image courtesy of Penguin
The arrival of a new Jamie Oliver cookbook on the bookshop shelves (or in Amazon, if you must) is always cause for excitement. Usually its supporting TV show (this time, the 6-part Jamie’s Super Food, on Channel 4) has us all clamouring for pasta (Jamie’s Italy), grits and collard greens (Jamie’s America), or ready-cooked chickens (Jamie’s 15-Minute Meals). But this time, the man who slid down his banister and into our hearts back in 1999, is back with a book with a difference. The difference being an epiphany of sorts. And a newly slim-line physique.
As he approached 40, Jamie seems to have been evaluating his work-life balance and his health, including the big issue of sleep – or lack of it. Seeking advice and help from real nutrition experts (as opposed to self/media-appointed gurus and skinny models), Jamie has used the information he gleaned from dieticians, doctors, professors, nutritionists and researchers, as well as from the Diploma course he is doing in Nutrition (how cool is that?) to produce a truly stunning book. A book that is still trademark Jamie – colour, big flavours, relative ease and accessibility – but with added vegetables, and less salt, sugar and fat. All of his previous books are, for the most part, good examples of their genre. But this one will probably find the most widespread praise and interest. He has caught the zeitgeist of healthy eating, but in his own full-throttle way.
Divided very simply into Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Snacks/Drinks, this omnivore but veggie-centric book also ends with a well-researched and accessibly written section titled Live Well. This brief but important closer covers everything from portion sizes, sleep, celebrating good carbs (yes!) and snapshots of what he learned from visiting people and places with the longest, healthiest lives. It’s perhaps too basic for some, but is a good starting point for many people who only bought the book because it is by Jamie.
There are some things I don’t completely agree with – the emphasis on dairy (dieticians love dairy); the Balanced Plate makeup (I advocate a less-fussy and more veggie 1/2 plate veggies, 1/4 lean protein, 1/4 starchy whole carbs + fruits). But I had a smile on my face as I read this section, knowing that Jamie has the power to change things for the better. He did so with school meals, he is hopefully doing so with sugar. As Jamie says in the book, “you can really make positive, sustainable change just by doing the odd thing differently, building on small new habits.” You can if Jamie helps make those around you want to do so too. Changing the eating landscape would be quite a feat.
While he hasn’t quite given up the banister-sliding, scooter-driving personality, Jamie has certainly grown up in this health and nutrition focused book.
image courtesy of Penguin
Contents Summary: as above, very simple.
Who Is This For?: Jamie fans; those wanting accessible, healthy, unique recipes with an emphasis on flavour and variety; omnivores and part-time veggies (or veggies who don’t mind meat in their books); calorie-counters as there is a brief nutritional analysis with each recipe. He also makes sure that Breakfasts are under 400 calories, Lunch/Dinner under 600 and Snacks under 100.
Who Is This Not For?: restaurant-difficult recipes (i.e. show-off stuff); vegans and firm vegetarians (there is a fish head or two involved here); those wanting detailed nutrition and health information. But this is a primarily a recipe book after all.
Fun Fact 1: Jamie did most of the photography himself, with the influence of his old mate, David Loftus, in evidence. Crisp, bright and lush images. Damn his talent!
Fun Fact 2: this book contains 97 vegetarian recipes and 39 vegan recipes.
Stand-out Recipes: most appeal, but these four particularly stand-out to me.
Squash Dahl Special Fried Eggs – he makes the squash dahl into a freeform pancake on which to lay a beautifully runny egg. The best image in the book, imo.
Indian Roast Cauliflower, Pineapple, Chilli Coronation Dressing – roasted cauliflower has become almost cliche but Jamie blindsides us with inclusion of half a pineapple alongside that roasting cauli, and blows us away with a kicking mango chutney sauce (the Coronation part)
Roasted Squash Laksa Bake with Chicken, Lemongrass, Peanuts and Rice – the amount of chicken (two thighs) is really almost a seasoning. This looks like it could easily be vegan just by excluding the chicken and maybe adding some edamame beans.
