MARCH COTM IS JAMIE OLIVER'S NAKED CHEF COLLECTION AND JAMIE'S ITALY!!

[bayoucook]

The Naked Chef collection includes THE NAKED CHEF, THE NAKED CHEF TAKES OFF, AND HAPPY DAYS WITH THE NAKED CHEF. The runner-up was JAMIE'S ITALY. There will be planty of time to collect and organize cookbooks and recipes by March 1. It looks like it's going to be a fun month. When this main topic goes up March 1, there will also be an adjunct thread for the other books. If one of you would like to take care of that second thread, please let me know. So as of March 1, 2011, we'll be working here with the four books listed above. Have fun!!

[smtucker]

Master thread is up and here:
http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/769149

[smilingal]

Still have never participated - hoping to this month - just reserved three from my library and catching everyone's enthusiasm. Unfortunately - but quite happily, I will be away in New Orleans this month - it has finally arrived! But I hope to be able to contribute and look forward to everyone's stories and reviews.

[The Dairy Queen]

Sorry to hear your travels will keep you away from JO month (but I am certain you will enjoy NO!). You can always post to the JO threads, though, even after March is over, so, it is never "too late."

As for me, I'm still waiting for "Cook with Jamie" to arrive from the library. I've gone through most of his other books I've gotten ahold of and my favorites are Jamie's Kitchen (by far) and Jamie at Home.

I'm not as thrilled with the other books, including the four "official" books this month, although, maybe reading about other people's successes will inspire me. Otherwise, I'll be posting in the adjunct thread for most of the month, I think.

~TDQ

[LulusMom]

Oh gosh, TDQ, I'm so sorry to hear that you're feeling disappointed after looking through the books! I'm sure the adjunct thread will be very lively too - I know I have high hopes of posting on it.

[The Dairy Queen]

Oh, I didn't mean to come across as being so negative, but the newer books interest me a lot more than the older books. I don't know why, but the older ones just seem more stale, less interesting. His look in the older books seems very dated, I don't know. And, he uses a lot of refined carbs, it seems, in the older books. Lots of recipes for fresh pasta, breads, white potatoes: all delicious, I'm sure, but that I'm trying to cut back on.

Anyway, not to worry, I'm very excited about the newer books! And I'm sure I'll get some recipes or two from the older ones.

~TDQ

[Caitlin McGrath]

"His look in the older books seems very dated, I don't know."

I suppose publishing cookbooks with lots of photos of yourself is a bit like making yearbook photos public property; they will age, possibly not well. I think some of the fish and poultry recipes in the two NC books I've looked at seem appealing - I think the liberal use of fresh herbs, the citrus, and the Mediterranean flavors are speaking to me as I look with hope toward spring.

I look forward to reading about your experience with Jamie's Kitchen. I'm like to take a look at it, as you and oakjoan like it so much, but unfortunately my library doesn't have it.

[LulusMom]

Your line about publishing a book with tons of photos of yourself being like a yearbook REALLY cracked me up.

I'm pretty sure I have Jamie's Kitchen at home ... so looking forward to getting my hands on the books. May search the web today and see if I can come up with anything.

[Caitlin McGrath]

LLM, what about browsing on EYB? They've got them all indexed: http://www.eatyourbooks.com/library#i...

[LulusMom]

May try that next, but wanted to be able to actually read the recipes. I went on JO's site, and picked out 23 recipes I'm interested in making (just looking at fish, chicken and pasta). And I imagine this isn't even close to what is available in the books (in fact, many of these were from his magazine, although a fair number were from the Italy book). As you can probably guess, it is a rainy day here, and Lulu and I are feeling a bit stuck inside ... lots of time to browse! but heck, 23 recipes is a darned high percentage. Perhaps time for EYB ...

[The Dairy Queen]

23 recipes is great!

I think actually reading the recipes helps a lot in the case of JO, unless you're just searching to use a particular ingredient or ingredient combo. The unique features of the recipes aren't necessarily conveyed by the title, unfortunately. Or, maybe I'm just short on imagination.

For instance, Jamie at Home has a recipe: Tray-baked meringue with pears, cream, toasted hazelnuts and chocolate sauce. It's just a big pile of meringue sprinkled (or mixed) with fruit and nuts and drizzled with chocolate sauce. You serve it family style as a big pile of meringue. Even though the title does say "tray baked", I think I might have missed this dessert just because I've never seen anything like it. Who serves just a pile of meringue? Anyway, it looks gorgeous and, except for the sugar, diet friendly. Very flexible, too.'

I do have to laugh at the recipes he claims are "American" as I often don't recognize them. I don't know if I'm just sheltered, or maybe if he sees an American chef do something unique and doesn't realize it's something that isn't widespread, but just unique to that chef.

~TDQ

[LulusMom]

Yes, I was thrilled. And to think that there are actually so many more out there. There are definitely not enough cooking days (husband out of town, we don't get in until next weekend, somewhat nervous culinary relatives visiting for a few days, blah blah blah) in March for me to cook all the ones i already want to cook. But just to think that I have all these ones I want to make, it is a great feeling.

edit: nervous culinary relatives doesn't really mean anything, does it? sorry - martini in hand. I mean relatives who are a little on the picky side about what they can/want to eat.

[The Dairy Queen]

It's okay. Remember, we don't have to stop posting to the threads after March is over. We can post to them in perpetuity! Nervous culinary relatives is pretty funny as an expression, but I got it.

~TDQ

[LulusMom]

Yes, I have a feeling I'll be posting for a while on these ones - at least I hope so. Hope they don't let me down.

Laughing - glad you got nervous culinary relatives. Was trying to think of a way to say "they are ninnies when it comes to food" without saying it ... oops, guess I just did!

[smilingal]

with my margarita in hand - I liked your visual and your explanation of nervous culinary relatives - picturing people who might shudder when approaching the dining table....or the kitchen?!

