Midnight Chicken: & Other Recipes Worth Living For

I love cookbooks that also tell stories, and this cookbook is one of the best. Even if you don’t cook anything from this book just reading it is soothing and life-affirming. (And the recipes are wonderful.) I wholeheartedly recommend this book, for you, for gifts. Buy two in case you misplace one. You won’t regret it.

Such a beautiful book to hold and feel and curl up with on a rainy day! The illustrations and the writing are deeply evocative even though the sadness of the story. The recipes work, they are fun and loose enough that they are very forgiving of creative subbing with gluten and dairy free alternatives. There is a fair amount of dairy in some but there’s lots without and even if restrictions are an issue the writing and the illustrations and just the story and joyful, nourishing approach to food make it more than worth buying for yourself and anyone who loves cooking but isn’t too precious about it.

I’m a fan of Laurie Colwin’s writings on cooking. This is the British version of story telling with recipes mixed in. There’s a little bit of translation that has to happen to use as a cookbook (grams to cups, etc ) but nothing that google can’t assist with. Loved the watercolor illustrations. I read the book in one sitting- now to begin cooking from it ! Lots of British food I associate with Nigella but super basic; curries, chicken and fish. Some nice bread recipes too. No 1 particular type of cuisine except “comfort cuisine” I enjoyed this book very much. Reading the last part after the recipes did make me a bit sad but overall book is very comforting and I enjoyed reading it. This is not a book for people who want regimented recipes and photos to accompany each.

Interesting cookbook. The only problem is the measurements are metric and some of the ingredients are either not available in the U.S. or are called by other names here. It takes a little translating or substitution to make them work here but still I found it inspiring.

I wanted a new cookbook. I’ve been stuck at home with a newborn during a pandemic, without access to my local library. I am the family cook, and the foggy newborn days have stunted my menu inspiration. I read so many cookbook reviews and was so fortunate to finally see this one! It was love at first sight. The cover alone makes it worthy enough to sit upon my countertop. I adore beautifully illustrated books! And the gilded title on the spine and cover - perfection. I’m about halfway through, having received it only yesterday. I cannot attest to the recipes, so I will update my review later. I am thoroughly pleased. The construction of this book is top notch. The paper is sturdy and the bookmark ribbon is such a nice touch. The author’s tone is comforting. It’s like chatting with a sister or best friend. I come away from moments with this book feeling as if I’d just had a warm hug. I live in the United States, and so I’ve had to look up certain words for clarification. I’ve never tried Marmite, for example. And I had no idea what an AGA is. I’m excited to make the comforting staples the author reflects so warmly on. As a mother to young children, I always wonder what they will remember and cherish from their youth - and I secretly hope it’s my cooking :).

As a non cook I got useful ideas from author. I never salted pasta water before now. Worth the price alone. She writes a good read. Easy to tackle meals.

A fantastic book! I bought it for my 23-year old daughter who loves to cook. She immediately fell in love with this book. Wonderfully written. The recipes are realistic for any situation, and very forgiving. It is a soulful read.

This book was beautiful, but just an FYI for American readers, the measurements are using the metric system and some of the foods and good brands I’ve never heard of before and are not common here. I wouldn’t have purchased had I known so this is just an FYI. The book was beautiful and she is a funny and touching writer.

I read a review of this book a while ago and thought I would like it, but then it slipped my mind (as most things do) till I saw someone mention it in an article and I bought it there and then. I absolutely do not regret it. It is a beautifully written and engaging book. It’s not just a list of recipes and ingredients, but a wonderful hug as the author takes you through where the recipes came from, when she’s made them and for whom. It’s perfect for people who need someone to hold their hand as they are trying to navigate the chaos and perplexity of life, especially as it is at the moment. There’s a lot of stuff you can do that needs concentration, without being complicated so it’s almost cooking mindfulness. The recipes themselves are very easy to follow. I started with the roast chicken at the beginning of the book and I’ve made several other things as well. None of them have been too much or felt overwhelming and, handily she mentions the stuff you can leave out if you don’t have certain items in your kitchen. There’s also lists of things she recommends having in your kitchen as utensils and also in the store cupboard. The author also stresses not to rush out and buy things till you know what sort of cooking you want to do, which makes a nice change from being told you NEED these expensive items only for them to languish in the back of a cupboard for the rest of time. I bought this for kindle but I would recommend buying a physical copy as it can be frustrating trying to read ingredients then flick forward to the actual instructions. I also don’t use kindle enough to know if it’s possible to bookmark certain pages as the book seems to jump all over the place from me reading it to write the ingredients down, to actually coming back to make it. As there are no specific listings for each recipe it can be bothersome flicking through chapters trying to find what you want. It doesn’t detract from the book though, it just means I’ve asked for a physical copy for my birthday.

All the other five-star reviews are right. You have to search really hard to find a cookbook that is similarly nutrient for the heart.

A little sad but a good read.

Está hermoso, es un libro con unas ilustraciones lindísimas ❤

This is the most beautiful recipe book I've ever read. I curled up with it like I was reading a novel, and savoured every page. Yesterday I was having a particularly blah day, but this book inspired me to get off my sorry butt and cook something. I made the Pocket Potatoes for supper (wow, I'll never bake another potato any other way ever again), and Milk Bread. Yes, I baked bread. And it was easy peasy AND delish! Love the book - someone should turn it into a movie.