Until recently, talk of British food always brought to mind bangers 'n' mash, shepherd's pie or fish 'n' chips. Thanks to a new generation of English celebrity chefs-Jamie Oliver, Nigella Lawson and Delia Smith-these stereotypes have been put on the back burner. Instead of deep-fried fare, think healthy, decadent treats that are easy peasy to prepare. Let these British pot slingers invade your kitchen-check out the must-have cookbooks for the modern married couple.
Jamie Oliver, the charming blond bloke who coined the expression 'pucker' (great!), makes culinary cuisine a breeze. With a TV show, rock band and family, you wonder how he ever has time to cook; but with years of experience behind him, Oliver's three cookbooks offer simple and sensational recipes you can whip up pronto. The Oliver bibles:
Nigella Lawson, a former food writer for British Vogue who looks more like a British aristocrat than a chic chef, creates simple but sensual gourmet fare that's a feast for the five senses. Her must-have cooking tomes:
Delia Smith, the pioneer of English cuisine, believes in a return to the classics of cooking. Her recipes may appear complex, but practice makes perfect-you'll soon be feeding your friends fabulous food inspired by Indian, west coast American and British cultures. Delia's cooking essentials:
