New Monthly Featured Chef Event: Nigella Lawson!

Nigella Lawson

One cannot help but fall in love with Nigella Lawson. Nigella's passion for food and cooking is almost tangible, as if you can reach out and feel it.  This same passion is contagious and ignites the fire in all of us. We love her for that! This week is a dedication to the glory of Nigella and her recipes.

"I don't believe you can ever really cook unless you love eating" - Nigella Lawson 

Our new Monthly Featured Chef Event is a great chance to go back and revisit our favorite chefs and make a new recipe, or go back in the archives, and make a recipe that eluded you the first time around.

What Nigella dish will you make this week?

Please make and post your Nigella Lawson dish by Sunday, 18th! Don't hesitate to tell us why you love Nigella so. Feel free to share your favorite Nigella pic, Nigella quote (we love the way she describes her dishes), and/or share with us your favorite Nigella recipes. Please remember to link a thumbnail image and leave a comment after you link so that we don't miss out on your dish. 

New to IHCC? Need help linking up? Check out our Welcome page. If you have any questions please leave a comment below and we will get back with you. 
 

If you missed out on our first week cooking Ellie Krieger's recipes last week, be sure to click on the links and check out the dishes that were made in celebration of our new chef, Ellie Krieger!

An InLinkz Link-up

October Potluck!

Oh, yes ... we all love a Potluck around here!

And, what's not to love, when Potluck means not only do you get to choose the recipe, but you also get to choose the chef.

That's right, choose any donna hay recipe you like, or if you prefer take the opportunity to revisit any one of our previous eight IHCC chefs:

Nigella Lawson

Mark Bittman

Giada de Laurentiis

Jamie Oliver

Tessa Kiros

Rick Bayless

Madjur Jaffrey

Yotam Ottolenghi

That makes for a veritable smorgasbord of English, American, Italian, Mediterranean, Mexican, Indian, Middle Eastern and "modern Australian" recipes to choose from.

To join in just post and link your October Potluck dish from any one of our IHCC chefs by Sunday 27 October.  Please remember to link a thumbnail image and leave a comment after you link so that we don't miss out on your dish.

New to IHCC?  Need help linking up?  Check out our Welcome page.  If you have any questions please leave a comment below and we will get back with you.

If you missed our Up & At 'Em! theme last week, be sure to click on the links and check out all the fabulous breakfast dishes everyone made.

August Pot Luck

Oh, yes ... we all love a Potluck around here!

And, what's not to love, when Potluck means not only do you get to choose the recipe, but you also get to choose the chef.

That's right, choose any Ottolenghi recipe you like, or if you prefer choose any recipe from any one of our previous seven IHCC chefs:

Nigella Lawson

Mark Bittman

Giada de Laurentiis

Jamie Oliver

Tessa Kiros

Rick Bayless

Madjur Jaffrey

That makes for a veritable smorgasbord of English, American, Italian, Mediterranean, Mexican, Indian and Middle Eastern recipes to choose from.

To join in just post and link your August Potluck dish from any one of our IHCC chefs by Sunday 25 August.  Please remember to link a thumbnail image and leave a comment after you link so that we don't miss out on your dish.

New to IHCC?  Need help linking up?  Check out our Welcome page.  If you have any questions please leave a comment below and we will get back with you.

If you missed our Nuts and Seeds theme last week, be sure to click on the links and check out all the fabulous "nutty" dishes everyone made.

Don't forget to check out the Optional Monthly Community Recipe - there's still a couple of weeks to get your entries done, and you can post them using the linky at the end of this post. This month we're making Labneh, and you'll also find a round-up of all the Hummus dishes everyone posted last month.  This fun IHCC feature is a great way to join in cooking one recipe as a group, to share your experiences and connect with other members of the group.

**Please notice the poll on the sidebar.  We are asking participants to vote on whether they wish to continue cooking the recipes of Yotam Ottolenghi for an additional two months (end of November) OR whether they wish to vote in a new female chef/cook starting October 1st. The poll will be up for one week only, until August 27th.  Depending on the results of the poll, we will either announce a continuation with Ottolenghi or post a new poll asking for your vote on a new female chef/cook!