[LulusMom]

first off, Cheers! These sweet relatives ... I really don't want to make fun of them or anything, but my 4 year old daughter has a much more daring palette (uh, spelling?) than they do. One claims to only be able to drink wine through a straw (this is one of the most bizarrre things I've ever heard), eats no fruit or veg, and nothing spicy (ok, there goes my basic food repetoir - oh lord, my spelling today!), the other has dislikes like capers and blue cheese, which I guess are a bit more common dislikes, but gosh, missing out on so much in life. I think they'd eat cream of mushroom soup based casseroles every day if they could. ah! Maybe the turkey tetrazzini is the way to go. This stream of conc .... not even going to try, what with today's typing - actually helps. Thanks smilingal!

[smilingal]

Lulusmom - the one who drinks wine through the straw might be on to something! - wants to feel it quicker and drink less?

[LulusMom]

I'm sure my husband would appreciate it if I were a cheaper date!

[smilingal]

picked up Jamie's Italy and NC and NC takes off - none of the three wowed me - one more than the others but not terribly excited - I guess I need to look at Jamie's Kitchen for inspiration.

[LulusMom]

check out his website, just in case. You don't have to spend any money, and might find something you want to make and post about on the adjunct thread (like that above mentioned turkey tetrazinni ; )

[LulusMom]

Has anyone seen a rosemary foccaccia in any of the books? We had some today and my husband was saying he really wanted to try one, and I said "aha! I bet Jamie O has one in one of the books and we can do it for COTM!" Knowing in advance would get him excited about making it.

[JoanN]

There are three focaccias in The Naked Chef: Potato & Rosemary, Basil and Olive Oil, and Onion. I'm sure you'd be able to adapt one of them to your (his!) liking.

[LulusMom]

Oh my goodness - or make all three! The first two especially. He's going to be as excited as I am. Thanks so much Joan, for letting me know.

PS - Food MUCH better in Sydney!

[oakjoan]

There's also a fantastic "Little Sweet Grape and Rosemary Calzones" in Jamie's Kitchen.. Unfortunately, that book didn't make it. I'd be glad to paraphrase the recipe if anybody's interested.

These are great served as a savory dish AND as part of a dessert with ice cream.

[The Dairy Queen]

oakjoan, I'm going to be posting (with bayoucook/paula's blessing) an adjunct thread for "all other JO recipes" so we can post about anything we try from the non-Naked chef non-JO's Italy "official" COTM books.

I'd love to hear about any of your other favs from JO's kitchen. I acquired JO's Kitchen through interlibrary loan and have to give it back sooner than the others (without possibility of renewal) so I'll probably concentrate on that book first.

I've got the ricotta/choc/orange cake marked, of course (probably for copying and future cooking as it doesn't fit my diet right now). Any other favs?

~TDQ

[oakjoan]

LM: Glad food is much better in Sydney. We had great food in Melbourne a while ago, but then we also had great food in NZ. I'd love a more detailed description of where and what you ate in NZ. If you want, you can email me irl.

[LulusMom]

Hi Oakjoan,

We had a great food in Melbourne too. In fact all the food we've had in Oz has been pretty top notch. My regular email isn't working right now (southern efficiency at it's best) but I'd be happy to give you a run down of what we ate in NZ whlle there. We have run into a couple we know here in Sydney, and they've also been to NZ and had the same reaction to the food there that we did. The husband has a theory that it is because a) there isn't as much immigration from places other than other commonwealth countries, and b) since it was settled much later than Oz, and by a different type of person, there seems to be a desire to stick with old style British food. Hence the overabundance of soggy chips (fries), meat pies, and bland food. My husband, who is from a commonwealth country, totally disagrees with this theory, and I really don't know enough of the history to say if it is true or not. Certainly the food doesn't come close to the wonderful food I've eaten in London or here in Australia.

[soypower]

There's also a Layered Focaccia with Cheese and Arugula in Happy Days with the Naked Chef. Looks really good. p. 238

[LulusMom]

Husband *thinks* arugula does weird things to his innards. However, since arriving in Sydney he'd had about 3 "rocket" salads with no problems. I'm keeping my mouth shut until we get home!

[italy531]

I think I want to join in this month but don't own any JO cookbooks. If you had to buy just one which one would it be?

[The Dairy Queen]

Italy, I've found my local library tremendously helpful during COTM if you want to "try before you buy" some of these books. I've checked out every JO book my library has available and have flipped through them all. I haven't cooked from any of them yet. To my eye, there's a lot of overlap in the books and the kinds of recipes that appear in them, even though the books obviously have slightly different premises. These particular books stand out in my mind as being unique: Jamie's Italy; Jamie's 30 Minute Meals; Jamie's Food Revolution; Jamie's America.

Here's a helpful rundown of the premises of each book by JaneEYB: http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/7647...

~TDQ

[The Dairy Queen]

I've just gone through all of Jamie at Home (before I'd only gone through winter, because it is), but I have to say, what grows in Jamie's garden appears to be what grows in my garden, so there are lots of recipes for things that come in my CSA box compared to cookbooks from, say, California where there are lots of recipes for fresh produce that doesn't grow where I live.

I like this book!

~TDQ

[Caitlin McGrath]

I was just thinking about how the produce classifications in cookbooks may not jibe with where one is located, as I perused recipes calling for asparagus with fresh tomatoes. In Northern CA, asparagus is a spring crop (it just started showing up at our farmers' markets, a tad earlier than usual) and is gone long before tomatoes appear in midsummer. Both are thngs I generally don't buy outside their local seasons, but instead eat lots and lots during the months they're around.

[The Dairy Queen]

I'm ashamed to admit I skipped over the asparagus recipes. Asparagus is so fleeting here that I don't actually need a lot of things to do with it!

~TDQ

[greedygirl]

We have a short but wonderful asparagus season which generally starts in May and is gone by early June.

