I've decided it's time to add to my cookbook collection. For someone who enjoys cooking and baking as much as I do, I don't really have many recipe books as I tend to refer mostly to pages I've torn out of magazines or to recipes which friends and family members have passed on. Two of my favourite celebrity chefs are Nigella Lawson and Jamie Oliver so I'm trying to decide which one of their books to buy first.
I've always liked Jamie Oliver, mainly because he seems so very down to earth when I watch his shows. Anyone who tells you to 'bash the crap out of it' when making pesto and then refers to such a creation as 'the viagra of the cooking world' couldn't really get any more unpretentious if he tried. I liked him even more after reading his wife Jools’ book 'Minus Nine To One’. ‘Jamie's 30 Minute Meals' appeals to my lack of available time to spend in the kitchen and I found myself scribbling down lots of recipes as I watched his show of the same name.
As for Nigella, she just seems so classy and elegant to me. If I could cook such indulgent comfort foods as she does and still look as glamorous, I'd be very happy. I've really enjoyed her latest television series 'Nigella Kitchen' where I found myself not only admiring the delicious dishes she whipped up, but also her tastefully decorated kitchen. I loved that this series focused on 'recipes to beat the clock at the end of the day', as well as 'leisurely recipes to unwind with over relaxing weekends'. However, I'm also drawn to the title of one of her other cookbooks 'Nigella Express'.
So I’m turning to you all for your opinions. Do you own any of Jamie or Nigella’s cookbooks? Which are your favourites? Is there a title you think would best suit my needs for simple, home cooked meals with relatively easy to source ingredients?
Image #1 from Shoot Factory
Image #2 from Food Network
I don't own either as I tend to refer to taste.com.au if I need a recipe. I do prefer Nigella as she loves food so much! I agree, she has such a lovely kitchen x
ReplyDeleteI'm a huge fan of taste.com.au too!! One of the great things about our new laptop is being able to search for recipes on that site while I'm in the kitchen :)
DeleteSorry can't help you on that one. I am eyeing off a weight watchers one personally! But I do love my Marie clare one I got a few Years ago.
ReplyDeleteI am a bit of a cookbook fanatic and have a couple of Jamies and a couple of Nigellas. I would choose Jamie for simple, straight-forward yumminess in every day meals and Nigella for that little extra special dessert. I definitely use Jamie a lot more than Nigella. x
ReplyDeleteI have one by both and I turn to the Nigella, Domestic Goddess one far more than Jamie. I love listening to Nigella, I just can't stand Jamies speech impediment, drives me mad.
ReplyDeleteI'm not a fan of Jaime but love Nigella...having said that I don't yet own any of her books but have borrowed a few from the library. Why not issue a few of each to see what appeals to you?
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I actually thought of doing the same thing myself after I typed this post... I like the idea of flicking through the books before I decide which one to get.
DeleteMy Mum has both and I tend to copy the recipes out of Jamie's books the most. The pirates will eat pretty much anything I cook of his. Maybe see if you can borrow a few from friends before making an investment? x
ReplyDeleteHi Amanda. I definitely prefer Jamie to Nigella. I don't own cookbooks for either, but i once saw Andrew Denton interview Nigella and she was so condescending and arrogant, she totally lost me. I l0ve watching Jamies 30minute meals on tv and have many times considered buying one of his books. happy day to you!! Jane x
ReplyDeleteOh how sad - that's not how she comes across on her show at all :(
DeleteAmanda, I have Jamie's 30 Minute Meals and Nigella Express. I really like them both and bought both on sale, or at least Jamie's was on sale and Nigella's was discounted on eBay. I've also noted you can get all of their recipes on-line.
ReplyDeleteBoth have websites so check them out and print the recipes you like the most. That way you save your money and only get the recipes you REALLY want
Lesley
xx
Well everyone is different, but I have Nigella Express and I think I have used it once in the last 3 years! (If it was not in storage until we buy a house I would give it to you!) I have almost all of Jamie's books and I would say that 90% of what we (and by 'we' I mean my husband) cooks comes from one of Jamie's books.. We just think he is brilliant and all his recipes turn out so well.
ReplyDeleteP.s Happy to give you 'Nigella Express' when we move, but it wont be till late this year!?
Might take you up on the offer Katie if I go with one of Jamie's books instead... you are so sweet xx
DeleteBelated Happy Birthday Wishes, you young thing.I feel old now! I quite like Jamie's no fuss approach,reminds me of all the guys I worked with. Male chefs are more creative generally.Though we find Nigella is very watchable.Super food ideas mag is great for quick meals.
ReplyDeleteHi Amanda, I like watching Nigellas cooking shows...but have never tried any of her recipes. We have a few Jamie Oliver books here and my husband really likes cooking from them. But I'm more a Bill Granger fan myself. Each recipe works out brilliantly. Especially his cookies and cakes. I also just brought the Country Womens Association Classics and that's another awesome book I'd recommend!
ReplyDeleteHi Amanda, as much as I love my Nigella books (How to Cook great for family suppers and everyday food plus has a great chapter on babies and toddlers; Domestic Goddess has my favourite chocolate loaf recipe in the whole wide world), I would actually go with Jamie nowadays. Very simply, he's more about the ingredients than the actual recipe. I was never a massive Jamie fan until the Jamie at Home series. Every episode sang to me. Out in the garden, picking the leaves for a salad, rustling up beautiful dressings, making bread, the rustic puddings. The Jamie at Home book wins hands down for me.
ReplyDeleteI like them both, but would probably by Jamie's cookbook over Nigella's.
ReplyDeleteI have Jamie's 30 minute meals and found the way he set out the recipes a bit different to what I was used to but I did find that his ingredients were quite simple. The library is a great place to try both of the books and then buy what you like best. Enjoy choosing a new cookbook. x
ReplyDeleteThe layout of Jamie's 30 Minute Meals was what I was debating over, although, there have been many things on his show of the same name that I would love to try. I think I will definitely borrow some books from the library before I make my decision.
ReplyDeleteOoh hard choice Amanda! I love both but honestly have about seven Jamie booms that I use a lot, oddly i use his first book the most, and only one nigella that i don't use so often....I still like her style though. 30 minute meals is set out a bit awkwardly but has great ideas, I've found you follow it once and then just follow your nose after that.
ReplyDeleteI love them both for different things. My favorite Jamie's book is 'Jamie's Italy', 'Jamie at home' and Jamie does'. He is great for simple every day recipes. Nigella is a 'Domestic Goddess' when it comes to desserts! Great post Amanda!
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