Brilliant...a must have cook book, 04 Jan 2009
I am so pleased with this book. It is my favourite in my cook book collection. It contains brilliant recipes that are easy to do and practical for everyday meals.
The Thai Green Curry and Sizzling Beef are yummy, I cant wait to try some more.

Essential reading if you actually want to "cook" your own food rather than just heat it up., 04 Jan 2009
Jamie's Ministry of Food is a no-nonsense book for those that aren't terribly sure about their cooking and want to graduate past simple fry-ups and things that just come out of a packet and go straight into the oven. I have found that Jamie Oliver always has a very accessible and simple way of writing which will not leave you re-reading the instructions not feeling very sure about what he is telling you to do. What I love about Jamie Oliver is that it often feels as though the recipes have been written by a mate, they are informative without being preachy.

Ministry of Food contains a number of familiar recipes that you will have eaten in the past but will have not idea of how to make them and to make them well. Basic recipes like Roast Beef are balanced against more interesting recipes like Paella. Jamie also is very moral with his food, especially meat as he makes a point in the book to say that when you are buying meat, make sure you try to get organic free range produce. As well as that there are a number of recipes that are "quick cook" and should be from the pan to your plate in twenty minutes, which is just superb when you get in from work and don't want to be messing around for any length of time in front of the oven.

If you are already an experienced cook you will not get much more from this book other than a few new recipes to your repertoire, if however you are wanting to make a go of making seriously good meals then this book is essential reading.

Not pretentious - just good, easy food, 02 Jan 2009
I got this book as a gift for Christmas and have already cooked some great meals from it. I'm quite good at cooking, and I do enjoy cooking for others but I tend to be somewhat unadventurous when it comes to cooking for myself. I have often bought cookery books hoping to be inspired, only to find them full of meals that to be honest I'm never gonna cook! This book however, is full of simple, appetising, healthy recipes with ingredients I already have in my cupboards. The instructions are basic and very clear, using everyday language, yet not patronising either.

This is definitely accessible for beginners, cheap simple ingredients for students, and inspirational to all - experienced or otherwise. A great buy - in fact I will buy it for my brother and his new wife right now!

Pass it on, it's worth it., 02 Jan 2009
This book is great my 19yr old daughter and I love it, it's simple and easy to follow and the recipes always taste great. Some can work out a little expensive when on a low budget but just substitute cheaper versions of what it asks for.

Learn to cook, 28 Dec 2008
This book is amazing! As an avid non cooker I bought this book to try and learn some basics. The recipes I have tried have been easy and delicious, even as someone who has not cooked before I found it accessible and straight forward to follow.

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

Brilliant...a must have cook book, 04 Jan 2009
I am so pleased with this book. It is my favourite in my cook book collection. It contains brilliant recipes that are easy to do and practical for everyday meals.
The Thai Green Curry and Sizzling Beef are yummy, I cant wait to try some more.

Essential reading if you actually want to "cook" your own food rather than just heat it up., 04 Jan 2009
Jamie's Ministry of Food is a no-nonsense book for those that aren't terribly sure about their cooking and want to graduate past simple fry-ups and things that just come out of a packet and go straight into the oven. I have found that Jamie Oliver always has a very accessible and simple way of writing which will not leave you re-reading the instructions not feeling very sure about what he is telling you to do. What I love about Jamie Oliver is that it often feels as though the recipes have been written by a mate, they are informative without being preachy.

Ministry of Food contains a number of familiar recipes that you will have eaten in the past but will have not idea of how to make them and to make them well. Basic recipes like Roast Beef are balanced against more interesting recipes like Paella. Jamie also is very moral with his food, especially meat as he makes a point in the book to say that when you are buying meat, make sure you try to get organic free range produce. As well as that there are a number of recipes that are "quick cook" and should be from the pan to your plate in twenty minutes, which is just superb when you get in from work and don't want to be messing around for any length of time in front of the oven.

If you are already an experienced cook you will not get much more from this book other than a few new recipes to your repertoire, if however you are wanting to make a go of making seriously good meals then this book is essential reading.

Not pretentious - just good, easy food, 02 Jan 2009
I got this book as a gift for Christmas and have already cooked some great meals from it. I'm quite good at cooking, and I do enjoy cooking for others but I tend to be somewhat unadventurous when it comes to cooking for myself. I have often bought cookery books hoping to be inspired, only to find them full of meals that to be honest I'm never gonna cook! This book however, is full of simple, appetising, healthy recipes with ingredients I already have in my cupboards. The instructions are basic and very clear, using everyday language, yet not patronising either.

This is definitely accessible for beginners, cheap simple ingredients for students, and inspirational to all - experienced or otherwise. A great buy - in fact I will buy it for my brother and his new wife right now!

Pass it on, it's worth it., 02 Jan 2009
This book is great my 19yr old daughter and I love it, it's simple and easy to follow and the recipes always taste great. Some can work out a little expensive when on a low budget but just substitute cheaper versions of what it asks for.

Learn to cook, 28 Dec 2008
This book is amazing! As an avid non cooker I bought this book to try and learn some basics. The recipes I have tried have been easy and delicious, even as someone who has not cooked before I found it accessible and straight forward to follow.

Disappointing, recipes differ fr TV series, 29 Nov 2008
I don't grow my own veg, so this review applies only to the recipe portion of the book.
I watched the series on TV and was really excited to try the recipes from the book. To my disappointment, compared to the TV show, the (book) recipes turned out to be dumbed down somewhat and missing (in my opinion) some crucial steps/explanations. Also some recipes were really too much trouble for the results. For example "Humble home-cooked beans" uses a long list of ingredients (incl.5 types of herbs, expensive and leftovers difficult to use up) but the end result is just rather boring boiled beans!

Excellent, 24 Nov 2008
Jamie Oliver does it again more fantastic recipes to try out. There's some good honest down to earth cooking here unlike some other cookbooks which are filled to bursting point with poncey recipes we can only gawp at.

My personal favourites here are the chapters on strawberries and feathered game and also the tips on growing your own fruit and veg.Oh and the homemade barbecue sauce is too die for. Keep em coming Jamie

easy, great food, 19 Nov 2008
This is a lovely book with not only amazing, easy recipes but information on how to grow the ingredients. It is the book of recipes done on the T.V show which I also really enjoyed.

I recently made the steak, guinness and chedder pie and it was out of this world!

Such a good book, we're buying extras as gifts for friends, 04 Sep 2008
We've got a pretty complete collection of Jamie Oliver books so you would think there is a possibility he gets repetitive. Pleased to say however that he has come up with a big book (I think his heaviest to date) of fresh new ideas. Again, they are imaginative and appealing, while still being straightforward to reproduce. A sensible book to have.

wonderful, 31 May 2008
an amazingly inspirational book. i have since planted veggies and nowonly buy seasonal produce. a beautiful book with recipes that work.
when will we see a full veggie cook book?

Brilliant...a must have cook book, 04 Jan 2009
I am so pleased with this book. It is my favourite in my cook book collection. It contains brilliant recipes that are easy to do and practical for everyday meals.
The Thai Green Curry and Sizzling Beef are yummy, I cant wait to try some more.

Essential reading if you actually want to "cook" your own food rather than just heat it up., 04 Jan 2009
Jamie's Ministry of Food is a no-nonsense book for those that aren't terribly sure about their cooking and want to graduate past simple fry-ups and things that just come out of a packet and go straight into the oven. I have found that Jamie Oliver always has a very accessible and simple way of writing which will not leave you re-reading the instructions not feeling very sure about what he is telling you to do. What I love about Jamie Oliver is that it often feels as though the recipes have been written by a mate, they are informative without being preachy.

Ministry of Food contains a number of familiar recipes that you will have eaten in the past but will have not idea of how to make them and to make them well. Basic recipes like Roast Beef are balanced against more interesting recipes like Paella. Jamie also is very moral with his food, especially meat as he makes a point in the book to say that when you are buying meat, make sure you try to get organic free range produce. As well as that there are a number of recipes that are "quick cook" and should be from the pan to your plate in twenty minutes, which is just superb when you get in from work and don't want to be messing around for any length of time in front of the oven.

If you are already an experienced cook you will not get much more from this book other than a few new recipes to your repertoire, if however you are wanting to make a go of making seriously good meals then this book is essential reading.

Not pretentious - just good, easy food, 02 Jan 2009
I got this book as a gift for Christmas and have already cooked some great meals from it. I'm quite good at cooking, and I do enjoy cooking for others but I tend to be somewhat unadventurous when it comes to cooking for myself. I have often bought cookery books hoping to be inspired, only to find them full of meals that to be honest I'm never gonna cook! This book however, is full of simple, appetising, healthy recipes with ingredients I already have in my cupboards. The instructions are basic and very clear, using everyday language, yet not patronising either.

This is definitely accessible for beginners, cheap simple ingredients for students, and inspirational to all - experienced or otherwise. A great buy - in fact I will buy it for my brother and his new wife right now!

Pass it on, it's worth it., 02 Jan 2009
This book is great my 19yr old daughter and I love it, it's simple and easy to follow and the recipes always taste great. Some can work out a little expensive when on a low budget but just substitute cheaper versions of what it asks for.

