Our Verdict: “Stirring Slowly”

Kirstin: I absolutely adored this book. It was just the perfect pace for an August summer holiday with lots of lovely flavours in non-stressful recipes. I loved her words about the blondies and coconut oil in particular, after attending a diabetic conference and asking a nutritionist all about the latest trend in coconut oil in food. The nutritionist looked at me blankly as if I was mad, having not heard of the trend and told me that I should stick with the olive oil. Coconut oil was much worse, she assured me.
This is a treasure of a book in every way. Thank you for making our August so peaceful and delicious. Yum!

Overall Grade (A- F): A+ (Kirstin)
Best recipes: Kirstin: The harissa chicken, for sure. I’ve already made it twice since.
Grade for Photography (A-F):  A with gorgeous styling too.
Any disasters?  Not one.
Bookshelf or Charity Shop Donation? Kirstin: Bookshelf. High rotation.
Would you give this to a friend? Kirstin: I’ve already given two copies to friends,

“An Insanely Good Blondie” from “Stirring Slowly”

BLONDIES!

Sorry, but I can’t even think– let alone write– about this food item without getting excited. We love them over here. In fact, we love them so much that in the spring, when I went on a Blondie kick (and kept making this recipe from Mark Bittman), I finally had to say, “I’m sorry but I need to stop making these Blondies. They are as addictive as crack cocaine.”

But after having made a fair few salads from “Happy Salads”– many of which were big hits– the boys were hankering for some good baked goods. So in a break from binge-watching “Stranger Things” (Have you seen it yet? It’s EXCELLENT, if nothing else for the memories it evoked for me of the 1980s), I made these Blondies.

To give credit where credit is due, the photo above was taking by the lovely Kirstin, because she, too, was hankering for some Blondies. What’s not to love? They’re basically dense chocolate chip cookies in cube form. Yum.

This recipe is very similar to the Mark Bittman recipe that we love so much over here. However, she recommends you use coconut oil or butter or a mixture of both, rather than the all-butter approach that Bittman uses. As it was an adventurous day– watching an 80s throwback series with your teenagers will do that to you– I decided to go with using all coconut oil.

This proved to be a controversial decision, as the Blondie traditionalists who aren’t coconut fans (the teenagers and I) did not like the overwhelming taste of coconut that this created. Tim, on the other hand, liked it, but as he’s a coconut fan that makes sense.

Would I make this again? I already have. Twice. However, I went with the all-butter option. Consequently, these blondies lived up to their name.

“Nectarine, Chamomile and Honey granita” from “Stirring Slowly”

Kirstin: It was a dark and stormy night. Well, not really, but the weather was just about to break after a long period of heat. And I thought this nectarine granita might just take down the sultry feeling of the evening down a notch. I was right. This granita is wonderfully refreshing; the chamomile tea adds a little something extra to the honey and nectarine. Also, I should mention the colour of this granita; such a beautiful shade of pink and perfect in a grey bowl. Yes, we loved this. And after we had finished eating it, it started to rain and we all dashed inside.

“My Favourite Citrus Cake” from “Stirring Slowly”

Tom: Well, this is epic! It’s moist, but it’s sort of crystalline and crunchy, too. Yum.

Kirstin: That’ll be the golden caster sugar. Let’s not talk about the amount of sugar in this recipe though.

Tom: Is that you not talking about it?

Kirstin: …

Tom: Ah, yes. It is. Well, this is great. Would anyone like to split another slice with me?

Kirstin: …

Tom: Damn.

Kirstin: So should I take the rest of this into work then?

Tom: NO!

“Slow-cooked Chicken Rendang with Gently Spiced Rice” from “Stirring Slowly”

Back in the day, when I first started cooking food from other countries, I started with Indonesian and Thai food. We visited Thailand in the early 90s and I was totally inspired by all the flavours from that part of the world. Strangely, I don’t think I have ever made a rendang curry for the kids. Also, I liked the idea of making something that I would have to stir slowly from a book called Stirring Slowly. Delightfully simple to make once you have sourced the ingredients such as galangal and lime leaves (and they are so much easier to source now than in the early 90s, I can tell you!) this made a wonderful aroma as it cooked. Miles immediately wanted to know when I was going to make it again, but Ella struggled with the textures. Tom and I devoured our portions and then had cheeky seconds. I don’t often have much time during the week to make a curry like this, but maybe I should find the time. It was a lovely therapeutic exercise, as I stirred slowly and was finally rewarded with the delicious results. Yes, this may take a little longer, but it’s worth it. Every second.

