Having decided to add cookbook reviews to the blog, I’ve been pondering where to start. I have a big stack of recently released cookbooks perched on my desk and scattered around the house, some of them by Canadian food bloggers that I actually know, and any of them would have been a fine candidate for the inaugural review. But then I realized that when I was putting together my recent brunch menu I turned to an old favourite recipe from a cookbook that’s been like a friend for 14 years now: Apple and Blackberry Kuchen from Nigella Bites by Nigella Lawson. It seemed only fitting to start with this book.
I received Nigella Bites as a Christmas gift in 2001 with the inscription ‘happy cooking,’ and that’s what I’ve been doing with it ever since. At the time, I was intoxicated by the author’s food show on the FoodTV network. Her approach to food was lush and sensuous, and her pleasure in eating seemed almost carnal at times. The name ‘Nigella Lawson’ and the phrase ‘food porn’ have been practically synonymous for good reason. But going beyond that, her recipes were exotic and she taught me to look at and appreciate food in new ways. I devoured her book How to Eat, and How To Be a Domestic Goddess still has a prominent place on my bookshelf. Somewhere along the way I became less enamoured of her newer television shows and I haven’t bought any more of her books. Having said that, I think I’ll borrow one or two from the library to see if there are any I’d like to add to my personal collection.
Cookbook Collecting Tip: Cookbooks can be a big investment of your book-buying dollars, so borrowing one from the library to read and work from for a couple of weeks is a good way to assess if it merits a place in your collection.
Cookbook Overview
Nigella Bites is an all-purpose cookbook, with a mix of recipes for all meals, desserts and more. Although it was published in 2001, it’s still current today with its globally-inspired cuisine. For example, there are dishes inspired by the cuisines of India, South Asia, the Middle East, regions of Europe, Jewish culture and even the US South in a chapter called “Trashy,” which she explains as ‘a bit of kitsch in the kitchen.’ This anti-food snob chapter includes Elvis Presley’s Fried Peanut-Butter and Banana Sandwich. Due to lingering memories of a most unfortunate encounter with a peanut butter and banana sandwich as a child, I choose to end my days without trying this recipe, but there it is for those of you who have no such aversion.
Recipes I’ve Made
I just flipped through Nigella Bites again and see that I’ve made quite a few of the recipes from it. In fact there are some I’ve made over and over, which is just about the best endorsement of a cookbook I can think of.
- The Chocolate Cloud Cake has been my signature dessert since the first time I made it. No exaggeration: people rave about this cake. I made it so frequently — often by request — that for a few years I boycotted it, so to speak, because I didn’t want to be a one-trick dessert pony.
- I made the Bitter Orange Ice Cream (no churning required) for company once and it went over well. The texture is different from a traditional churned ice cream, but it’s super easy to make and as I’m writing this I’m wondering why I haven’t made it again.
- The Chick Peas with Chilli, Garlic and Thyme has been a popular dish with family and friends over the years. The recipe calls for soaking dried chickpeas but I’ve only made it using canned (which I saw her do on her television show) to add speediness as another virtue of the dish.
- And, oh, the Vietnamese Chicken and Mint Salad. This is so, so good. I’ve made it for girlfriend gatherings and just for myself. As I look at the recipe — with handwritten notes on it and a spattering of something speaking to its frequent use — I know I’ll be running out soon to get the ingredients to make it again.
- In the interest of full disclosure, there’s one recipe I tried that was a fail of epic proportions: the Thai Yellow Pumpkin and Seafood Curry. I’d seen Nigella Lawson make it on her television show, and I lingered over the recipe many times before trying it. It looked and sounded delicious. I don’t know what I did wrong, or if it just wasn’t the dish for me. Let me just say that my children literally ran from the room when they saw it, my then-husband who normally ate everything only had a few bites, and I couldn’t even force it down. And yet, when I look at the recipe again today, it sounds like it should work. Perhaps my palate has caught up, but I likely won’t be trying this one again.
- On the other hand, I’m pleased to report that I found the Hot and Sour Soup from the ‘Temple Food’ chapter as restorative and delicious as promised.
Featured Recipe: Apple and Blackberry Kuchen
And finally, that Apple and Blackberry Kuchen recipe. From the first time I saw it, I knew I wanted to make it: a sweet yeast dough, spread with a creamy topping, bedecked with luscious fresh fruit and then a decadent crumb sprinkling. It’s never failed to impress. I’ve made it several times for special occasions, whether a Christmas brunch, for company, or just for me when I wanted to treat myself royally.
When I made it a couple of weeks ago, I made a few tweaks, the main one being making more of the creamy topping for the base and adding sour cream to it. Of course, you can always play around with the fruits. This is an excellent recipe for frozen fruit — especially out of season there’s no sense using more expensive fresh fruit when it’s going to be baked — and I’ve usually used a mixed berry blend plus the sliced apples. If you would like to try it, you can find the original recipe here with metric and weight measurements. If you’d like an Imperial version, click here.
