This
is a very overdue review since I started testing this book out last October,
however I will spare you any excuses as to why this is so late and
just get on with it because one thing is for sure - this is a book
worth reviewing.
I'm a
big fan of Nigella Lawson, particularly her recipes, and having
already reviewed Nigella Kitchen (which is still to date one of my
favourite cookbooks to cook from) I knew it wouldn't be long before
Nigella Express was put to the test. In this day and age although at
times we like to relax and take our time to potter around the kitchen
at weekends, the reality is that for the majority of the week we need
quick, delicious meals that can go from kitchen to table in as short
a time as possible but without compromising on taste. Nigella Express
is a book that is all about fast food where the recipes claim to be
minimum stress for maximum enjoyment.
The
chapters are divided up into categories depending on your needs such
as 'Everyday Easy', 'Workday Winners', 'Get Up and Go', 'Instant
Calmer' (Soul Food), 'On the Run' and my favourite, 'Razzle Dazzle'
for when you need to put together a party pronto! As is becoming
increasingly familiar with all of my cookbook reviews I once again
bookmarked a ridiculous amount of recipes but in the end I tested 9
which is good for a review but a mere dent on the enormity of recipes
in this book!
The
Tested Recipes:
Prawns
with Maryam Zaira Sauce
Mozzarella
with Crazy Gremolata
Minestrone
in Minutes
Scallops
and Chorizo
Sweetcorn
Chowder with Toasted Tortillas
Chicken,
Mushroom & Bacon Pot Pies
Chocolate
Mint Cookies
Flourless
Chocolate Brownies
First
up was the super simple Prawns
with Maryam
Zaira Sauce
which got a big thumbs up not just because it's
delicious, but because it's super quick and easy to make. This is a
Moroccan inspired version of the classic UK style Prawn Cocktail and
would make a perfect starter or light lazy lunch enjoyed outside in
the sun with a chilled glass of wine. As someone who loves Prawn
Cocktail (or for that matter prawns with most dipping sauces!) I will
definitely make this again for a ridiculously easy meal that is a
little bit different from the usual.
Next
up and there was no resisting the Mozzarella
with Crazy Gremolata.
I will eat Mozzarella
any way I can so I was delighted to find something a little
different. Even more so when I saw this 'Crazy Gremolata' included
olives and chillies – 2 of my favourite ingredients and things that
I always have in my fridge. Before I even made this I knew I couldn't
go wrong and I was right – completely delicious, super fast and
easy!
The
third recipe I tested was the Minestrone
in Minutes.
From the moment I saw this recipe I knew I had to try
it since it promised me a delicious minestrone in minutes using only
4 ingredients....how could I not try it?! It really did take no time
at all to make – the hardest part was waiting 10 minutes to let it
sit and the pasta swell before eating! I don't ever buy bought
pasta/tomato sauces so I would probably change the one I bought but
if you have a favourite jarred tomato sauce then you will love this
soup. I couldn't resist by finishing mine off with a sprinkling of
some chilli, parsley and for completely unnecessary indulgence and
greed, a little grating of cheese. It was delicious but if you want
to be more restrained very unnecessary as the soup was still good
without the additional ingredients!! I will definitely make this
again when I need something filling and hearty in a hurry using 4
ingredients that you can keep on hand in your pantry.
Being
a lover of tapas and food that I can generally pick at and graze over
for a long time, I couldn't resist trying her recipe for Scallops
and Chorizo to accompany some other tapas that I made for a
relaxed Friday night meal with my husband. All I can say is from now
on whenever I make Tapas I will always be making this! To be honest
being a huge fan of Chorizo and Scallops we couldn't really go wrong
because it is as simple as simple gets but regardless it is a great
recipe and I'm glad we tried it.
So
after so many successes it was bound to be time for a bit of a fail
and that came in the form of recipe number 5 which was Sweetcorn
Chowder with Toasted Tortillas. Don't get me wrong it wasn't bad
but I would only really describe it as okay and wouldn't be in a rush
to make it again. It just seemed to be missing something and I found
the taste of the spring onions to
be a little overpowering which took away from the sweetcorn. The soup
is finished with toasted tortillas topped with melted cheese (think
basic nachos) and if you like, some fiery red chilli, and it was
these toppings that really finished the soup off nicely and without
them it would have been a real miss for me. Not terrible but not
great, this is a recipe that I would have to adapt to make it one
that I would repeat.
