Hey all, how are you doing? I was supposed to post my foodie blog on Simply Nigella last week, but because it’s been a manic week (sorry, my bad), I’m posting both write-ups for episodes 2 and 3 here. I’m writing this with Christmas music playing in the background, on good old VH1, which I find most excellent for chilled out chunes. I know, I know, it’s too soon for Christmas, but the weather out there is murky, dismal and I’m just in a festive kinda mood.
Episode 2 featured Pork Belly Gau Bau, Vegan Chocolate Cake, Crunchy Chicken Escalopes and Breakfast Bars. I’ve been meaning to make these breakfast treats since forever, and now that La Nigella has done them, I feel all inspired to get baking. (I’ll do that next week and will let you know how I get on in a standalone post.) I usually buy those Eat Natural bars (Almond & Apricot if you’re asking), and I always wonder how difficult it would be to make them from scratch. The thing about Nigella, is that she makes everything look so darn effortless. Nigella’s recipes relax and restore. Her food also has an “easy-make” factor meaning even a 10 year old would probably find it easy to rustle up her recipes. And I don’t care what you say – Nigella’s descriptions are humorous, tongue-in-cheek and shouldn’t be taken too seriously. As she bashes, bathes, and crunches her way through the episode and into our hearts, you’ve got to admire the flamboyant cook for her inventive descriptions.
Episode 3 was interesting, in that it featured warm lettuce for an inspired take on Caesar Salad. I’ve seen an increasing number of recipes with charred lettuce, or baked lettuce, and I don’t know why, I just can’t bring myself to eat it. I think, it’s down to the fact that in my head, all salad (lettuce included) should be crisp, fresh and served with a bite. I think I may just have to try this baked version, and dispel any qualms I have of eating limp leaves. Other recipes Nigella cooked were Squid and Orzo Pasta, Rice Bowl (with ginger, radish and avocado), Old Rag Pie and Oat Pancakes (with raspberries and honey). The making of the pie was beautiful to watch, as Nigella artfully tore pieces of filo, scrunching up and drizzling glistening butter over it. I couldn’t decide if this was a dessert (it had tonnes of honey on it), or just a really sweet savoury dish, due to the zingy feta addition.
I’ll certainly be getting my bake-on by cherry-picking recipes from each weekly episode to blog about. Here is my cooking itinerary from Simply Nigella which I’ll be making over the next few weeks.
Episode 1: Avocado Toast
Episode 2: Breakfast Bars / Vegan Chocolate Cake (I can’t decide which one, so I might well make them both)
Episode 3: Oat Pancakes
I love watching the Simply Nigella episodes. They’re simple cooking at its best. What do you think of the series? Do you have any favourite recipes? I’d love to know.
RAxx