[The Dairy Queen]

I just re-read my post and I fear it might imply that I don't need any asparagus recipes because our asparagus season is so short that I don't bother to eat any asparagus. In actuality, I love asparagus and I eat as much of it as I can when it's in season. But, I just love it prepared very simply and never tire of it that way, so I've never felt the need to look at any other asparagus recipes.

~TDQ

[MelMM]

Although the ones TDQ mentioned may well be the most unique, as in unlike other JO books, if I wanted just one book to sum up Jamie Oliver, it would be Cook with Jamie. This book is really representative of his general style of cooking.

[The Dairy Queen]

Oh, I didn't mean to imply that unique meant better, I just meant those seem to be very different from all the others. Interestingly, Cook with Jamie is the one book (along with 30 Minute Meals--I guess that's two books) I haven't been able to get ahold of (yet)! I had kind of forgotten about it until you mentioned it. I hope I am able to, especially in light of your comment.

~TDQ

[Goblin]

I just bought my first two Jamie Oliver books (I know; where have I BEEN?): Jamie's Italy and Happy Days with the Naked Chef. I've gone through them both with my post-it notes--I'm enjoying the book about Italy and the recipes, but I suspect I will actually be trying more of the Happy Days recipes for my family this month.

[Breadcrumbs]

Happy Days was the only NC book I didn't have Goblin and it's on its way via Abe's Books. Anything in particular catch your interest there?

[Goblin]

Breadcrumbs, my copy of Happy Days already bristles with little pink Post-its and I've only owned it two days. Maybe it's the gorgeous photos, but so many of the recipes look enticing--fresh, not overly-complicated, and eminently "family-able" (is that a word?)
Anyway, I'm going to start with the chapter called "Quick Fixes." I'm going to try the two chicken breast baked in a bag recipes (Chicken Breast in a Bag with Musrooms, Butter, White Wine and Thyme and Chicken Breast Baked in a Bag with Cannellini Beans, Leeks, Cream, and Marjoram) and then, the Roasted Cod with Cherry Tomatoes, Basil, and Mozzarella and the Seared Salmon with Radicchio, Pancetta, Pine Nuts and Balsamic Vinegar.
There is also My Old Man's Superb Chicken that calls out to me. . . . and several of the veggie recipes. . . . and the Lovely Lemon Curdy Pud.
So many recipes. . .

[Breadcrumbs]

Oh my Goblin, the dishes you've described all sound totally divine to me too! I'm interested in the Chicken in a bag concept, I've seen that elsewhere but never given it a try. The versions you've mentioned are definitely more innovative than other recipes I've seen and both sound absolutely wonderful!! ooooooh, and that lemon pud!!!

Thanks, this is going to be a fun month!

[greeneggsnham]

I am tres excited about March. Jamie's Dinner's seems right up my alley! But I also got Jamie's Italy and Jamie's food revolution from the library and they both look interesting. I love his take and quick and easy cooking! I think I may be adding Jamie to my cook book collection. COTM is definitely feeding my amazon addiction.

[JoanN]

I just got The Naked Chef from the library today, spent about half an hour marking recipes, and marked so many I decided to buy it. Used copies of The Naked Chef books are so inexpensive it really is more a question of where the hell you're going to put them than how much they cost. I'm going to have very little opportunity to participate next month and that saddens me because I think this is shaping up to be a very exciting month.

[LulusMom]

Think of it this way - you get to go someplace exciting, and when you get back you get to remind us all how much we loved JO month (fingers crossed) when you keep adding to the threads.

[greedygirl]

My friend was raving about jamie's Food Revolution yesterday. She loves the lasagna recipe.

[oakjoan]

I'm also in love with Jamie at Home...fab goulash recipe as well as great grilled monkfish with runner bean stew. He also has a great pan-fried fish dish with a pearl barley, pea and lettuce stew and pappardelle with leeks and porcini and Parma ham, and a roast carrot and avacado salad with orange/lemon dressing. Okay, okay, you get the idea. I LOVE this guy's take on cooking and his recipes.

I got the At Home book really cheap on Amazon. It was used.

I have all his books but Jamie's Italy. I looked it over and found that the River Cafe books had as many Italian/English recipes as I needed. I also have about 10 other Italian books. Will try to find recipes from that book online.

[mebby]

I bought this book a while ago sight unseen based on your enthusiasm for it alone, oakjoan. I haven't cooked from it yet, but I agree that it looks fantastic. I also got Naked Chef, Happy Days with the Naked Chef and Jamie's kitchen from my library in prep for March and have marked about a million recipes. I love his cheeky, cheerful style and while most books that are filled with that many pictures of the chef/author are profoundly irritating, somehow I've made an exception in my heart for these. ;)

[The Dairy Queen]

Thank you for those recommendations, oakjoan! I've bookmarked them in EYB to try next month!

~TDQ

[wineos]

Jamie at Home is my favorite so far! I am looking forward to this months COTM.

[gembellina]

His books really are great. I was going through all *ahem* 7 of his books that I own last night, earmarking recipes for March. Some of the early ones are a little dated in terms of the laddish writing, and the Naked Chef ones do run a bit too much to stodgy comfort food for my tastes, but for his target audience of men like him back in the 90s they were absolute genius. I like the way he draws you in with pies and toads in the hole, then blinds you with colourful salads and fish and herbs. What a guy. Even with the awful vocab and the way he calls all American teenage boys "brother" nowadays.

[JVHcook]

Just bought The Naked Chef and The Naked Chef Takes off, can't wait to get into them. I haven't used any of his recipes before or even watched his shows. For anyone who can't get them from a library or wants them cheap I got them both for under 5 dollars at half.com, although they are used.

[Gio]

Great site, JVH, thanks. Here's the link to the JO books:
http://search.half.ebay.com/jamie%20o...