And, I have made the Berry Pocket Eggy Bread, which was mighty delicious and very clever, but too ugly to snap! Plus it didn’t last long enough to snap. 😉
Jamie is always good on Italian flavours, so when Penguin asked me to review the book, I thought I would choose this simple but quite stunning dish to try.
Spelt Spaghetti Vine Tomatoes & Baked Ricotta
Spelt spaghetti has an incredible nutty taste and is a great alternative to regular spaghetti as it’s high in wheat bran fibre, or beta-glucans, which help keep our cholesterol levels in check
olive oil
½ a bunch of fresh thyme (15g)
4 cloves of garlic
½–1 fresh red chilli
1 lemon
500g ripe mixed-colour cherry tomatoes, on the vine
250g best-quality ricotta cheese
320g dried spelt spaghetti
4 handfuls of rocket
optional: balsamic vinegar
Preheat the oven to 180°C/350°F/gas 4. Pour 3 tablespoons of oil into a small bowl. Run the bunch of thyme under a hot tap for 3 seconds to reawaken it, then shake dry and strip the leaves into the oil. Peel the garlic, then finely slice it with the chilli and add to the bowl. Finely grate in the lemon zest, add a pinch of sea salt and black pepper and mix together. Lay the cherry tomatoes in a 30cm x 40cm baking tray. Rub the flavoured oil all over the ricotta and place in the centre of the tray, then gently rub the remaining oil over the tomatoes. Add a splash of water to the tray, place in the oven and roast for 45 minutes, then remove. With 10 minutes to go, cook the spaghetti in a pan of boiling salted water according to the packet instructions.
Lift the ricotta out of the tray, then shake the tomatoes off the vines, discarding the stalks. Add half a mug of pasta water to the tray and gently shake to loosen all the sticky goodness from the base. Drain the spaghetti and toss straight into the tray with a squeeze of lemon juice, season to perfection, then break that beautiful ricotta over the top. Sprinkle over the rocket, toss together well, then serve. My missus likes this with a little drizzle of balsamic, too.
| CALORIES | FAT | SAT FAT | PROTEIN | CARBS | SUGAR | FIBRE |
1 HOUR |
| 492kcal
|
18.9g | 5.8g | 16.3g | 61.7g | 9.2g | 7g |
Everyday Super Food by Jamie Oliver is published by Penguin Random House
ⓒ Jamie Oliver Enterprises Limited (2015 Everyday Super Food) Photographer: Jamie Oliver
>>Find out more about Jamie Oliver (and other brilliant chefs) on The Happy Foodie.<<
****GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED****
I’m really happy to say that I have 4 copies of Jamie’s Everyday Super Food cookbooks to give away, courtesy of Penguin Random House.
Terms and Conditions: This giveaway is open to any reader of Kellie’s Food To Glow. Entrants must be age 18 or over. The winner will need to respond within 7 days of being contacted; failure to do this may result in another winner being selected.
The prize is offered and provided by Penguin Random House. The prize is to win a copy of Jamie’s Everyday Super Food, RRP £26. There is no cash alternative and the prize is not transferable. Please note that all measurements in this edition are metric.
There is no entry fee and no purchase is necessary to enter this giveaway. The promoter (Kellie’s Food To Glow) reserves the right to cancel or amend the giveaway and these terms and conditions without notice.
Entry into our giveaways will be deemed as acceptance of these terms and conditions.
The four winners will be drawn using a random number generator 0n Friday, 18 September at 12 noon GMT. Multiple comments will not be counted.
To Enter: It couldn’t be easier (no Rafflecopter! No Gleam!), just please leave a comment below (nothing rude!).
**Thanks so much to Penguin for inviting me to review this book, and to allow me to print this recipe and images for readers of Kellie’s Food To Glow. Although I was asked to review Jamie’s Everyday Super Food, I was not asked to write a positive review. As always, all opinions are completely my own.**
Oh, if you missed the first episode of Jamie’s Super Food, here’s the Channel 4 link (UK only, sorry). And to find out more about supporting Jamie’s action for a tax on sugary drinks in the UK, here’s more info and link to the petition.
