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 307: a dose of autumn cheer
Offering a generous dose of autumny cheer and collections from our woodland adventures with the kids: Day 307 is Nigella’s Ginger and Walnut Carrot Cake.
Day 306: restorative goodness
How this one evaded me for so long I have no idea; it’s a tonic we’ve needed for a long time! Day 306 is Nigella’s Butternut and Chickpea Soup with Bulgur Wheat.
Day 305: delicious - and necessary - repetition
I don’t usually count repeats as a day toward the final count in the cookalong, but, for this one, I feel I have good reason: Day 305 is Nigella’s Sicilian Pasta with Tomatoes, Garlic and Almonds.
Day 304: nearly forgot
I seem to have forgotten to post this divine dream: Day 304 is Nigella’s Gnocchi Gratin
Day 303: another year already
Occasions that fall during this cookalong always call for something spectacular. Well, today it’s my birthday, so Day 303 is Nigella’s Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake.
Day 302: a camp halloween disco
All the sparkle, shimmer and fabulousness of a camp Halloween disco (or a Hocus Pocus 2 launch party). Day 302 is Nigella’s Butternut, Radicchio and Pomegranate Salad.
Day 301: marmalade sandwiches
A mighty fine use of (brioche) marmalade sandwiches: Nigella’s Orange Scented Brioche Pudding.
Day 300(!): exquisite
Simply exquisite: Day 300 is Nigella’s Red-Leaf, Fig and Serrano Ham Salad.
Day 299: back in my life
Divine, citrusy, umami goodness spooned over luscious, cheesy semolina: Day 299 is Nigella’s Garlic Mushrooms with Chilli and Lemon and Mock Mash.
Day 298: a delicious rediscovery
Day 298 is a joyous and delicious rediscovery: Nigella’s Chilli Cheese Garlic Bread.
Day 297: a platter of deliciousness
A platter of gorgeous, uplifting deliciousness: Day 297 is zaatar-chicken-with-fattoush
Day 296: treat for the adults
Caramelly pineapple dunked in boozy, coconutty melted chocolate: Day 296 is Nigella’s Caramelised Pineapple with Hot Chocolate Sauce.
Day 295: lentil-loaded comfort
Day 295 is a lentil-packed Shepherd’s/Cottage Pie, using Nigella’s Vegan Spag Bol sauce.
Day 294: my sentiments exactly
Quite a bit of ingredient subbing, but I’m counting it anyway: Day 294 is Nigella’s Chocolate Chip Bread Pudding.
Day 293: slurp slurp slurp
That good I had another packet of noodles on the boil before we even slurped our way through this one: Day 293 is Nigella’s Soba Noodles with Sesame Seeds.
Day 292: a comforting concoction
A comforting concoction of some of nature’s finest flora (and fungi): Day 292 is Nigella’s Vegan Spag Bol.
Day 291: mrs stroney’s soup
Abundant in replenishment and comfort: Day 291 is Nigella’s Minestrone.
Day 290: a happy day
Every cake tells a story. And this one tells the story of a happy day, a new family and a mishap/moment of total lack of good sense (stupidity) with a palette knife and a gas flame. Day 290 is Nigella’s Birthday Custard Sponge.
Day 288: out of this world
Chilled little anchovified, garlicky discs seducing you as they melt gorgeously over barbecued rare sirloin steaks: Day 288 is Nigella’s Bagna Cauda Butter.