[smtucker]

<tongue in cheek> You are SUCH an enabler! </tongue in cheek>

[Gio]

Ha... maybe I'll get lost in the stampede and no one will see what's in my cart.

[soypower]

I haven't been participating the past couple of months because I wasn't able to get the books from my library in time. And I was very interested in those books too! But it looks like I'll be able to pick up any/all of the JO books! Yippee! I used to love his show and even made a few things from some of the episodes. Excited? Just a bit. :o)

[Breadcrumbs]

Yay! That's great sp. . . .looking forward to cooking w you in March!

[italia84]

I'm in! My first time on this project :-) I ordered Naked Chef Takes Off, Happy Days with Naked Chef, and Jamie's Italy. Looking forward to cooking and sharing!

[smtucker]

Welcome to the group! Looking forward to hearing what foods you prepare in March.

[Gio]

Welcome, Italia 84. Nice choice of books. I have 2 of your 3, now must take a look at NC Takes Off.

[italia84]

Thanks! I've been in a bit of a cooking rut lately...lacking creativity and need some inspiration...I think this is just the ticket!

[The Dairy Queen]

italia, you are going to LOVE COTM. This is exactly the ticket to creativity and inspiration. Plus, rubbing virtual elbows with a lot of really great people and knowledgeable cooks. (I'm referring to all of the OTHER COTM 'hounds, not me, of course.) Do be forewarned that you may find yourself coveting and acquiring more cookbooks than you ever dreamed. Welcome aboard!

EDIT: and, P.S., it's never too late to dive into COTM. Feel free to jump in on Hesser month if you're so inclined. THere are a lot of recipes available online (I provided some links in the "master thread" stickied to the top of the forum) if you can't get ahold of a copy of the book.

~TDQ

[Rubee]

Enablers. I just bought my first Jamie Oliver book, and decided to go with the classic Naked Chef. I bought it on Amazon - $4.28 for a "used- like new" copy.

[Breadcrumbs]

Welcome to the dark side Rubee!! Good choice, I bookmarked quite a few recipes in that book if memory serves.

[greedygirl]

Practically free!

[sarahcooks]

I've been eyeing those cheap copies too, but unfortunately space is more of an issue than the money is. Ah well, the library has copies.

[Breadcrumbs]

That's funny Sarah! My issue is book shelf space, mr bc would strangle me if I bought another one!! (I've purchased 2 in the last 3 months!!) oops!

[sarahcooks]

I have a kindle and have been slowing trying to part with my fiction and non-fiction books and getting them on the kindle instead. So I can buy more cookbooks. It's a process :)

[Breadcrumbs]

Hmmm, definitely something to consider Sarah. I got an ipad for Christmas and have only used it for text books and manuals so far but, I really see the potential in your idea...good thinking!

[oakjoan]

We got an I-Pad from our son about a month ago....I haven't had my hands on it for more than 23 seconds since then! I think I'm going to have to take up sleeping during the day and using the IPad while husband is asleep at night.

[Breadcrumbs]

That's funny oj! I have to admit though, I certaintly have found it to be far more useful than I could ever imagined. I take it everywhere w me so I can imagine why your husband has found it impossible to part with! Good luck!

[JoanN]

Ha! I'm doing exactly the same. Fiction and nonfiction? Kindle. Cookbooks? Hardcover. I may have about a year and a half to go before I have nothing on my shelves but travel books, references, and cookbooks. And that will be just fine with me.

[Rubee]

Ha - did end up free. I received "The Naked Chef Takes Off" instead in error, so they refunded my money but I get to keep the book. It worked out because I like what I see and have already bookmarked quite a few recipes.

[caseyjo]

I just did the same thing (although mine was $4.97, you must have snagged a cheaper copy). I haven't done the COTM yet, but I love love love Jamie's chicken in milk recipe (made it a bunch of times, with great results).

I love simple food done well, so I'm really excited for March (even if I don't have much room on my bookshelves for ANOTHER cookbook).

[serah]

Oooh, good choices! I love the pasta e ceci from Jamie's Italy, and the risotto recipes in there are excellent too.

[greedygirl]

Lol @ oakjoan and LulusMom! Have to say I'm pleasantly surprised by all the Jamie love on this thread.

For reference, the Naked Chef Takes Off is called Return of the Naked Chef in the original British edition.

[zuriga1]

I remember watching Jamie many years ago when I still lived in the States. He was a breath of fresh air, not to mention he had such an alluring accent. I think he has very good helpers who think up his recipes. Some of his 30 Minute Meals are really easy and not bad-tasting.

[The Dairy Queen]

zuriga, ah, I didn't know he ever lived in the US. Which recipes/dishes from his 30 Minute Meals do you recommend?

~TDQ

[oakjoan]

TDQ: I don't think zuriga1 is saying Jamie lived in the States, just that she saw his program when there. My sentiments are exactly like hers/his - loved his quirkyness and his accent.

[The Dairy Queen]

Oh, yes, you are absolutely right. I misread that. I just finished watching Jamie's Food Revolution on youtube and he is very quirky and likeable.

~TDQ

[greedygirl]

You find his Essex accent alluring? Now that is amazing!

[sarahcooks]

I've been watching Jamie's Food Revolution on youtube and keep waiting for one of the Americans to say Jamie's accent makes him sound so sophisticated and intelligent, lol.

[The Dairy Queen]

All the episodes are on youtube?

~TDQ

[sarahcooks]

Yep, they're split into parts, so make sure you start with episode 1 part 1 for instance. Jamie at Home is on youtube too and I'm really enjoying those! Especially one with this bread and cabbage layered soup (sounds boring, looks soooo good). And the zucchini (courgette) episode has a carbonara with lots of summer squash in it that I must make!

[The Dairy Queen]

Thanks for the tip. I've been watching Jamie's Food Revolution in 10 minute chunks on youtube. I rather charmed, actually, though I don't understand what's up with his wacky hair! I'm only in episode 2 right now, so I hope they get more into cooking soon...