Great book review and I agree that celebrities can have a huge impact on changing eating behaviors for good and bad. I’m glad Jamie is on the eating well bandwagon. Now I must go and roast some tomatoes, yum.
Tracey
Have always loved Jamie’s books & really pleased to see this great new collections of recipes which look really in tune with the way that I want to eat now!
Thank you for this, I had seen the book in WHSmith recently and wondered what it might be like, so your review is very useful 🙂
Love Jamie Oliver and still using recipes from his first cookbook! GREAT to get some new ones
Great to see a new book and never hear of spelt spaghetti before, def one to try x
This cookbook sounds fun and useful. I haven’t heard of Jamie Oliver but will be checking him out.
I viewed Jamie making this recipe on YouTube and it looks really nice, I would love to see what other recipes are in the book. I didn’t realise his TV series was back on so thank you for mentioning it!
Love Jamie Oliver! My favorite recipe of his is his leek and turkey casserole – I make it every year with our thanksgiving leftovers 🙂
Can’t wait to see the rest of the series. Recipes to suit everyone.
All of Jamie’s recipes are great! Love the idea he has a healthy eating cookbook out there. His shows are so much fun to watch.
Well I already have one of his Italian cook books and must say I love his easy to follow recipes. This one sound right up my street having been veggie for over 20 years.
I am seriously crossing all my fingers for this cook book! Totally loving the super food recipes 🙂
Great combination of chefs with healthy easy options. Well done. I met the naked chef, as Jamie was known in the early days now he’s a legend and doing wonders for children and families everywhere. From an expat in Australia. Thank you for all your hard word and inspirational recipes. Jacqueline
Making my mouth water..as always!
Like the sound of the pasta dish, didn’t know you could get Spelt spaghetti, that is going to go down well as a family meal.
Thank you for the review – I would love to see the other recipes!
I was really intrigued when I saw Jamie doing this book as it’s quite different from his normal stuff, but so far I’ve been really impressed with what I’ve seen!
Jamie is my original cooking inspiration! Enjoyed the blog and candid review, hopefully what he’s saying will catch on with others
this looks gorgeous! can’t wait to try it out!
I am so excited to see such a well renowned chef advocating a healthier food lifestyle – this is a massive step forward in the foodie world! Yay!
My teenage son began cooking a few years ago as part of the Duke of Edinburgh program, cooking is his skill which he loves to do. He chooses all kinds of recipes but always comes back to Jamie Oliver recipes. He has the Comfort Food – Scrumptious Happy Classics and Save with Jamie books – a new book with healthy recipes to try would be exciting.
Great review, love his books- definitely one for the Christmas list!
From Naked Chef to National Treasure: if anyone can raise awareness about the relationship between what we eat and our health, it’s Jamie Oliver! I’m encouraged, hopeful and sort of proud of him!
Inspiring.
Love the review Kellie. I always endeavor to cook healthy, but somedays I could really do with some fresh inspiration, this book looks fab!
I love Jamie Oliver and think he is marvellous at what he does, please count me in, thanks.
Love this new Superfoods that Jamie is doing. Can’t wait to try these recipes
very much a fan of his recipes and would like to try some of these out.
Oooh I loved the first episode of Jamie’s new TV series and I was wondering what the recipe book would be like. Sounds amazing! Thanks for this very helpful review.
Thank you for this article, I have seen the book in my local book shop and wondered what it was like. Your review has helped a lot and gave a lot of information. Thank You
I was intrigued when I spotted this- I like Jamie Oliver and what he has done in schools has been fantastic. Not been wildly enthusiastic about many of his recipes before but this book sounds right up my alley (I want to make that Indian roasted cauliflower!)