Recipes I’d Like to Try
Browsing through the book again for the first time in two or three years, I see so many more recipes I’d like to try. I don’t know about you, but I’ve never made all the recipes from a single cookbook, à la Julie Powell and Mastering the Art of French Cooking. Here are a few on my list:
- Watermelon Dacquiri
- Chocolate Fudge Cake
- Chocolate Pots
Hmm, I see a rather decadent theme here, but why not?
Recommendation
For me, the best cookbooks are successful on two counts. First of all, they’re a good read. The header notes tell a story, the recipes catch my interest and spark my imagination, and the photographs are enticing. Secondly, the recipes work. Nigella Bites succeeds on both scores, and I recommend it as a worthy addition to anyone’s cookbook collection.
Book Details
Nigella Bites by Nigella Lawson
First published in 2001 by Chatto & Windus
ISBN 0701172878
Hardcover, 244 pages
Since this is an older book, you may not find it in your local bookstore, but I’ve seen it offered online.
great web page and pictures Mar.
I love your personalized review, especially that you´ve made quite a handful of recipes before. By all you say I guess this would be a nice cook book to have (and I am quite picky a cook book buyer and reader). Thank you!
Thank you, Sabine; I’m glad you enjoyed this review. I was surprised to see how many recipes I’d made from this book over the years; it’s a good sign when you keep going back to a cookbook!
so true!
good luck with your own book Marlene and treat yourself is a good thing…..
You got me. I just ordered it from my library — to see if I want to own it. I’m very careful, anymore, about the books I keep. We move so often, and it’s such a hassle to lug books around. But this one sounds like my kind of book!
I’d love to post a condensed teaser version of this (I try to limit all my posts to less than 500 words) — with a link to this post. In about 3-4 weeks, after I’ve had time to look at the book and make my version of the Kuchen. I’ll run it by you before I publish.
I’m formulating it in my head. I’m thinking it will include something about my philosophy of blogging and social media, that it’s about authentic relationships, and the fun of finding my almost twin. I recently posted this on face book (you may have seen it).
My final decision regarding social media marketing goals. (followed by this quote from Mother Teresa: “Never worry about numbers. Help one person at a time, and always start with the person nearest you.”)
Online — the nearest person is the one who is neighborly, who makes a serious effort over time to keep interacting in an authentic, caring manner, without trying to push you into buying her stuff.
This sounds great Tracy. Funny, this is my longest post in a long time; I was surprised to see how much I had to say about this book, so I just let myself run with it!
I didn’t see your post on Facebook — I’ve gone to look for it but with no luck. (And how embarrassed will I be if it turns out I already liked and/or commented on it?) Could you send me the link? Your social media philosophy resonates with me. I’m not in it for the numbers game, which is an issue at times when I try for sponsored post opportunities, but so be it.
I haven’t posted it yet, Marlene. Will do so in late August.
I’m fighting off ear infections that won’t go away — probably due to my already compromised immune system. So I’m backing off from too many commitments for a few weeks.
Hope you feel better soon!
Love this book as well, and I really love her Christmas book. What I especially love about her recipes is that she doesn’t create fiddly dishes. like her cloud cake, it’s more of a rustic presentation, which I can relate to. Great post!
I agree, Nigella (we’re on a first-name basis, lol) does have a practical approach to cooking. I think her recipes inspire confidence. I haven’t seen her Christmas book, but I’ll have a look for it (at the library, to follow my own advice).
I really enjoyed reading your review Marlene, and great advice about borrowing from a library first, you are right, cook books are a big investment and not always the right one. I have one Nigella book, ‘Kitchen’ from which I’ve made a few recipes and I’ve also used a lot of her ideas at Christmas, but reading your review here reminds me that I haven’t done so for a couple of years now. I like a lot of her food but some is rather fiddly I find. I wonder how many of her recipes cross over from ‘Kitchen’ to ‘Nigella Bites’, if any? The Kuchen looks amazing (as do all your photos) and what a great idea for Christmas brunch. Mmmmm….some of that with a cup of tea sounds perfect right about now, never mind Christmas 🙂
Thanks for your comment, Sherri! Actually, I found some recipe cross-over among the three Nigella books that I currently have, which I thought was a bit of a cheat. Then again, I occasionally ‘repurpose’ recipes on my blog; on the other hand, no one pays to read it! Anyway, you’re right, the kuchen is great for Christmas brunch (and I’ve made it for that in the past).
Sometimes cookbooks don’t work because they have recipes that are just too hard to complete or they have ingredients that are just not easy to find. I love cookbooks that make life simple. And this seems like one that does. Beautiful review.
Kia / House of KTS
http://www.houseofkts.com
I agree, it’s always great to find a cookbook that suits your style and what’s available in your area. I’m glad you liked this review!
[…] Coconut Meringue Bark. And finally, I started my Urban Cottage Bookshelf column with a review of Nigella Bites, featuring Apple & Blackberry Kuchen. I appreciate all the positive comments about the cookbook review, and will be running the next one […]
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