“Malted Milk Chocolate and Raspberry Tart” from “Stirring Slowly”

I have cooked a great many things over the years, but never a tart. So I don’t know what came over me when I decided to make this although I do have a thing for raspberry and chocolate, it has to be said. When yesterday’s plans were cancelled it felt like the time had come to open the cookbook and start making this tart. Until making it, I had no idea how many ways a tart could go wrong. But I persevered, despite the crack in the pastry and when I overfilled the case with filling and when the two kinds of filling mixed together in the case. And I am so glad I did. It is a showstopper of a tart. Literally taking our breath away with the combination of flavours. Will I make it again? Now that’s a good question…I might. You never know! The flavours are quite something. And it’s always good to try new things. Who knows, maybe I will become a maker of tarts, especially if they all taste as wonderful as this! Watch this space.

“Sausage and wild garlic Linguine” from “Stirring Slowly”

Kirstin: Oh this is so very yum!

Ella: I like this too. Even the bits with visible bits of broccoli.

Kirstin: That’s not broccoli! Really?!? That’s pesto with spinach, you noodle! Tom, you’re doing that thing again where you just eat!

Tom: It’s delicious! Is it from the new book.

Kirstin: It is! Would you like some more pecorino?

Miles: Can I finish off the pecorino?

Ella: Miles, you have parmesan to finish it all!

Kirstin: REALLY?!? That joke’s a bit cheesey.

Tom: I hope you’re making this again.

Kirstin: Totally. I’ll get Italian sausages next time. For sure. Brilliant. Just brilliant.

“Lemon Sole with preserved lemon, coriander and capers” from “Stirring Slowly”

Kirstin: It’s a rainy monday in August. And it’s fish for dinner!

Miles: I love fish!

Kirstin: Tom is doing that thing where he just eats because he doesn’t want to stop and talk.

Tom: That’s because it’s so yum!

Kirstin: This recipe is supposed to take only 15 minutes to cook and it probably would have if I hadn’t kept messing up. My favourite part was when I managed to spray myself with all the defrosted fish water.

Tom: Ah. That’s what you were doing in the bathroom!

Kirstin: Yes, I was washing all my clothes as they smelled of fish! Also I couldn’t make this recipe look as pretty as it does in the book.

Tom: I think that’s because their fish had more skin on!

Kirstin: I might not chop it into strips next time and just fry the fish whole. We also kept the salad separate from the couscous, but that was just for Miles.

Miles: I am hoping you make this again!

Kirstin: Oh good! So am I!

“Roast Harissa Butter Chicken and Cracked Wheat” from ” Stirring Slowly”

Kirstin: Oh my goodness. This is amazing! And oh so perfect for dinner on a summer sunday! Or indeed. Any dinner really!

Tom: What did you do to the chicken?

Kirstin: I had to make a paste with harissa, some spices and butter. And then I slipped that under and over the chicken skin.

Tom: It’s so delicious. You know how much I love harissa!

Miles: YUM!

Kirstin: Tom, I love it that when I cook something yum, you don’t say anything whereas I can’t stop talking!

Tom: …

Kirstin: This recipe is worth the price of the book. It really is sensational. Especially the part where you carve the chicken into the pan juices. It’s a real hero recipe, perfect for entertaining too. The chicken is moist and flavourful. Oh my goodness!

Tom: And look. No leftovers.

Kirstin: I guess I’ll just have to make it again. And when should that be?

Tom: Tomorrow?

Kirstin: HA! SO good!

To try this recipe for yourself, please follow this link.

Cookbook of the Month, August 2016: “Stirring Slowly” by Georgina Hayden

Maureen: So, August 2016 features another Jamie Oliver protégée!

Anna (paging through the book): Roast Harrissa Chicken and cracked wheat has Kirstin’s name all over it and I suspect the Sausage stuffing mac and cheese has your name all over it, Maureen

Kirstin: And I’m going to fight you, Maureen, for the Blondie recipe.

Anna: Whoever ends up making it needs to bring me one… Oh.. Maureen… Banana cake with peanut butter frosting… It feels like it has your name on it, too.

Maureen: You might be right about that.

Kirstin: Happy August to us!

Kirstin: Am I the only one who thinks we shouldn’t have chapters on breakfast?

Maureen: I agree.

Kirstin: I don’t have time to make a fancy breakfast…

Anna: I don’t know about that. You have time for a nice breakfast on the weekend.

Kirstin: August is going to be amazing. Let’s do this ladies!

Anna: Let’s smash it!