~TDQ

[oakjoan]

gg: Alluring Essex accent? Ooooooh, snob-a-rama!!

[greedygirl]

One of the reasons I love visiting the States is the attention I get because of my accent. I really am that shallow!

[JaneEYB]

I still get "Oh I love your accent" even after 12 years living in Boston. I must admit I've deliberately hung on to it (the kids switched long ago) though I have had to adjust some words just to be understood. For example budder and wadder don't seem to be understood when you pronounce the t.

[blue room]

No kitting?

[greedygirl]

I do become even more RP when abroad, I have to admit!

[LulusMom]

I worked as a waitress years ago, and one of my fellow waiters was British. No one understood him when he asked if they wanted tom-ah-to on their burgers, so he had to switch. It kind of killed him, poor thing, to have to speak that way.

[gembellina]

It's great, isn't it? "Oh my god, you sound JUST like Princess Diana!"

[mariacarmen]

oh definitely - very sexy!

So i'm new to COTM. I have the first, I believe, "The Naked Chef Jamie Oliver" and "The Naked Chef Takes Off" from maybe 10, 11 years ago. I can just pick a recipe from either, cook one, and then post about it here, right? (Sorry, i know there's a sticky I can read about COTM, which I will do next.)

[smtucker]

On March 1, threads will go up where you can post your reviews. If you can contain your enthusiasm, then all the recipes will be organized which makes it so much easier to find them later. Welcome!

[Caitlin McGrath]

Yes, exactly. Well, not here, but on the threads that bayoucook will post in March. There should be a master thread stickied then, with links to threads covering different subjects. You'd just post in whichever thread is appropriate for the recipe you choose.

[JaneEYB]

Thanks Paula. So looking forward to this month. I haven't cooked much from the Naked Chef books for a while and although I didn't choose Jamie's Italy, now I look through it again there are so many great recipes in there (and fabulous photos). What a fun March it will be!

[oakjoan]

Since I'm such a Jamie-aholic, I'll be glad to post some of the recipes I especially love if you guys are interested.

Too bad you didn't choose Jamie's Kitchen, though...Baked Ricotta and Mascarpone Tart with Chocolate and Orange. I feel faint just typing it. Here's a link to somebody's blog with the recipe.

http://www.estarcion.com/gastronome/a...

[The Dairy Queen]

Oakjoan, Jamie-aholic, I would of course love to know which recipes you recommend! And even though Jamie's Kitchen was not one of the official books chosen, you can always post about it in the adjunct thread. My library doesn't have Jamie's Kitchen for some reason. Maybe I can borrow a copy through interlibrary loan?

~TDQ

[Gio]

<"When this main topic goes up March 1, there will also be an adjunct thread for the other books.">

OJ... did you miss that statement in the OP? You will be able to cook from your brloved JO book after all and post in the adjunct thread. All is not lost.
OJ/JO... now I see the connection.

[bayoucook]

Oh my gosh, that sounds so good. Please please post 'em, oakjoan!!

[JaneEYB]

You know, I've never made that tart and I'm not sure why as everything about it appeals, and the picture looks great. And now when I flick through this book I'm not sure that I've made anything from it and there are some great looking recipes. I don't think a month is going to be long enough for me!

[LulusMom]

Yes, please, oakjoan, on the listing of favorites.

posted on another thread that guilt-laden husband ordered all 3 naked chef books for me, and so they'll be waiting at his office when we get home. Oh the joy, oh the happiness!

[smtucker]

One of the first times in my life that I have thought "Guilt is Good." I will order the books from the library next week so they aren't due back before the next month has begun.

[LulusMom]

When you are married, guilt can come in very handy (in the other person, of course).

Good luck with the library.

[The Dairy Queen]

I ordered them all from the library so I could look at them in case I wanted to vote, but now I have them and am worried I will have to return them before the end of March. I hope I won't have to return any, but I guess if I have to return them ALL, I could always post from the one JO book I own in the adjunct thread.

~TDQ

[rabaja]

I face that dilema as well. The drawback a library user has!

[LulusMom]

Can you not renew at your library? We're normally allowed to, unless someone else has a hold on the book.

[The Dairy Queen]

We can renew twice as long as there are no holds. I just hope no one puts a hold on any of these for the next 6 wks!

~TDQ

[LulusMom]

Is there COTM competition there in town? I seem to be alone in Chapel Hill.

Last night when LulusDad was ordering the books, I was next to him jumping on the bed saying "only 7 left, please, please hurry!"

[greeneggsnham]

Hey LLM! I am right down the road in Raleigh. Although separate library systems! How old is Lulu? After reading some old COTM threads, it is clear she is a much better eater than my 3 little ones. What's your secret?

[LulusMom]

A local! Wonderful. You should get onto our local yahoo group. We get together occasionally and it is a fun bunch. Probably a good thing we don't share libraries! ; )

With Lulu (she'll be 5 in 2 months) it probably started when she was in utero, but basically I just always fed her whatever we were eating. And she's one of those who loves the attention it gets her in restaurants when she's the one kid eating the weird stuff. And that, I think, is all in the personality. I also always insist on 2 bites of everything on the plate, so eventually she gets used to different flavors. Good luck with the 3 year old - just keep putting stuff on her plate and not making a big deal of it, and before you know it, I bet she (or he!) will be downing amazing things. Especially with a mom who cooks so many great things!

[sarahcooks]

Ha, maybe. My 3 year old is an awful eater - she eats a well rounded diet, but very very plain food only like steamed broccoli, noodles with butter, fruit... I used to think it was something I had done, but since having my son I have learned it's almost all personality - he eats absolutely everything. He's turning 1 in a week and has never refused anything, from chili to curry to olives! Anyway, I can put whatever food I want on Eve's plate but if there is something on it she's willing to eat, she will never touch the other food. And in fact, putting something she doesn't like on her plate means we have to listen to her cry all through dinner. We've been really pushing her to take a bite of new things lately on penalty of losing her toys etc (since not pressuring her has not worked even a tiny bit) and she will, but the next day it's the same fight all over again. Oh well, at least my son appreciates my cooking!