I think my comment vanished when word press made me log in! The book sounds right up my alley- am excited to have a wee peek. Big Jamie fan but not cooked a lot of his recipes yet. The curried cauliflower sounds amazing 😊
Great pics -big jamie fan
Love Oliver’s ethics but have never been a big fan of his recipes, maybe this book will change my opinion. Thanks for your honest review Kelly
fantastic review and hope to win
Looks like a good book. Honest excellent review Kellie xx
I love trying all the new types of pasta out there and enjoyed spelt when I tried it. Recipe looks delish. Thanks for the comprehensive review Kellie. xx
Can’t wait to have a look at jamie’s new book. The recipes look delicious! Especially this spelt one
i love to watch you on TV then try to re enact what you have made
I am not a big pasta lover…mostly because I don’t like the plain white kind. But give me some alternative tastes and I am all for it. Wish the local eateries would look into that. Healthy can be had with pasta.
This is great! Jamie’s philosophy in this cookbook is exactly the mission of my blog…good food that’s good for you!
Love Jamie, first saw him on the TV when he was playing basketball with his friends and Jules was his girlfriend, he is one of the best. I have had fresh spelt pasta before and loved it, I bet this is delicious!
Love Jamie’s books would love his latest as I am changing my way of eating and it appeals to me
Really enjoyed reading your review. I have always been a great fan of Jamie’s. His first cookbook is still my cooking bible. Thanks for the Spaghetti recipe will give that a try this evening as I have all the ingredients needed. Thanks.
I don’t have a lot of Jamie Oliver on my shelf, but I must admit after reading your review I’m intrigued by this superfood concept. Sounds like a great and approachable way to introduce more people to healthy eating, even if they’re picking up the book just because it’s Jamie. Perfect!
I would love to add this cookbook to my collection — it would be my first Jamie Oliver book!
I’ve just moved out of my family home and am loving creating a recipe book collection – this definitely looks like one to add in! Thank you for the review!
Can’t wait to buy this book now! Can’t wait to tuck into the butternut squash baked laksa! Thanks for the review x
After my dad was diagnosed with cancer last year, I started being more aware of looking after myself foodwise. Obviously you can’t beat genetics but I would like to think that we are what we eat. My dad says I don’t cook nearly enough, this would be a good start 🙂
What I love about Jamie is that we are all moving in roughly the same thought process with him and its great to have a healthy cook book knowing that he has actively thought about our health and well being to grab for family meal inspiration. It also appeals to me that he has done most of his own photography, nice one! Youve made me want to buy one, thanks Kellie!
I smiled the entire way through the first episode on Monday night (bar a few comments), such a refreshing way to see this (my, our) kind of food showcased in a high profile way. Looking forward to watching the rest of the series and seeing what he has in store! I don’t yet have the book but already have used his idea to pop an egg on some daal, which I’d have never thought of. Brilliant.
Awesome Prize 🙂
I am really excited about Jamie’s most recent venture. His fight for good food education has totally inspired me. Thanks for your review, would love a copy!
I love the Jamie Oliver cookbooks, i find them quite easy to follow.
Love Jamie’s enthusiasm and am inspired by his latest venture. Would love a copy! Thanks for your review.
Really helpful book review, thank you, and does sound like a recipe book that would actually get used, rather than just gathering dust on the shelf.
This is a great post, I haven’t had time to catch the show on TV yet but I bought the book as soon as it hit shelves! I’ve only made my way through reading the breakfasts so far and I’m blown away – can’t wait to get settled into my kitchen in Australia to try some of these out. The spaghetti here looks AHmazing 🙂
I love Jamie Oliver’s ideas on nutritional education and his wonderful recipes!
Jamie Oliver’s recipes rock in the most healthy way! Love to win this new book for new culinary adventures!!!
I love healthy(ish) cooking! I’d be so happy to win a copy of the book 🙂
Quite simply, Jamie Oliver’s recipes ALWAYS Work! Simples….
