365 Days of Nigella
374 recipes cooked; £6,100 (and rising) raised for FareShareUK; 1 Forever Family forged (2 dads, 3 kids, 2 dogs).
365 Days of Nigella has been devised, by me, to provide a much-needed escape from the worries of living with anxiety and the complexities they can bring to daily life. It’s a 365-day Nigella cookalong that will diversify our household palate and, at the same time, grant me the avenue to express my passion for food and write about the memories it can evoke. One of the best therapies for anxiety is to recall our feelings of love, positivity, serenity, and pleasure, and, for me, these are often - if not always – associated with food and cooking. And, of course, eating.
I define one day as one entry into this blog: it may comprise of multiple recipes, or a single recipe, but will feature my witterings of the day - at the time of posting. I aim to post every other day (3-4 times per week), so this journey will go on for considerably longer than a year - a realisation that makes me very happy indeed. The reason for not posting every day is that we do not waste food in this house and we will need the days between each cookalong to gladly enjoy leftovers.
A few pleasantries before we begin: I am not running for first place in a photo competition, and I am quite guilty of rather ignorantly throwing about punctuation, and for this (and my writing) I apologise. However, I don’t deny that there is great satisfaction to be had in capturing a dish in all its beauty. I don’t have any fancy equipment; just a phone, small windows, and a bread board and cheese board for a backdrop.
Above all, however, it’s a bit of fun and I would love for you to join me. Cooking is a joyous way to spread love and happiness and I hope you enjoy it as much as I am sure I will enjoy creating, writing and eating my way through this journey.
Day 109: a happy freezer-find
Sweet, spicy, salving and yum: Day 109 is Nigella’s Korean Keema.
Day 108: a quiet happy zone
Sweetly fragrant and warmingly golden: a bowl of Nigella’s Saffron Risotto will banish the gloomiest shadows from the darkest corners of a room, lift the dullest moods, and give the most loveable and reassuring hug.
Day 107: thrillful mouthfuls
From the first thrill-inducing mouthful to the frenzied scraping of the spoon at the bottom of the cup, this was every bit the euphoric indulgence I hoped. Day 107 is Nigella’s Liquorice Pudding.
Day 106: oodles of noodles
The answer to committing (gladly, by the way) to taking a bowl of something delicious to a garden party: Nigella's Sesame Peanut Noodles.
Day 105: very happy eating
The woodsy comfort of thyme, the sprightly vitality of lemon, the gentle allium warmth of Mother Nature’s wonderbulb, and the unfailing reassurance of long pasta: Nigella’s Linguine with Lemon, Garlic and Thyme Mushrooms was all the hug I needed. And made for very happy eating.
Day 104: supersoft sour clouds
Kicking off the Express line-up with Nigella’s Mozarella with Crazy Gremolata: a fire-flecked, zingy-fresh, salty-spiked gremolata dolloped - graciously - over milky white, slightly sour, supersoft clouds of buffalo mozzarella.
Day 103: cheesed-up
Everything I needed, and wanted: last night's supper in all its oozy, cheesed-up gloriousness. Day 103 is Nigella’s Cheesy Chilli.
Day 102: salty squeakiness
Salty slabs bejewelled with ruby heat: Nigella’s Halloumi with Quick Sweet Chilli Sauce is the perfect pick-me-up for languished moods and busy days.
Day 101: liquid sunshine
This happy-making liquid sunshine is the result of my first time making homemade mayo! Day 101 is Nigella’s Golden Garlic Mayonnaise.
Day 100: late to the party
I finally arrived at the party. And I’m not leaving. Celebrating Day 100 of 365 Days of Nigella in style, with Nigella’s Fish Finger Bhorta. One mouthful of this will reanimate and comfort dreary souls and have tastebuds up on the tables dancing!
Day 99: pickled pink(ish)
Pickled passion-pink(ish) in all its awesomely satisfying, tangy and juicy, pleasure-making crunch: Day 99 is Nigella’s Pickled Rhubarb.
Day 98: banana skins
Two firsts in 24hrs: my first dose of the Pfizer vaccine, and my first time eating banana skins. Both experiences quite surreal, and both of which I am very grateful for. Day 98 is Nigella’s Banana Skin and Cauliflower Curry.
Day 97: speechless bliss
Quite possibly the finest moment in my eating history. A moment of absolute speechless bliss. Nigella’s Chocolate Tahini and Banana Pudding.
Day 96: a resplendent trinity
A resplendent trinity: (all Nigella's) Coriander and Jalapeño Salsa, Burnt Onion and Aubergine Dip, and Beetroot and Chickpea Dip.
Day 95: grove meets shoal
Two briny powerhouse ingredients unite with the freshness of lemon and parsley, and the wholesomeness of spelt spaghetti, to form this bowl of zingy, earthy, saline goodness. Day 95 is Nigella's Spelt Spaghetti with Olives and Anchovies.
Day 94: newfound fixation
Continuing to embrace lemon in savoury cooking, a new-found fixation, tonight we enjoyed Nigella’s Lemon Risotto in all its citrusy, cream, tangy comfort.
Day 93: crackle, snap, crunch
Crackle. Snap. Crunch! Gorgeously tender, moist, sweet, and salty pork with a golden brown crackling so perfect it will have everyone at your dinner table squabbling over who gets the last piece. Day 93 is Nigella’s Slow Roast Pork Belly.
Day 92: your favourite loungewear
Tucking into a bowl Nigella’s Chicken Barley is the equivalent of slipping into your favourite loungewear and collapsing into the deepest, squidgiest part of your sofa.
Day 91: fit for the gods
No longer could I sit jealous of all the rave reviews and scrummy photos of Nigella’s Chicken with 40 Cloves of Garlic. This is the meal you cook, eat and then tell all your friends about in frenzied gossip.
Day 90: sweet seaside brininess
The addictively sweet and briny coastal aura about this pasta transported me with each mouthful to the English seaside and the sound of breaking waves on sun-glistened shores. Day 90 is Nigella’s Linguine with Chilli, Crab and Watercress.