Essential Ottolenghi: A Collection Paperback – November 5, 2019

Every recipe has been a hit. I love cooking out of this, it's manageable, healthy, and so flavorful.

Of these two masterpieces, I especially love Ottolenghi Simple! There are so many great recipes that are easy to follow and incredibly delicious. I love that the few specialty ingredients in these books reappear several times in different recipes so they don't sit at the back of your cabinets rotting after making one dish. So many incredible ways to prepare vegetables in this book! I have quite a collection of cookbooks and I seem to always go back to these for inspiration above most others.

This book has taken away the mystery of cooking. I found out about it while visiting my sister. My niece and brother-in-law had made something from the book and I couldn't believe how good it was. They recommended this book and I've made three meals from it in three weeks - each recipe is very simple and easy to follow (although they do ask for some obscure elements, which can easily be substituted). Each meal tastes like something from a high end restaurant. Best part? Most of the recipes don't take long to make. They may take awhile to prep - but the actual cooking goes pretty fast.I feel like I'm also learning more about cooking than I have from other cook books. The odd ingredients listed and the need to substitute has taught me to be a little more adventurous and flexible, which is finding its way into other things I make.I highly recommend this book.

So when I saw that this is written by a famous Chef in London, I was hesitating to get it because in my mind it must contains 200 steps and 12000 ingredients that I can't pronounce nor find.To my surprise, the book is very simple. It contains simple steps for you to cook an amazing dish. The pictures is beautiful ( i can't follow a book without pictures) and a great way to more vegetables into my diet. Not to mention that it doesn't take half a day to cook. it is relatively fast to cook up a dish.Minimalist, here is the book for you!

I fell for the beautiful binding, the luscious pictures, the entertaining writing, and the entire romance with dining. But I will never cook any of these complex productions. I still love the book.

The Essential Ottolenghi boxed set is a must-have for fans of vibrant, flavorful cuisine. This special edition includes two of Yotam Ottolenghi's acclaimed cookbooks: Plenty More and Ottolenghi Simple, offering a diverse range of recipes that highlight the chef's innovative approach to cooking.Plenty More delves into Ottolenghi's vegetable-centric dishes, showcasing his signature use of bold spices, fresh herbs, and creative combinations. It’s an excellent resource for those who enjoy experimenting with vegetables and exploring new flavors.Ottolenghi Simple, on the other hand, focuses on streamlined recipes that retain the depth and richness of Ottolenghi’s cooking while being accessible and easy to prepare. It’s perfect for busy home cooks who want to bring Ottolenghi’s distinctive style into their everyday meals with minimal effort.Presented in a beautifully designed boxed set, this collection is ideal for both seasoned cooks and newcomers alike, offering a wealth of inspiration and practical guidance for creating delicious, internationally-inspired dishes.

I bought these books as a Christmas present for myself in mid-December, and I have not looked at another cookbook since. Ottolenghi uses the term "flavor bomb" to describe some of his ingredients, and that is a perfect description. There is a helpful list of pantry staples to get you started, and in these days of easy online shopping, that's all you need. I had everything on the list within a week, and I've been making these extraordinary recipes ever since. Every single one has been fabulous, and they all go together well. Last weekend's combo of roasted chicken with preserved lemon, herby sweet potato mash, and carrots roasted with pomegranate molasses was the best meal I've ever made, by a mile. I have yet to find a recipe that I don't want to make. If you love flavorful food, spices, herbs, and fresh veg, don't miss this!

I purchased this book based on what I have learned about Ottolenghi from the Barefoot Contessa and a documentary I saw about Yotam. I will be making some of these recipes.