Learn to cook, 28 Dec 2008
This book is amazing! As an avid non cooker I bought this book to try and learn some basics. The recipes I have tried have been easy and delicious, even as someone who has not cooked before I found it accessible and straight forward to follow.

Disappointing, recipes differ fr TV series, 29 Nov 2008
I don't grow my own veg, so this review applies only to the recipe portion of the book.
I watched the series on TV and was really excited to try the recipes from the book. To my disappointment, compared to the TV show, the (book) recipes turned out to be dumbed down somewhat and missing (in my opinion) some crucial steps/explanations. Also some recipes were really too much trouble for the results. For example "Humble home-cooked beans" uses a long list of ingredients (incl.5 types of herbs, expensive and leftovers difficult to use up) but the end result is just rather boring boiled beans!

Excellent, 24 Nov 2008
Jamie Oliver does it again more fantastic recipes to try out. There's some good honest down to earth cooking here unlike some other cookbooks which are filled to bursting point with poncey recipes we can only gawp at.

My personal favourites here are the chapters on strawberries and feathered game and also the tips on growing your own fruit and veg.Oh and the homemade barbecue sauce is too die for. Keep em coming Jamie

easy, great food, 19 Nov 2008
This is a lovely book with not only amazing, easy recipes but information on how to grow the ingredients. It is the book of recipes done on the T.V show which I also really enjoyed.

I recently made the steak, guinness and chedder pie and it was out of this world!

Such a good book, we're buying extras as gifts for friends, 04 Sep 2008
We've got a pretty complete collection of Jamie Oliver books so you would think there is a possibility he gets repetitive. Pleased to say however that he has come up with a big book (I think his heaviest to date) of fresh new ideas. Again, they are imaginative and appealing, while still being straightforward to reproduce. A sensible book to have.

wonderful, 31 May 2008
an amazingly inspirational book. i have since planted veggies and nowonly buy seasonal produce. a beautiful book with recipes that work.
when will we see a full veggie cook book?

Jamie you're a star., 02 Jan 2009
Jamie Oliver is the chef for the average person. I love Italian food but find most recipes expensive or too time consuming not to mention too extravagant for what I want. This book is now my joint favourite cook book along side Jamies Ministry of Food it's simple easy to follow and the pictures make your mouth water. Keep up the good work Jamie.

Give Jamie's Italian the boot, 06 Jun 2008
Loved the accompanying TV series but very disappointed with this book.

I'm not anti-Jamie by any stretch and still regularly borrow from earlier volumes but having had this book since it came out a couple of years ago I've not used a single recipe. If you live somewhere with a decent deli and can obtain the necessary ingredients then maybe this is for you but for someone like me, living in a chav town with nothing but large supermarkets, there's little on offer which could easily be replicated.

Yes, it's pleasant visually, but I buy recipe books in order to cook from them and in that respect this book was money wasted. At he's produced better since with the excellent Jamie At Home.

Simply a delight to read and use recipes from, 31 May 2008
I have enjoyed a few recipes from Oliver's previous books and thought them rather good even though I'd never owned a cookbook of his.

When I saw this tome for sale I decided to take the plunge seeing a few good recipes in there.

Since the purchase this has rapidly become one of my favourite cookbooks. As others have said, the recipes I have followed (only fish and vegetable dishes) have all turned out well.
I am even not a fan of Aubergine but as they were part of my recent Riverford Vegbox I plunged into making Pasta alla Norma tonight; Aubergine tastes simply amazing in this recipe! I just don't understand when I made Italian recipes in the past they never tasted anywhere near as good as these.

Admitedly I also make the Aubergine Parmigianio a few weeks back. Again ,the recipe was stunning.

My guest was also wowed by it pointing out a good Parmigianio recipe is hard to find and she's looking to now purchase this book - which is why I'm here on Amazon - to add it to my wish list!

If you're worried you'll get stuck only making a few recipes from this book you'll be wrong especially if you're a vegetarian or pescetarian.

I've now tackled quite a number of the recipes and know will go on to try many more for the ingredients seems to be in my kitchen - just about.

fabulous, 31 May 2008
what an amazing book - full of inspiration and beautifully put together
i went to the amalfi coast recently and now get his obsession with amalfi lemons
my fave jamie o book - but please where is the dvd?

No nonsense, excellent cooking, 15 Nov 2007
The Brits are now well familiar with Jamie Oliver's image on TV and the media generally, but it needs to be re-stated that his reputation has been built on his recipes and his cooking.

This book lists dozens of recipes, and is written in the no nonsense style you'd expect from Jamie. Whilst some instructions are a bit vague, and you find yourself adding "some" oil and "a bit of " salt, the enthusiasm in each page shines through, and the enjoyment of cooking is passed to the reader.

A great cookbook for those who like their food uncomplicated.

Brilliant...a must have cook book, 04 Jan 2009
I am so pleased with this book. It is my favourite in my cook book collection. It contains brilliant recipes that are easy to do and practical for everyday meals.
The Thai Green Curry and Sizzling Beef are yummy, I cant wait to try some more.

Essential reading if you actually want to "cook" your own food rather than just heat it up., 04 Jan 2009
Jamie's Ministry of Food is a no-nonsense book for those that aren't terribly sure about their cooking and want to graduate past simple fry-ups and things that just come out of a packet and go straight into the oven. I have found that Jamie Oliver always has a very accessible and simple way of writing which will not leave you re-reading the instructions not feeling very sure about what he is telling you to do. What I love about Jamie Oliver is that it often feels as though the recipes have been written by a mate, they are informative without being preachy.

Ministry of Food contains a number of familiar recipes that you will have eaten in the past but will have not idea of how to make them and to make them well. Basic recipes like Roast Beef are balanced against more interesting recipes like Paella. Jamie also is very moral with his food, especially meat as he makes a point in the book to say that when you are buying meat, make sure you try to get organic free range produce. As well as that there are a number of recipes that are "quick cook" and should be from the pan to your plate in twenty minutes, which is just superb when you get in from work and don't want to be messing around for any length of time in front of the oven.

If you are already an experienced cook you will not get much more from this book other than a few new recipes to your repertoire, if however you are wanting to make a go of making seriously good meals then this book is essential reading.

Not pretentious - just good, easy food, 02 Jan 2009
I got this book as a gift for Christmas and have already cooked some great meals from it. I'm quite good at cooking, and I do enjoy cooking for others but I tend to be somewhat unadventurous when it comes to cooking for myself. I have often bought cookery books hoping to be inspired, only to find them full of meals that to be honest I'm never gonna cook! This book however, is full of simple, appetising, healthy recipes with ingredients I already have in my cupboards. The instructions are basic and very clear, using everyday language, yet not patronising either.

This is definitely accessible for beginners, cheap simple ingredients for students, and inspirational to all - experienced or otherwise. A great buy - in fact I will buy it for my brother and his new wife right now!

Pass it on, it's worth it., 02 Jan 2009
This book is great my 19yr old daughter and I love it, it's simple and easy to follow and the recipes always taste great. Some can work out a little expensive when on a low budget but just substitute cheaper versions of what it asks for.

Learn to cook, 28 Dec 2008
This book is amazing! As an avid non cooker I bought this book to try and learn some basics. The recipes I have tried have been easy and delicious, even as someone who has not cooked before I found it accessible and straight forward to follow.

Disappointing, recipes differ fr TV series, 29 Nov 2008
I don't grow my own veg, so this review applies only to the recipe portion of the book.
I watched the series on TV and was really excited to try the recipes from the book. To my disappointment, compared to the TV show, the (book) recipes turned out to be dumbed down somewhat and missing (in my opinion) some crucial steps/explanations. Also some recipes were really too much trouble for the results. For example "Humble home-cooked beans" uses a long list of ingredients (incl.5 types of herbs, expensive and leftovers difficult to use up) but the end result is just rather boring boiled beans!

Excellent, 24 Nov 2008
Jamie Oliver does it again more fantastic recipes to try out. There's some good honest down to earth cooking here unlike some other cookbooks which are filled to bursting point with poncey recipes we can only gawp at.

My personal favourites here are the chapters on strawberries and feathered game and also the tips on growing your own fruit and veg.Oh and the homemade barbecue sauce is too die for. Keep em coming Jamie

easy, great food, 19 Nov 2008
This is a lovely book with not only amazing, easy recipes but information on how to grow the ingredients. It is the book of recipes done on the T.V show which I also really enjoyed.

I recently made the steak, guinness and chedder pie and it was out of this world!

Such a good book, we're buying extras as gifts for friends, 04 Sep 2008
We've got a pretty complete collection of Jamie Oliver books so you would think there is a possibility he gets repetitive. Pleased to say however that he has come up with a big book (I think his heaviest to date) of fresh new ideas. Again, they are imaginative and appealing, while still being straightforward to reproduce. A sensible book to have.

wonderful, 31 May 2008
an amazingly inspirational book. i have since planted veggies and nowonly buy seasonal produce. a beautiful book with recipes that work.
when will we see a full veggie cook book?

Jamie you're a star., 02 Jan 2009
Jamie Oliver is the chef for the average person. I love Italian food but find most recipes expensive or too time consuming not to mention too extravagant for what I want. This book is now my joint favourite cook book along side Jamies Ministry of Food it's simple easy to follow and the pictures make your mouth water. Keep up the good work Jamie.

