Customer Reviews

How to Be a Domestic Goddess: Baking and the Art of Comfort Cooking (*Metric)

5 star:		(29)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Being a single man in the throes of mid-life ( I'm currently 46 ) many friends of mine have long suspected that, if asked, I could not say with any certainty where the kitchen is located in my flat. Obviously that is there not so gentle way of informing me that I truly do need to, from time to time, make myself much better acquainted with that long neglected area. A room where I feel completely ill at ease and one in which feels as if I'm entering a dark, forboding dimension. And, unfortunately, one in which I am ill equipped at best. With that in mind I recently purchased a copy of " How To Be A Domestic Goddess: Baking and the Art of Comfort Cooking " in a sort of desperate plea to save myself from the clutches of fast food chains and frozen dinner entree's that is the closest thing that I, sadly admitting, have to 'home cooking'....other than being entertained at various friends homes and having them take pity on me by cooking an actually fully realized meal. For which I am extremely grateful!

With all that being said, Nigella Lawson's book has been, save for one or two minor 'accidents' that I've committed, an absolute 'Godsend' in helping me and my complete lack of baking talents. The recipes are done in painstaking detail and the photo's show the finished product in all it's glory. And while I will freely admit that the end result of my cooking doesn't always mirror the photograph's in her book at least it allows me something to strive toward.

Nigella's prose is extremely chatty and very intimate in a comfortable, getting-to-know-you sort of way. Unlike some recent cook books I 've come across she has a wonderful way of putting the reader at ease when attempting something new i.e. breads, cakes, cookies and even jams ( which I may never muster up the courage to attempt! ). And while my none of my creations have come out looking quite as extroadinary as her's I suspect half the fun is in the trying! Ummm.....at least I do hope so! Obviously for the 'culinary challenged' male, such as myself, a book such as this is not only an education but an entertaining way of getting more comfortable in an area where we once found ourselves 'visiting' if only for that morning cup of coffee! Plus, of course, now instead of just entertaining friends with a wonderful cup of java I may have a wonderfully delicious surprise the next time someone comes over. And if that isn't comfort than I don't know what is. Thanks!

I was given "How To Eat" as a gift by my brother...I devoured the book from cover to cover and absolutely loved it's contents. I have collected cookery books since the age of eleven and have to say that "How To Eat" revolutionised my collection. I decided to buy "How To Be a Domestic Goddess" and was a little disappointed that it was slightly less "chatty" than the previous. However, I read it from cover to cover and enjoyed it.

I rarely use cookbooks though I love to read them, I use the ideas but not the recipes. I have been told I'm a good cook...but by my own admission a lousy baker. My pastry is dry and boring, my cakes consist of a basic all-in-one recipe I learned by heart years ago and consequently all taste the same. I decided to take the plunge and follow some of Nigella's recipes...wow!! The difference is astounding and I now bake cookies, cakes and pastry using her recipes. I use this book regularly (though curiously have never cooked from her "How To Eat" book).

I also purchased "Nigella Bites",I read it from cover to cover in the vain hope of finding it interesting eventually. Sadly this book is not to the same standard and I have never referred to it for any of the recipes or ideas.

I would recommend "How To Be A Domestic Goddess" to anyone looking for inspiration for baking, for mothers wishing to wow their offspring with more than just a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, for young cooks and this book makes a perfect wedding gift.

Ok, I'll give this book a five star rating for pictures and style. But the two star rating is for the recipes I've tried to date...the culmination being the "Snickerdoodles." I've made snickerdoodles for 25 years and thought it would be fun to try a different recipe. These were the worst cookies I've ever made! Wasted a sunday aftenoon. I'll keep trying to come up with some favorites from the book, but so far, it's none too promising. Are these really her favorite recipes?

Can you possibly say anything bad about Nigella Lawson? I know people do but I find that it confounds me. I, for one, can say I find her easy going approach to baking, as laid out in this book, easy to follow and lovely to read. I consider myself as having a "Domestic Goddess" spirit and completely loved the layout and feel of this brilliant cookbook.

I love to bake and to cook and whenever I read a recipe from this book I immediately feel inspired. I have baked several goodies including the Potato bread. I was excited to see Potato bread as one of the recipes as I grew up with my Mom baking it every week. There was nothing like coming home after school to the smell of fresh bread. Only one thing better was to have a warm slice with lots of butter melted into it! I hope, with the help of this cookbook, to bring the same memories to my son.

My only problem is, in my error I bought the Metric version of the cookbook and have to do a little converting. Hopefully I will purchase a scale soon and then I will have no issues. Of course, that is no way anyone's fault but my own for not being more observant.

I know anyone who purchases this book will find the recipes easy to follow. I find Nigella has a way of explaining how to bake in such a way that it seems effortless to do it; and it is. She makes beautiful baking a simple and guilty pleasure. I have to admit, I bake just as much for myself as for anyone else. I love yummy treats and I find the best are the ones you make at home. "How to Be a Domestic Goddess" makes it possible for anyone to be just that.

So far I've tried about 4 of the recipes in this book, and they are all exquisitely easy. You've got to read this book like a novel before you settle down to the delicious matter of actually baking. Nigella has revitalized my love of baking. What are you waiting on? Go ahead, buy this book, you won't regret it.

I love to bake and have purchased many cookbooks. This is my all-time favourite cookbook and one that I keep coming back to. Every single recipe I have tried had turned out wonderfully. The chocolate mousse cake is to die for! There are lots of pictures and Nigella's writing is descriptive and makes you unafraid to try new techniques that you otherwise might find intimidating. This is a cookbook to read cover to cover like a book as well as try the recipes. I've been especially impressed how it is actually possible to make the recipe and have it look *exactly* like it does in the picture. Everybody who loves to bake and wants to make impressive and delicious desserts with little effort should get this book!

In food, and in words. If you enjoy cooking, this book is a complete culinary experience. There are recipies in this book that you will find nowhere else, and if you have a taste for british cuisine, her recipies are the best. Whether you actually cook from this book, or simply read through it, you will enjoy Nigella.

What a wonderful book! Nigella's wit paired with her cooking skills make for a great read. Every recipe I have tried has turned out great. It's easy to feel like Nigella is in the kitchen with you, coaching you along. I would recommend this book to anyone who has an interest and love for food and cooking!

This is an excellent book both for its recipes and for those nights when all you want to do is just kick back with a great book and snuggle up in bed. Her style of writing is refreshingly down-to-earth Her recipes are well written, easy to follow and written in such a way that you almost feel as if she's right next to you, guiding you through the whole process.

I love her recipes for:
Molten chocolate babycakes
Sour cream chocolate cake with sour cream icing!

I must say this is the first cookbook I have read from cover to cover! Last week it was my evening reading! I am always surprised when people say you can't actually make Nigella Lawsons recipe's! I have never had trouble with the way the things turn out. I made the recipe for Blueberry Muffins this weekend and they were less sweet than the American version. At first bite I was not sure if I liked them but when I gave them another try I found that it wasn't the recipe but my American palate that had the problem. They were wonderful and with a little jam, as N. Lawson suggests, and they were perfect and not sugar overload. Give this book a try, you won't be disappointed!