If you take a look at my cookbook collection, you’ll realise that Jamie Oliver keeps popping up.
Yes, I’m a fan-girl: guilty as charged. I can’t help it. I arrived in the UK for a study stint years ago and was faced with the prospect of having to cook (or buy or beg or steal) to sustain myself. Having ZERO cooking experience under my belt, it was Jamie Oliver The Naked Chef who taught me that cooking could be fun and easy. And oh yes, taste good too.
So when a friend first brought my attention to the fact that Jamie’s America was retailing at a substantial discount at The Groovy Giraffe, I immediately snapped it up. Mainly because I just cannot resist a good deal (more than 60% off!) but also on the basis of my faith in the man’s recipes. It certainly wasn’t because I was interested in American food. Oh no. Isn’t American food just fast food anyway?
I was glad to discover that I was wrong — there IS more to American food than simply a good burger. Yes, the burger is in there and yes, it is the first recipe, but there’s plenty of other stuff on offer. When researching this book, Jamie Oliver traveled through the United States to discover what real American food is about and this cookbook with its rich and diverse recipes is the result. The food in this book is categorised into six sections, namely New York, Louisiana, Arizona, LA, Georgia and the “Wild West”. I’m sure that list already gives you an idea of the wide variety that you’re going to find between the pages!
And that’s exactly what I found. From the traditional classics like Mac ‘N’ Cheese, Waldorf Salad, Deep Pan Pizza and NYC Cheesecake to the exotic. There’s a recipe in there for Cajun Alligator with Sweet Potato Salsa that I’m not sure I’m ever going to be able to re-create! But being someone who used to seeing a lot of Italian and French-inspired fare in cookbooks, I must say that the recipes in this book are quite a breath of fresh air.
The proof of a cookbook however, is in the tasting. How is the food?
I’ve only managed to cook a handful of recipes so far — I flagged more than 20 to try! — and they have all, hand on heart, been delicious. There, I knew my faith in Jamie Oliver would not have been misplaced!
I was most interested in the recipes in the Louisiana section of the book as I was thrilled to discover that most of them were to be eaten with rice. Hurray, especially if you have rice-loving kids like mine. The first dish I decided to make was the Southern Sausage Stew. I chose this because of the minimal prep time required, and indeed it took only about an hour from fridge to table. A big plus in my book! The verdict: “Deeeeeelicious!” said the kids and husband. I had to omit the cayenne pepper and chillies because of the children, but the resulting tomato-y stew was still yummers and definitely went well with the rice. Noey polished off three whole sausages so I was well pleased.
Southern Sausage Stew
Not being as much of a sausage fan as the rest of the family, my favourite dish so far has been the Chicken, Sausage and Shrimp Jambalaya. Or in my case, the Chicken, Sausage, Shrimp and Clam Jambalaya. The word Jambalaya is thought to have its origins in a French word that means jumbled, and in the original version, any Louisiana critter that was unlucky enough to get caught would go into it. So I guess you can say I was acting in the right spirit to have thrown in the clams, something I did as I was concerned that they’d spoil if they sat in the fridge any longer.
If it looks similar to paella, it’s because it is. And boy, does it taste good! I had used our regular Thai rice so the texture was a bit mushy but still tasty. I’ve already gotten myself some long-grain rice to use on my next attempt to see if it would make any difference. Incidentally, Noey’s favourite Carpenters’ song is Jambalaya and he was most amused when I told him it was what we were having for dinner.
Chicken, Sausage and Shrimp (and Clam) Jambalaya
Another dish that went down well with the kids and husband was the simply named Traybaked Chicken. From the Wild West section of the book, this dish is apparently inspired by the al forno that is made in those parts with sliced sweet potatoes, Yukon potatoes, sage and onions. With the addition of chicken and a bit of cream, it becomes a rather rich and tasty one dish meal. You would think that chicken done this way would be a bit dry, but no. Thanks to the fact that the chicken is marinated in brine overnight, it is, instead, incredibly tender.
Traybaked Chicken
I’ve a few more on my list this week, including a chicken noodle soup, lovingly called Jewish Penicillin in the book, so I’ll let you know how it pans out. Do check out my Instagram account (@mummybean) to see my food exploits and more!
So I can say, thus far the recipes have all been hits. But don’t just take my word for it: you can try them for yourself as I have ONE COPY OF JAMIE’S AMERICA (RRP: $46.88) to give away! To stand a chance of winning this book, you MUST do the following using the Rafflecopter widget below:
1. Be a fan of The Groovy Giraffe Facebook Page
2. Be a fan of the Life is in the Small Things Facebook Page
3. Like this post on Facebook and leave your e-mail address on the Facebook post.
You can also follow the additional optional steps in the Rafflecopter widget to gain more chances. (Do note that this giveaway is only open to Singapore residents.)