Give Jamie's Italian the boot, 06 Jun 2008
Loved the accompanying TV series but very disappointed with this book.

I'm not anti-Jamie by any stretch and still regularly borrow from earlier volumes but having had this book since it came out a couple of years ago I've not used a single recipe. If you live somewhere with a decent deli and can obtain the necessary ingredients then maybe this is for you but for someone like me, living in a chav town with nothing but large supermarkets, there's little on offer which could easily be replicated.

Yes, it's pleasant visually, but I buy recipe books in order to cook from them and in that respect this book was money wasted. At he's produced better since with the excellent Jamie At Home.

Simply a delight to read and use recipes from, 31 May 2008
I have enjoyed a few recipes from Oliver's previous books and thought them rather good even though I'd never owned a cookbook of his.

When I saw this tome for sale I decided to take the plunge seeing a few good recipes in there.

Since the purchase this has rapidly become one of my favourite cookbooks. As others have said, the recipes I have followed (only fish and vegetable dishes) have all turned out well.
I am even not a fan of Aubergine but as they were part of my recent Riverford Vegbox I plunged into making Pasta alla Norma tonight; Aubergine tastes simply amazing in this recipe! I just don't understand when I made Italian recipes in the past they never tasted anywhere near as good as these.

Admitedly I also make the Aubergine Parmigianio a few weeks back. Again ,the recipe was stunning.

My guest was also wowed by it pointing out a good Parmigianio recipe is hard to find and she's looking to now purchase this book - which is why I'm here on Amazon - to add it to my wish list!

If you're worried you'll get stuck only making a few recipes from this book you'll be wrong especially if you're a vegetarian or pescetarian.

I've now tackled quite a number of the recipes and know will go on to try many more for the ingredients seems to be in my kitchen - just about.

fabulous, 31 May 2008
what an amazing book - full of inspiration and beautifully put together
i went to the amalfi coast recently and now get his obsession with amalfi lemons
my fave jamie o book - but please where is the dvd?

No nonsense, excellent cooking, 15 Nov 2007
The Brits are now well familiar with Jamie Oliver's image on TV and the media generally, but it needs to be re-stated that his reputation has been built on his recipes and his cooking.

This book lists dozens of recipes, and is written in the no nonsense style you'd expect from Jamie. Whilst some instructions are a bit vague, and you find yourself adding "some" oil and "a bit of " salt, the enthusiasm in each page shines through, and the enjoyment of cooking is passed to the reader.

A great cookbook for those who like their food uncomplicated.

His best book yet!, 21 Jan 2008
You know the drill, you see a cookbook in the shop, pick it up and browse through, see about 3 or 4 recipes that grab you and head for the checkout... Then, when you get home and cook a couple you find the rest of the book overly complicated and ultimately it gets tucked away with the rest of the Gordon's, Nigella's etc etc to gather dust. Not so with the latest offering from Mr Oliver... I've bought most of Jamie's books and I've tried a fair few of his recipes over the years, but this book contains the best selection yet in my opinion. I actually bought this particular one for my husband as he'd promised 2008 would be the year he finally learnt to cook more than beans on toast! But I've also found it really comprehensive and easy to follow too. Our favourite recipes so far are pan-roasted salmon with anchovy and rosemary sauce and the pan-fried sirloin steak with chianti butter and olive oil mash. We cooked both of these this weekend and they were amazing. So whether you like Jamie or not, buy this book - if we can cook the recipes and deal with our rather active 9 month old at the same time, anyone can!

....simple, effective, will impress your guests, 31 Dec 2007
I am a big fan of the young chap. He used to drive me nuts with his mock East End ramblings, but he is the real deal. Charity begins at home, he really does what he says he believes in. This book is excellent in many respects:
- the sections are clear, to the point and give you good basic information on where the food comes from, how it is cut (for the meats) and the trick and tips are good
- the recipes turn out exactly as given- that's not always the case with cook books. I have cooked 90% of the recipes here and have shared them with many friends at the dinner table - they all love them
- it is not pretentious, and being Italo/Swiss-French living in England I can appreciate this. Most restaurants or recipes in the UK "think" that my culture's cooking needs to be dressed up, detailed with exotic French words (which mean nothing) and presented as the height of elegance and unassailable. It's all rubbish.It's very ok to be "regional", to use food from the "terroir" and to think that your Mama's cooking is the best!
- the Italian cooking is true and pushes for fresh ingredients - that's what Italians want from their cooking
This books shows anyone that food is about fresh ingredients, preparing meals to share with other people - even it is just plain old pasta!

As time goes on he is becoming an old hand at this, but so far he has kept innovating and researching his cooking and his ingredients - he really does like his food.

Problems with this ISBN, 18 Dec 2007
Hello all,
please be aware that the ISBN of 1856130002 appears to bring up both the Jamie book and an "Eyewitness to the 80's" book - I'd suggest checking with who you order from first which of the two books that they have in stock - to avoid disappointment with the wrong book turning up.



Just a bit patronising, 15 Nov 2007
Just a bit patronising for me. Not as good as his books that just focus on recipes. Bit disappointed, but he;s a millionaire so i;ll bet he won't be too upset!

Oliver is Coming of Age, 13 Sep 2007
Mr Oliver is a rare beast - a British popular chef who is big in France. His books are translated and he even gets on TV. "School Dinners" even spawned an imitator - this in a country where most children sit down to three course lunches in the school canteen.

The book is written with great confidence, as though Oliver has really settled into the rôle of teacher, not just of Chef. Some of the recipes are just brilliant, my favourite being "Mad Moroccan Lamb" but I agree with the comments made already that the cake departement is a little wanting, which is the reason behind the four rather than five stars.

The accompanying photographs to each recipe are generally excellent - there's nothing like having a picture to compare your results against - but the diagrams of which cut comes from where on a cow, sheep, etc really could have been better.

I confess that I find the "wotcher mate!" style of some passages a little irritating. Oliver really no longer has any need to be a cult personality since he most certainly has arrived. A very worthwhile addition to the shelf, however. I imagine that the French market will love it.

Brilliant...a must have cook book, 04 Jan 2009
I am so pleased with this book. It is my favourite in my cook book collection. It contains brilliant recipes that are easy to do and practical for everyday meals.
The Thai Green Curry and Sizzling Beef are yummy, I cant wait to try some more.

Essential reading if you actually want to "cook" your own food rather than just heat it up., 04 Jan 2009
Jamie's Ministry of Food is a no-nonsense book for those that aren't terribly sure about their cooking and want to graduate past simple fry-ups and things that just come out of a packet and go straight into the oven. I have found that Jamie Oliver always has a very accessible and simple way of writing which will not leave you re-reading the instructions not feeling very sure about what he is telling you to do. What I love about Jamie Oliver is that it often feels as though the recipes have been written by a mate, they are informative without being preachy.

Ministry of Food contains a number of familiar recipes that you will have eaten in the past but will have not idea of how to make them and to make them well. Basic recipes like Roast Beef are balanced against more interesting recipes like Paella. Jamie also is very moral with his food, especially meat as he makes a point in the book to say that when you are buying meat, make sure you try to get organic free range produce. As well as that there are a number of recipes that are "quick cook" and should be from the pan to your plate in twenty minutes, which is just superb when you get in from work and don't want to be messing around for any length of time in front of the oven.

If you are already an experienced cook you will not get much more from this book other than a few new recipes to your repertoire, if however you are wanting to make a go of making seriously good meals then this book is essential reading.

Not pretentious - just good, easy food, 02 Jan 2009
I got this book as a gift for Christmas and have already cooked some great meals from it. I'm quite good at cooking, and I do enjoy cooking for others but I tend to be somewhat unadventurous when it comes to cooking for myself. I have often bought cookery books hoping to be inspired, only to find them full of meals that to be honest I'm never gonna cook! This book however, is full of simple, appetising, healthy recipes with ingredients I already have in my cupboards. The instructions are basic and very clear, using everyday language, yet not patronising either.

This is definitely accessible for beginners, cheap simple ingredients for students, and inspirational to all - experienced or otherwise. A great buy - in fact I will buy it for my brother and his new wife right now!

Pass it on, it's worth it., 02 Jan 2009
This book is great my 19yr old daughter and I love it, it's simple and easy to follow and the recipes always taste great. Some can work out a little expensive when on a low budget but just substitute cheaper versions of what it asks for.

Learn to cook, 28 Dec 2008
This book is amazing! As an avid non cooker I bought this book to try and learn some basics. The recipes I have tried have been easy and delicious, even as someone who has not cooked before I found it accessible and straight forward to follow.

Disappointing, recipes differ fr TV series, 29 Nov 2008
I don't grow my own veg, so this review applies only to the recipe portion of the book.
I watched the series on TV and was really excited to try the recipes from the book. To my disappointment, compared to the TV show, the (book) recipes turned out to be dumbed down somewhat and missing (in my opinion) some crucial steps/explanations. Also some recipes were really too much trouble for the results. For example "Humble home-cooked beans" uses a long list of ingredients (incl.5 types of herbs, expensive and leftovers difficult to use up) but the end result is just rather boring boiled beans!

Excellent, 24 Nov 2008
Jamie Oliver does it again more fantastic recipes to try out. There's some good honest down to earth cooking here unlike some other cookbooks which are filled to bursting point with poncey recipes we can only gawp at.

My personal favourites here are the chapters on strawberries and feathered game and also the tips on growing your own fruit and veg.Oh and the homemade barbecue sauce is too die for. Keep em coming Jamie

easy, great food, 19 Nov 2008
This is a lovely book with not only amazing, easy recipes but information on how to grow the ingredients. It is the book of recipes done on the T.V show which I also really enjoyed.

I recently made the steak, guinness and chedder pie and it was out of this world!

Such a good book, we're buying extras as gifts for friends, 04 Sep 2008
We've got a pretty complete collection of Jamie Oliver books so you would think there is a possibility he gets repetitive. Pleased to say however that he has come up with a big book (I think his heaviest to date) of fresh new ideas. Again, they are imaginative and appealing, while still being straightforward to reproduce. A sensible book to have.

wonderful, 31 May 2008
an amazingly inspirational book. i have since planted veggies and nowonly buy seasonal produce. a beautiful book with recipes that work.
when will we see a full veggie cook book?

Jamie you're a star., 02 Jan 2009
Jamie Oliver is the chef for the average person. I love Italian food but find most recipes expensive or too time consuming not to mention too extravagant for what I want. This book is now my joint favourite cook book along side Jamies Ministry of Food it's simple easy to follow and the pictures make your mouth water. Keep up the good work Jamie.

Give Jamie's Italian the boot, 06 Jun 2008
Loved the accompanying TV series but very disappointed with this book.

I'm not anti-Jamie by any stretch and still regularly borrow from earlier volumes but having had this book since it came out a couple of years ago I've not used a single recipe. If you live somewhere with a decent deli and can obtain the necessary ingredients then maybe this is for you but for someone like me, living in a chav town with nothing but large supermarkets, there's little on offer which could easily be replicated.

Yes, it's pleasant visually, but I buy recipe books in order to cook from them and in that respect this book was money wasted. At he's produced better since with the excellent Jamie At Home.

Simply a delight to read and use recipes from, 31 May 2008
I have enjoyed a few recipes from Oliver's previous books and thought them rather good even though I'd never owned a cookbook of his.

When I saw this tome for sale I decided to take the plunge seeing a few good recipes in there.

Since the purchase this has rapidly become one of my favourite cookbooks. As others have said, the recipes I have followed (only fish and vegetable dishes) have all turned out well.
I am even not a fan of Aubergine but as they were part of my recent Riverford Vegbox I plunged into making Pasta alla Norma tonight; Aubergine tastes simply amazing in this recipe! I just don't understand when I made Italian recipes in the past they never tasted anywhere near as good as these.

Admitedly I also make the Aubergine Parmigianio a few weeks back. Again ,the recipe was stunning.

My guest was also wowed by it pointing out a good Parmigianio recipe is hard to find and she's looking to now purchase this book - which is why I'm here on Amazon - to add it to my wish list!

If you're worried you'll get stuck only making a few recipes from this book you'll be wrong especially if you're a vegetarian or pescetarian.

I've now tackled quite a number of the recipes and know will go on to try many more for the ingredients seems to be in my kitchen - just about.

fabulous, 31 May 2008
what an amazing book - full of inspiration and beautifully put together
i went to the amalfi coast recently and now get his obsession with amalfi lemons
my fave jamie o book - but please where is the dvd?

No nonsense, excellent cooking, 15 Nov 2007
The Brits are now well familiar with Jamie Oliver's image on TV and the media generally, but it needs to be re-stated that his reputation has been built on his recipes and his cooking.

This book lists dozens of recipes, and is written in the no nonsense style you'd expect from Jamie. Whilst some instructions are a bit vague, and you find yourself adding "some" oil and "a bit of " salt, the enthusiasm in each page shines through, and the enjoyment of cooking is passed to the reader.

A great cookbook for those who like their food uncomplicated.

His best book yet!, 21 Jan 2008
You know the drill, you see a cookbook in the shop, pick it up and browse through, see about 3 or 4 recipes that grab you and head for the checkout... Then, when you get home and cook a couple you find the rest of the book overly complicated and ultimately it gets tucked away with the rest of the Gordon's, Nigella's etc etc to gather dust. Not so with the latest offering from Mr Oliver... I've bought most of Jamie's books and I've tried a fair few of his recipes over the years, but this book contains the best selection yet in my opinion. I actually bought this particular one for my husband as he'd promised 2008 would be the year he finally learnt to cook more than beans on toast! But I've also found it really comprehensive and easy to follow too. Our favourite recipes so far are pan-roasted salmon with anchovy and rosemary sauce and the pan-fried sirloin steak with chianti butter and olive oil mash. We cooked both of these this weekend and they were amazing. So whether you like Jamie or not, buy this book - if we can cook the recipes and deal with our rather active 9 month old at the same time, anyone can!

....simple, effective, will impress your guests, 31 Dec 2007
I am a big fan of the young chap. He used to drive me nuts with his mock East End ramblings, but he is the real deal. Charity begins at home, he really does what he says he believes in. This book is excellent in many respects:
- the sections are clear, to the point and give you good basic information on where the food comes from, how it is cut (for the meats) and the trick and tips are good
- the recipes turn out exactly as given- that's not always the case with cook books. I have cooked 90% of the recipes here and have shared them with many friends at the dinner table - they all love them
- it is not pretentious, and being Italo/Swiss-French living in England I can appreciate this. Most restaurants or recipes in the UK "think" that my culture's cooking needs to be dressed up, detailed with exotic French words (which mean nothing) and presented as the height of elegance and unassailable. It's all rubbish.It's very ok to be "regional", to use food from the "terroir" and to think that your Mama's cooking is the best!
- the Italian cooking is true and pushes for fresh ingredients - that's what Italians want from their cooking
This books shows anyone that food is about fresh ingredients, preparing meals to share with other people - even it is just plain old pasta!

As time goes on he is becoming an old hand at this, but so far he has kept innovating and researching his cooking and his ingredients - he really does like his food.

Problems with this ISBN, 18 Dec 2007
Hello all,
please be aware that the ISBN of 1856130002 appears to bring up both the Jamie book and an "Eyewitness to the 80's" book - I'd suggest checking with who you order from first which of the two books that they have in stock - to avoid disappointment with the wrong book turning up.



Just a bit patronising, 15 Nov 2007
Just a bit patronising for me. Not as good as his books that just focus on recipes. Bit disappointed, but he;s a millionaire so i;ll bet he won't be too upset!

Oliver is Coming of Age, 13 Sep 2007
Mr Oliver is a rare beast - a British popular chef who is big in France. His books are translated and he even gets on TV. "School Dinners" even spawned an imitator - this in a country where most children sit down to three course lunches in the school canteen.

The book is written with great confidence, as though Oliver has really settled into the rôle of teacher, not just of Chef. Some of the recipes are just brilliant, my favourite being "Mad Moroccan Lamb" but I agree with the comments made already that the cake departement is a little wanting, which is the reason behind the four rather than five stars.

The accompanying photographs to each recipe are generally excellent - there's nothing like having a picture to compare your results against - but the diagrams of which cut comes from where on a cow, sheep, etc really could have been better.

I confess that I find the "wotcher mate!" style of some passages a little irritating. Oliver really no longer has any need to be a cult personality since he most certainly has arrived. A very worthwhile addition to the shelf, however. I imagine that the French market will love it.


This book rocks!, 04 Sep 2008
This book totally changed my life!! I never used to cook anything till I bought this and now I'm unstoppable!

Buy it, buy it, buy it!!!!

A great family kitchen basic, 08 May 2008
Having already owned two previous Jamie books I thought I'd try this to inspire some family mealtimes. This one is great! Far better in my opinion than some other family recipe books as nearly every page has a great idea, and unusally something I think the whole family will be happy with, as I often think that my 3 and 4 year old won't go for some of the more grown up style recipes in other family cookbooks.

Jamie works his kitchen magic once again. A great buy!

Good but not fab, 11 Oct 2007
Got this as a present and was really looking forward to getting stuck in, but I just can't find anything I want to cook, it all takes so much time, I'm opting for Nigella's express book next- hopefully that will have something you can realistically cook after a long day at work!!

A cookbook that should be in every kitchen, 29 May 2006
I do think that you will have to look for a long time to find an equal fan of Jamie Oliver after me - but take my word for it anyway: This is one of the best cookbooks you'll ever put your hands and eyes on.

It gets around a lot of things useful in the everyday - even down to tips on packing a lunchbox. Finally, my confused imagination got something to fixate at when it comes to bringing food with me.

The only thing that bothers me - and that goes with every one of JO's books - is that the recipes don't always fit the health of the family (due to eg high cholesterol and overweight).

Jamie - what a cook!, 22 May 2006
Jamie, as always brings together a blend of recipes which are so easy to cook - no 15 oz of this - just fling it in, mix it and pour it.

Keep it up Jamie.

He's back. Can anyone remember why they called Jamie Oliver the Naked Chef first time round? No matter. The Return of the Naked Chef is a quite brilliant collection of smart-casual food, simple, sexy, sophisticated, sharp as a tack and bang up to the moment. Oliver (or his editors, stylists, whoever) certainly has his finger on the pulse: there isn't a duff recipe in the book. This is food designed to be cooked in the home, but informed by the professional skills and commercial instincts of a working chef.