[LulusMom]

Yeah, some kids just don't want to experiment with food until they're older. But just keep putting it there for her. Good luck!

[JoanN]

How old?

My best friend's 16-year-old daughter eats white meat turkey sandwiches; pizza; pasta--but only with sauce (must be jarred!) and cheese on the side (no mixing!); some salads; and, on occasion, skinless, boneless chicken breasts. That's pretty much it. She will not even touch a plate that has meat on it. Not even to feed that meat to her dogs. My friend, both she and her husband very good cooks by the way, gave up trying to get her to eat anything else a long time ago. They were somewhat concerned when she spent three weeks in South America last summer that she'd starve. But somehow she worked it out. She's a very healthy equestrienne and competitive runner and as long as she's healthy they've decided to just stop worrying about it. She'll get over it or she won't.

[LulusMom]

I Do think personality plays a lot in this, and sometimes peer pressure too. Funnily enough, Lulu seems to be the one who pressures. She told her babysitter "Listen, Morgan, you're really going to need to start liking olives. c'mon, try one." And to me the other day she said "When you get a bit older you're going to have to try eating some ham" as she happily munched on a ham sandwich.

[JoanN]

That's an absolute riot about the ham. I can just hear Lulu telling her classmates, "Mom is such a picky eater."

[LulusMom]

I know! Me, of all people!

[greeneggsnham]

LLM, how do I join the local yahoo group? Hard to eat out much right at the moment (our youngest is still less than 2 months), but eventually we should be rejoining civilized restaurant-going society with the help of a babysitter.

re: picky eaters, I think a lot of it is personality. My oldest (and pickiest), used to be a great eater and loved his veggies and ate most everything that we ate. And then somewhere between 2 and 3 he started to spurn all vegetables and begin to want packaged foods over homemade. He still eats fruit and loves fish and dark meat chicken in addition to any refined carb you can name, so i'm not worried he'll starve or anything, but he tends to like things very plain. His younger sister is a much better eater in general, but she is starting to copy her big brother (about everything) so I am starting to hear more "no like it!" from her at the dinner table. Plus she is almost two, so I feel like things may be starting to go downhill with her.

For awhile, I was trying to find things to cook that they liked, but that was an exercise in frustration. Plus I would be really upset when I made homemade macaroni and cheese and they would say they liked the box better. Recently I've decided to just cook what I like and leave some with less aggressive spicing if possible for the 2 toddlers. And if they won't eat it there's always yogurt and fruit and bread available. I should probably institute a 2 bite rule but sometimes I just get tired of the fight over dinner.

What's funny is Riley (my pickiest) loves cooking with me and talking about the flavors and textures of food (too much food network, i think), but he still won't eat it!

[LulusMom]

Sounds to me like the perfect approach (and very funny about the youngest and his food network-ese).

My normal home email isn't working for me at this point, so I don't have access to the info about the yahoo group, but if you can find Tehama on here, and if she has an email in her profile, you can email her and get the info. She's great (tell her I said hi!). if not, you can email me at the email listed in my profile, but be warned that I don't get home until late March 5th (fingers crossed) and that it may take me a day or two to catch up on email.

[mebby]

I agree with Joan that sometimes it's best not to bash your head against it and create power struggles over food. But that doesn't mean I don't go on offering them new foods, do a version of the two-bite rule and sometimes I hit on an unexpected winner. As long as they have a reasonably well-rounded diet, I have faith they will be good eaters as adults, even if they drive me a little nuts now.

I've also noticed that there are some genetic tendencies there -- my kids have a lot of similar dislikes that I had as a kid, some of them not typical for kids (ketchup, juice). Also, for most of us, when we were growing up there was probably less disparity between what the adults and kids wanted to eat -- as spicy food and exotic ingredients have become more mainstream in recent years, it makes sense that not all kids are going to come along for that ride. I love spicy food and big flavors, but never would have eaten that stuff as a kid.

Doesn't mean that I don't envy LLM her adventurous Lulu though!

[LulusMom]

Definitely agree on genetics. And man, did I eat a lot of spicy food when pregnant. There is also that whole "10 times" rule - a kid needs to try new tastes sometimes 10 times before liking them.

We went to dinner (forgive me if I mentioned this before) at a collegue's in NZ (we're now back in Oz), and Lulu was fed along with the other kids and fed something totally different from the adults. she was polite, but later expressed a certain amount of outrage, and asked for details of what we'd eaten (I mean, she really wanted every single little bit of information "so how was the salmon cooked?"). She's never experienced being fed different food, let alone at a different table. I sort of said "you're kind of lucky, huh?"

Oh mebby, right now you really shouldn't envy me. This 9 week tour has been really tough on Lulu, and i've been told every day that I am "the worst mom ever!" I even made a little song about it "i'm the very worst mom, but i get things done!"

[blue room]

"...right now you really shouldn't envy me. This 9 week tour has been really tough on Lulu..."
You won't forget this trip, that's guaranteed now. Please have some serious comfort food.

[LulusMom]

We had a really great Greek meal last night here in Sydney at Medusa Greek Tavern. Got the recommendation from another chowhound, and it was a good one.
signed,
the meanest mom

[greedygirl]

Hey LulusMom. Does your post mean that you're having a less-than-wonderful time in NZ? :-(

[The Dairy Queen]

No way. She's got to be filling herself up with lamingtons, Anzac biscuits, fish and chips, vegemite, and lamb (even though I know she doesn't like some of those things...).

~TDQ

[greedygirl]

We have a local cafe that's run by Kiwis and I've grown rather partial to Anzac biscuits. They make excellent coffee too - loads of antipodean coffee shops in London these days.

