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30 Minute Cookbook
Discover quick and tasty dishes in Nigel Slater's The 30-Minute Cook. Quick, delicious meals from across the world with ingredients available from your local supermarket - all prepared within thirty minutes: the perfect book for the busy cook. Praise for Nigel Slater's The 30 Minute Cook: 'One of my very favourite cookery writers' Delia Smith 'The whiff of kaffir lime leaves, cumin and ginger wafts from the pages ... I can think of no one more likely to coax timid cooks into a spirit of culinary adventure' Financial Times 'An inspired worldwide collection of quick and accessible dishes' Evening Standard Nigel Slater is the Observer's food writer, writing a month column for Observer Food Monthly. Real Fast Food was shortlisted for the Andre Simon Award while The 30-Minute Cook was nominated for both the Glenfiddich and Julia Child Awards. In 1995 he won the Glenfiddich Trophy and he has twice won the Cookery Writer of the Year Award as well as being named Media Personality of the Year in the 1996 Good Food Awards. His other bestselling books include Real Fast Puddings, Real Food, Appetite and The Kitchen Diaries.
256 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1994
2 people are currently reading
188 people want to read
About the author
Nigel Slater
83 books429 followersNigel Slater is a British food writer, journalist and broadcaster. He has written a column for The Observer Magazine for seventeen years and is the principal writer for the Observer Food Monthly supplement. Prior to this, Slater was food writer for Marie Claire for five years. He also serves as art director for his books.
Although best known for uncomplicated, comfort food recipes presented in early bestselling books such as The 30-Minute Cook and Real Cooking, as well as his engaging, memoir-like columns for The Observer, Slater became known to a wider audience with the publication of Toast: The Story of a Boy's Hunger, a moving and award-winning autobiography focused on his love of food, his childhood, his family relationships (his mother died of asthma when he was nine), and his burgeoning sexuality.
Slater has called it "the most intimate memoir that any food person has ever written". Toast was published in Britain in October 2004 and became a bestseller after it was featured on the Richard and Judy Book Club.
"I think the really interesting bits of my story was growing up with this terribly dominating dad and a mum who I loved to bits but obviously I lost very early on; and then having to fight with the woman who replaced her ... I kind of think that in a way that that was partly what attracted me to working in the food service industry, was that I finally had a family." As he told The Observer, "The last bit of the book is very foody. But that is how it was. Towards the end I finally get rid of these two people in my life I did not like [his father and stepmother, who had been the family's cleaning lady] - and to be honest I was really very jubilant - and thereafter all I wanted to do was cook."
In 1998 Slater hosted the Channel 4 series Nigel Slater's Real Food Show. He returned to TV in 2006 hosting the chat/food show A Taste of My Life for BBC One.
Slater has two elder brothers, Adrian and John. John was the child of a neighbour, and was adopted by Slater's parents before the writer was born.
He lives in the Highbury area of North London, where he maintains a kitchen garden which often features in his column.
Although best known for uncomplicated, comfort food recipes presented in early bestselling books such as The 30-Minute Cook and Real Cooking, as well as his engaging, memoir-like columns for The Observer, Slater became known to a wider audience with the publication of Toast: The Story of a Boy's Hunger, a moving and award-winning autobiography focused on his love of food, his childhood, his family relationships (his mother died of asthma when he was nine), and his burgeoning sexuality.
Slater has called it "the most intimate memoir that any food person has ever written". Toast was published in Britain in October 2004 and became a bestseller after it was featured on the Richard and Judy Book Club.
"I think the really interesting bits of my story was growing up with this terribly dominating dad and a mum who I loved to bits but obviously I lost very early on; and then having to fight with the woman who replaced her ... I kind of think that in a way that that was partly what attracted me to working in the food service industry, was that I finally had a family." As he told The Observer, "The last bit of the book is very foody. But that is how it was. Towards the end I finally get rid of these two people in my life I did not like [his father and stepmother, who had been the family's cleaning lady] - and to be honest I was really very jubilant - and thereafter all I wanted to do was cook."
