My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Gnocchi gratin, saffron orzotto, Tuscan fries, mascarpone & ricotta pancakes with rum-steeped strawberries, meringue gelato cake, pork belly slices with chilli and fennel seeds, chocolate nougat cookies, turkey breast stuffed with Italian sausage - shall I go on?
I have a great admiration for Nigella Lawson, and I think that the foundation of this cookbook is brilliant. We all have an Italian cookbook, or have stared longingly at some delicious recipe, but where on earth do you find some of these ingredients? This is the point where you reach for 'Nigellissima'. She says in the introduction: "What I am is an English woman who has lived in Italy, who loves Italian food and has been inspired and influenced by that... I don't claim that these recipes are authentically Italian, but authentic they are nonetheless."
So do as Nigella does and be inspired by your favourite cultures (this philosophy is not restricted to Italian by any means!) and make it work for you. Even for these Anglicised versions of Italian food Nigella gives options for when you can't find/don't have/don't like something.
I love following a recipe and recreating something magical. But I also love reading a recipe and going to explore my own pantry and seeing what I come up with; simply being inspired to create.
And, P.S. I read this cover to cover. Every. Single. Word.
It hasn't got the best reviews from Italians though but still it's a good book. Nigella doesn't claim to be an italian and that the recipes were passed down from generations it's to put it simply fusion cooking. These recipes are inspired similarly to how chef Bobby Chinn creates his Vietname and asian recipes. I think I might buy it I've got the app and now I want the book.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great, concise review. I totally agree with you about exploring my own takes on recipes- as much as it is easy to follow a recipe, sometimes you don't have all the ingredients, or, your just in the mood to try something new!
ReplyDeleteBTW those chocolate nougat cookies sound absolutely di-vine-licious! Have you ever made them? They sound really interesting [and quite scary- the nougat part especially- isn't it like super sticky? do you make it? do you buy it? and where in the world do you buy it?]
Love your Blog!
-Bunny
Nougat is fairly easy to come by if you're in Australia/UK in Supermarkets. Not sure about anywhere else. Nigella gives lots of little tips in the book for coping with things like sticky nougat so if you buy it you should have no problems.
DeleteI haven't made anything from the book yet as I'm currently kitchenless! I'll be back in Australia in 2013 and can't wait to get in a kitchen!
Let me know if you get up to any baking. And I hope you keep loving the blog!
Hannah x