Simply nigella

Nigella Lawson is our kitchen inspiration. She's self-taught, worldly, sophisticated and homey. Need proof? These 12 delicious recipes.

This tangy, subtly cheesy mash with a crunchy topping has revolutionised my cooking life

My children love this. Actually, I don't know anyone who's eaten it and doesn't. While it's spicy (though you can reduce the heat to taste) and vibrant, it is also cosy and comforting, and blends the familiar with the less traditional in a way that gives me quiet satisfaction. The impetus to use a sweet potato mash for the topping was simply because it was so much easier than peeling and mashing regular potatoes, and they work so well against the spiced meat, especially when tempered with…

A healthier gluten free, sugar free version of her original breakfast bars.

Ever since my first pav in How To Eat, I have been something of a pavaholic. For me, acidity is key. So naturally, a lemon pavlova made perfect sense.

By its very nature, this symbolises the very free-style form of cooking that a recipe seems to argue against. So, let me reassure you that really all you need to know is that you simply brown the chicken before adding vegetables and just enough liquid to cover, and cook them slowly before eating on top of rice

This easy and delicious Boiled Orange Cake from Nigella Lawson is a simple, moist dessert bursting with fresh orange flavor. Made with just a few ingredients like ground almonds and eggs, it’s naturally gluten-free and perfect for any occasion. The cake is wonderfully rich, with a fragrant citrus aroma that makes it irresistible!

This is a salty-sweet version (think Greek cheesecake) of the Greek Patsavouropita, created by bakeries as a way of using up old scraps of filo pastry: the ”old rags” indicated by the title. They’d just go along their counters, collect up all the bits and turn them into this pie. For this reason, you don’t need to worry about keeping your filo covered as you go, as is normally advised. It doesn’t matter if it dries out a little as you make it, indeed this can even be desirable. I have made…

Most of the time I refer to this as my Cider and 5-Spice Gingerbread, but I changed the name out of concern for those who expect a little more gingeriness from their gingerbead (although anyone is free to boost the amount of ginger at will). But, actually, the tender crumb has the lightness of a cake rather than the damp heaviness (gorgeous though that is) of a gingerbread. Besides, I felt it only proper to accord the magnificently aromatic 5-spice seasoning its star role. I have since found…

This delicious, creamy broccoli and Stilton soup is the perfect comforting dish for any season. Quick and easy to make, it’s packed with rich flavors and can be customized with common ingredients. A fantastic recipe from Nigella, this soup is ideal as a light lunch or a satisfying starter.