In 1998 Slater hosted the Channel 4 series Nigel Slater's Real Food Show. He returned to TV in 2006 hosting the chat/food show A Taste of My Life for BBC One.
Slater has two elder brothers, Adrian and John. John was the child of a neighbour, and was adopted by Slater's parents before the writer was born.
He lives in the Highbury area of North London, where he maintains a kitchen garden which often features in his column.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
April 7, 2023
Yes, I did read this cover to cover. But with writing as lovely as Nigel Slater's, it would be rude not to.
Simple recipes that inspire, often with only a handful of store-cupboard ingredients. It's a good book for those who 1) don't have much time and 2) only need 1 or 2 portions at a time. I've already made the mushroom tart and have bookmarked a number of others for future use.
Simple recipes that inspire, often with only a handful of store-cupboard ingredients. It's a good book for those who 1) don't have much time and 2) only need 1 or 2 portions at a time. I've already made the mushroom tart and have bookmarked a number of others for future use.
March 29, 2012
I bought this book whilst living in Sydney in 1999-found it in a bargain box for $9. I had just had a baby and already had a toddler- this book was brilliant. Tasty food using many store cupboard items. Nothing was labour intensive- couldn't cope with that with 2 littlies! Managed to do a few dinner parties using this book. Good food but incredibly simple to make- ticked all the boxes for me.
When I returned to the UK I felt the need to try Nigel's other books. I love his writing style, his wit, his passion and enthusiasm for food. I am now the proud owner of all his books.
When I returned to the UK I felt the need to try Nigel's other books. I love his writing style, his wit, his passion and enthusiasm for food. I am now the proud owner of all his books.
July 5, 2011
This is a great little cook book, great for getting ideas about what to cook, and quickly! Even if you don't end up making any of the recipes in the book, it will give you ideas about flavour combinations, and how to approach quick cooking. There are a couple of recipes that I love, and make over and over again.
July 13, 2016
Love it. Great intro into veggies with some very very simple tips and tweaks that create great, tasty and slightly unusual dishes. Favorite so far? Aubergine and pesto. Working my way through slowly and seasonally. Must work out how to make the time to plan my shopping better to get even some of the simplest tips. A must for every home cook.
December 31, 2021
Filled with delightful, creative recipes that are easy to make. I’ve discovered so many helpful techniques for using aubergine, spinach and other veg, meat and spices.
June 4, 2012
one of my go-too books for weekday meals. Particularly like the Vinegar-Mustard chicken (think french bistro) as well as Sausages & lentils (the lentils are cooked with pancetta, onnion and mushrooms). Simple, warm, unpretenious cooking
March 17, 2015
Nigel Slater did it again. Easy to read, easy to follow instructions yet leaving a little space for your own inspirations. I cooked first dish on the day when I bought the book.
Felt hungry reading it - it is the best proof of the value of a cookery book.
Felt hungry reading it - it is the best proof of the value of a cookery book.
May 28, 2010
This book offers and outstanding range of flavours, using mainly storecupboard ingredients. I love it.
June 17, 2012
I love Nigel Slater's shows and recipes.. they are humble and glamorous both at the same time.. this book is so well written that even a novice can cook comfortably..
July 2, 2012
Never fails to deliver
September 14, 2013
Try his Morrocan flash fried chicken, it's lovely. I find his recipes very inspirational.
January 2, 2014
I enjoy Nigel Slaters no-nonsense simplicity. This cookery book is both inspiring and funny, which works for me.
January 10, 2015
5 stars, because the recipes are imaginative, quick, delicious. And it was our best wedding present!
April 4, 2016
I didn't get on with:
the layout,
the fonts,
the tone.
It felt like an outdated book with a new cover, and then I found out that's what it is!
the layout,
the fonts,
the tone.
It felt like an outdated book with a new cover, and then I found out that's what it is!
July 4, 2013
Five stars for the Tomatoes for Lunch recipe alone!
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews