When I asked Nigella Lawson — the gorgeous gourmet renowned for her red-hot passion for food and seductive on-camera delivery — if her new book Nigella Express (Random House, $50) was her version of a kitchen quickie, she quipped, “Well, the emphasis is on speed and ease!” It’s official: I now love this British foodie even more thanks to her quick, razor-sharp wit, not to mention the fact that it feels like we’ve been friends forever by the end of our 20-minute phoner.
Nigella was in Toronto recently for a whirlwind day of press interviews to promote her new book, a hefty 390 pages, chock full of delicious and nutritious recipes that are a cinch to prepare. “This book is really not a lot different from my previous ones, the main point of difference is the time it takes to make something,” Nigella shares. “Everything inside the book is easy to prepare, very uncomplicated and perfect for someone who loves to cook, or for someone who hasn’t cooked much at all. Most of the recipes can be on the table in 30 minutes, with some taking less than 15.”
She tells me she began working on the book last December and her main motivator for it was her own harried life. In the book’s introduction, Nigella writes of her days “…for the most part, I am either in a hurry or in some state of psycho-fizz or obligation-overload and food has to be fitted in.” Sounds like the life of every modern woman I know. Nigella believes just because time is of the essence, it should not mean the quality of your meal, or the time you spend sitting down to enjoy it should be sacrificed. When you’re on a compressed schedule, less time cooking in the kitchen means more time at the table together, catching up and reflecting on the day. She believes this is especially important for newlyweds.
“When you are newly married, a lot of change happens in that first year as you set up your new life together,” Nigella shares. “This is such an important time to take moments for each other and enjoying a great supper together is a great way to connect at the end of a busy day.”
Nigella Express has 13 chapters and covers everything from retro comfort foods (hello, macaroni & cheese and pineapple upside-down cake!) to weekly dinner staples (flash-fried steak and white bean mash, ready in five minutes). Nigella says the key to success with all the recipes in this book is having a well-stocked pantry, brimming with healthy, staple ingredients. “Having a selection of core goods on hand ensures you always have something nutritious on hand to whip up. You may have to pick up a few special things to complete the dish, but the foundation is there.”
When I asked Nigella to give me three tips for success in the kitchen, her answers, just like the recipes in Nigella Express, were simple, quick and concise.
1. Cook food you want to eat.
2. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. You will never branch out and try new things in the kitchen if you’re consumed by a fear of failure.
3. Learn to enjoy cooking. Don’t feel you have to be super-serious and emulate those you see on TV—relax and enjoy the process, that’s half the fun.
Nigella Express is in stores now. To learn more about Nigella Lawson, visit nigella.com.
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