Kitchen: Recipes from the Heart of the Home [Rilegato]

Ordinarily I control my cookbook urges. With a collection of cookbooks that has overrun the available shelf space (cookbooks squished sideways on top of others, some spilling onto the floor, others taking over bookshelves originally allocated to "travel" or "history"), I. must. control. myself. I force myself to take a cookbook out of the library first, to ensure that I want to actually cook from it more than once. If a cookbook survives three recipes, I give myself permission to purchase it.

Not Nigella's. The moment I saw this book was on sale, I pre-ordered it. Doing so was the right decision.

Unlike some of her recent cookbooks, about Feasts or Christmas or Cooking Good Food, Fast, this has less of a specific theme except maybe "comfort food meets your real-life frenetic schedule." The first half of the book, called Kitchen Quandaries, leans toward serving your "dinner in 30 minutes" needs, with chapters like "Hurry up, I'm hungry" and "Off the cuff" (pantry suppers). The second, Kitchen Comforts, is full of recipes for when you're in the mood to chop and stir, segmented into chapters including "The solace of stirring" and "the bone collection."

Her recipes do not disappoint. (Well, they almost never DO disappoint, which is why I could order this book with such confidence.) So far, I've made two meals, both from the fast-food side of the book. "Lemony salmon with cherry tomato couscous" was quick to throw together but sure didn't taste that way; it was good as a cold salad, too, when I wanted lunch the next day. Her "speedy seafood supper" won't make me throw out my recipes for the putter-worthy cioppino, but it was 30 minutes from "What's for dinner?" to pouring the fish stew into a bowl and grabbing a hunk of bread. Even better, that recipe started with a pound of frozen mixed seafood from Trader Joe's; I didn't have to remember to defrost anything (a common "oh drat!" moment in this household). I'm making this week's shopping list now, and am trying to decide if I'll make her "spatchcocked Cornish hen" (with sultanas and pine nuts) or "pork and apple hotpot." It might be both.

Nigella includes a few extra features in this cookbook that I really appreciate. One is a chapter devoted to shortcuts and other things that make life a little easier. In many cases these are obvious tips, at least for someone who's been cooking for 30 years, but in this case I had a few, "Oh, I'll try that!" moments. (I had already learned from her TV shows how handy it is to use kitchen shears to cut up bacon or scallions directly into the pan; if that's all you need to cut up, why dirty a knife and cutting board?) Plus, she has a very good balance between recipes that feed 6-8 and those that serve one or two.

Another thing I like is that she has a postscript to many recipes that tell you what you can do with the leftovers. Some leftovers are intentional, of course, such as poaching chicken with the goal of turning leftovers into one of the chicken salads she suggests. Others, though, answer my "What the heck do I do with THIS?" questions, such as her suggestion to turn leftover Risotto Bolognese into "risotto burgers" with cheese melted on top, served with peas. I wish more cookbooks did this.

This cookbook has already earned its spot on the cookbook shelves, and I've had it for only a week. I expect you'll feel the same way. Highly recommended.

I am one of those cookbook collectors who, like another reviewer, is a bit obsessed and running out of shelf space...now more than ever a cookbook must earn its keep to stay--and this one qualifies. It also happens to be my first Nigella book, altho' I bought her Christmas book last year for someone as a gift. I am so glad I bought this cookbook to call my own. It is awesome. The size alone is massive, probably the thickest cookbook I own. Not only is it impressive in size but in the contents and useful information as well. Other reviewers have already mentioned the highlights, many of which I also would have listed--so I will just say, "ditto" on all counts from me too!

Her personality definitely shines thru the pages, so I don't know what another reviewer means when she says it doesn't...not so at all. There are so many passages of her 'talking' on the page to the reader, that I am making a mental note to go back and read it all when I have time, b/c the number of recipes are calling to me right now. But what I have read tells me I like her gutsy and authentic style. For instance, I chuckled today while reading the recipe I made tonight, African Drumsticks; on the top of page where it gives the number of servings it will make, it says: "Serves 4-8 (depending on age and appetite)." Boy, do I know EXACTLY what THAT means. Don't we all? Yet nobody ever says it, except Nigella! Let's get real...and Nigella is! They were tasty and fast & easy to make; and I'm a bit ashamed to admit, ten drumsticks fed LESS than four adults here! She also had a footnote that freezing the chicken in a ziplock with the marinade keeps for three months. I would never have thought to do that. What a great idea--not just for me on a busy weeknight, but for a way to bring food to someone who is sick or bereaved and can't cook for themselves. Just defrost and put in the oven--done.

I sometimes see her cook a recipe or two from this book on Foodnetwork, and the only thing lacking in the book that she includes on the show is to give metric measurements when she bakes. I simply jot down the metric weight in my book to the corresponding recipe when she mentions it on the show. (Altho' I am a cook more than a baker, I so appreciate weighing metric on my digital scale when baking). I made her churros which are stupid easy and will keep a permanent place in my file. Altho' I had another churro recipe I was happy with, I could not make it for my toddler granddaugher b/c of serious food allergies. Nigella's churros are free of dairy/eggs, so my granddaughter ate the churros w/much delight (and to my great pleasure as well as we could make them and eat them together). The Coconut-Cherry Banana Bread was moist, easy, and fast to make; and you can switch out bananas w/any other fruit puree; I switched out the cherries for cranberries. Last night I made a Flourless Chocolate Cake to give to a friend who must eat gluten-free. It was fun and easy to make. I omitted the lime zest and instead added a teaspoon of instant coffee to batter which boosts the taste of chocolate. Saved myself the calories by eliminating the Margarita whipped cream on top. It said to use one 9" springform, but I used many mini-springforms, so I could dole them out as little food gifts and still keep one for me! Easy to be flexible with her recipes. The pics are there to inspire, too. I will be back to report on further recipes as I have many more to go.
Update: I made her little chocolate cups that use an indented muffin pan. I had to use an egg substitute due to allergies, but it came out fine. My 6 yr old grandaughter loved the chocolate edible container underneath the scoop of ice cream we put into it. I wish I had more time to make more recipes!

Nigella Lawson's eighth book features 190 amazing recipes. 60 of these scrumptious recipes are even able to be cooked in 30 minutes or less. The "domestic goddess" writes in a way to capture your attention and actually makes you want to try all of these delectable recipes.

Nigella Lawson's new book, Nigella Kitchen: Recipes from the Heart of the Home includes fun information on Nigella's kitchen, and how to turn everyday ingredients into an amazing meal. I personally loved reading about how some of her "Hall of Shame" kitchen gadgets didn't work out for her either. I mean really, who needs all of the gadgets in the kitchen department anyways?

Some of my favorites included in this cookbook:
* African Drumsticks
* Chicken Tortillas
* Coconut Rice
* Curly Pasta with Feta, Spinach and Pine Nuts
* Flourless Chocolate Lime Cake with Margarita Cream (gluten free!)
* Indian Roasted Potatoes
* Parsley Pesto
* Quick Chick Caesar
* Sweet and Sour Chicken
* Venetian Carrot Cake (gluten free!)

Overall, I think that this is a great cookbook for all levels of cooks. It has many different types of recipes and is very easy to read and follow. What more can you ask for in a cookbook?

Thank you to the publisher of Nigella Kitchen: Recipes from the Heart of the Home, Hyperion Books, for providing me with a copy for review. All opinions expressed are my own.