MMM, this looks delicious, will have to give this a try. It’s refreshing to see a celeb chef making healthy, interesting food. I like that Jamie Oliver never tries to make things too “cheffy” and keeps his recipes accessible and easy enough for every day cooking – too much faff definitely puts me off a cookbook. Think this will be my next kitchen purchase!
Great to see you reviewing this Kellie – I thought it looked interesting but hate wasting money on just another book that sits on the shelf. Having read your review, I’ll definitely be checking it out.
Dear Kelly,
Thank you for your lovely blog. This sounds like a fascinating book. We try to eat very healthily and it is wonderful to hear that some of the great foodies are changing their opinions on food. Love your recipies!!!!
Kind regards.
Retha
That is a stunning cover photo!! Coffee table
Book for sure
plenty of delicious recipes in this book to inspire me – thanks
Great to know it has tons of vegan recipes, will have to review it and see if I can add some more recipes to my kitchen.
Great site!
This looks amaaaaaaaaazing!
Jamie transforming school lunches, transforming everyday concept of eating, transforming himself…. hope America follows his lead!!! Thanks, Kellie, for a great review!!!
Every time Jamie brings a new book out I swear I’m not going to buy it and every time I do. I love his recipes and enthusiasm.
I’ve just bought mine- can’t wait to get stuck in!
Lovely! Thanks for sharing the recipe – I’ve bookmarked it for later in the week!
That looks great, can’t wait to try it out
Really interesting post and review – thanks Kellie… I have been researching a lot of different approaches to food, diet and health in the last six months. Especially so for health reasons. This book seems a great next step for learning more!
Thanks for the review – I would love to receive a copy of the new Jamie Oliver book 🙂
I have been buying spelt spaghetti and other spelt pasta in Germany now for a number of years. My children like it a lot, it tastes much better than the wholemeal pasta which does sometimes taste a bit cardboardy. The brand I buy in Germany is Gustini: http://www.gustoni.de – I can really recommend all their Made in Italy pasta.
Im a huge superfood fan and have always fed my family superfoods for years, finally it’s getting more popular and I’m just so pleased! Jamie Oliver is the best, I love what he is doing for the health of this country and I wish him the greatest happiness!
Big fan of Jamie I would love to win a copy of his book
fantastic, Jamie is one of my fav chefs and I collect cookbooks so perfect, fingers crossed
I would love to read this.
Jamie Oliver is the best! Have you read his comfort foods book? It has some really intense recipes and amazing photos 🙂 I would love to read his newest book.
I do love Jamie’s simple and easy recipes, and I’ll have to cook more, I know lol!!
Many of Jamie’s receipes are my mainstay. I am not the most confident of cooks, however I know that loads of his receipes are well within my capabilities. I love his ‘rustic’ and no nonsense approach to food, no airs and graces, just the ‘boy next door’ giving you a sensible, lesson in preparing good, wholesome food, with humour and a bit of panache! Yeeeeh !
im a terrible cook so i need all the help i can get
Luv Jamie and this recipe looks like a keeper. Easy too! – Kat
Jamie is such an inspiration for home cooking! Oh my, really need to get my hands on this book!
Love jamie Oliver
I have followed Jamie since those early days, when I was a student. We’ve all been on a journey and it’s nice to Jamie still feels he has things to learn despite all he has done and achieved. Will look forward to seeing the new show on Catch-up.
Fantastic. I love Jamie Oliver! We always attend the Big Feastival. I could do with cooking better.
Brilliant competition 🙂 Thank you ever so much.
Great review, thanks. I’ve been trying to eat more healthily/cleanly for a few weeks now, so this book would be ideal for me: tempting recipes and, like other Jamie books, not at all fussy and very doable.
Great to find out up front just how many recipes there are for a vegetarian like me!
This looks like a great book from Jamie, who i love to watch cooking .. he makes it all look so easy! Your review makes me want to go out & buy it as the recipes look tempting & the illustrations very mouthwatering!
The book looks great I’ve watched a couple of his new TV programme on superfood a, fabulous book review the food all looks soo yummy!
