Customer Rating: 



Review Summary: Everyday Novelli?
Review: I ordered this book last week, I was in two minds about buying it as there were no reviews for it yet. I have tried two or three Novelli recipes in the past and I enjoyed them, even though they were slightly time consuming. Anyway, I took a chance, I was hoping for simple, quick weekday meals...as well as some that are more time consuming dishes (which I tend to do more at weekends). I'm going to try my best to describe the book. I've listed some of the recipes below:-
Breakfast & Brunch- Wake-up Smoothie, Flemish Tart, Baked Spiced Clementines, Poached Salmon, Leek & Blue Cheese Quiche, Brioche, Spiced Aubergine Wrapped in Parma Ham and Royal Egg Flan Trio. I enjoyed the Smoothie and the Brioche and although there were some nice ideas I wouldn't make most of them for breakfast, not on a weekday...maybe a weekend lunch.
Lunch- Baby Squid, Chorizo, Black pudding, Anchovy & Poached Egg Salad, Confit of Sole Andalou, Sweet Curried Seafood Stew With Beer, Crème Legere Monique, Chou Farci. Again, not sure how many of these recipes I would actually cook for lunch.
Dinner- Honey Roast Pumpkin Soup (I tried this the other evening and it was very tasty) Salmon en Croute, Merlot- braised Oxtail with Pan-fried Ricotta Gnocchi (also delicious) Choco Pot Kahlua (loved the Choco Pot) Slow Braised Honey & Cider Caramelised Pork Belly. Just a few of the recipes included.
There is also a section for Late Suppers and Repertoire. So even though the recipes I have tried have been tasty, In my opinion this isn't everyday food (not for me anyway). Most of the recipes I've tried I did over the weekend, when I had more time free (being a busy working mum). The book say's 'Helping you cook for every meal of the day and every day of the week' maybe it's just me, but I don't think this book is for everyday...Weekends YES, Dinner Parties YES. Some great recipes but this isn't everyday cooking for me.