So what do we get? First off, ingredient perfect pitch. Seared scallops, grilled squid, baked beetroot and squash, roast Jerusalem artichokes, braised lamb shanks, crispy sea bass, carpaccio of beef, pancetta, lots of herbs, goats' cheese, Asian influences--all exactly what everybody seems to want to cook at the moment. There isn't perhaps anything blindingly original in his recipes, but the combinations are nudged this way and that to maximum effect: "Potato and Jerusalem Artichoke Soup with Thyme, Mascarpone and Hazelnuts", "Risotto of Radicchio, Smoky Bacon, Rosemary and Red Wine", "Braised Pigeon Breasts with Peas, Lettuce and Spring Onions", "Orange and Polenta Biscuits" give something of the flavour of the style. It's modern, fresh and not in any way intimidating. On the minor matter of personal appeal, where Oliver really scores is the intriguing contrast (the "tension", as literary critics would say) between the skilled and imaginative professional on the one hand, and the laddish Essex boy on the other, who always manages to look as if he's just crawled from under a companionable duvet. This book will scarcely need recommending, but it is a highly appealing and skilful package. --Robin Davidson

Brilliant...a must have cook book, 04 Jan 2009
I am so pleased with this book. It is my favourite in my cook book collection. It contains brilliant recipes that are easy to do and practical for everyday meals.
The Thai Green Curry and Sizzling Beef are yummy, I cant wait to try some more.

Essential reading if you actually want to "cook" your own food rather than just heat it up., 04 Jan 2009
Jamie's Ministry of Food is a no-nonsense book for those that aren't terribly sure about their cooking and want to graduate past simple fry-ups and things that just come out of a packet and go straight into the oven. I have found that Jamie Oliver always has a very accessible and simple way of writing which will not leave you re-reading the instructions not feeling very sure about what he is telling you to do. What I love about Jamie Oliver is that it often feels as though the recipes have been written by a mate, they are informative without being preachy.

Ministry of Food contains a number of familiar recipes that you will have eaten in the past but will have not idea of how to make them and to make them well. Basic recipes like Roast Beef are balanced against more interesting recipes like Paella. Jamie also is very moral with his food, especially meat as he makes a point in the book to say that when you are buying meat, make sure you try to get organic free range produce. As well as that there are a number of recipes that are "quick cook" and should be from the pan to your plate in twenty minutes, which is just superb when you get in from work and don't want to be messing around for any length of time in front of the oven.

If you are already an experienced cook you will not get much more from this book other than a few new recipes to your repertoire, if however you are wanting to make a go of making seriously good meals then this book is essential reading.

Not pretentious - just good, easy food, 02 Jan 2009
I got this book as a gift for Christmas and have already cooked some great meals from it. I'm quite good at cooking, and I do enjoy cooking for others but I tend to be somewhat unadventurous when it comes to cooking for myself. I have often bought cookery books hoping to be inspired, only to find them full of meals that to be honest I'm never gonna cook! This book however, is full of simple, appetising, healthy recipes with ingredients I already have in my cupboards. The instructions are basic and very clear, using everyday language, yet not patronising either.

This is definitely accessible for beginners, cheap simple ingredients for students, and inspirational to all - experienced or otherwise. A great buy - in fact I will buy it for my brother and his new wife right now!

Pass it on, it's worth it., 02 Jan 2009
This book is great my 19yr old daughter and I love it, it's simple and easy to follow and the recipes always taste great. Some can work out a little expensive when on a low budget but just substitute cheaper versions of what it asks for.

Learn to cook, 28 Dec 2008
This book is amazing! As an avid non cooker I bought this book to try and learn some basics. The recipes I have tried have been easy and delicious, even as someone who has not cooked before I found it accessible and straight forward to follow.

Disappointing, recipes differ fr TV series, 29 Nov 2008
I don't grow my own veg, so this review applies only to the recipe portion of the book.
I watched the series on TV and was really excited to try the recipes from the book. To my disappointment, compared to the TV show, the (book) recipes turned out to be dumbed down somewhat and missing (in my opinion) some crucial steps/explanations. Also some recipes were really too much trouble for the results. For example "Humble home-cooked beans" uses a long list of ingredients (incl.5 types of herbs, expensive and leftovers difficult to use up) but the end result is just rather boring boiled beans!

Excellent, 24 Nov 2008
Jamie Oliver does it again more fantastic recipes to try out. There's some good honest down to earth cooking here unlike some other cookbooks which are filled to bursting point with poncey recipes we can only gawp at.

My personal favourites here are the chapters on strawberries and feathered game and also the tips on growing your own fruit and veg.Oh and the homemade barbecue sauce is too die for. Keep em coming Jamie

easy, great food, 19 Nov 2008
This is a lovely book with not only amazing, easy recipes but information on how to grow the ingredients. It is the book of recipes done on the T.V show which I also really enjoyed.

I recently made the steak, guinness and chedder pie and it was out of this world!

Such a good book, we're buying extras as gifts for friends, 04 Sep 2008
We've got a pretty complete collection of Jamie Oliver books so you would think there is a possibility he gets repetitive. Pleased to say however that he has come up with a big book (I think his heaviest to date) of fresh new ideas. Again, they are imaginative and appealing, while still being straightforward to reproduce. A sensible book to have.

wonderful, 31 May 2008
an amazingly inspirational book. i have since planted veggies and nowonly buy seasonal produce. a beautiful book with recipes that work.
when will we see a full veggie cook book?

Jamie you're a star., 02 Jan 2009
Jamie Oliver is the chef for the average person. I love Italian food but find most recipes expensive or too time consuming not to mention too extravagant for what I want. This book is now my joint favourite cook book along side Jamies Ministry of Food it's simple easy to follow and the pictures make your mouth water. Keep up the good work Jamie.

Give Jamie's Italian the boot, 06 Jun 2008
Loved the accompanying TV series but very disappointed with this book.

I'm not anti-Jamie by any stretch and still regularly borrow from earlier volumes but having had this book since it came out a couple of years ago I've not used a single recipe. If you live somewhere with a decent deli and can obtain the necessary ingredients then maybe this is for you but for someone like me, living in a chav town with nothing but large supermarkets, there's little on offer which could easily be replicated.

Yes, it's pleasant visually, but I buy recipe books in order to cook from them and in that respect this book was money wasted. At he's produced better since with the excellent Jamie At Home.

Simply a delight to read and use recipes from, 31 May 2008
I have enjoyed a few recipes from Oliver's previous books and thought them rather good even though I'd never owned a cookbook of his.

When I saw this tome for sale I decided to take the plunge seeing a few good recipes in there.

Since the purchase this has rapidly become one of my favourite cookbooks. As others have said, the recipes I have followed (only fish and vegetable dishes) have all turned out well.
I am even not a fan of Aubergine but as they were part of my recent Riverford Vegbox I plunged into making Pasta alla Norma tonight; Aubergine tastes simply amazing in this recipe! I just don't understand when I made Italian recipes in the past they never tasted anywhere near as good as these.

Admitedly I also make the Aubergine Parmigianio a few weeks back. Again ,the recipe was stunning.

My guest was also wowed by it pointing out a good Parmigianio recipe is hard to find and she's looking to now purchase this book - which is why I'm here on Amazon - to add it to my wish list!

If you're worried you'll get stuck only making a few recipes from this book you'll be wrong especially if you're a vegetarian or pescetarian.

I've now tackled quite a number of the recipes and know will go on to try many more for the ingredients seems to be in my kitchen - just about.

fabulous, 31 May 2008
what an amazing book - full of inspiration and beautifully put together
i went to the amalfi coast recently and now get his obsession with amalfi lemons
my fave jamie o book - but please where is the dvd?

No nonsense, excellent cooking, 15 Nov 2007
The Brits are now well familiar with Jamie Oliver's image on TV and the media generally, but it needs to be re-stated that his reputation has been built on his recipes and his cooking.

This book lists dozens of recipes, and is written in the no nonsense style you'd expect from Jamie. Whilst some instructions are a bit vague, and you find yourself adding "some" oil and "a bit of " salt, the enthusiasm in each page shines through, and the enjoyment of cooking is passed to the reader.

A great cookbook for those who like their food uncomplicated.

His best book yet!, 21 Jan 2008
You know the drill, you see a cookbook in the shop, pick it up and browse through, see about 3 or 4 recipes that grab you and head for the checkout... Then, when you get home and cook a couple you find the rest of the book overly complicated and ultimately it gets tucked away with the rest of the Gordon's, Nigella's etc etc to gather dust. Not so with the latest offering from Mr Oliver... I've bought most of Jamie's books and I've tried a fair few of his recipes over the years, but this book contains the best selection yet in my opinion. I actually bought this particular one for my husband as he'd promised 2008 would be the year he finally learnt to cook more than beans on toast! But I've also found it really comprehensive and easy to follow too. Our favourite recipes so far are pan-roasted salmon with anchovy and rosemary sauce and the pan-fried sirloin steak with chianti butter and olive oil mash. We cooked both of these this weekend and they were amazing. So whether you like Jamie or not, buy this book - if we can cook the recipes and deal with our rather active 9 month old at the same time, anyone can!

