The Naked Chef Takes Off - Hardcover

Oliver, Jamie

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0786867558 ISBN 13: 9780786867554

Publisher: Hyperion, 2001

Synopsis

Jamie Oliver, the Naked Chef, is a culinary star with charm that shines even brighter than his glossy pictures (People). He's the Food Network's latest sensation, a Today Show regular, and a GQ man of the month. His audience appeal keeps growing, and his primetime show on the Food Network continues to reap huge ratings as he teaches everyone the secret behind fresh, simple, delicious cooking.

In The Naked Chef Takes Off, TV's hottest young chef (USA Weekend) returns to offer even more delectable stripped-down recipes with basic ingredients and a minimum of fuss. In this new book, Jamie features fantastic breakfasts, tapas, roasts, fish dishes, and desserts to die for. Best of all, each of the recipes is accompanied by Jamie's winning, off-the-cuff commentary and straightforward food philosophy (Los Angeles Times) that will encourage confidence and inspire both new and experienced cooks. Filled throughout with gorgeous photographs of both the recipes and the chef, here is a book to savor and to share.

About this title

Review:

Affable Essex boy Jamie Oliver continues the British culinary invasion with The Naked Chef Takes Off, the smashing follow-up to his bestselling The Naked Chef. For Oliver, the young Food Network import, food is all about "passing the potatoes around the table, ripping up some bread, licking my fingers, getting tipsy, and enjoying the company of good friends and family," and cooking up "what real people at home really want." The thing is, "real people" picking up cookbooks are often seeking easy-to-follow recipes. But that's not Oliver's bag. The layout of many of his recipes may frustrate traditional-cookbook readers--instructions often appear as one big chunk of conversational text with nary an ingredient or measurement in clear view--but that's part of the charm of Oliver's cookbooks. His commentary, tips, and cooking steps come across in a very approachable, colloquial style and leave plenty of room for individual flair or improvisation. Oliver's enthusiasm for cooking is infectious; the recipes and chapter introductions spill out like a best mate who just can't stop talking about food and how much fun--and simple--it can be to whip up these spectacular dishes.

Oliver kicks things off by stocking your pantry with best-quality ingredients, and he's an apostle for fresh herbs, raving on about growing and drying your own at home. "Morning Glory" is a chapter full of dishes like Midnight Pan-Cooked Breakfast (bacon, mushrooms, tomatoes, sausages, and eggs brought together in the "biggest nonstick pan available" and sopped up with buttered toast--a rustic one-dish cure for any oncoming hangover). "Tapas, Munchies, and Snacks" brings Slow-Cooked and Stuffed Baby Cherry Chili Peppers to the table (when you're done snacking on the chilies, you're left with a jar of terrific flavored oil, perfect for salads or pasta). There's Squashed Cherry Tomato and Smashed Olive Salad, and a Fragrant Thai Broth, infused with lemongrass, ginger, and lime leaves. Once you've mastered his basic risotto recipe you can turn out Shrimp and Peas Risotto with Basil and Mint, and likewise his basic bread recipe is the foundation for Chocolate Twister Bread. "Easy peasy" dessert ideas like Strawberries Marinated in Balsamic Vinegar or Malted Milk Balls and Ice Cream (bash a big bag of Whoppers into bits and sprinkle over quality vanilla ice cream) are a refreshing end to any meal. Now, be a "right little tiger" and get cooking--Seared Scallops and Crispy Prosciutto with Roasted Tomatoes and Smashed White Beans and other fabulous dishes await. --Brad Thomas Parsons

About the Author:

Jamie Oliver grew up in his parents' country pub, the Cricketers in Clavering, where he started cooking at the age of eight, before studying at London's Westminster Catering College. He then went on to work with some of the top chefs in England namely Antonio Carluccio at the Neal Street Restaurant and Rose Gray and Ruth Rogers at the River Café. The author of such popular titles as The Naked Chef, Jamie's Kitchen, and Jamie's Italy, among others, he has written for the Saturday Times, served as Food Editor at GQ and Marie Claire magazines, and hosted the popular television show The Naked Chef. He is twenty-nine and lives in London with his wife Jools and their daughters, Poppy and Daisy.

About this edition

• Publisher: Hyperion
• Publication date: 2001
• ISBN 10: 0786867558
• ISBN 13: 9780786867554
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 5
• Number of pages: 288