July Potluck (Choose from Ottolenghi or any former IHCC Chef)

Potluck is easily everyone's favorite week!  This is the week where the choice is all yours! You can choose any Ottolenghi recipe or any recipe from one of our previous seven IHCC chefs:

Nigella Lawson

Mark Bittman

Giada de Laurentiis

Jamie Oliver

Tessa Kiros

Rick Bayless

Madjur Jaffrey

To join in just post and link your July Potluck dish from any one of our IHCC chefs by Sunday, July 21st.  Please remember to link a thumbnail image and leave a comment after you link so that we don't miss out on your dish.

New to IHCC?  Need help linking up?  Check out our Welcome page.  If you have any questions please leave a comment below and we will get back with you.

If you missed our Fruitfull theme last week, be sure to click on the links and check out all the fabulous "fruity" dishes everyone made.

*** Don't forget to check out the Optional Monthly Community Recipe - there's still a couple of weeks to get your entries done, and you can post them using the linky at the end of this post. This month we're making harissa, with the added challenge of using harissa in an Ottolenghi recipe. This fun new IHCC feature is a great way to join in cooking one recipe as a group, to share your experiences and connect with other members of the group. ***

June Potluck (Choose from Ottolenghi or any former IHCC Chef)

Oh, yes ... we all love a Potluck around here!

And, what's not to love, when Potluck means not only do you get to choose the recipe, but you also get to choose the chef.

That's right, choose any Ottolenghi recipe you like, or if you prefer choose any recipe from any one of our previous seven IHCC chefs:

Nigella Lawson

Mark Bittman

Giada de Laurentiis

Jamie Oliver

Tessa Kiros

Rick Bayless

Madjur Jaffrey

That makes for a veritable smorgasbord of English, American, Italian, Mediterranean, Mexican, Indian and Middle Eastern recipes to choose from.

To join in just post and link your June Potluck dish from any one of our IHCC chefs by Sunday 23 June.  Please remember to link a thumbnail image and leave a comment after you link so that we don't miss out on your dish.

New to IHCC?  Need help linking up?  Check out our Welcome page.  If you have any questions please leave a comment below and we will get back with you.

If you missed our Little Bit of Sunshine theme last week, be sure to click on the links and check out all the fabulous "sunny" dishes everyone made.

*** Don't forget to check out the Optional Monthly Community Recipe - there's still a couple of weeks to get your entries done, and you can post them using the linky at the end of this post. This month we're making Hummus, and you'll also find a round-up of all the Preserved Lemon dishes everyone posted last month.  This fun new IHCC feature is a great way to join in cooking one recipe as a group, to share your experiences and connect with other members of the group. ***

April Potluck (including Ottolenghi and all Former IHCC Chefs)!

It's time for everyone's favorite theme....POTLUCK!  Potluck week is everyone's favorite week for a reason.  Anything goes!  Plus, this time around we are introducing a new feature to provide even more freedom and variety. 
  

Each month during POTLUCK week, you can chose to share an Ottolenghi recipe OR a recipe from any former IHCC Chef!  

You now have eight chefs to chose from.  You can actually chose from thousands of recipes and nearly every type of cuisine imaginable.  What are you craving this week?  British?  American? Italian? Mediterranean? Mexican? Indian? Asian or maybe something from the Middle East?  I'm pretty sure we've got you covered.

If you're not familiar with the former IHCC chefs, here is the list: 

Nigella Lawson

Mark Bittman

Giada Delaurentiis

Jamie Oliver

Tessa Kiros

Rick Bayless

Madhur Jaffrey

and of course our newest addition: Yotam Ottolenghi!

So get out those cookbooks, or hunt for recipes online, but remember you now have eight fantastic chefs to chose from!  Please post and link your POTLUCK dish by Sunday, April 28th.  Please remember to link a thumbnail image and leave a comment after so that we don't miss out on your dish.  

New to IHCC?  Need help linking up?  Please see our Welcome page.  If you have any questions, please leave a comment below and we will get back with you.

 

If you missed out on our Get Back to Your Roots! theme, then please head over now to check out all the wonderful dishes that everyone shared.  