....simple, effective, will impress your guests, 31 Dec 2007
I am a big fan of the young chap. He used to drive me nuts with his mock East End ramblings, but he is the real deal. Charity begins at home, he really does what he says he believes in. This book is excellent in many respects:
- the sections are clear, to the point and give you good basic information on where the food comes from, how it is cut (for the meats) and the trick and tips are good
- the recipes turn out exactly as given- that's not always the case with cook books. I have cooked 90% of the recipes here and have shared them with many friends at the dinner table - they all love them
- it is not pretentious, and being Italo/Swiss-French living in England I can appreciate this. Most restaurants or recipes in the UK "think" that my culture's cooking needs to be dressed up, detailed with exotic French words (which mean nothing) and presented as the height of elegance and unassailable. It's all rubbish.It's very ok to be "regional", to use food from the "terroir" and to think that your Mama's cooking is the best!
- the Italian cooking is true and pushes for fresh ingredients - that's what Italians want from their cooking
This books shows anyone that food is about fresh ingredients, preparing meals to share with other people - even it is just plain old pasta!

As time goes on he is becoming an old hand at this, but so far he has kept innovating and researching his cooking and his ingredients - he really does like his food.

Problems with this ISBN, 18 Dec 2007
Hello all,
please be aware that the ISBN of 1856130002 appears to bring up both the Jamie book and an "Eyewitness to the 80's" book - I'd suggest checking with who you order from first which of the two books that they have in stock - to avoid disappointment with the wrong book turning up.



Just a bit patronising, 15 Nov 2007
Just a bit patronising for me. Not as good as his books that just focus on recipes. Bit disappointed, but he;s a millionaire so i;ll bet he won't be too upset!

Oliver is Coming of Age, 13 Sep 2007
Mr Oliver is a rare beast - a British popular chef who is big in France. His books are translated and he even gets on TV. "School Dinners" even spawned an imitator - this in a country where most children sit down to three course lunches in the school canteen.

The book is written with great confidence, as though Oliver has really settled into the rôle of teacher, not just of Chef. Some of the recipes are just brilliant, my favourite being "Mad Moroccan Lamb" but I agree with the comments made already that the cake departement is a little wanting, which is the reason behind the four rather than five stars.

The accompanying photographs to each recipe are generally excellent - there's nothing like having a picture to compare your results against - but the diagrams of which cut comes from where on a cow, sheep, etc really could have been better.

I confess that I find the "wotcher mate!" style of some passages a little irritating. Oliver really no longer has any need to be a cult personality since he most certainly has arrived. A very worthwhile addition to the shelf, however. I imagine that the French market will love it.


This book rocks!, 04 Sep 2008
This book totally changed my life!! I never used to cook anything till I bought this and now I'm unstoppable!

Buy it, buy it, buy it!!!!

A great family kitchen basic, 08 May 2008
Having already owned two previous Jamie books I thought I'd try this to inspire some family mealtimes. This one is great! Far better in my opinion than some other family recipe books as nearly every page has a great idea, and unusally something I think the whole family will be happy with, as I often think that my 3 and 4 year old won't go for some of the more grown up style recipes in other family cookbooks.

Jamie works his kitchen magic once again. A great buy!

Good but not fab, 11 Oct 2007
Got this as a present and was really looking forward to getting stuck in, but I just can't find anything I want to cook, it all takes so much time, I'm opting for Nigella's express book next- hopefully that will have something you can realistically cook after a long day at work!!

A cookbook that should be in every kitchen, 29 May 2006
I do think that you will have to look for a long time to find an equal fan of Jamie Oliver after me - but take my word for it anyway: This is one of the best cookbooks you'll ever put your hands and eyes on.

It gets around a lot of things useful in the everyday - even down to tips on packing a lunchbox. Finally, my confused imagination got something to fixate at when it comes to bringing food with me.

The only thing that bothers me - and that goes with every one of JO's books - is that the recipes don't always fit the health of the family (due to eg high cholesterol and overweight).

Jamie - what a cook!, 22 May 2006
Jamie, as always brings together a blend of recipes which are so easy to cook - no 15 oz of this - just fling it in, mix it and pour it.

Keep it up Jamie.

A book you shouldn't miss, 17 Aug 2008
This is just as great as all the other books - easy, delicious recipes that actually work in normal life. You'll find some really new, inspiring recipes for pasta and risotto ... One of my favourites is the "salmon fillet wrapped in prosciutto with herby lentils, spinach and yoghurt" (tasty and moist). The book is also great, if you're planning to make your own pasta but don't know exactly how: Jamie explains this in detail. I would recommend this book to everyone!

The best Jamie book, 17 May 2006
I have all 6 of Jamie's books. I rate this as his finest. I cook a jamie meal every single evening, he is an absolute star, i have never ever come across any other cook books where you can do a recipe from it every night of the week at reasonable cost, very little time and bloomin tasty! (jamies words) I fill in my diary up to 3 months in advance with one of the recipes from his books....good planning, i then go to the supermarket twice a week, buy the ingredients and away you go....no worrying what are we gonna have for tea tonight!! All recipes are simple, fast and quite often are based around the same ingredients, i have to say i very rarely have any waste. It makes my life easy.....and we are eating very healthily too, unless we do one of his puddings, but only at the weekend!

Brilliant, 16 Aug 2001
This book is excellent. The book shows all the basics! The recipies are simple to make and very tasty. The book is very colourful and well set out. Im 15 and I want to be a chef this book is so helpful because the recipies are not to extravagant. A brilliant buy - You wont be dissappointed!!

easily followed recipies for real people, 09 Jul 2001
Here in the US we have a TV channel devoted to cooking [the food network]. When I saw Jamie's show 'The Naked Chef' I knew with a title like that it would be a change from most of the chef's here who'll teach you how to prepare duck stuffed with foie gras. Jamie's TV slot 'The Naked Chef' and subsequent books showed us how to cook a meal for an ordinary bloke in an ordinary kitchen without going broke buying just buying the ingredients. Cheers mate look forward to the next book / TV series.

No more pasta please!, 20 Jun 2001
Surely not MORE recipes for bread and pasta - especially as I (among plenty of others) cannot tolerate wheat flour and find heavy carbos like these difficult to digest. Some of the recipes were OK - bloody lovely in fact, but the choice was limited once you cut out the bread, pasta and seafood (which I can't stand - god I sound fussy!) Also, WHY was roast chicken featured in both books? You haven't got away with that one mate. Please Jamie, less of the same stuff in the next book, eh?

Brilliant...a must have cook book, 04 Jan 2009
I am so pleased with this book. It is my favourite in my cook book collection. It contains brilliant recipes that are easy to do and practical for everyday meals.
The Thai Green Curry and Sizzling Beef are yummy, I cant wait to try some more.

Essential reading if you actually want to "cook" your own food rather than just heat it up., 04 Jan 2009
Jamie's Ministry of Food is a no-nonsense book for those that aren't terribly sure about their cooking and want to graduate past simple fry-ups and things that just come out of a packet and go straight into the oven. I have found that Jamie Oliver always has a very accessible and simple way of writing which will not leave you re-reading the instructions not feeling very sure about what he is telling you to do. What I love about Jamie Oliver is that it often feels as though the recipes have been written by a mate, they are informative without being preachy.

Ministry of Food contains a number of familiar recipes that you will have eaten in the past but will have not idea of how to make them and to make them well. Basic recipes like Roast Beef are balanced against more interesting recipes like Paella. Jamie also is very moral with his food, especially meat as he makes a point in the book to say that when you are buying meat, make sure you try to get organic free range produce. As well as that there are a number of recipes that are "quick cook" and should be from the pan to your plate in twenty minutes, which is just superb when you get in from work and don't want to be messing around for any length of time in front of the oven.

If you are already an experienced cook you will not get much more from this book other than a few new recipes to your repertoire, if however you are wanting to make a go of making seriously good meals then this book is essential reading.

Not pretentious - just good, easy food, 02 Jan 2009
I got this book as a gift for Christmas and have already cooked some great meals from it. I'm quite good at cooking, and I do enjoy cooking for others but I tend to be somewhat unadventurous when it comes to cooking for myself. I have often bought cookery books hoping to be inspired, only to find them full of meals that to be honest I'm never gonna cook! This book however, is full of simple, appetising, healthy recipes with ingredients I already have in my cupboards. The instructions are basic and very clear, using everyday language, yet not patronising either.

This is definitely accessible for beginners, cheap simple ingredients for students, and inspirational to all - experienced or otherwise. A great buy - in fact I will buy it for my brother and his new wife right now!

Pass it on, it's worth it., 02 Jan 2009
This book is great my 19yr old daughter and I love it, it's simple and easy to follow and the recipes always taste great. Some can work out a little expensive when on a low budget but just substitute cheaper versions of what it asks for.

Learn to cook, 28 Dec 2008
This book is amazing! As an avid non cooker I bought this book to try and learn some basics. The recipes I have tried have been easy and delicious, even as someone who has not cooked before I found it accessible and straight forward to follow.

