Jamie Oliver; Ministry of Food

pipkin71

Meatballs made with sausage meat are a favourite here.

DD2 made spicy wedges tonight - and they really were spicy - but, they were so nice, I had seconds. This really made her happy though, and she keeps saying how nice the wedges she made for dinner were.

She enjoys cooking and it's nice to see her wanting to cook.

Pipkin xxxx

troo

I really hope none of the people on the show end up here. The judgemental posts will put them off for life.

carriebradshaw wrote: »

That young girl is depressed and believe me when you feel that way it’s very difficult to come out of it,you go through periods of extreme highs and lows & you just seem to shut down and dig yourself in deeper and then push people away that are trying to help you.

Yes yes yes :T I've just watched the second half and came here to comment, but you've done it for me

DianneB

JackieO wrote: »

I once took some of my grandchildren into McDonalds (first time I ever had been into one) and they fell about when I asked for a knife and fork. I can't stand plastic cups either

Had a laugh at this one JackieO, I always take off the lid on the drink and refuse to use a straw - I am an adult for goodness sake!!!

MrsE_2

JackieO wrote: »

I once took some of my grandchildren into McDonalds (first time I ever had been into one) and they fell about when I asked for a knife and fork. I can't stand plastic cups either

My mates mum did this, in the late 70's in the Oxford street one (didn't have them all over the place then) & she expected it to be like a Wimpy.

Cazzdevil

carriebradshaw wrote: »

I suspect that will probably be down to having a contract to promote healthy eating in those Sainsbury’s ads and also selling the book/dvd.

That did cross my mind, on the "Feed your family for a fiver" campaign for Sainsbury's didn't he do meatballs first?...

thriftlady_2

I haven't watched the programme and don't intend to-I don't really like JO, but as you may know I do like cookbooks I've had his other books in the past but never really used them (donated them to Oxfam). I wasn't going to let myself buy this one -I can cook after all, but I did and do you know it is a really, really great cookbook.

It is full of recipes for stuff we all love to eat, traditional family fare as well as curries, stir fries and quick meals. His stew recipe is really simple -take some basic flavouring veg and a tin of tomatoes then choose chicken, thyme and white wine, or lamb, rosemary and red wine, or pork, sage and cider or beef, ale and bay leaf. Then top it with dumplings, sliced potatoes for a hotpot, mash or pastry. A whole chapter is devoted to mince with recipes for all your favourites -bolognese, lasagne, meatloaf, burgers and meatballs. There's a brilliant chapter on salads including ways of 'evolving' a simple carrot or tomato salad into something more substantial and exciting. There is also a pick and mix salad -choose a soft leaf, a crunchy leaf, something herby, a veg, some cheese and a crispy topping. There is a chapter on soups, one on breakfasts including all you need to know about cooking eggs, homemade granola, toppings for porridge -how about chocolate and marmalade?. There are puddings and bakes too as well as some great fish recipes, that's everyday sorts of fish -salmon, trout fillets, cod.

I bought it with my kids in mind really (that's not true I bought it cos I love cookbooks) but it will be a great resource as they learn to cook. There are fantastic step-by-step photos of each recipe. The instructions are well written and don't assume you know how to cook but are not patronising either. There's advice about stocking your pantry and what equipment you need. Most of the recipes are fairly economical and there are no fancy, expensive ingredients.

I like the styling too, a retro look recalling the wartime ministry of food and I particularly like the fact that he dedicates the book to Marguerite Patten a food heroine.

In short if you are a novice in the kitchen this is the book for you, and even if you are a seasoned cook I think you will find this book useful, I will.

Amazon are selling it for £10 + £2.75 p&p
Waterstone's are selling it for £12.50
I think Tesco have it for £10
I don't think you'll have to pay the full £25 anywhere.

skintlass

I wasn't going to get this book because I can cook but after the review above I'm definitely going to have a look at it when I'm next in the supermarket,

carriebradshaw

thriftlady wrote: »

I haven't watched the programme and don't intend to-I don't really like JO, but as you may know I do like cookbooks I've had his other books in the past but never really used them (donated them to Oxfam). I wasn't going to let myself buy this one -I can cook after all, but I did and do you know it is a really, really great cookbook.

