Ainsley Harriott's Gourmet Express (Paperback)

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Amazon.co.uk Review
Another TV series, another book. The energetic Ainsley Harriott rides back into our kitchens on board the Gourmet Express, fizzing as always with ideas and enthusiasm. His mission this time is to persuade us away from the freezer, the microwave and the telephone at the end of a long day, when we're tired, stressed and hungry. He wants to show us how we can eat well and imaginatively, with little more effort and at considerably less expense, by cooking for ourselves instead of reaching for a ready-made meal or phoning for a take-away. As he points out, "food has never been more exciting or inspiring than it is today". Given intelligent shopping in supermarkets and food shops, and a judiciously maintained store cupboard, we really only have ourselves to blame if our diet becomes a bore. It certainly won't do that with Ainsley around. He has the most amazing knack of coming up with interesting, tasty, fresh-sounding food, time after time, sourced it seems from all round the world. True to his theme, the current book concentrates on fast food, with lots of snacks and street-food type recipes: Celtic Samosas (the insides are green and white), Paper Potato Pizza, Café Chilli Beef Tacos are a few of these. There are a number that require a bit more time and attention (a cracking Shepherd's Pie, for instance), but most dishes come in at well under the hour for both preparation and cooking. Fans of Ainsley Harriott will know what to expect, and they won't be disappointed. As ever, the book is beautifully produced and clearly laid out, a pleasure to use. There is the usual quota of pictures of Ainsley, some striking a more pensive note than hitherto (connoisseurs will be interested to note), and the punning recipe titles have the requisite love-them-or-loathe-them pizzazz. -- Robin Davidson --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review
Written to accompany the TV series, "Gourmet Express", by that inimitable chef Ainsley Harriott, aims to stop people buying ready-made food and eat fresh, home-cooked meals instead. Understanding today's hectic pace of life, Ainsley ensures all the recipes are quick to make - often taking less time than reheating a pre-packaged meal. Using fresh, seasonal produce, he also ensures the recipes are healthy. Gleaned from his travels around the world, it is a cosmopolitan collection of tasty dishes: iced cafe latte cups, spicy Spanish patatas bravas and green onion chapatis mix with traditional British fare such as minted mushy chip-shop peas, golden crumb-crunch scampi and Granny's corned-beef hash and fried egg. Appealing to every taste, the recipes also cater for a range of cooking methods: grilling, woks, baking or frying to give variety and encourage cooks to alter their cooking routines. So next time you think of a takeaway or look at the cellophane-wrapped cartons in the supermarket, stop and buy something tasty instead and make a delicious, exciting meal from the innovative concoctions in this book. - Lucy Watson

There are those who find Ainsley Harriott a touch overpowering on TV, but few would deny that the man is one of the great communicators on the subject of food. His gift is to make the arcane secrets of cooking seem accessible to all, and his books have successfully translated his skills to a new medium, while still incorporating that infectious humour that is the hallmark of his television shows. Here the larger-than-life Harriott takes a look at some of the most appealing fast food on offer, and persuasively makes the point that fast food does not necessarily mean that the highest standards cannot be maintained. Looking at the kind of fast food most of us consume when we're out of doors, Harriott comprehensively demonstrates that there are plenty of highly appetizing alternatives that can be prepared at home. Concentrating on making quality food speedily as opposed to recreating take-away food, he proposes a change in both our manner of eating and our manner of cooking, putting a new stress on more healthy homemade versions. Over 120 straightforward and appealing recipes are at the heart of the book, including soup to go (tempting soups conjured up at great speed), fast fish recipes and dishes from Thailand, China and Italy to name but a few. An invaluable collection. (Kirkus UK)

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6 Reviews 5 star:  (4) 4 star:  (2) 3 star:    (0) 2 star:    (0) 1 star:    (0)           Average Customer Review 4.7 out of 5 stars (6 customer reviews)		Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review
Most Helpful Customer Reviews   17 of 17 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Does What It's Supposed To, 21 Sep 2000 By A Customer This review is from: Ainsley Harriott's Gourmet Express (Hardcover) You've seen the summary of the book, and really it does what it says on the cover - gives great, easy, quick to prepare meals for those with busy lives. This is the first Ainsley Harriot book I have purchased and I would really recommend it. There are a good range of recipes, for every occassion, but you don't have to be a French chef to be able to follow them, and most have basic ingredients. Preparation is easy - in most cases there are only 2 steps to the recipe - it could not be simpler! It's definitely what you need if you have just came home from work at 9p.m. starving and need good, tasty food in a hurry. I have tried several of the recipes now and they have turned out well - so it's not just a case of looking at nice pictures which you could never hope to copy! The only down point is that I would have liked to have seen a list of store cupboard ingredients in the book recommending what people should have on hand - but it's not a big problem as you'll get to know the recipes and know what you need. I will buy more of his books. Thanks Ainsley! Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)   9 of 9 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars The Gourmet Express, 29 Jun 2001 By A Customer This review is from: Ainsley Harriott's Gourmet Express (Hardcover) I'm not one for cook books and I've never been interested in TV chefs - but Ainsley Harriott has changed all that for me. Inspired by Ainsley's personality I rushed out and got myself a copy of The Gourmet Express and I live by it. The recipes are easy to do and everything is explained simply, so it's fun too. The variety is fantastic and I look forward to trying the dishes out. I am eagerly awaiting further cook books from the genious himself! 5 stars all the way Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)   6 of 6 people found the following review helpful: 5.0 out of 5 stars Fabulous! Another marvellous book from Ainsley, 9 Oct 2000 By  Ms. G. M. Slade "Gemma" (Watford, England) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)    This review is from: Ainsley Harriott's Gourmet Express (Hardcover) Ainsley has done it again! This book combines mouthwatering recipes, sensuous pictures and Ainsley's easy to follow style. All the recipes are perfectly manageable by any level cook, and Ainsley makes everything seem possible, and with his guidance and handy hints and tips, anyone can create one of his Gourmet Express meals. This is suitable for all ages and levels of ability, and a wonderful accompaniment to his TV series. Can't wait for his next book! Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this) Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review › See all 6 customer reviews...		Ad feedback   Most Recent Customer Reviews 4.0 out of 5 stars Good old Ainsley He's done it again - a great book full of quick, exciting receipes. definately one worth looking at! Published on 4 Jan 2004 by Don Park 4.0 out of 5 stars Great, tasty recipies from the wacky chef I got this book for my birthday and tried a few of the snack recipies for my party - most of them were yummy (although the lack of pictures on certain pages caused some... Read more Published on 7 Mar 2001 5.0 out of 5 stars As usual Ainsley had given us good tasty interesting food This book with not surprise anyone who have Ainsley's other books as they all are very good, they read well,this book contains interesting recipes that you want to get into the... Read more Published on 27 Oct 2000 Search Customer Reviews Only search this product's reviews › See all 6 customer reviews...

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