Disappointing, recipes differ fr TV series, 29 Nov 2008
I don't grow my own veg, so this review applies only to the recipe portion of the book.
I watched the series on TV and was really excited to try the recipes from the book. To my disappointment, compared to the TV show, the (book) recipes turned out to be dumbed down somewhat and missing (in my opinion) some crucial steps/explanations. Also some recipes were really too much trouble for the results. For example "Humble home-cooked beans" uses a long list of ingredients (incl.5 types of herbs, expensive and leftovers difficult to use up) but the end result is just rather boring boiled beans!

Excellent, 24 Nov 2008
Jamie Oliver does it again more fantastic recipes to try out. There's some good honest down to earth cooking here unlike some other cookbooks which are filled to bursting point with poncey recipes we can only gawp at.

My personal favourites here are the chapters on strawberries and feathered game and also the tips on growing your own fruit and veg.Oh and the homemade barbecue sauce is too die for. Keep em coming Jamie

easy, great food, 19 Nov 2008
This is a lovely book with not only amazing, easy recipes but information on how to grow the ingredients. It is the book of recipes done on the T.V show which I also really enjoyed.

I recently made the steak, guinness and chedder pie and it was out of this world!

Such a good book, we're buying extras as gifts for friends, 04 Sep 2008
We've got a pretty complete collection of Jamie Oliver books so you would think there is a possibility he gets repetitive. Pleased to say however that he has come up with a big book (I think his heaviest to date) of fresh new ideas. Again, they are imaginative and appealing, while still being straightforward to reproduce. A sensible book to have.

wonderful, 31 May 2008
an amazingly inspirational book. i have since planted veggies and nowonly buy seasonal produce. a beautiful book with recipes that work.
when will we see a full veggie cook book?

Jamie you're a star., 02 Jan 2009
Jamie Oliver is the chef for the average person. I love Italian food but find most recipes expensive or too time consuming not to mention too extravagant for what I want. This book is now my joint favourite cook book along side Jamies Ministry of Food it's simple easy to follow and the pictures make your mouth water. Keep up the good work Jamie.

Give Jamie's Italian the boot, 06 Jun 2008
Loved the accompanying TV series but very disappointed with this book.

I'm not anti-Jamie by any stretch and still regularly borrow from earlier volumes but having had this book since it came out a couple of years ago I've not used a single recipe. If you live somewhere with a decent deli and can obtain the necessary ingredients then maybe this is for you but for someone like me, living in a chav town with nothing but large supermarkets, there's little on offer which could easily be replicated.

Yes, it's pleasant visually, but I buy recipe books in order to cook from them and in that respect this book was money wasted. At he's produced better since with the excellent Jamie At Home.

Simply a delight to read and use recipes from, 31 May 2008
I have enjoyed a few recipes from Oliver's previous books and thought them rather good even though I'd never owned a cookbook of his.

When I saw this tome for sale I decided to take the plunge seeing a few good recipes in there.

Since the purchase this has rapidly become one of my favourite cookbooks. As others have said, the recipes I have followed (only fish and vegetable dishes) have all turned out well.
I am even not a fan of Aubergine but as they were part of my recent Riverford Vegbox I plunged into making Pasta alla Norma tonight; Aubergine tastes simply amazing in this recipe! I just don't understand when I made Italian recipes in the past they never tasted anywhere near as good as these.

Admitedly I also make the Aubergine Parmigianio a few weeks back. Again ,the recipe was stunning.

My guest was also wowed by it pointing out a good Parmigianio recipe is hard to find and she's looking to now purchase this book - which is why I'm here on Amazon - to add it to my wish list!

If you're worried you'll get stuck only making a few recipes from this book you'll be wrong especially if you're a vegetarian or pescetarian.

I've now tackled quite a number of the recipes and know will go on to try many more for the ingredients seems to be in my kitchen - just about.

fabulous, 31 May 2008
what an amazing book - full of inspiration and beautifully put together
i went to the amalfi coast recently and now get his obsession with amalfi lemons
my fave jamie o book - but please where is the dvd?

No nonsense, excellent cooking, 15 Nov 2007
The Brits are now well familiar with Jamie Oliver's image on TV and the media generally, but it needs to be re-stated that his reputation has been built on his recipes and his cooking.

This book lists dozens of recipes, and is written in the no nonsense style you'd expect from Jamie. Whilst some instructions are a bit vague, and you find yourself adding "some" oil and "a bit of " salt, the enthusiasm in each page shines through, and the enjoyment of cooking is passed to the reader.

A great cookbook for those who like their food uncomplicated.

His best book yet!, 21 Jan 2008
You know the drill, you see a cookbook in the shop, pick it up and browse through, see about 3 or 4 recipes that grab you and head for the checkout... Then, when you get home and cook a couple you find the rest of the book overly complicated and ultimately it gets tucked away with the rest of the Gordon's, Nigella's etc etc to gather dust. Not so with the latest offering from Mr Oliver... I've bought most of Jamie's books and I've tried a fair few of his recipes over the years, but this book contains the best selection yet in my opinion. I actually bought this particular one for my husband as he'd promised 2008 would be the year he finally learnt to cook more than beans on toast! But I've also found it really comprehensive and easy to follow too. Our favourite recipes so far are pan-roasted salmon with anchovy and rosemary sauce and the pan-fried sirloin steak with chianti butter and olive oil mash. We cooked both of these this weekend and they were amazing. So whether you like Jamie or not, buy this book - if we can cook the recipes and deal with our rather active 9 month old at the same time, anyone can!

....simple, effective, will impress your guests, 31 Dec 2007
I am a big fan of the young chap. He used to drive me nuts with his mock East End ramblings, but he is the real deal. Charity begins at home, he really does what he says he believes in. This book is excellent in many respects:
- the sections are clear, to the point and give you good basic information on where the food comes from, how it is cut (for the meats) and the trick and tips are good
- the recipes turn out exactly as given- that's not always the case with cook books. I have cooked 90% of the recipes here and have shared them with many friends at the dinner table - they all love them
- it is not pretentious, and being Italo/Swiss-French living in England I can appreciate this. Most restaurants or recipes in the UK "think" that my culture's cooking needs to be dressed up, detailed with exotic French words (which mean nothing) and presented as the height of elegance and unassailable. It's all rubbish.It's very ok to be "regional", to use food from the "terroir" and to think that your Mama's cooking is the best!
- the Italian cooking is true and pushes for fresh ingredients - that's what Italians want from their cooking
This books shows anyone that food is about fresh ingredients, preparing meals to share with other people - even it is just plain old pasta!

As time goes on he is becoming an old hand at this, but so far he has kept innovating and researching his cooking and his ingredients - he really does like his food.

Problems with this ISBN, 18 Dec 2007
Hello all,
please be aware that the ISBN of 1856130002 appears to bring up both the Jamie book and an "Eyewitness to the 80's" book - I'd suggest checking with who you order from first which of the two books that they have in stock - to avoid disappointment with the wrong book turning up.



Just a bit patronising, 15 Nov 2007
Just a bit patronising for me. Not as good as his books that just focus on recipes. Bit disappointed, but he;s a millionaire so i;ll bet he won't be too upset!

Oliver is Coming of Age, 13 Sep 2007
Mr Oliver is a rare beast - a British popular chef who is big in France. His books are translated and he even gets on TV. "School Dinners" even spawned an imitator - this in a country where most children sit down to three course lunches in the school canteen.

The book is written with great confidence, as though Oliver has really settled into the rôle of teacher, not just of Chef. Some of the recipes are just brilliant, my favourite being "Mad Moroccan Lamb" but I agree with the comments made already that the cake departement is a little wanting, which is the reason behind the four rather than five stars.

The accompanying photographs to each recipe are generally excellent - there's nothing like having a picture to compare your results against - but the diagrams of which cut comes from where on a cow, sheep, etc really could have been better.

I confess that I find the "wotcher mate!" style of some passages a little irritating. Oliver really no longer has any need to be a cult personality since he most certainly has arrived. A very worthwhile addition to the shelf, however. I imagine that the French market will love it.


This book rocks!, 04 Sep 2008
This book totally changed my life!! I never used to cook anything till I bought this and now I'm unstoppable!

Buy it, buy it, buy it!!!!

A great family kitchen basic, 08 May 2008
Having already owned two previous Jamie books I thought I'd try this to inspire some family mealtimes. This one is great! Far better in my opinion than some other family recipe books as nearly every page has a great idea, and unusally something I think the whole family will be happy with, as I often think that my 3 and 4 year old won't go for some of the more grown up style recipes in other family cookbooks.

Jamie works his kitchen magic once again. A great buy!

Good but not fab, 11 Oct 2007
Got this as a present and was really looking forward to getting stuck in, but I just can't find anything I want to cook, it all takes so much time, I'm opting for Nigella's express book next- hopefully that will have something you can realistically cook after a long day at work!!

A cookbook that should be in every kitchen, 29 May 2006
I do think that you will have to look for a long time to find an equal fan of Jamie Oliver after me - but take my word for it anyway: This is one of the best cookbooks you'll ever put your hands and eyes on.

It gets around a lot of things useful in the everyday - even down to tips on packing a lunchbox. Finally, my confused imagination got something to fixate at when it comes to bringing food with me.

The only thing that bothers me - and that goes with every one of JO's books - is that the recipes don't always fit the health of the family (due to eg high cholesterol and overweight).