With
plenty of lighter easy meals having been tested (and devoured!), it
was time to try a dish that was more substantial and could be enjoyed
as a main course, so next to be put to the test was the Chicken,
Mushroom and Bacon Pie. Now I say more substantial because it was
a main course but that doesn't mean it was any more complicated or
labour intensive – it wasn't. Minimal ingredients, maximum taste is
definitely the backbone to this book. Now since Chicken Pot Pie is
one of my husband's all time favourite meals this recipe was really
going to put the book to the test. Thankfully it passed – with
flying colours!! It was fantastic but then can you really go wrong
with a Chicken Pie when it has plenty of bacon in it?! I had to
deviate from the recipe slightly since I wanted to double it and
didn't have 4 individual dishes of the right size so instead I made 1
big pie and I did add a little seasoning which the recipe didn't call
for but I didn't want to be disappointed by lack of salt and pepper!
Anyway it was fabulous and as hubby said, he would recommend buying
the book purely for that recipe alone!
Having
been successful with plenty of savoury dishes I decided it was turn
to the sweeter side of things so I made the Chocolate Mint Cookies
which Nigella suggests as a great alternative to after-dinner mints
or dessert. Although a cookie they had a slight resemblance and
density to Brownies and were completely addictive. The mint drizzle
provided a fantastic finish to cut through the deeply intense
chocolate and made them very moreish! I loved them and so did
everyone else in the family so they didn't last long!
Up
next and we had family round for dinner so I made the Flourless
Chocolate Brownies since my niece has an intolerance to wheat. As
with most brownie recipes they were very simple to make and didn't
take long to bake. The end result was a very dense, rich brownie
which everyone loved although I found a little rich, but if you are a
chocolate lover you would love these. You serve the brownies with a
chocolate sauce which to be honest I wasn't a big fan of. There was
far too much as it was so rich you only need a drizzle and the
espresso in it really overpowered it so next time I would probably
miss out the chocolate sauce altogether or certainly reduce the
espresso in it.
Finally
the last recipe that I tested out was the Breakfast Bars (click on link for recipe). I
knew from looking at the list of ingredients that these certainly
weren't going to be the healthiest option for a homemade breakfast
bar (hello condensed milk!) but they looked so good on the photograph
and seemed so straightforward I just couldn't resist, especially
since I had all of the ingredients in my pantry with the exception of
the unsalted peanuts which I promptly went out and bought then forgot
to put in the bars! But even with the peanuts M.I.A these bars were
still great. They weren't as sweet as I was expecting and were
perfect with my cup of coffee although I suspect I would keep them
for a snack as opposed to having for breakfast. That being said if
you are on the run and need to grab and go these would be ideal.
So out
of 9 recipes tested 7 were complete successes, 1 needed a little bit
of work (just need to change the chocolate sauce for the Brownies)
and 1 was to my tastes a miss but that's not bad odds if you ask me!
On top of the tried and tested recipes I also bookmarked the
following recipes which I still plan to try over time.......
Potato
& Mushroom Gratin
Blackberry
Crisp
Mouclade
Cheese
Fondue
Pineapple
Upside Down Cake
Green
Eggs & Ham
Maple
Chicken 'N' Ribs
Crispy
Duck
Forgotten
Pudding
Chicken
Schnitzel with Bacon & White Wine
Mirin-Glazed
Salmon
Instant
Chocolate Mousse
Doughnut
French Toast
Glitzy
Chocolate Puddings
Sesame
Peanut Noodles
Amaretto
Syllabub
Golden
Goat's Cheese with Lentil & Walnut Salad
Mellow
Meatballs
I
have to say that with this book it really doesn't feel like you are
cooking. Things are so easy and quick to prepare it's a little bit of
this and that, a chop here, a stir there and you're done! It's like
magic! That being said I am happy to say that despite the ease and
speed there is no compromising on flavour. Nigella has once again
delivered and this book is a must have for your kitchen library if
you want speedy, easy and super tasty meals that will be on your
table in no time! This book absolutely gets the Vanilla Clouds and
Lemon Drops stamp of approval!
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