Also, a special reminder to check out the details on our Optional Monthly Community Recipe.  This month's recipe is Shakshuka, a lovely egg dish loaded with vibrant veggies.  Click this link to be directed to the recipe and a video.  

 

Easter Basket

Here we are in the last week of cooking up Nigella Lawson's recipes. Gosh, six months went fast! We had great fun exploring her books and online recipes, and discovering our own inner Domestic Goddesses. For the very last Nigella theme we have Easter Basket.

Easter time means many things to many people around the world, commonly it is seen as a new beginning. End of winter, awakening of the land. And bunnies, lots of bunnies.
What will grace your Easter table? Your Easter basket? A time of giving and sharing, find one of Nigella's recipes online or in one of her books and whip up a dish or goodie that represents the theme to you.
Post it to your blog by Sunday, April 4th and link up with Mr. Linky, below.

'Twas Easter-Sunday. The full-blossomed trees Filled all the air with fragrance and with joy.
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Have you had a chance to check out the delicious Potluck dishes yet?

Link your I Heart Cooking Clubs post of the week's permalink with Mr. Linky, below, so we can all see your fabulous Easter Basket creation! Please leave a comment after, each week that you use Mr. Linky to link your post, just to be sure we don't miss anyone.

Not sure what a permalink is? Check out our Welcome post.

As you can see, we have a new cook for April! By popular vote, Mark Bittman will be our foodie focus for the next six months. Stay tuned for a Bittman IHCC overhaul!

Also, a big welcome and thank you to Kim of Stirring the Pot who will be joining Deb, Heather and I as administrators of I Heart Cooking Clubs!

I Heart Cooking Clubs *Easter Basket* Participants

1. Tina Marie (Rib Sticking Strir Fry and Minestrone) 2. Kim-Chocolate Fudge

3. DebinHawaii-Crab & Avocado Salad w/ Japanese Dressing 4. Natashya - Hokey Pokey!

5. Couscous & Consciousness

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March Potluck!

It's time for March Potluck! Sadly, it is our last Potluck with our favorite Domestic Goddess Nigella Lawson. But fear not, after Potluck we will be spending Easter with Nigella before switching to our new chef for the next six months. (It's still a close race so if you have not yet voted for Bittman, Oliver or Flay, you had better cast your vote for your favorite as voting ends March 27th!)

But now on to the Potluck! This is the time to pull out that Nigella recipe you have been wanting to make because ANYTHING GOES for Potlucks!

You can find any Nigella Lawson recipe online or in one of her many cookbooks.

Then just make it and post it by next Sunday, March 28th.

Don't forget to stop by and take a look to see how It's Easy Being Green as interpreted by your fellow IHCC participants last week.

Link your I Heart Cooking Clubs post of the week's permalink with Mr. Linky, below, so we can all see your fabulous March Potluck creation! Please leave a comment after, each week that you use Mr. Linky to link your post, just to be sure we don't miss anyone.

Not sure what a permalink is? Check out our Welcome post.

See you at the Potluck!

I Heart Cooking Clubs *March Potluck* Participants

1. sarah at i blame mom 2. Chaya - Chocolate Chip Mini Muffins 3. Kim- Rib Sticking Stir Fry

4. DebinHawaii--Thai Roasted Chicken and Lemon, Mint & Spinach Salad 5. Natashya - Nigella's Beetroot Salad 6. The Lab - Green Bean and Lemon Casserole

7. Tina Marie (chocolate Cookies)

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It's Easy Being Green!

It's not that easy being green

Having to spend each day the color of the leaves
When I think it could be nicer being red, or yellow or gold
Or something much more colorful like that

It's not easy being green
It seems you blend in with so many other ordinary things
And people tend to pass you over 'cause you're
Not standing out like flashy sparkles in the water
Or stars in the sky

But green's the color of Spring
And green can be cool and friendly-like
And green can be big like an ocean, or important
Like a mountain, or tall like a tree

When green is all there is to be
It could make you wonder why, but why wonder why
Wonder, I am green and it'll do fine, it's beautiful
And I think it's what I want to be

Whether green conjures up pictures of handsome froggie troubadours or idyllic back-to-nature love-your-planet initiatives...

