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Jamie at Home: Cook Your Way to the Good Life |
Average User Rating: 90% (47 Reviews) | |
| 5 / 5 | Jamie 'gets his hands dirty in the garden', and produces another fine cookbook
Amazon Reviewer - 6 September 2007 Not particularly renowned for their 'leap off the shelf' type covers, the Jamie Oliver cookery books have seemed a little uninspiring, and, to some extent, this one follows suit in an off-white colour background with a centred photo of Jamie in his garden. However it is what is between the covers that counts! Generally speaking, as the `celebrity chefs' seem to spin out one book out after another, it is easy to wonder what on earth can possibly be different about the latest offering? But, as defined in the Amazon text, from the back cover - this book is indeed `no-nonsense, simple cooking with great flavours all year around', based on the produce from Jamie's garden......Over 100 new recipes, plus some basic planting information and tips if you fancy having a go at getting your hands dirty as well!' Written to coincide with his latest TV programme series, the text is the typical Jamie Oliver banter that has made him so famous, e.g. from `Winter Veg':- `I've obviously reached the age where I've started to sound like my old man.....Now, when a good day gets rained off, and the cold weather kicks in, I always think, `Well, the garden's going to love it.' And I've learnt that if you plan ahead and plant an assortment of winter veg in the summer you can reap the rewards from your garden every day of the year.....' and `Bubble and Squeak with Sausages and Onion Gravy Bubble and Squeak is a classic British dish of smashed-up winter veg traditionally made from the Sunday roast leftovers. Use about 60 per cent potato to get the right consistency, then whatever veg you like - carrots, Brussels, swedes, turnips, onions, leeks or Savoy cabbage.' Dedicated to Steve Irwin, 1962 - 2006, alongside a suitably pensive garden shot of Jamie, this weighty tome has 407 high quality matt pages, split over seasonal chapters:- Spring Summer Autumn Winter with `A nice little chat' opening the book and ending with `Useful Stuff' and Jamie's `Thanks', as always - just before a full index, enhanced by V = `Vegetarian Meal' referencing and bold for illustrated dishes, which are plentiful. On-location shots are littered throughout. Each chapter opens with a seasonal, double page spread showing with the associated main ingredients, followed by introductory text. Each recipe has relevant opening text, the number of servings, the list of ingredients and clear directions. The book also includes advice on how to grow the JO way and harvest the selected ingredients, along with sections dedicated to other relevant areas, some a little more sensitive than others, such as:- `The Shock of Battery Farming' `What I have Learned about Shooting' Other information section examples include the definition of `The Different Cuts of Lamb', `Types of Hen Eggs` and `How to Barbecue'. A very small taste of the typically JO-defined recipe titles contained within:- Eggy Breakfast Crumpets Incredible Roasted Shoulder of Lamb with Smashed Veg and Greens Really Very Delicious and Simple Lamb Tartare Rhubarb and Custard Kinda SoufflĂ© Best Barbecued Meat and Homemade Barbecue Sauce English Onion Soup with Sage and Cheddar Pizza Bomba The Quickest Tomato Sauce Creamy Rice Pudding with the Quickest Strawberry Jam Proper Chicken Caesar Salad The Mothership Tomato Salad Roast of Incredible Game Birds with Proper Polenta E. F. R Wild Mushroom and Venison Stroganoff for two lucky people Homemade Tomato Ketchup Cheeky Chilli-pepper Chutney Welsh Rarebit with Attitude Superb Squash Soup with the best Parmesan croutons Winter Crunch Salad with a mind-blowing sauce... Read Full Review » |
| 5 / 5 | A very good cookbook
B. J. Hamblin (yeovil, Somerset) - 7 September 2007 As a veteran of buying many cookbooks, some used all the time, others quickly become dustcatchers, I was impressed with the general 'look' of Jamies latest offering. But the general layout, content and laid back nature of this book has quickly made it a favourite of mine. The recipes are down to earth and achievable, you WANT to cook these dishes. Jamie writes the introductions as he speaks, which will particularly appeal to younger cooks and those just starting out with cooking and gardening. I am neither of the above but have read this book from cover to cover, there is always room to learn. Buy it, its good!... Read Full Review » |
| 5 / 5 | His best so far !
J. van de Lindt "Romance Reviews" (The Netherlands) - 25 October 2007 Jamie Oliver is a cook you either love or hate. Most people love him and I am no exception. His recipes are flawless. I hate watching him on TV because his restless behaviour makes me nervous. But that is completely besides the point here. His last book "Jamie at Home" is much more then just a cookbook. He tells us about his new passion in live: growing his own vegetables. Lots of tips on that subject and mouth watering pictures and recipes. After reading this book you will yearn for your own big vegetable garden. Although I know from experience that a big garden is not as heavenly as Jamie describes. He ships of his vegetables to his London restaurant "Fifteen" but if you don't have a restaurant you will be stuck with so much home grown stuff that you'll drown in it. Growing the stuff in pots on your balcony will make you much happier. Jamie doesn't pretend that meat or eggs are produced in supermarkets. He doesn't beat around the bush and writes about "The Shock of Battery Farming" and "What I have Learned about Shooting". There are no distressing pictures on the subjects so don't worry about that. It's not like on TV where he slaughtered a lamb in front of the camera. But if you don't want to know how your meat is produced you are either a vegetarian or a hypocrite. Jamie is honest about food. Really down to earth and so are his recipes. What I really like about this book is the fact that it is divided in seasons and also that everybody can cook "Jamie". You don't need four of five other cooks in your kitchen for the rest of the meal while you are sweating over just one very complicated course. You can do it all by yourself even if your not a very experienced cook. This book is a real asset in the kitchen and great to cuddle up with on the couch.... Read Full Review » |
| 5 / 5 | From a vegetarian's point of view.
G. Colman (North wales) - 13 January 2008 As a vegetarian im always cautious of buying cook books, but this book supplies veggie recipies a-plenty, and most of the recipes that aren't can be made so by just taking out or replacing the meat element. I like that Jamie is not a cook that only considers a meal a meal when it has meat in it. Made one of the recipies tonight, and it was delicious! All in all an aesthetically beautiful book (the photography is combined with cute illistations which are endearing) and the writing is easy to follow and completely free of pretention. Recommended. ... Read Full Review » |
| 5 / 5 | Loved it
Kiki "Kiki" (UK) - 13 September 2007 Fab recipes and with a bit of vegetable gardening chucked in for good measure it's the perfect book for budding gardeners and cooks everywhere. It's an amazing way of encouraging people to try and do a bit of home grown and Jamie's constant enthusiasm comes through on every page. It's a great kitchen garden book, a great cook book and even a great coffee table book. |
Publisher
Michael Joseph
Publication Date
6 September 2007
Format
Hardback (408 pages)
ISBN
9780718152437
Price Range
£15.00 - £15.00
List Price
£25.00