It is full of recipes for stuff we all love to eat, traditional family fare as well as curries, stir fries and quick meals. His stew recipe is really simple -take some basic flavouring veg and a tin of tomatoes then choose chicken, thyme and white wine, or lamb, rosemary and red wine, or pork, sage and cider or beef, ale and bay leaf. Then top it with dumplings, sliced potatoes for a hotpot, mash or pastry. A whole chapter is devoted to mince with recipes for all your favourites -bolognese, lasagne, meatloaf, burgers and meatballs. There's a brilliant chapter on salads including ways of 'evolving' a simple carrot or tomato salad into something more substantial and exciting. There is also a pick and mix salad -choose a soft leaf, a crunchy leaf, something herby, a veg, some cheese and a crispy topping. There is a chapter on soups, one on breakfasts including all you need to know about cooking eggs, homemade granola, toppings for porridge -how about chocolate and marmalade?. There are puddings and bakes too as well as some great fish recipes, that's everyday sorts of fish -salmon, trout fillets, cod.

I bought it with my kids in mind really (that's not true I bought it cos I love cookbooks) but it will be a great resource as they learn to cook. There are fantastic step-by-step photos of each recipe. The instructions are well written and don't assume you know how to cook but are not patronising either. There's advice about stocking your pantry and what equipment you need. Most of the recipes are fairly economical and there are no fancy, expensive ingredients.

I like the styling too, a retro look recalling the wartime ministry of food and I particularly like the fact that he dedicates the book to Marguerite Patten a food heroine.

In short if you are a novice in the kitchen this is the book for you, and even if you are a seasoned cook I think you will find this book useful, I will.

Amazon are selling it for £10 + £2.75 p&p
Waterstone's are selling it for £12.50
I think Tesco have it for £10
I don't think you'll have to pay the full £25 anywhere.

that is a great review thanks thriftlady,hopefully we'll get to see these recipes and advice in the coming episodes. I'm not a big fan of JO but I dolike him in this show

Churchmouse

I'd echo carrie, thanks thriftlady that's a great review:T You like cookbooks? No surely not, what a surprise:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: You've done it again though, haven't you? Made me think about a book I wouldn't even have considered, and don't need, and ..................maybe I'll visit Tesco's ( never normally go there);)

In the hope you'll visit this thread again soon, may I ask a question? I know you don't like slow cookers, preferring the traditional way of a long cook in the regular oven, but I wonder if you are revising your thoughts in view of the fuel price rises? I ask because I'm starting to recheck appliance usage and costings after the latest rises, and you were the first person I thought of that I know doesn't like SCs. Yesterday I used the meter to cost out beef casserole in the SC. It came in at 7p:D Now I know it would have cost way more using my electric oven. I know if you can utilise the whole oven to cook several things, the cost can be evened out a bit, but to be honest, with very limited freezer space I often can't do this ( and even more honestly, I'm not organised enough:o ) I'm just interested ( oh OK nosy:p )

thriftlady_2

Churchmouse wrote: »

I wonder if you are revising your thoughts in view of the fuel price rises? I ask because I'm starting to recheck appliance usage and costings after the latest rises, and you were the first person I thought of that I know doesn't like SCs. Yesterday I used the meter to cost out beef casserole in the SC. It came in at 7p:D Now I know it would have cost way more using my electric oven. I know if you can utilise the whole oven to cook several things, the cost can be evened out a bit, but to be honest, with very limited freezer space I often can't do this ( and even more honestly, I'm not organised enough:o ) I'm just interested ( oh OK nosy:p )

To be honest Churchmouse my dislike of slow cookers is based entirely on how they cook rather than economics. I agree that they are certainly fuel saving, and I think they are fantastic for people who are at work all day. I'm impressed that a casserole comes in at 7p :T I'll certainly consider getting my SC out again. I don't like the fact that they produce very wet casseroles. I like mine to evaporate and concentrate the flavour. However it occurs to me that you could save some of the excess liquid for use in soups or gravy.

You've certainly made me think Churchmouse;)