Jamie's 30 min meals

[LimeSlice]

Watching the show at the moment, the vegetable curry looks yum!

I am making it tonight for dinner! Noms.


Totally adore Jamie, always have, and have most of his books. There are some that are clearly for foodies and cooks, there are some that are more for the home cook, but I have found all of them simple - it is the way he cooks, it is the food, always about the food. Love that passion!

(And I have sinful dreams about his Aga)

[ezymay]

I found this article (hope the link is ok) http://www.news.com.au/entertainment...-1225979322693
Lots of ppl complaining they don't in fact take 30 minutes and you need lots of expensive equipment. I think even if you don't have the equipment they wouldn't take too long though. I'd be happy if just the curry and rice took 30 mins, I wouldn't bother with the pickle or carrot salad.

[LimeSlice]

Yes well if you aren't efficient, any meal could take 2 hours!

[Just Me]

Interesting article Ezymay. I have a few thoughts on it though (not directed at anyone here - just my thoughts on the article in general)

Watching his shows, I don't see how the meal would take longer than 30 mins to cook - it looks reasonable and doable to me. I also don't understand why people complain about the cost of herbs - make a herb garden. It costs hardly anything, herbs grow like weeds, they are really handy, save you a fortune and make food taste sooooo much better. Not to mention they are good for you. And with regards to complaining about the cost, people complain too about those Coles $10 meals done by Curtis Stone. Seriously, I think most of the time they are just not very creative about getting their ingredients together. Just because there is a recipe doesn't mean that they shouldn't think for themselves. Certain ingredients will always cost more or less depending on the season. Some foods are better made when all the ingredients are in season otherwise it does cost a fortune. If you eat with the seasons it is soooo much cheaper, the food tastes better (because it is ripe and readily available and not frozen or preserved) and really good for you.

What I really love about Jamie Oliver in his 30 mins meals is that he seems to have developed a passion for teaching people to eat better and he creates quite a balanced menu with the right amount of protein, carbs and roughage. I really like his passion and I like that he isn't just about creating fine foods (which is the fade so much at the moment) but about creating food that people can eat on an everyday basis and to me, his ingredients are everyday ingredients. There is nothing in the curry he cooked last night that I don't have in my pantry or fridge already (with the exception of the flat breads - but I make my own sometimes).

[Mother Goose]

I saw that article the other day as well and it did make me hesitate.

I'm not sure about the book or his meals as I don't find some of his books to my taste. But I'm becoming more adventurous with my cooking. But I do have the criteria that it needs to be low cal. DH and I are trying to lose weight. It's great to see people's thoughts on it. I had seen his app but heard it takes up a whopping amount of space on the phone so haven't purchased it yet... might have to look into it! I might be sneaky and load it onto DH's iPad!

Thanks for all the replies girls!

[Lulu]

Oh lordy that article was pathetic! Waaaahhh, it creates washing up, waaaaaah, it takes longer, waaaaaah.

Pfft. Get some practice in people, prepare it and stop whining about having to use fresh herbs ffs. Sheesh!

I probably should have posted that on the website

[ezymay]

I agree JM, they do seem doable to me in 30 minutes too. I think the book was wrttien first then the show made so perhaps on the show he has tweeked them a bit I agree about the herb garden too...a window box is super cheap and easy. You can freeze fresh herbs too.

Ppl like to complain lol. I did hear a bit about Curtis Stone's recipes that to be $10 the serving sizes were super super small. I never tried any of them myself so can't say that with any authority

Oh Lulu I know the washing up!!! How ridiculous!!!

I'm going out tomorrow to get the book!!!

[Jennifer13]

I bought this for DP for Xmas. He's yet to use it, but I might pester him this week. He loves Jamie Oliver and this looked perfect for him.

[ezymay]

I hope he cooks lots from it Jen!!

[sconeonamission]

DH got it for Christmas. So far, we've only made the curry... I have no idea how long it took (coz dh decided he had to watch tv while he was cooking )
Tell you what though. OMG delish!

Even if I don't want the whole 4 dishes, I'm sure it's just as good.

I don't have a food processor, so yeah, it's going to take longer here

[Megan]

I also don't understand why people complain about the cost of herbs - make a herb garden. It costs hardly anything, herbs grow like weeds, they are really handy, save you a fortune and make food taste sooooo much better.

What am I doing wrong? For the life of me I can't grow herbs! lol Whether I just don't have a suitable spot for them to thrive, I don't know. They only ever last a few weeks and then they shrivel up! Unfortunately, no trouble growing weeds though

Are most of the meals he has been doing on the show, also in the book? I have about 10 episodes on my tivo that I have been meaning to go back to and get the recipes, but if the same recipes are in the book I'll just go buy that instead.

[LimeSlice]

I made the curry the other week and it was fabulous. Dh loved it, Charlotte even ate it (not a fan of the spice that one lol) It took me 45 mins (I made one bigger than his) with a 3 year old, so not that far off really.

I do now own a food processor, which does make a lot of things incredibly simple, and it washes clean in about 35 seconds, so not sure about extra clean up (or if I am lazy it goes in the DW!)

I tell you what though, he sure used some fancy gadgets the other night, I can see why people are put off - he used 2 different sized knives, and a microplane (zester), a fork and a stove. It was pretty intense.

[sconeonamission]

H cr@p! I don't own different sized knives! Pff

I'm actually thinking about growing a herb garden. But I have a black thumb, so fingers crossed I can do it!

The episodes I've seen are in the book

[Jennifer13]

Try herbs in pots, so you can move them around and find a spot that works for them. I've had no luck in some spots and then have to hack the things back in other places.

Wow, a zester. That's revolutionary. Who'd expect to use that from a cookbook recipe?

[ezymay]

OMG a stove!!! Who would have one of those just hanging around

[Just Me]

I find my herbs tend to die if I don't use them. But plenty of water, plenty of sun, a pot big enough for them, good quality potting mix (everything I ever try to grow dies in the cheap stuff) and a regular trim and they grow like weeds for me.

I also find starting out with bigger plants has made a difference and the best place to buy fresh herbs has been at Coles - they are only $1.98 for a decent sized plant. The ones I have bought from there have grown really well.