Famous British chef Jamie Oliver is back with his latest volume of scrumptious feasts in Jamie's Comfort Food.
"True comfort food can wrap its arms around you and give you a great big hug, or can tickle you pink and make you laugh," wrote Oliver in the book's introduction.
The collection of recipes combine hearty meals that are both nostalgic and pleasing to the taste buds of everyone at the dining table. The list features classics like shepherd's pie, schnitzel and apple pie; all the way to favourites from worldwide cuisine like Vietnamese pho, Thai massaman curry, Indian chicken tikka masala and Italian risotto. Those who wish to indulge in a touch of sweetness will also find recipes for cakes, brownies and even how to put together a perfect cup of hot chocolate.
Insanity burger.
Unlike Oliver's previous 15 and 30-minute set of recipes, this new cooking tome better suits those with time on their hands. It is about crafting a perfect dish to suit special occasions, all with well-known dishes that can be accentuated by attention to detail. It is about making the scent, the taste and the image come together in a particular way for maximum comfort and satisfaction of the dining companies.
It is as the chef puts it: "Some things are worth waiting for and getting just right."
This book may not suit those that are on a diet. Some recipes, aptly titled "Guilty Pleasures", are surely not for the fainthearted. You will find cheese, chocolate, deep-fried meat and other not-so-healthy bits that just happen to be deadly delicious. Fear not, though, because there are some vegetarian-friendly dishes included among the recipes as well. Nutritional information — fat, calories, carbs and sugar — is also covered at the end of the book, so at least you know exactly how much weight you'll be gaining.
As with many Western cookbooks, the featured Asian dishes look quite different as to how they are presented in their native country, but the finished products seem mouthwatering and inviting enough to give the recipes a go to see what comes out. It is not the author's intention for every single step to be followed and creativity is very much encouraged.
"There are principles and eccentricities and attention to detail and downright bonkersness that will help you develop your own comfort food with a little extra spring in its step."
Jamie’s Comfort Food
Jamie Oliver 408pp 1,495 baht ISBN 978-0-718-15953-5 Available at Asia Books
