Title: How to Be a Domestic Goddess: Baking and the Art of Comfort Cooking
Author: Nigella Lawson
First published August 17, 1998
384 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9780786886814 (ISBN10: 0786886811)
Rating: 3.91
Overview
Nigella Lawson’s How to Be a Domestic Goddess is the ultimate guide to baking and cooking with love. This cookbook goes beyond just recipes and provides a complete sensory experience in the kitchen.
Nigella’s warm and inviting style invites you to take pleasure in the entire process of crafting delicious treats. With easy-to-follow recipes for muffins, cakes, pies, pastries, breads, and biscuits, this book assures you that baking is not as intimidating as it may seem.
The joy and satisfaction that comes with creating your own baked goods is unparalleled. Get ready to rediscover the magic of baking and bring the warmth and comfort of homemade treats back into your own kitchen with Nigella’s expert guidance.
About the Author
Nigella Lawson is a well-known personality in the UK. She is the daughter of Lord Nigel Lawson, a former Conservative cabinet minister, and the late Vanessa Salmon, who was a socialite and heir to the Lyons Corner House empire.
Sadly, Salmon passed away in 1985 due to liver cancer.
Lawson went to Godolphin and Latymer School and Westminster School. Later, she completed her degree in Medieval and Modern Languages from Lady Margaret Hall, Oxford.
She started her career as a writer by writing a restaurant column and a comment column. Then, in 1986, she became the deputy literary editor of a newspaper.
Lawson appeared on BBC1 Sunday-morning TV program ‘Breakfast with Frost’ as a newspaper reviewer. She also co-hosted Channel 4 books discussion program ‘Booked’ with David Aaronovitch in the late 1990s.
Additionally, she was an occasional compere of BBC2’s press review ‘What the Papers Say’ and appeared on BBC radio.
Later on, she became a culinary sidekick on Nigel Slater’s ‘Real Food Show’ on Channel 4. After that, she fronted three cookery series broadcasted on the same channel.
She had two series of ‘Nigella Bites’ in 1999-2001, plus a 2001 Christmas special, and ‘Forever Summer with Nigella’ in 2002. All these shows yielded accompanying recipe books.
Lawson’s style of presentation was often mocked by comedians and commentators. She was frequently impersonated in the BBC television comedy series ‘Dead Ringers.’ They perceived that she played overtly upon her attractiveness and sexuality as a device to engage viewers of her cookery programs.
However, Lawson repeatedly denied doing so.
She was voted author of the year at the 2001 British Book Awards, and her books have sold more than 2 million copies worldwide.
Editoral Review
In “How to Be a Domestic Goddess: Baking and the Art of Comfort Cooking,” Nigella Lawson presents a love letter to baking and the comfort it can bring. First published in August 17, 1998, Lawsons book is a combination of recipes and personal essays that aim to help readers create a sense of warmth and happiness in their kitchens.
Lawson is a well-known food writer and television personality, known for her approachable, yet elegant style of cooking. In this book, she takes readers on a journey through baking and demonstrates how it can be a grounding and transformative experience.
The book begins with a brief introduction to the author’s love for baking, followed by a chapter on “Essential Equipment” and “Ingredients,” which are useful guides for beginner bakers. The bulk of the book is divided into chapters dedicated to specific types of baked goods, such as cookies, pies, and cakes.
Throughout the chapters, Lawson shares her personal stories and insights about baking, as well as tips and detailed instructions for each recipe. Lawsons writing style is engaging and conversational, making the book an easy and enjoyable read.
However, the book is not just about baking but also about the emotional benefits and comfort that baking can bring. By providing detailed instructions and encouraging readers to take their time in the kitchen, Lawson argues that baking can be a way to create a sense of calm and peace in our busy lives.
Overall, “How to Be a Domestic Goddess” is a beautiful book that is ideal for anyone who loves to bake or is looking for a sense of comfort in their kitchen. Despite being published more than twenty years ago, the book’s themes of slowing down and finding beauty in the everyday feel more relevant than ever.
Whether you are an experienced baker or just starting, Nigella Lawsons “How to Be a Domestic Goddess” is a must-read for anyone who wants to bring a little more warmth and joy into their lives. However, the book does have its limitations.
While it is a great resource for baking recipes, it is not for everyone. Those who do not have an interest in baking may find the book tedious and unengaging.
Additionally, some of the recipes require more specialized equipment or ingredients, which may be difficult to obtain for some readers. Despite these limitations, the book is still a worthwhile read.
Nigella Lawsons writing style is superb, and her passion for baking and comfort cooking are contagious. For these reasons, readers who are interested in learning more about baking or simply seeking comfort in their kitchen would benefit from reading this book.
On a scale of 1 to 10, I would give “How to Be a Domestic Goddess: Baking and the Art of Comfort Cooking” an 8. While the book may not be for everyone, it is a well-written and engaging book that provides a valuable perspective on the therapeutic power of baking.