The Kitchen Diaries: A Year in the Kitchen |
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Nigel Slater
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Pages: 400 (Paperback)
ISBN: 0007241151
Pub: Fourth Estate
Pub date: 2007-04-02
Amazon.co.uk Sales Rank: 3089
Editorial Review:
Following the success of 'Real Food' and 'Appetite', this is the tenth book from Nigel Slater, the award-winning food writer and author of the bestselling autobiography, 'Toast'. 'The food in 'The Kitchen Diaries' is simply what I eat at home. The stuff I make for myself, for friends and family, for visitors and for parties, for Sunday lunch and for snacks. These are meals I make when I stop work, or when I am having mates over or when I want to surprise, seduce or show off. This is what I cook when I'm feeling energetic, lazy, hungry or late. It is what I eat when I'm not phoning out for pizza or going for a curry. This is the food that makes up my life, both the Monday to Friday stuff and that for weekends and special occasions.' 'Much of it is what you might call fast food, because I still believe that life is too short to spend all day at the stove, but some of it is unapologetically long, slow cooking. But without exception every single recipe in this book is a doddle to cook. A walk in the park. A piece of p***.' 'Fast food, slow food, big eats, little eats, quick pasta suppers, family roasts and even Christmas lunch. It is simply my stuff, what I cook and eat, every day. Nigel's food -- for you.'
Reader Reviews:
Great cookbook (11/11 people found this helpful)
Don't be put off by the sheer size of this cookbook--almost 400 pages. And if you're looking for the "quick-and-easy" method, this might not be for you. If you want quick, try "Delia's How to Cheat" book which I use quite often. However, when I want to make something for friends or really have a good meal, I turn to THE KITCHEN DIARIES. You won't find a better compilation of recipes and they're not all with ingredients that you can't find either.
But the most amazing thing about this book is the "seasonal" aspect it has--the fact that certain foods should be enjoyed at certain times. The weather and holidays play an intricate part in THE KITCHEN DIARIES and what you should be eating. Highly structured and with some real punch, this is THE cookbook you should have on your shelf. As with all cookbooks, there's a litle more than just the recipe--you know, the "where it came from" type of information or some biographical info. I was reminded of a book I recently came across that poked fun at all cookbooks and at the same time was a great novel wrapped around the actual cookbook---Barring Some Unforeseen Accident---a very funny book, especially if you collect cookbooks. Other than that, I'd recommend "Eating For England."
delicious (0/2 people found this helpful)
This book is as enjoyable to read as the recipes are to cook and eat.
Delicious, easy-to-cook food.
Written in such an earthy tone. I love it!
The Most Beautiful Cookery Book in the World (3/4 people found this helpful)
This is not the cookery book I go to for every day use. It is however, my most treasured culinary possession. It is as thing of beauty and a joy forever. Make sure you buy the hardback edition, which has marbled end pages and a cloth spine, just to add that extra touch of decadence to what is already an extravagant luxury.
This is more than a cookery book, it is about a way of life. We are privileged to journey through a year in the company of Nigel Slater. His diary extracts are wonderful, and his recipes perfectly complement both the writing and the superb photography in the book.
For me this book has to be read in one sitting, and then dipped into over and over again. I also like to read it alongside Slater's memoirs, Toast, which talk of his childhood and his important emotional relationship with food. Together they add a whole new dimension to the works and thoughts of this man.
Food wise the recipes are fantastic. I was having a problem with Nigella's Brownies because I couldn't get mine to cook through properly. I tried Slater's recipe and haven't looked back. They are fabulous and I always get a standing ovation. Other highlights are the pumpkin and tomato Lakhsa and the duck and star anise stew.
Disappointed several ways.... (1/6 people found this helpful)
Several disappointments with this book:
(1) Carb counters beware! Anyone who believes, like me, that sugar and starches are the culprits behind modern obesity, will have a hard time following and enjoying this book. Nigel frequently makes meals and entire days without any protein whatsoever. Sometimes without any protein or vegetables (pasta and rice are high on the list, or why not a whole meal of boiled then fried potatoes with beer - as per the August 9 entry on the back cover).
(2) He claims to promote seasonal, local and fresh.... Pineapple and mango in November?
Finally
(3) I thought this book was a journal of food-writing, not a collection of recipes... I was very surprised to receive a cook book in the mail!
Good points:
- Pretty pictures
- Comfort food bonanza
- Interesting journal entries if you can ignore the lack of balance in the meals (no protein).
The best! (1/4 people found this helpful)
If the house was on fire and I could take one cookbook it would be this. This man is just magic and so is his food!
Similar Products
Appetite: So What Do You Want to Eat Today?
Toast: The Story of a Boy's Hunger
Categories
Amazon.co.uk places this book into the following categories:
Books -> Refinements -> Language (feature_browse-bin) -> English
Books -> Refinements -> Age (feature_two_browse-bin)
Books -> Refinements -> Format (binding_browse-bin) -> Paperback
Books -> Refinements -> Condition (condition-type)