Monday 10 December 2007

Six More Nigella Express….



Apologies for my lack posting, I’m blaming it on ill health, both mine and family members.... I’ve been keener to read other blogs rather than post on my own recently as well…. but here is one. Hope to be back blogging properly soon.

The end of November and all of December is such a busy busy busy time for so many of us. So much so that the daily meal cycle can become a bit of a grind, and our minds and energy are on other things.
I almost always take some sort of cold / flu bug at this time, and it’s a real pest. Just when I’d be looking for a boost of energy, what little I have disappears to try and fight le bug. This years is a particularly horrible one, something between cold / flu and (in my case) the inescapable larengitis. Anyhow where I’m going with this is Nigella Express is a real boon of a book in this busy and flu-y time. Many comforting good recipes that give the flagging Christmas card writer a boost, with little outlay in the way of energy – and for me now that is a real bonus =)


38 Ginger and Passion Fruit Trifle
This is really barely a recipe, but something that you could whip up to give last minute guests – or even planned friends coming round. Although Nigella did give quantities, I didn’t bother, just layered maderia sponge moistened with ginger wine, then cream and passion fruit on top. It tasted a lot more than it actually is. There weren’t even any leftovers!

39 Rapid Ragu
This is a fast ragu, as the title would suggest. Mince, jarred caramelized onions, tomatoes, lentils…. Simmered for a short while, then sprinkled with grated cheese. I liked this one, although it was oddly quite sweet with the jarred onions, alas no one else eating it liked it. Typical, something I like, eaasily attaiable on a weeknight and the family are not keen, oh well.


40 Prawn Pasta
This is a great little recipe, and I’ll make this one again for sure. I’d use a bit less chilli flakes though, as it was quite hot, and you know me and my chilli shy ways =)




41 Pancake Mix & 42 Blueberry Syrup
How do you get fast pancakes of a morning? Get someone else to cook them! Ha joke…. No really have a jar of pancake mix at the ready, then weight out, mix egg and liquid and spoon away onto a hot pan. The blueberry syrup is optional, but recommended as it’s gorgeous! A simple mix of blueberries and maple syrup; gives a syrup of beautiful colour and great flavour, which is not as sweet as it might sound – and all natural too!

43 Minestrone in Minutes
I made this out of curiosity really, it sounds a bit, well, weird! It’s no joke though, it tastes like something that you could have spent a couple of hours chopping and simmering away. I felt quite a fraud taking it to the table - knowing that I’d spent so little effort on it! I’ll be making / assembling this one again though, it’s a cracking last minute recipe when something nurturing and tasty is required – fast.

17 comments:

violets said...

Mmm It all looks so good, I haven't made that soup yet or the blueberry sauce, in fact I have some blueberries I was going to make muffins with them today.


Vi xx

Patricia Scarpin said...

Kelly-Jane, I hope you and your family are feeling 100% better!
I have heard so much about that blueberry syrup...

julie said...

I hope you all get better soon!

Too bad about the ragu! I thought it looked interesting.

Cookie baker Lynn said...

So sorry about the flu! Nasty and no fun. Hope you are back to 100% soon!

Susan said...

Sorry you have been unwell, Kelly-Jane. That you can turn out even one of these recipes must mean you are well on the road to recovery. What a grand idea to mix maple syrup w/ blueberries! It must be a fabulous flavor!

Freya said...

Hope you and yours are all feeling better in time for Christmas! Everything looks so good!

Brilynn said...

You're just plowing through that book! You make me want to give Nigella another chance.

Cheryl said...

I am sick right now so that minestrone would be so perfect for my lunch. Well done.

Lydia (The Perfect Pantry) said...

Thought you were giving up on cooking from this book -- I'm so glad you are still at it. And glad you are feeling better, too -- these winter colds are miserable.

Elle said...

Those recipes look wonderful, especially the shrimp pasta and the blueberry syrup. 've made that before and it is a treat over pancakes. Hope you are all in good health soon.

Deborah said...

They all look delicious!! I do hope you are feeling better. It's never fun being sick!!

Anonymous said...

I just found your blog through your fellow daring baker, Peabody. I was so excited to hear you were doing a Nigella Express section, as I just got the book for my birthday last week. Of all the recipes you have tried, which did you like most? I am looking for a place to start in my new cookbook and would love a suggestion. Thanks!

Cynthia said...

All of these dishes are really yummy but I am drawn to the passion fruit and ginger trifle! Hope you and the family feel better soon.

Nora B. said...

Hi Kelly,

Hope everyone is feeling better by now. With all these delicious looking meals and desserts, I have actually put Nigella's book my Christmas wishlist - I hope that it will be under the christmas tree!

take care,
Nora

Sandy said...

Kelly-Jane, it does all look so yummy.
I was pleasantly surprised and impressed by the minestrone recipe also.

Sandy said...

Kelly-Jane, it does all look so yummy.
I was pleasantly surprised and impressed by the minestrone recipe also.

MPG said...

Nice...Ginger and Passion Fruit Trifle looks real nice...I think I'll have to try that. I know someone who is trying to cook 3 of her recipes every week...I promised to send them your blog link. I hope you feel better and can't wait to see what more you cook up ;)
Happy New Year Kelly-Jane!