The Really Quite Good British Cookbook Review and Recipe

May 16, 2017 by
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The Really Quite Good British Cookbook: The Food We Love from 100 of Our Best Chefs, Cooks, Bakers and Local Heroes edited by William Sitwell shares 100 of Britain’s food heroes most beloved recipes and proceeds from the sale of this gorgeous book supports the work of the Trussell Trust which operates food banks across Britian. The only thing that makes me happier than a perfect cookbook – is a perfect cookbook doing good work.

Nigella Lawson divulges how to bake her Chocolate Guinness Cake and Rick Stein fries up Shrimp & Dill Fritters with Ouzo. Yotam Ottolenghi serves Pea & Mint Croquettes and for Jamie Oliver, an unrivalled Fantastic Fish Pie. These are just a few of the incredible recipes provided by the best and brightest on the British food scene, including chefs such as Raymond Blanc, Gordon Ramsay, Delia Smith, Mary Berry, James Martin, Nigel Slater, Thomasina Miers, Mark Hix, Jason Atherton, Marco Pierre White, and Claudia Roden.

The book is organized by course – Breakfast; Entrees & Sauces; Fish & Seafood; Poultry, Meat & Game; Pasta, Risotto & Sides; and Baking & Desserts. It is a celebration of the breadth, creativity and richness of Britain’s food culture and food that is really quite good. There are stunning photographs throughout of each dish as well as of the contributors and the mini-profiles of the chefs are a lovely addition.

Want to impress a guest who has the demeanor of Gordon Ramsey with a dull knife – make Richard Bertinet’s Duck Pie – it is breathtakingly showstopping. Not a lot of time on your hands – try the Pot-Roast Chicken with Chicory from Lucas Hollweg – a little prep time and then into the oven it goes and still you have a show stopper. These recipes are the best of the best and I am relishing every minute reading through them and planning the feasts to be shared with others.

Special thanks to Nourish Books for sharing one of the recipes from this book. Just in time for picnic and outdoor parties – this potato salad is right up my alley and recently I made a version of it – refreshing and screams spring. Head over to our contest page to enter our giveaway that is open to members in the US, UK and Canada. You want this book.

WARM NEW POTATO SALAD WITH MINT LEAVES & CHIVES
Recipe by ELISABETH LUARD, food writer, Brynmeheryn, Wales
 
SERVINGS: 4 | PREP TIME: 10 MINS | COOK TIME: 20 MINS | SKILL LEVEL: 1 (EASY)
 
INGREDIENTS
 
500 g (1 lb 2 oz) new potatoes, halved or quartered
5 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
2 tbsp orange wine vinegar
sea salt flakes, to taste
½ tsp black peppercorns, crushed in a mortar and pestle
a handful of fresh mint leaves, torn
about 5 chive stems, with flowers
 
DF, GF, V
 
METHOD
 
Bring the potatoes to the boil in a pan of cold water and cook for 15 minutes, until tender. Drain and allow to cool slightly, then tip into a serving dish and drizzle the oil and vinegar over, as well as plenty of sea salt flakes and the black pepper. Toss through the herbs and flowers. Serve.
 
Extracted from The Really Quite Good British Cookbook © 2017 edited by William Sitwell © Published by Nourish Books, London Hardback. Commissioned photography by Lizzie Mayson.

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Category: Book News, Recipes

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32 Comments

  • lgroom  on  May 16, 2017

    I like Nigel Slater.

  • Thrasymachus  on  May 16, 2017

    I have this book and it has to be one of the best cookbooks I have purchased this year

  • heyjude  on  May 16, 2017

    Elisabeth Luard has been amazingly prolific. I got my first book of hers (The Old World Kitchen) in 1987 and she has written dozens since then.

  • Titch  on  May 16, 2017

    My favourite British chef is Jamie Oliver I love his down to earth way of cooking

  • monique.potel  on  May 17, 2017

    The idea of a book with all these great cooks suggestions is awesome !

  • jezpurr  on  May 17, 2017

    I like alot of chefs not just one!!!^_^

  • Siegal  on  May 17, 2017

    My fav British chef is Gordon Ramsey

  • sgump  on  May 18, 2017

    Favourite British chef? Jane Grigson! (Living chef? Nigel Slater.)

  • meggan  on  May 19, 2017

    April Bloomfield!

  • bstewart  on  May 19, 2017

    Agree with April Bloomfield!

  • artmarcia  on  May 20, 2017

    Nigella Lawson

  • RNJessicaK  on  May 22, 2017

    Guinness cake!!! Need it.

  • trudys_person  on  May 22, 2017

    I really admire Delia Smith. Love her cookbooks!

  • JenJoLa  on  May 23, 2017

    Nigel Slater

  • thewoobdog  on  May 25, 2017

    At the moment, my favorite British chef is Rachel Khoo.

  • nomadchowwoman  on  May 25, 2017

    I'm going to go with April Bloomfield. I love her books.

  • lindaeatsherbooks  on  May 25, 2017

    I like Jamie Oliver because he improved food in schools.

  • PennyG  on  May 26, 2017

    Jamie Oliver – I have all (most?) of his books!

  • t.t  on  May 27, 2017

    I don't know if I can pick one…

  • RSW  on  May 30, 2017

    Burrata with lentils and basil oil

  • RSW  on  May 30, 2017

    Nigella Lawson

  • AnnaZed  on  May 30, 2017

    English chefs aren't they all wonderful! If bakers count I lover Mary Berry.

  • LJStubbs  on  June 8, 2017

    Right now, my favourite chef (cook, really) is Diana Henry.

  • kitchenclimbers  on  June 8, 2017

    April Bloomfield

  • cadfael  on  June 12, 2017

    Yotam Ottolenghi

  • thecharlah  on  June 12, 2017

    Yotam Ottolenghi

  • HelenB  on  June 12, 2017

    Guinness Cake!

  • suziwoo  on  June 13, 2017

    mary berry

  • tarae1204  on  June 15, 2017

    I feel like I would like to delve more into the world of British chefs…I've enjoyed Nigella Lawson's recipes, and Jamie Oliver's, and Diana Henry and Yotam Ottolenghi…but I'm curious about the River Cottage books and Nigel Slater. Wait, that's a lot, I can't say I have a favorite!

  • orchidlady01  on  June 17, 2017

    Jamie Oliver

  • cocecitycook  on  June 17, 2017

    Total O!

  • CosmicKaye  on  June 18, 2017

    My favourite chef is Rick Stein.

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