Simon Food Favourites: Jamie Oliver

13 June 2012

Jamie Oliver 30 min meal: Piri Piri Chicken recipe (8 May 2011)

http://www.jamieoliver.com

Testing the 30 minute limit

My brother Patrick (pictured above) attempted to follow and cook a 30 minute meal recipe by Jamie Oliver for Piri Piri Chicken (Series 1 Episode 1 on Channel 4) which included smashed potatoes with feta and parsley, rocket salad with lemon dressing and a very clever technique of portuguese tarts for dessert. Now 30 minutes is a very tempting proposition for a tasty meal for those who find themselves too busy to cook a meal at home but I have my doubts that many people could actually finish this recipe in 30 minutes, especially as a first attempt. Patrick worked furiously in the kitchen as you'll see in the video below trying to follow the recipe instructions on his iPad. I could see it was difficult to watch, listen, prepare and cook all at the same time without having to pause the recipe but I guess once you've done it once the next time should be quicker so perhaps 30 minutes is achievable. Keep in mind the 30 minutes does not include getting all your pots and pans ready and the inevitable washing up after. In the end the meal was very tasty and the family very satisfied with Patrick's cooking — we'd love to have it again. Definitely a meal everyone could do although realistically I'd probably allow a more leisurely hour to complete including a couple of glasses of wine in the process.

SNAPSHOT REVIEW:

PROS: Basic ingredients and cooking techniques resulting in healthy and tasty dishes

CONS: I think you actually have to be Jamie Oliver to finish the recipe in 30 minutes or at least have done it a couple of times first to know the recipe well, Trying to listen and watch the recipe while preparing and cooking it can be very challenging, Cleaning and washing up after

MUST TRY: Discovering other Jamie Oliver recipes
VERDICT: It's always easier if someone else cooks for you

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Get ready to cook

Time starts now: 6.30 pm

Cooking up the chicken

Making the portuguese tarts

Filling the portuguese tarts

Adding caramel to the tops of the portuguese tarts

Smokey kitchen — 20 minutes gone

Making the Piri Piri sauce

Chicken ready for the oven

Chicken cooked in the piri piri sauce

OOPS, someone left the label on the capiscum

Putting together the smashed potatoes with feta and parsley

Final time taken 47 minutes

Let's eat!

Piri Piri Chicken

Smashed potatoes with feta and parsley

Rocket salad with lemon dressing

Portuguese tarts

The aftermath for washing and cleaning

25 October 2011

Jamie's Italian: Pasta made fresh every day, CBD Sydney (24 Oct 2011)

107 Pitt Street, Sydney NSW 2000

Phone: (02) 8240 9000

http://www.jamieoliver.com/au/italian/sydney

Fresh flavours at fair prices

A simple cheese and salad sandwich was on my mind today for lunch after I'd pass by the new Jamie's Italian restaurant expecting to find a full house. To my surprise the restaurant had plenty of seating at 1.30 pm after its apparently initial rush I was told a bit earlier in the day. So I ventured in to check out the decor and decided to try the food thinking it's just going to get more popular and harder to get in later when it's bound to get popular. To start a complimentary Italian bread selection is provided. I think the amount I received was probably enough to feed me for lunch alone. Not sure about the dryish bread stick but all the other breads including the exclusively made Sourdough from Brasserie Bread was good. My only thoughts was I would have preferred the focaccia to maybe be a little more toasty and crusty. I usually try a tomato bruschetta but the Spanner crab with chilli, lemon & zesty mayo ($15) sparked my interest to try something a bit different. It had nice flavours, noticeable crab meat and would have been a good one to share between two or even four if you cut up so you can try more.

The Spaghetti Bolognese ($12.50 entree size) combines beef and pork which apparently has been slow cooked for about 3 hours. It has good depth of flavour and I really enjoy the crunchy herby breadcrumbs on top. The pasta is al dente and thankfully the dish isn't too oily which is a bonus. The entree size is just right for me so I can try a few dishes. For dessert I always have to try the Tiramisu ($9) and this version is worth coming back for. The use of orange zest gives a refreshing note I haven't really come across before. There's a decent alcohol taste and good flavour to be had. The cream was perhaps a bit firmer than I'd prefer making it quite rich so I would have been quite happy sharing with someone else. The Affogato ($6) comes with a single scoop of vanilla ice cream that's silky and creamy. The espresso isn't too bitter and runs like liquid gold. It had good flavour balance and seemed priced to make a $4.35 coffee sound comparatively pricey. Service seemed friendly and eager to please and my waiter who was actually named Jamie was knowledgeable about the dishes being served.

Other visits to Jamie's Italian:

• 24 Oct 2011 - Spanner Crab Bruschetta, Spaghetti Bolognese, Tiramisu, Affogato

• 21 Oct 2011 - Set to officially open Monday 24 Oct

• 9 May 2011 - Opening soon construction site

SNAPSHOT REVIEW:

PROS: Pasta made fresh each day, Nice decor and comfortable atmosphere, Lots of menu choices, Prices seemed reasonable for the quality, Service was friendly and eager to please and seemed knowledgeable, Plenty of seating

CONS: Only take bookings for 6 or more people, No sign of Jamie in the kitchen, No wood-fired pizza, Dined alone so didn't get to try many things and thus can get expensive when not being able to share, 0.8% credit card transaction fee

MUST TRY: Spaghetti Bolognese, Other dishes on the menu at another time

DAMAGE: $42.50 for one

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For lovers of freshly made pasta

Italian bread selection: Homemade rosemary focaccia Artisan sourdough, ciabatta & tortano from our bakery Crispy carta di musica (on the house aka complimentary)