny you mentioned the Ramen girl because I just watched it two days ago on Netflix! Im sure I never would have seen it if not for NF, or heard of it (until coming here of course!) :)

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  16. I love Nigella Lawson. I've yet to make a recipe in one of her cookbooks that I haven't liked. Like her heavenly, dark chocolate loaf cake!

    Here recipes aren't always real food friendly, but at the very least her cookbooks are a great place to get ideas. Will have to check out this cookbook soon. Didn't realize she had a new one coming out. Thanks for sharing!

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  17. the book sounds great.. nice reviews n stunning pictures.. wow!

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  18. Hello Heather. I think I have everyone's cookbook on the Food Network but hers. I like her very much and after reading her background and all the painful years she has had, I truly admire her zest for life. As I type this, I eat cheese/crackers with Habanero Honey. Yummo so good. Thanks, nice post.

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  19. Love her. You have convinced me....That I need this cookbook. Thank you. = )))

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  20. Looks like a very useful cookbook to have around the kitchen...everything looks so delicious! I especially love the look of that gingerbread!

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  21. Wow, that book sure sounds fun. Loving the tomato curry.

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  22. I've never cook with Nigella. (Shhh) I don't watch TV and missed the Food Network thing but after that review, I need to figure out if I sneak another cookbook into the house without anyone noticing. I love it all - from the tomato curry (oh yes!)through the gingerbread. Fun review! I also love that she wants to "enchant in the kitchen." Right up my fairy-tale-loving alley!

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  23. Oh, Nigella (heart!). I'm not sure if I've made any of her recipes, oh no, check that, I made a cake once. But here's the thing. Even though I'm a straight girl, I full-out have the hots for her. She is Jessica Rabbit!

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  24. I was wonder should get this book too or maybe I should. Thanks for sharing your opinion :D

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  25. Solo una domanda...
    Quanti libri di cucina hai?
    Molto interessante la risposta...
    Buona giornata:)))
    Barbara

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  26. I absolutely ADORE Nigella! She makes simple, straight-forward food with lots of flavor and sophistication. And she's not above frying candy bars or dipping into leftovers at midnight -- a woman who appreciates food and who actually eats!

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  27. Everything looks delicious! Especially that chicken salad. I've never heard of Nigella, will have to check her out!

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  28. I have tried not to buy this book because lord knows I don't need another one but your review is making me change my mind. ;-)

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  29. Nice!!! I just got this one from the library. Don't ya just love the library? I get to try out so many books and decided if I want to part with my money on a cookbook - early reviews.

    I am a big Nigella fan...so far I am enjoying this book and I really like your review!

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  30. I made yet another version of the crustless pizza for brunch today - I really may have to consider getting this book! So many tasty-looking and easy dishes! I can totally recommend the Asian beef shin too.

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  31. I adore all things Nigella! I went to the book signing in Dallas, Texas and she was just amazing!!!

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