Or the intense need to dress up and celebrate being Irish, no matter who you are or if you can even find Ireland on a map...

Fields of greens like lucky shamrocks that hold the key to luck, treasure and wee forest creatures.

And fields of salad greens that hold the key to health, vitality, and longevity.


We are going Green this week - and it is easy!

Cook up any of Nigella's dishes from cocktails, salads, mains, sides, or desserts - whatever makes you think green - and post it by March 21st.

Green for the planet, for St. Patty's Day, froggies, veggies or tender leaves.. there is lots to celebrate in this green world!

Link your I Heart Cooking Clubs post of the week's permalink with Mr. Linky, below, so we can all see your fabulous It's Easy Being Green creation! Please leave a comment after, each week that you use Mr. Linky to link your post, just to be sure we don't miss anyone.

Not sure what a permalink is? Check out our Welcome post.

And have you had a chance to check out last week's Tea Time creations?
Plus, don't forget to vote for the next IHCC chef! On the side bar. They are neck in neck. Who will we spend the next six months with?
I Heart Cooking Clubs *Its Easy Being Green!* Participants

1. Natashya - Green Pea Bruschetta 2. Kim - Mustard Pork Chops

3. DebinHawaii--Three Fishes with Three Herb Salsa & Braised Little Lettuces 4. The Chef In My Head

5. The Lab - Capery Salad 6. Leana - Chocolate Lime Cheesecake

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Tea Time

It's Tea Time here at IHCC and you are all invited to our virtual tea party. So pour yourself a cuppa for inspiration, and start looking through your Nigella cookbooks or online for a Tea Time recipe to share.

What goes for Tea Time?

• It could be the perfect little sweet treat to enjoy with tea like a slice of cake or quick bread spread with jam or marmalade. Perhaps scones or muffins, cupcakes or "puddings" strike your tea party fancy.

• You might go for something less sweet and more savory like some cute little tea sandwiches, bruschetta or a savory scone or muffin to enjoy.

• Or maybe you have been wanting to cook with tea and it is a Nigella recipe that uses tea as an ingredient.

It's really up to you!

Just find any Nigella Lawson recipe that suits this week's tea theme, cook it up and post it by Sunday, March 14th.

Link your I Heart Cooking Clubs post of the week's permalink with Mr. Linky, below, so we can all see your fabulous Tea Time creation! Please leave a comment after, each week that you use Mr. Linky to link your post, just to be sure we don't miss anyone.

Not sure what a permalink is? Check out our Welcome post.

Be sure to check out the delicious Sustaining Soups and Stews from last week too! And don't forget to vote for our next IHCC chef (on the side bar). It looks like Bobby Flay is in the lead right now but Mark Bittman and Jamie Oliver and neck in neck close behind!

We are looking forward to sharing a cuppa tea, wonderful recipes, Tea Time conversation and fun with you!

I Heart Cooking Clubs *Tea Time* frequency - leave at N/A Participants

1. PINeapple upside down cake 2. DebinHawaii--Smoked Trout Pâté 3. Natashya - Go Get 'Em Smoothie 4. Joanna@goaheadandsnicker-Lazy Loaf

5. Chaya - Almond Fruited Cake 6. theBurmeseMom 7. Leana - Chocolate Croissants 8. Tina Marie (Breakfast Bruschetta)

9. Kim-Chocolate Chocolate-Chip Muffins 10. The Lab - Breakfast Bars

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Sustaining Soups and Stews

Can you believe it has already been six months?
Six months of cooking with Nigella Lawson, TV's most sensual cook, we have learned to describe our menus lustily and with great humour and style.
Please visit the sidebar to participate in the vote for our cooking club's next cook. Who do you want to spend the next six months with? These half year terms are perfect for exploring a chef's techniques and repertoire - who do you want to get to know better? Have your say!
We are going boy/girl so the next term will be a fella - whoever wins popular vote. If your fave doesn't get voted in this time.. there is always next time!
March will be our last month of cooking Nigella, we switch over to our new cook/chef March 29th.

Now, we all know the weather has been crazy this season. Rain, snow, wind, earthquakes, tsunamis.. it is enough to make you want to hide under the covers. What we need right now is comfort - a perfect time for Sustaining Soups and Stews. A bowl of comfort in an uncertain world.
Soups, stews, chillis, curries.. all perfect fare for this week's theme.