Jamie - what a cook!, 22 May 2006
Jamie, as always brings together a blend of recipes which are so easy to cook - no 15 oz of this - just fling it in, mix it and pour it.

Keep it up Jamie.

A book you shouldn't miss, 17 Aug 2008
This is just as great as all the other books - easy, delicious recipes that actually work in normal life. You'll find some really new, inspiring recipes for pasta and risotto ... One of my favourites is the "salmon fillet wrapped in prosciutto with herby lentils, spinach and yoghurt" (tasty and moist). The book is also great, if you're planning to make your own pasta but don't know exactly how: Jamie explains this in detail. I would recommend this book to everyone!

The best Jamie book, 17 May 2006
I have all 6 of Jamie's books. I rate this as his finest. I cook a jamie meal every single evening, he is an absolute star, i have never ever come across any other cook books where you can do a recipe from it every night of the week at reasonable cost, very little time and bloomin tasty! (jamies words) I fill in my diary up to 3 months in advance with one of the recipes from his books....good planning, i then go to the supermarket twice a week, buy the ingredients and away you go....no worrying what are we gonna have for tea tonight!! All recipes are simple, fast and quite often are based around the same ingredients, i have to say i very rarely have any waste. It makes my life easy.....and we are eating very healthily too, unless we do one of his puddings, but only at the weekend!

Brilliant, 16 Aug 2001
This book is excellent. The book shows all the basics! The recipies are simple to make and very tasty. The book is very colourful and well set out. Im 15 and I want to be a chef this book is so helpful because the recipies are not to extravagant. A brilliant buy - You wont be dissappointed!!

easily followed recipies for real people, 09 Jul 2001
Here in the US we have a TV channel devoted to cooking [the food network]. When I saw Jamie's show 'The Naked Chef' I knew with a title like that it would be a change from most of the chef's here who'll teach you how to prepare duck stuffed with foie gras. Jamie's TV slot 'The Naked Chef' and subsequent books showed us how to cook a meal for an ordinary bloke in an ordinary kitchen without going broke buying just buying the ingredients. Cheers mate look forward to the next book / TV series.

No more pasta please!, 20 Jun 2001
Surely not MORE recipes for bread and pasta - especially as I (among plenty of others) cannot tolerate wheat flour and find heavy carbos like these difficult to digest. Some of the recipes were OK - bloody lovely in fact, but the choice was limited once you cut out the bread, pasta and seafood (which I can't stand - god I sound fussy!) Also, WHY was roast chicken featured in both books? You haven't got away with that one mate. Please Jamie, less of the same stuff in the next book, eh?

Jamie you're a star., 02 Jan 2009
Jamie Oliver is the chef for the average person. I love Italian food but find most recipes expensive or too time consuming not to mention too extravagant for what I want. This book is now my joint favourite cook book along side Jamies Ministry of Food it's simple easy to follow and the pictures make your mouth water. Keep up the good work Jamie.

Give Jamie's Italian the boot, 06 Jun 2008
Loved the accompanying TV series but very disappointed with this book.

I'm not anti-Jamie by any stretch and still regularly borrow from earlier volumes but having had this book since it came out a couple of years ago I've not used a single recipe. If you live somewhere with a decent deli and can obtain the necessary ingredients then maybe this is for you but for someone like me, living in a chav town with nothing but large supermarkets, there's little on offer which could easily be replicated.

Yes, it's pleasant visually, but I buy recipe books in order to cook from them and in that respect this book was money wasted. At he's produced better since with the excellent Jamie At Home.

Simply a delight to read and use recipes from, 31 May 2008
I have enjoyed a few recipes from Oliver's previous books and thought them rather good even though I'd never owned a cookbook of his.

When I saw this tome for sale I decided to take the plunge seeing a few good recipes in there.

Since the purchase this has rapidly become one of my favourite cookbooks. As others have said, the recipes I have followed (only fish and vegetable dishes) have all turned out well.
I am even not a fan of Aubergine but as they were part of my recent Riverford Vegbox I plunged into making Pasta alla Norma tonight; Aubergine tastes simply amazing in this recipe! I just don't understand when I made Italian recipes in the past they never tasted anywhere near as good as these.

Admitedly I also make the Aubergine Parmigianio a few weeks back. Again ,the recipe was stunning.

My guest was also wowed by it pointing out a good Parmigianio recipe is hard to find and she's looking to now purchase this book - which is why I'm here on Amazon - to add it to my wish list!

If you're worried you'll get stuck only making a few recipes from this book you'll be wrong especially if you're a vegetarian or pescetarian.

I've now tackled quite a number of the recipes and know will go on to try many more for the ingredients seems to be in my kitchen - just about.

fabulous, 31 May 2008
what an amazing book - full of inspiration and beautifully put together
i went to the amalfi coast recently and now get his obsession with amalfi lemons
my fave jamie o book - but please where is the dvd?

No nonsense, excellent cooking, 15 Nov 2007
The Brits are now well familiar with Jamie Oliver's image on TV and the media generally, but it needs to be re-stated that his reputation has been built on his recipes and his cooking.

This book lists dozens of recipes, and is written in the no nonsense style you'd expect from Jamie. Whilst some instructions are a bit vague, and you find yourself adding "some" oil and "a bit of " salt, the enthusiasm in each page shines through, and the enjoyment of cooking is passed to the reader.

A great cookbook for those who like their food uncomplicated.

He's back. Can anyone remember why they called Jamie Oliver the Naked Chef first time round? No matter. The Return of the Naked Chef is a quite brilliant collection of smart-casual food, simple, sexy, sophisticated, sharp as a tack and bang up to the moment. Oliver (or his editors, stylists, whoever) certainly has his finger on the pulse: there isn't a duff recipe in the book. This is food designed to be cooked in the home, but informed by the professional skills and commercial instincts of a working chef.

So what do we get? First off, ingredient perfect pitch. Seared scallops, grilled squid, baked beetroot and squash, roast Jerusalem artichokes, braised lamb shanks, crispy sea bass, carpaccio of beef, pancetta, lots of herbs, goats' cheese, Asian influences--all exactly what everybody seems to want to cook at the moment. There isn't perhaps anything blindingly original in his recipes, but the combinations are nudged this way and that to maximum effect: "Potato and Jerusalem Artichoke Soup with Thyme, Mascarpone and Hazelnuts", "Risotto of Radicchio, Smoky Bacon, Rosemary and Red Wine", "Braised Pigeon Breasts with Peas, Lettuce and Spring Onions", "Orange and Polenta Biscuits" give something of the flavour of the style. It's modern, fresh and not in any way intimidating. On the minor matter of personal appeal, where Oliver really scores is the intriguing contrast (the "tension", as literary critics would say) between the skilled and imaginative professional on the one hand, and the laddish Essex boy on the other, who always manages to look as if he's just crawled from under a companionable duvet. This book will scarcely need recommending, but it is a highly appealing and skilful package. --Robin Davidson

Brilliant...a must have cook book, 04 Jan 2009
I am so pleased with this book. It is my favourite in my cook book collection. It contains brilliant recipes that are easy to do and practical for everyday meals.
The Thai Green Curry and Sizzling Beef are yummy, I cant wait to try some more.

Essential reading if you actually want to "cook" your own food rather than just heat it up., 04 Jan 2009
Jamie's Ministry of Food is a no-nonsense book for those that aren't terribly sure about their cooking and want to graduate past simple fry-ups and things that just come out of a packet and go straight into the oven. I have found that Jamie Oliver always has a very accessible and simple way of writing which will not leave you re-reading the instructions not feeling very sure about what he is telling you to do. What I love about Jamie Oliver is that it often feels as though the recipes have been written by a mate, they are informative without being preachy.

Ministry of Food contains a number of familiar recipes that you will have eaten in the past but will have not idea of how to make them and to make them well. Basic recipes like Roast Beef are balanced against more interesting recipes like Paella. Jamie also is very moral with his food, especially meat as he makes a point in the book to say that when you are buying meat, make sure you try to get organic free range produce. As well as that there are a number of recipes that are "quick cook" and should be from the pan to your plate in twenty minutes, which is just superb when you get in from work and don't want to be messing around for any length of time in front of the oven.

If you are already an experienced cook you will not get much more from this book other than a few new recipes to your repertoire, if however you are wanting to make a go of making seriously good meals then this book is essential reading.

Not pretentious - just good, easy food, 02 Jan 2009
I got this book as a gift for Christmas and have already cooked some great meals from it. I'm quite good at cooking, and I do enjoy cooking for others but I tend to be somewhat unadventurous when it comes to cooking for myself. I have often bought cookery books hoping to be inspired, only to find them full of meals that to be honest I'm never gonna cook! This book however, is full of simple, appetising, healthy recipes with ingredients I already have in my cupboards. The instructions are basic and very clear, using everyday language, yet not patronising either.

This is definitely accessible for beginners, cheap simple ingredients for students, and inspirational to all - experienced or otherwise. A great buy - in fact I will buy it for my brother and his new wife right now!

Pass it on, it's worth it., 02 Jan 2009
This book is great my 19yr old daughter and I love it, it's simple and easy to follow and the recipes always taste great. Some can work out a little expensive when on a low budget but just substitute cheaper versions of what it asks for.

Learn to cook, 28 Dec 2008
This