save with jamie

thriftychick

I think Jamie's new book is incredibly similar to Economy Gastronomy in its format. The pricings for his meals are on his website https://www.jamieoliver.com/savewithjamie. Almo is right that for people on here, the recipes would be ones that we would use alternatives for, miss pointless ingredients out and generally have the knowledge to make them cost effective.

tessie_bear

Dunroamin wrote: »

How would they know?

by telepathy

Callie22

What annoys me is that these chefs that bang on about 'cheap' food but never factor in the actual cost of cooking it. With the price of utilities, it's not actually that cheap to slow cook stuff in an oven, no matter how much you fill it. If you buy basics stuff then yes, it can be cheap to make a stew, or bread, or whatever, but it's not that cheap to cook it, especially if you're on a meter and you're physically paying for the gas/electric as you use it. Four hours in the oven or two minutes in the microwave? I know what's cheaper ...

barneydee_2

I am a big fan of JO, have got the new book & I am not that impressed by it , like others have said a lot of the things he dose I already do,but some things at the moment I don't do I.e pickle left over veg I will take up and making flavoured oils.I would love to have dripping pots but as I am married to an English man who dose not like roast dinners it's not often I roast a joint but this brought back some lovely memories of dripping on toast at my mums
Dee x

AnnieO1234

I've not read the book (yet) but from I have seen so far this is very much aimed at the middle classes who are tightening belts. The PPs comment above about pickling leftover veg (just an example, sorry pp) is all well and good but it means buying vinegar and then figuring out what to use it with which for many could be a false economy. Leftover veg can be blanched and go into the freezer. Once you have enough shove it in a stew or similar.

I haven't seen anyone trying to show people how to eat like Jack Monroe does. I'd love to be able to meal plan with that precision; using up the yogurt from the curry or making sure all the eggs are used in time etc. it's an art and science.

Tbh I don't like JO but if he shines a spotlight that encourages people to cook and cook more wisely, thereby alleviating food waste and improving nutrition, then all good to him and great.

Pee

I've not seen the book but will watch the tv programme, on a small tv! I am probably part of his target audience, not a takeaway addict although I used to be, but someone wanting to maximise their food budget probably to save for Mediterranean holidays... I think what he is trying to do, get people cooking and thinking about waste is a good thing. I will look up that blog as I am sure there are other people doing it first and doing it better.

Teg-Rem

I wasn't actually saying that I don't like fish and that it sholdn't be cooked with, I love fish, just that salmon and trout etc in large quantities are FAR beyond my food budget, even when my husband did have a "proper" job, and the beef he used on Monday night is aLSO, £14!!! that is almost half of my food budget for the week to feed 4 adults 3 meals a day. I do agree that there are a lot out there who will buy the book and use it, but I suppose I was expecting a bit more from it, especially as he said earlier on in the year that a lot of the recipes would come to about a pound a head or so. and I thought the fish pie he made was expensive also, it could be done the same for a lot less and still be healthy, so sorry but Jamie is not for me this time round, I will, as others have and wait for it to come to the library and look at it and see what can be done with it.

richardw

Here's the fish pie recipe http://www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/fish-recipes/sweet-pea-fish-pie?prev=1

catkins

I think Jamie does have good intentions but do agree that his new book and tv programme probably is not really for people who are really poor. However, if it helps some people budget better or stop throwing perfectly good food away it has to be good.

I do like Jamie and I get sick of the bashing because I think his heart is in the right place. Jack Monroe, on the other hand, is the new saint. I have tried some of her recipes on the whole they are nice although one was disgusting and another pretty tasteless. Me and OH are vegetarian so I like the fact that so many of her recipes are meat free however most people I know would not make her recipes. She uses pulses a lot which is great for me but lots of people either don't like them or just wouldn't be interested in using them.

sweaty_betty

I think a previous poster really hit the nail on the head about it not necessarily being an income issue but not growing up in a "cooking culture" that's the problem.
I wasn't really brought up in a cooking culture, my mum admits she never liked cooking or vegetables (although she made decent healthy meals for us) so it's been quite a big deal for me to learn to try different recipes, cook from scratch etc. So I have some sympathy for people who don't have a clue or don't see the importance of cooking decent meals.