Just find any of Nigella Lawson's recipes, from her books or online, that suit this week's theme, cook it up and post it by Sunday, March 7th. Link your post to Mr. Linky so we can all share in your delicious dishes.

Somehow I don't look like this when I am bundled up for a Canadian winter. I catch sight of my reflection and realize I am starting to look like a crazy cat lady in my advancing years. Lumpy and pale with wind-burned cheeks and a vaguely confused look on my face. Crazy dog lady? Best if I just stay home..

Link your I Heart Cooking Clubs post of the week's permalink with Mr. Linky, below, so we can all see your fabulous cooking club creation! Please leave a comment after, each week that you use Mr. Linky to link your post, just to be sure we don't miss anyone.

Not sure what a permalink is? Check out our Welcome post.

And have you had a chance to check out last week's Great Grains?


I Heart Cooking Clubs *Sustaining Soups and Stews* Participants

1. Joanna@goaheadandsnicker 2. DebinHawaii--Noodle Soup for Needy People

3. TheBurmeseMom 4. Kim- Noodle Soup for Needy People

5. Natashya - Hot and Sour Soup 6. Sweet Potato, Butternut Squash, Carrot Soup

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Great Grains!

Amber waves and all that.
Grains, the staff of life! This week's theme is a celebration of the grains that give us life and energy and two of my best friends - bread and pasta. Let's not forget beer!

According to Wiki:

Wholegrains are cereal grains that contain bran and germ as well as the endosperm, in contrast to refined grains, which retain only the endosperm. Wholegrains can generally be sprouted while processed grains generally will not sprout. Wholemeal products are made from wholegrain flour.

Common wholegrains:

• Wheat
• Oat
• Barley - Hulled and Dehulled (not Pearl)
• Maize
• Brown rice
• Rye
• Triticale
• Sprouted Grains

Common wholegrain products include:

• Whole wheat flour
• Whole Wheat Bread
• Whole wheat Pasta
• Rolled oats or oat groats
• Popcorn

Just choose any of Nigella Lawson's recipes that contain grains, preferably whole grains but we are not sticklers by any stretch of the imagination...
Cook it up and post it by February 28th.
Link up to this post with Mr. Linky so we can all see your Great Grains creation!

In the meantime, have you had a chance to check out everybody's fabulous Potluck creations?

Link your I Heart Cooking Clubs post of the week's permalink with Mr. Linky, below, so we can all see your fabulous cooking club creation! Please leave a comment after, each week that you use Mr. Linky to link your post, just to be sure we don't miss anyone.

Not sure what a permalink is? Check out our Welcome post.


I Heart Cooking Clubs *Great Grains* Participants

1. Natashya - Vegetarian Chili with Cornbread Topping 2. DebinHawaii--Cherried and Chickpea'd Couscous (Actually Farro)

3. Kim-North American Salad 4. Roz - Lemon Risotto

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February Potluck!

Time for our February Potluck!

Your chance to make any Nigella recipe you want to make.

Pick a Nigella recipe from one of her cookbooks or online, cook it and make sure you post it by Sunday, February 21st and of course don't forget to link your post up with Mr. Linky so that everyone can find and see your fabulous Potluck creation.

BTW--don't forget to stop by and see how everyone found "A Little Romance" last week!

Link your I Heart Cooking Clubs post of the week's permalink with Mr. Linky, below, so we can all see your fabulous cooking club creation! Please leave a comment after, each week that you use Mr. Linky to link your post, just to be sure we don't miss anyone.

Not sure what a permalink is? Check out our Welcome post.

See you at the Potluck!

I Heart Cooking Clubs *February Potluck* Participants

1. Natashya - Chicken with Chorizo and Cannellini 2. DebinHawaii--Mirin-Glazed Salmon 3. Chaya - Green Pea Soup

4. Tina Marie (Pineapple Upside down Cake) 5. Picante Prawns, Chicken Schnitzel & absolutely yummy no bake cheese cake 6. The Chef In My Head

7. From the Bookshelf - Love Buns

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