The book looks great, fabulous review the food all looks so yummy! I have watched a couple of Jamie’s superfood programme and have enjoyed them.
Thanks for posting this competition. Ive got a few of Jamies books and theyre always good and inspirational!
I’m really enjoying the series so far, and I am keen to try out a few of the recipes I’ve seen.
Looks awesome and healthy to boot! I would love a copy.
Wow jamie food looks amazing keep up the fight love how he stands up for what he believes in
I’ve enjoyed the two programmes from Jamie’s new series which have been broadcast to date. The recipes are inspiring, yet simple. I’d love the chance to delve deeper into more of his recipes, as contained in his new book. Keep up the good work on your site!
I recently bought some spelt spaghetti and really enjoyed it, so the recipe you tried appeals to me immediately. The book sounds brilliant!
Great review, thank you.
Really enjoyed reading the review and love Jamie’s recipes. Can’t wait to make the dish! Thank you.
I’m a big fan of Jamie Oliver! Thanks for running this draw!
I would love to win, I have been watching the show and all the food looks amazing.
Love you Jamie! 🙂 Amazing food!!
Looks a very interesting book, who doesn’t want to live healthily?
Just the thing for my bad cooking.
Love Jamies books, he’s a great down to earth chef who’s involved with real people who live ordinary lives some fast , some slow, keep the recipes coming!
Looks like a really good book
You are so lucky! I love Jamie… add another of his books to the collection!
Sounds like a great book, would love to get this one! Thanks for the opportunity
This cookbook sounds amazing, I have 4 small children and trying to get healthy food into them is a struggle so this cookbook has given me some fantastic ideas 🙂
Intrigued to find out more about this book! Thank you 🙂
It sounds like a fab book. I’ve been watching his new series on tv which features recipes from this book (including the Berry Pocket Eggy Bread!) and have been impressed. The sort of recipes I’m after but struggle to find!
Loving the fact you haven’t gone down the Gleam or Rafflecopter route as hate them both! Would love to win because my cooking skills need some much improvement and sure one of these books would help immensely
I love Jamie Oliver – I always buy his books for my dad too, it’s a special thing between us!
This looks delicious and I am sure if I left out the chilli both of my Daughter’s would enjoy it too! Thank you for a very open and honest review 🙂 x
I love how much effort Jamie has put into this book. Its got a lot of his usual hallmarks – great photography and recipes, but the food is also quite different and will be a good introduction for people trying to change their diet and lifestyle.
Jamie looks really well since adopting a healthier lifestyle. An inspiration!
I have always loved Jamie’s approach to food (and to life!) and it is wonderful to see he has continued to do so much to keep his approach fresh, including re-evaluating his own lifestyle. I am also a huge fan of ‘Food to Glow’ which I never miss reading. Every recipe I have tried has been a success – truly delicious, coupled with the fact that I know I am giving my body the best nutrition possible. Thank you Kellie!
Wow, it sounds amazing. I always get upset about the amount of ‘comfort food’ (aka unhealthy food) being promoted on TV cookery shows (including Jamie’s, I’m afraid…), so I hope this will herald a new era!
Oh my God, what a great prize! I LOVE Jamie Oliver and I’m SO glad he’s done something like this to bring knowledge of nutrition to the masses. I really, really want this book!!
I absolutely love Jamie Oliver. Aside from my mum, Jamie was my true inspiration to cook. His passion and enthusiasm ooze out of every recipe. Jamie’s Ministry of Food is by far my personal favourite of his cookbooks (his curries are delicious). I’m overly excited that he has yet another new book on the horizon which I’ll definitely be adding to my collection, and especially one that illustrates healthy eating isn’t all celery sticks and lettuce, but flavoursome, exciting and not out of the ordinary ingredients. This spelt chicken recipe is so easy to make and divine to taste. I’ve also improvised with small mozzarella balls and basil, replacing the ricotta and rocket, and it’s equally as tasty.
I’m really enjoying Jamie’s Superfood series. You are right about the eggy bread recipe!