I have been thinking more about ‘Nigella Express’ and my initial negative thoughts towards it, and I must admit that it has slowly started to grow on me.
Somebody (I’m sorry I can’t remember who it was!*) made a very valid comment, that, as a ‘stand alone’ book, Nigella Express doesn’t really stand out, but when it takes it’s place as part of Nigella’s collection it suddenly becomes more valid and important.
For example, on days when I want to stay home baking, pottering about, I turn to ‘How to be a domestic Goddess’. On days when I want lighter, Sunnier food I turn to ‘Forever Summer, and therefore on days when I don’t have time to breathe, let alone sit, but still need to produce a hot meal for 5, I can turn to ‘Nigella Express’.
Plus, for a book which I felt exceedingly negative about, I’ve still managed to make 16 recipes from it in the space of about a fortnight!
Carrying on with my points counting, I made two much lower pointed recipes than the ‘mellow meatballs’ and both were fantastic – 10 out of 10!
The chicken liver salad took next to no time to prepare and was fabulous, with a points value of only 7.
The mirin glazed salmon is THE best, quickest salmon recipe ever!! With a points value of 5 (excluding the rice!)

There are parts of Nigella Express which I can’t reconcile myself with- jar of pasta sauce anyone?
Too lazy to peel an onion? Open a jar of caramelized onions then!)
I feel that Nigella could still have kept her recipes ‘express’ without resorting to these convenience ingredients…
But, never say never, especially with me 🙂
Also, can I just add – I have nothing against jars of pasta sauce, caramelized onions, or bags of pre-prepared vegetables (I use them all the time) It’s just that I never thought I’d see them in a Nigella book.
Oh, and just so you know that I’m trashy as can be – I use dried onion in boxes constantly, maybe I should email Nigella, perhaps she hasn’t discovered them, LOL!
*Snicolilla