| Product: |
How to Be a Domestic Goddess - Nigella Lawson |
| Date: |
28/01/08 (75 review reads) |
| Rating: |
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Advantages: Reliable recipes, put in context
Disadvantages: You may just put on a bt of weight as once you've started you can't stop!
I'm a great believer that there's a cookery book out there for everyone. Whether you are an expert baker or a novice egg-boiler there'll be something to suit. My own cookery book collection is quite extensive and eclectic borne out of the fact that I like many different styles of food and, depending on my mood, will seek to cook or bake in many different ways. There are, however, a number of books that regularly make it off the shelf and onto the worktop. Nigella's Domestic Goddess book makes a fairly regular appearance on the work surface.
Baking, over and above the relative staples of a basic sponge, bread and butter pudding or basic biscuit is an art and one that I rarely attempt without a recipe in front of me. The balance of ingredients is essential and a small mistake renders the whole useless. This is annoying at best but can be particularly costly if you're baking something special with great ingredients. Ms Lawson seems to be a bit of a pudding fiend. I don't particularly rate her starters or main courses but her puddings usually hit the spot. Domestic Goddess is a book about desserts and puddings in the main, the key to a great meal and then thing that will mark many women out as heavenly creatures!
[Yes, I know, there'll be a few of you shouting at the screen - "men can cook too" or simply "you're so sexist" but I don't care - I'm a traditionalist. Men make great chefs, women make the best Goddesses!]
Before I get to try any recipes the thing that wins me over with any cookery book is the art work. I like to see what I'm trying to create, particularly desserts and this book will not disappoint. Not every recipe is illustrated but I'd say it was close on 80%. The illustrations in my hard-backed copy are full colour photographs which show all (or enough) of the dessert so that you know exactly what you are trying to achieve. Having said that, all of the items are good, homely style products - there's nothing terribly fancy here and so you shouldn't feel daunted.
The other thing that really marks this book out from many a recipe book is the narrative. More often than not Nigella will tell you where and how she came by the recipe, how she will overcome a tricky step in the process or even variations on a theme. The narrative is typically Nigella and, if you've seen her television programmes you'd be hard pushed not to hear her ever enthusiastic voice in the prose.
There's little that's dictatorial about the style of Nigella's cooking and writing but you will find some handy notes about the quality of ingredients where they matter (e.g. shredded not desiccated coconut in macaroons). You'll also find tips on how to compensate when things don't quite go to plan, particularly where pastry is concerned. No two eggs are the same size or kitchens the same temperature and both of these things will affect how your baking turns out. Where amendments are suggested to recipes then often you'll be told when something will and won't work allowing you to adapt her recipes to your style with impunity.
I've made many of the things in this book and, without exception I have found that quantities and bake times have been accurate. Of course, you have to know your oven and make adjustments accordingly (for example I know that my main oven is slightly cooler on gas 5 than most so will turn it up slightly from the instructions). I've doubled up and halved certain recipes with success. Portion guides are generous but not overstated. This isn't a "serves 4" book that really only does 2!
This is a book for the kitchen and a book for the coffee table - it's as useful as it is readable and, to my mind, a must have in any baker's kitchen. It is slightly old fashioned, it is slightly sexist but it does make you feel great!
End a simple meal with the Molten Chocolate Babycakes and you'll have dinner guests that just won't leave. Stick a slab of banana bread in your husband's lunchbox and he'll be back with flowers. Bake to your hearts content with your kids and, in turn they may return and do the same for you (I'm hoping!).
Summary: A must have baking book that'll please your husband!
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