Why I Like Nigella

Everyone's taste in food, cookbooks, and even cookbook authors is different. Some of us adore certain authors/cooking show personalities, and some of us detest them. I personally adore Nigella Lawson. The funny thing is, I have several of her cookbooks, but have never made any of her recipes as of yet, to my recollection. I really enjoy watching her cooking show, but rarely get to because it comes on television on Sunday afternoons (most recently, Sunday mornings) - an easily forgotten time slot in my life. I know I can DVR it, but that too gets forgotten. I think Food Network does their viewers, and their newer cooks, a big disservice by placing them on Sundays schedule.

What is it about Nigella that I like, if I've never tried her recipes? I suppose it's her humanness. She's self-effacing, a bit clumsy like me and has a real woman's body, with hips quite a bit larger than her waist. She proves that an extra-curvy woman can look good and yet, read her interviews and it's clear she feels the same insecurities about her body that the rest of us do. She admits her silly food fantasies and indulges in the fact that she "needs" a bit of comfort food on a regular basis. I like that.

I am waiting patiently for my library to receive her new book, Nigella Express, so I can peruse the recipes, stare at the lovely photos and perhaps even cook a dish or two. This newest book is about making delicious food quickly - especially helpful for all of us moms out there who realize the dinner hour is upon us before we're ready. We could all certainly use more ideas for those scenarios, especially since it happens more than we'd probably like to admit.

If you are a Nigella fan, you will appreciate the Borders Books video she's done, to promote her new book. In fact, Borders does videos with many musicians, authors, and moviemakers. The most recent authors include Joel Osteen, Elizabeth Gilbert (author of Eat, Pray, Love), and Khaled Hosseini discussing the upcoming movie version of The Kite Runner (you can also watch the movie trailer). Take a look here for Nigella's "show" and here for the main page where you'll find many other videos for your enjoyment.