[LulusMom]

LOVE the lamingtons, and the desserts in general. Aside from that, I am finding a lot of very stodgy food, at very very high prices. And the similarity of the restaurant menus is stunning. Weirdest of all - there really isn't all that much lamb on the menus. The best meals we've had have been the rare occasions when we've found asian or turkish places. I have had enough limp fries to last me a life-time. And the promised executive kitchen has proved to be for a very busy, out to dinner type executive. Still and all, we've managed some fairly nice meals here at "home."

[The Dairy Queen]

Oh bummer. (Except the lamingtons). Strange about the lamb.

~TDQ

[Caitlin McGrath]

All I know is that she posted upthread, "See me skipping happily through the expensive (ludicrously) batch of (sorry folks) boring New Zealand food with the hope of eating something interesting next month!!!"

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/7661...

[LulusMom]

I think that is fair to say.

[LulusMom]

Just like to say that it isn't New Zealand's fault! This is a beautiful country. I'm just not thrilled with most of the food (and poor Lulu has had the norovirus twice on this trip). Had a great meal last night, so there is good stuff to be had, but it isn't that easy to find. But ... NZ is amazing visually.

[roxlet]

Sounds a bit like my experience in Egypt last year. A culinary adventure -- not!

[LulusMom]

Wow, and I'd have thought any place in the middle east would have wonderful food. Just goes to show, I guess. And a whole year of it. You poor thing. The two foods NZ is best known for - lamb and scallops, basically don't show up on menus. Lamb sometimes, but I've only seen scallops once, and that was at an asian place and they weren't anything to write home about.

We lucked into another good meal last night; not NZ food though! And not a limp fry to be seen.

[oakjoan]

Wow, LLM, we had the opposite experience in NZ. Are you in the North Island? We only went to the South because that's where my grandmother's family was. We had amazing meals in Christchurch, Wanaka and Dunedin and crap meals in a couple of places on the West Coast.

[JaneEYB]

I've visited NZ 5 times as my sister lives in Auckland and I think the food there is fabulous. But maybe because she lives there and knows all the good places to go. The food markets are wonderful, particularly the farmers market in Matakana, just north of Auckland. All the restaurants I've been to were terrific but again, she knows which ones to visit. The other food I love there is in the coffee shops - they always have fantastic baked goods, far better than my experience in the USA. Though that's maybe because I'm British and the NZ style of baking is similar.

And as LLM says, the country is stunningly beautiful. I haven't made it to the South Island yet as we always stay with my sister but I do want to tour there when I can do a longer trip at Christmas (their summer) when my kids are both in college.

[LulusMom]

No question about the baked goods - they're top notch. and we did manage to have 2 good meals the last few nights. But over and over and over again we saw the very same menus everywhere. Seriously every one (even fancy) offers on the "to share" or "entrees" section: olives, salt and pepper calamari, garlic bread, garlic bread with cheese, fries" and there is very rarely any choice on salad dressing (if you can find salad), and it is usually very sweet for my tastes. Now, keep in mind that the very top notch places were off the list of possibilities - we'd been told by numerous people that children aren't really welcome. And when we saw an $80 main course, we sort of scoffed (we're not cheap, I promise you). the grocery store I used had only kiwis grown in the US! huh? No leeks, no fennel. I did take a walk through the Wellington city market, which was lots of fun, but still, there just wasn't much available. Maybe they just don't grow as much as we do? We stopped at farms in the north island (we did both islands) and got produce. Some very good, some just so-so. But lets face it, the main reason to go to NZ is the incredible scenery.

Maybe we just didn't know the places to go, but the average place was pretty dismal.

[LulusMom]

We had a nice meal in Christchurch (Clarendon, I think the place was called) and a ho-hum meal in Dunedin. Didn't make it to Wanaka. I've been given to understand that the west coast is hopeless food-wise, and it lived up to this!

[blue room]

LulusMom, have you searched for New Zealand cooking blogs? It seems sad that such a gorgeous relatively unspoiled place would disappoint at dinner! Do you think that the terrible flooding/weather in Australia (where maybe they get some of their produce/food?) has anything to do with it?

[The Dairy Queen]

LLM, which island are you on? Are you okay?

~TDQ

[Breadcrumbs]

So sorry to hear of the quake LM, sincerely hope you're ok and safe.

[Caitlin McGrath]

LLM posted upthread today that she's back in Oz, so hopefully she's unaffected, though probably glued to the media.

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/7661...

[LulusMom]

Yes, and thank you all for the kind thoughts. I'm really heartbroken about Christchurch, it was a place I loved. I have the strongest hopes and belief that they will pull together and be ok soon. But it was already still pretty rough from the last earthquake. My thoughts are very much with all the wonderful people we met and talked to there, who offered nothing but cheerful friendliness to us.

[greedygirl]

Glad that you're safe. I was worried.

[Gio]

I just read about the earthquate and jumped in here to see if you're OK. Breathing a sigh of relief. So happy you are safe...

[The Dairy Queen]

I find Kiwis among the friendliest people in the world. Genuinely very warm and hospitable. Hard to believe this one was just an after-shock to the other. Perhaps I shall bake lamingtons tonight in honor of New Zealand (hardly on my diet though!) Glad you're okay. (I forgot you were back in Oz, until Caitlin pointed it out. Thank goodness.).

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/614985#4628722

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/517503#3672039

http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/7619...

~TDQ

[greedygirl]

Coincidentally, I baked Anzac biscuits at the weekend and I've brought them in to work for us all to enjoy while reporting on the story.

[The Dairy Queen]

I've never loved Anzac biscuits. Maybe I should give them another try.

~TDQ

[Breadcrumbs]

Glad to hear you're safe LM. What a terrible tragedy.

