Rating: 
Summary: A new, simple way of cooking
Review: I have cooked all my life. As a girl I loved to help my mum, and then when I married and got four kids there were always someone to cook and bake for. And there still is.Living in Norway I am used to make most of the food from scratch, and to bake most of the bread and cakes we eat. I also have inherited alot of recipes from my mother, my grandmothers, and (some of the best ones) from my father-in-law. Of course I thought I knew everything there was to know about making tasty food in my kitchen:-) Then my husband got The Naked Chef for Christmas. I had seen a few of Jamie Olivers television programs and was interested in the book. And after having read a few pages I was hooked. Jamie Oliver has a very simple, fresh way to cook. There is nothing difficult, no dishes with too much preparations (at least he tells us so). Still the food he is making is so good, so tasty, and looks so elegant. Take his bread recipes for instance. He starts with the same ingredients for all his different sorts of bread, then, "simsalabim", he does a little trick, and you have a totally different bread. I celebrated my birthday as an Italian party the other night, and his Focaccias and Ciabattas are the most delicious ones I have tasted (exept from the fresh ones bought in Iatky of course). I still have alot to try from his book, and look forward to great hours in my kitchen, in Jamie's company. Britt Arnhild Lindland
Rating: 
Summary: Tasty Recipes, But Not What I Usually Cook
Review: I bought this book after discovering the television show and reading the enthusiastic reviews. The recipes taste great and leave your kitchen smelling heavenly. The instructions are clear, although occasionally, Jamie neglects to define specific terms such as "sweating" vegetables, and often uses imprecise measurements (i.e. "handfuls"). Being petite, my hand almost certainly holds less than his, but this is a minor point. If you don't use fresh herbs already, Jamie will quickly convert you. Jamie states at one point that the book represents what he likes to cook. Unfortunately, the recipes do not reflect what I like to cook, and given a second chance, I would not buy this book again. The following information is not meant as criticism, but as a guide to help you determine if these recipes are for you. You will find few stews, casseroles, or meats cooked in a sauce in this collection. Most of the meats are roasted with herbs, and three-quarters of the dishes use red meat (mostly lamb). The seafood section, while offering a variety of fish, contains only two shellfish recipes. The pasta section emphasizes fresh, homemade noodles with light sauces or filled pastas such as ravioli and tortellini. You will not find any recipes for lasagna, cannelloni, or other baked dishes. The grain chapter consists only of risottos and couscous, and the legume section mostly of seasoned beans or lentils meant as side dishes. The desserts consist primarily of steamed puddings, tarts, and an ice cream-like concoction called semifreddo. Alas, no cookies or cakes! Some of these dishes are too time-consuming or fattening for me to make on a regular basis, despite their deliciousness. Others are simply not what I prefer to eat--I'll take Coq au Vin over herb-roasted chicken any day. Decide for yourself if this book offers the kind of recipes you want.
Rating:
Summary: Great
Review: Well worth the purchase, each recipe will be one I cook numerous times!
Rating:
Summary: The Naked Talent...
Review: Jamie Oliver is a talented chef and what you might call a pop star of the Food Network. Charming and good looking with a sense of humor, he brings his MTVish type of cooking to all ages. By stripping down his recipes and giving us the basics and easy intructions, even a novice can begin to cook. This cookbook, the first of two, is full of good recipes and colorful pictures of the prepared dishes. It is a perfect companion to his series and I look forward to more cookbooks from him. Buy a copy and turn on the stove!
Rating: 
Summary: Warning: Huge Recipe Errors!!!!!
Review: I think Jamie is a creative chef who uses ingredients we all love in simple, interesting ways. However...anyone thinking of buying this book should be aware that it contains HUGE MISTAKES. I don't know if they are misprints or if Jamie never actually checked the recipies, but there are big problems. The steamed chocolate pudding, for example, tastes absolutely horrible -- like salt and flour -- because he calls for 1 1/2 cups of self-rising flour, which has a lot of baking soda in it. The Mediterranean fish in a tin foil pouch needs too cook for 20 minutes, not 10, and once you've opened the foil after 10 minutes you've ruined the whole thing. Basically, I'm very irritated that no one bothered to make sure the recipies actually work. Cookbooks should have no misprints at all -- it's NOT okay to call for a cup of powdered sugar when you really mean a teaspoon (in the chocolate sauce recipe). Annoying!!! Can ruin your night!!!! Beware!!!!
Rating:
Summary: Keep em coming
Review: An englishman in Palm Beach Florida.
Excellent recipes,bought both books for the wife at christmas,what superb eating.
Bring it on
Rating:
Summary: Great Chef, Great Book for anyone
Review: I have to tell you, I just love Jamie Oliver. He brings a new life to cooking. His book is fabulous! He has so many great recipes and so easy for anyone to make. If you love to read cookbooks, this is a great one to read and if you like to cook w/ your cookbooks, this is a great one to cook from. I think that many people will like this book. He brings out a new flavor to us American cooks. The part I like w/ The Naked Chef is seeing the cultural differences between us. It is kind of an eye opener and just very intriguing! I think you will love it!
Rating:
Summary: Very Creative
Review: I love cooking and this books makes it even more fun with brilliabt new ideas. Jamie is really using basic ingredients in a very playful, creative way. The results (of what I've tried) are excelent. I wish there were more books by this author.
Rating:
Summary: Absolutely Fabulous
Review: This cookbook is fabulous. Usually when I look through a cookbook I only find a handful of recipies that sound good enough to try. In this book I have found only a handful that I DON'T want to try. I love the way Jamie Oliver talks to you and explains things to you. And he has a way of getting you more enthused about cooking. It is much better than the usual plain text cookbooks. I have tried several recipies from this book and so far my family and I have liked everyone. Most everything is easy and quick to make and packed with flavor. Just the way we like it. I recommend this cookbook to anyone who loves full flavor cooking and who loves to cook. Or who wants to love to cook.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent book from the cutest chef ever! :D
Review: Jamie's attitude and wit shine through in this wonderful compilation of his great receipes. I can't wait to get the next two books! :)
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