food, reviews and of course coffee
BBC reports on an interview with Jamie Oliver.
Jamie Oliver says he plans to revisit his school dinners campaign because he is not satisfied with the government’s action on the issue.
The celebrity chef challenged the junk food culture and pressed for healthier school meals during his campaign.
Makes for interesting reading.
One think about healthier school dinners is that it is not just about changing the food, it’s also about educating the children and importantly the parents too.
Having written previously about my liking for Jack Daniels barbecue sauce, I have been experimenting with my own recipe for a barbecue sauce.
I take some balsamic vinegar, oil, honey, cajun spices, tomato puree (or even ketchup – which I have to thank Jamie Oliver for).
This I coat the chicken in and the roast in the oven.
When it’s a little warmer I intend to then finish it off over the hot coals of a barbecue.
As I was making this asparagus quiche, it occurred to me that I hadn’t ever made a quiche before.
So this is my first quiche.
I was inspired by a Jamie Oliver recipe I saw on his At Home series, though this is not quite the same as he used potatoes in his.
First I cooked the pastry case blind, I will admit to using ready made pastry; well it is easier and faster at times.
Once this has cooled, in a pan I cooked some onions off.
These were then placed in the pastry case.
I then in a jug, mixed four eggs, some cream and a splash of milk.
This I poured into the pastry case.
I then added some cooked asparagus.
I then placed the quiche in the oven, and topped up the egg mixture (which I may have spilt if I did this before I popped it into the oven).
The quiche is then baked in the oven until the egg has set and has gone slightly brown.
I have been really enjoying the Jamie at Home television series on Channel 4 despite the occasional controversial product placement, for me Jamie has been showing real gardening and real home cooking.
I have already recommended the book, so was quite pleased to see that you can also get the DVD of the series as well.
Jamie Oliver goes back to his roots for a mouth-watering new series filmed at his Essex home.
The chef has spent the last five years tackling school dinners and youth unemployment, so it’s a treat to have him back cooking great recipes using ingredients straight from his own garden. From perfect potatoes to superb strawberries, and from tasty tomatoes to fresh pizza toppings, the 12-part series is a straightforward guide to getting the best from mother nature.
With the help of gardener Brian, Jamie has transformed the garden of his Essex house, and discovered a passion for growing his own produce. Now he wants to show just how easy it is to cultivate amazing fruit and vegetables at home. Even if you only have a balcony or back yard, Jamie shows how to grow fantastic veg and fruit and turn it into simple, tasty and delicious food. Packed with dozens of new step-by-step recipes, Jamie at Home is enough to get any cook’s green fingers itching.
You can buy the DVD from Amazon
My book choice this week (well my first book choice of the blog) is:
Jamie at Home: Cook Your Way to the Good Life
This book is very close to my heart. It’s about no-nonsense, simple cooking with great flavours all year round. When I began writing it, I didn’t really know what recipes I would come up with, but something began to inspire me very quickly…my vegetable patch! I came to realise last year that it’s not always about looking out at the wider world for inspiration. Being at home, feeling relaxed and open, can also offer this. I love to spend time at home in the village where I grew up, working with the boss, Mother Nature, in my garden and seeing all my beautiful veggies coming out of the ground. Inside, you’ll find over 100 new recipes, plus some basic planting information and tips if you fancy having a go at getting your hands dirty as well!