[JaneEYB]

It is terrible - as DQ says, Kiwis are the nicest, friendliest people. I was glued to CNN last night which had non-stop coverage. I'm on vacation in Mexico so not getting NPR which I miss. Oh stupid me, just remembered I can listen online. I'm off!

[LulusMom]

I'm very touched by all your thoughts! I just can't believe that church is broken like that.

Speaking of the sweets down here, I had an amazing one yesterday at a little bakery in our neighborhood. Called something like a caramel sweetheart? basically a vanilla cupcake with the top cut off, whipped cream put on and some caramel, and then the top put back on with a big dollop of more caramel. Heaven.

Jane, did you say that your sister lives in Christchurch? or was it Aukland? Hope she is ok.

[The Dairy Queen]

Jane says above her sister lives in Auckland http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/766119#6323146 I do hope Jane's family is safe, too. Oh, the caramel sweetheart sounds good. I wonder if we can track down a recipe for them. If so, I will have to add them to my list of curious Kiwi (and Ozzie) desserts including neenish tarts and vanilla slices discussed in this thread. http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/6149...

~TDQ

[JaneEYB]

Thanks TDQ for your concern - my sister and her family are safe on the North Island but the whole country is in shock.

I've heard the Aussie bakeries are really good too - there's a cookbook I want to get The Bourke Street Bakery (like I need more baking books!).

[The Dairy Queen]

Well, let her know we're all wishing the best for her and her country-folk (unless that would freak her out to know internet people are concerned on her behalf!). I can see why they are all in shock. Mother nature can be very cruel and random.

Hmmmm, tell us more about this Bourke Street Bakery book, if you would please. I see some interesting recipes: Humble Beef Pie (I didn't know humble pie was a real thing, or are they just being clever?); rhubarb danishes; Sweet potato, chicken and lime pickle pie (wow!): http://www.eatyourbooks.com/library/7...

~TDQ

[LulusMom]

Vanilla slice is to die for.

[roxlet]

I have been thinking of you ever since I heard about the earthquake and I am happy to hear that you -- and Lulu! -- are safe and sound (husband too, BTW!).

[The Dairy Queen]

Oakjoan--my copy of Jamie's Kitchen just arrived. Did you have a chance to list your favorites? (I think you've listed Jamie at Home for us...) I've looked at the Baked Ricotta and Mascarpone Tart with Chocolate and Orange, oh my, sounds amazing. Also, have you tried the surprise cake with beets and polenta? Plum and almond tart? And the baked pears with stuffed with almonds, orange and chocolate in flaky pastry?

Okay, help me out of the desserts section, please. Wow, wow, wow.

~TDQ

[Caitlin McGrath]

I've never looked at Oliver's recipes, so I am curious. I've requested the first two Naked Chef books and Jamie's Italy from the library, though it might be some way into March before I get the latter as someone just checked it out.

[rabaja]

Thanks Paula! I can't wait!

[Gio]

Many thanks Paula. March is really going to be a fun month. Curiously, I think G is more excited than I am and I've been wanting to get engrossed in the JO books that I own for a long time.

[Breadcrumbs]

Similar reaction here Gio though, no surprise at all over here @ Casa bc, mr bc LOVES Italian food and was over the moon when I told him what's on deck for March! Especially since I made a JO dish tonight that he adored! mr bc thinks w his stomach!!

[LulusMom]

I'm totally thrilled. My only problem now is not knowing if I have one of the Naked Chef books at home (making the collection less of a deal), and if not, trying to figure out how to send it to my house (where the mail is stopped) while I'm away. Many much much worse problems to have. Oh yippee. See me skipping happily through the expensive (ludicrously) batch of (sorry folks) boring New Zealand food with the hope of eating something interesting next month!!!

[The Dairy Queen]

I can't remember. DId you end up joining EYB? If so, shouldn't it be listed on your bookshelf?

~TDQ

[LulusMom]

I did join, and then mid-way through typing out my list (my cookbooks are scattered in different places throughout the house) got too busy to finish. so there are still quite a few that never made it onto the list. Oops. Now that bites me in the bottom. And I've just had a brilliant idea - I'll have the book(s) sent to my babysitters house and ask her to drop them off (she's using our driveway daily anyway) just before we get home. Oh yay, oh yippee!!! Can you sense the excitement?

[sarahcooks]

You think we'll be getting any visits from him in here like the last two authors? ;)

[Breadcrumbs]

Oh wouldn't that be amazing!! Let's keep our fingers crossed!!

[The Dairy Queen]

Speaking of the last two authors, Amanda Hesser has apparently agreed to do a Q&A with us if we have questions http://chowhound.chow.com/topics/7632...

Does anyone have any questions for Amanda?

~TDQ

[Goblin]

Dairy queen, how does one participate in the Q & A with Amanda Hesser? Is there a special thread for this, or do we just ask questions within our postings about ENYT cookbook recipes?

[Breadcrumbs]

Thanks so much for such a smooth COTM process bayoucook . . . Bravo!!

I'm really looking forward to trying Jamie's recipes next month! Truth be told, I kind of celebrated tonight and made one of Jamie's pasta dishes to accompany a chicken dish from this month's COTM! Its the first JO dish I've ever cooked and I hope it's a sign of things to come because we loved it!! mr bc said he'd give the meal a "10"!!

Thanks again bayoucook!

[Jay F]

Oh, good. I'm getting JAMIE'S ITALY out of the library. I am eager to try his way of making pasta dough. I'm going to be doing it all by hand, though, at least at first. My friend whose house my pasta machine is at is on vacation until March 15 or so.

But I've wanted to do this for a long time.

[The Dairy Queen]

Can't wait to read all about it!

~TDQ

[The Dairy Queen]

Thank you bayoucook! I'll be happy to post the adjunct thread since I intend to post to it quite a bit (in addition to the main threads!)

~TDQ

[LulusMom]

Thank you, thank you, thank you!

[bayoucook]

Just what I was wishing for TDQ, thanks!