This book will be a great addition to any cookbook collection, so don’t hesitate — join now! Even if you don’t cook, I’m sure this will make a good gift for a friend or family member who does this Christmas. And honestly, the book is quite a visual treat, with the recipes beautifully photographed and laid out, and strewn with stories and pictures from Jamie Oliver’s travel through the country.
If you can’t wait and want to get a copy of the book right now, you can purchase it at The Groovy Giraffe for just $14.90, more than 60% off it’s retail price! What’s more, you can use the code “GET5OFF” to get an additional 5% discount. There are also other Cookbooks (including Gordon Ramsey and Nigella Lawson titles) going at great discounts, and a good selection of Children’s Books too! You can check out my previous post on The Groovy Giraffe too to find out more and get more recommendations.
Good luck and I’ll be back next week with another giveaway so stay tuned!
*This giveaway was kindly sponsored by The Groovy Giraffe, and I am a member of their affiliate programme. All opinions remain my own.
Dana's Mommy and Daddy says
Your Jambalaya and Tray-baked Chicken look so scrumptious! Makes me feel like grabbing a copy of the cookbook right now 🙂
Debra says
I love JO too! Sometimes I read them (esp the travelogue-type books) as bedtime stories coz they are so interesting and I love his casual writing style.<br /><br />Won't join your contest coz I already have the cookbook but am sure many will!
julyclover says
Oh man! I hope I win the book.. I was interested in his 30mins cook book. The food you mentioned sounds so delicious!
Sharon says
I want to learn how to cook! esp tray baked chicken looks great!
weiz says
Big girl fan here, as you know! hehe!
Ai Sakura says
Want to win this book so that I can try new recipes instead of cooking the same old boring stuff haha.. my hubby will be so pleased! ;p<br /><br />Ai @ <a href="http://www.sakuraharuka.com/" rel="nofollow"> Sakura Haruka </a>
Laura Scheffner says
I love love love Jaime Oliver! He's such a nice guy in person and he's very sincere in his craft too!
Anonymous says
Love his shows n how fast he whipped a meal, would love to have his book :)<br />
Anonymous says
Lorna Tan<br />lornat28@yahoo.,com
Susan says
Looks like I'm not alone, that Tray-baked Chicken looks awesome. Entered and hope to win 🙂
Liza says
I think the boys at home are tired of the same old Asian dishes I make every time I enter the kitchen and are too coward to tell me :/ I hope to win the book and whip up something shockingly different for a change. Haha!
Adora Tan says
HOMAIGOSH that tray baked chicken looks amaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I want!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (I think I may have used up my quota for exclaimation marks for today)
Phoebe Lau says
Was first introduced to Jamie Oliver because of the video demonstration on how unhealthy Chicken nuggets are! The cookbook looks really cool and hopefully that will inspire me to cook! ^_^
mummyed says
I love Jamie's style of cooking, which is a dash of this and a dash of that, and I could certainly use some new ideas for food around here!
Jus says
The meals you cooked looked so yummy, it'll be great to try those recipes! 🙂
Bryan Choo: says
wah your picture look like they could fit right in jamies book. im going to join the giveaway!!
Kristine says
you got me hooked on the pic of traybaked chicken!!
Missus Tay says
i have my own kitchen now!! just need to use it. 🙂
Paula Nicolas says
I'm so sure your family love your cooking. And with just by looking at the pictures of the dishes you've made, my hunger kicked in!
Jayne says
WOW! The dishes look SO good. Now I can't wait to get the book!
Johor Kaki says
I have been collecting cook books for over 30 years years 😛 Maybe the time to start cooking is NOW 😀 Thanks for the inspiration 😀 P.S. Hope to add Jamie's America book in my collection 😛
Carol Mei Mei says
would love to try out some Jamie oliver recipes!<br /><br />
Anonymous says
I am not much of a cook of western dishes, so perhaps this cookbook can be my inspiration and motivation and I can add western dishes to my culinary reperrtoire.<br /><br />Robert, Robert_sim@yahoo.com
Jingxian says
time for me to start cooking in the kitchen!
FY says
Because a) i love you<br />B) i love Jamie Oliver<br />C) I am moving and I need recipe books<br />D) have i mentioned i love you?<br /><br />HAHAHA