Angela Hartnett reveals how she’ll be cooking her Christmas dinner this year (Picture: Supplied)
TV chef Angela Hartnett on being yelled at by Gordan Ramsay and her Italian version of Christmas dinner.
With both you and your husband being chefs, is it cordon bleu cooking every night at yours?
We’re not having three-course meals every night! That’s the day job. Some nights we might just have a bit of cheese on toast and other nights we might just have a bowl of soup.
Most of the time we’re working in restaurants anyway but whoever is home first is generally the one who does the cooking.
Who are your personal favourite chefs?
I love Delia Smith, Nigel Slater, Nigella Lawson, Rick Stein and Keith Floyd but if I’m honest I don’t really watch many TV shows about cooking. It’s a bit of a busman’s holiday, isn’t it? I’d much rather go out or watch a good comedy. I love Ted Lasso.
Where did you train as a chef?
Nigella Lawson is one of Angela’s favourite chefs (Picture: Dave Benett/Getty Images)
I didn’t. I never went to cookery college, I did a history degree. After that I learnt on jobs, working in kitchens. I worked for Gordon Ramsay for a long time.
What’s it like to be on the wrong side of one of his famous rollockings?
Nobody wants to be shouted at but you can understand why he’s doing it. He’s got a job to do and he wants to do it well. I worked with Gordon for 17 years. You wouldn’t work with someone for that long if they were an awful person. He just demands excellence!
Tell us about your podcast Dish…
Nadiya Hussain is one of Angela’s podcast guests this series (Picture: Dave Benett/Getty Images)
It’s as if you’re inviting people round for food and a nice chat. I mainly do the cooking and Nick Grimshaw mainly does the chat and serves the drinks. Season two guests included Vernon Kay, Nadiya Hussain and Stanley Tucci. I did a wild mushroom tagliatelle for Martin Kemp, which was nice. I describe what I’m cooking for listeners and we send a link to the recipes.
Do you have any cooking traditions in your family?
She co-hosts the podcast with Nick Grimshaw (Picture: Jed Cullen/Getty Images)
Mum’s family are Italian… at Christmas we make a Sicilian pasta dish called anellini. At Easter we do a delicious tortelli of spinach and ricotta. I’m lucky that all my aunts and cousins are great cooks so we all help prepare them together. I make the broth and it’s become a tradition.
Do you still cook daily?
Yes. I’ve got four restaurants altogether, all in London, but I base myself at Murano. They’re basically self-sufficient and I just go when I need to.
In an episode of her BBC series, titled Cook, Eat, Repeat, the 62-year-old se poured some milk into a pan after warming it up in the ‘meeecro-wa-vay’.
Although some people found themselves pressing the rewind button to make sure they heard correctly, viewers were absolutely living for Nigella’s delivery and vowed they would pronounce the everyday appliance in the same way.
And I’m sure the TV chef would be thrilled to know that fans are still talking about the golden moment to this day.
Celebrating the viral meme’s anniversary on Twitter, one person wrote: ‘Still one of the most loveliest pre-Christmas TV moments. I saw it unfold in front of me. Memories I’ll cherish for years to come.’
’Happy meecrowavay day to all who celebrate xoxo,’ another added.
When one fan tweeted: ‘Am I the only one who thought @Nigella_Lawson was being sarcastic when she pronounced Meecro-wavé?!
‘Now, I’m starting to think she really pronounces it like that?’
Nigella replied: ‘Well, I do say it like that, but not because I think that’s how it’s actually pronounced.’
Her pronunciation even landed her Bafta nomination in 2021 for Virgin Media’s Must-See Moment – but the gong went to dance group Diversity’s Black Lives Matter routine.
Nevertheless, it looks like microwave is out and ‘mee-cro-wah-vay’ is here to stay!
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When it comes to Christmas dinner, Nigella Lawson is pretty much the Queen – but her opinions on what you should ditch are sure to divide opinion.
Every year there’s a debate over the best part of Christmas dinner – is it the roast potatoes? The turkey? Perhaps the Yorkshire puddings?
But now, TV cook Nigella, 62, has thoughts on starters. In fact, she doesn’t believe they’re necessary at all.
Chatting about ‘obscene overindulgence’ over Christmas, the food writer advised people against eating too much to avoid becoming ‘a bloated wreck.’
She told The News Agents podcast hosts Emily Maitlis and Jon Sopel: ‘I don’t know why people do starters for Christmas lunch. I never have, that seems a madness.’
Nigella continued: ‘But I also think there is a way in which for many people it does become a sort of obscene overindulgence.
Nigella Lawson doesn’t understand the fuss around starters (Picture: The News Agents)
The food writer has strong opinions on Christmas dinner (Picture: Carlos Osorio/Toronto Star via Getty Images)
‘So, people are not eating because it is pleasurable. They’re eating because somehow people feel it is when they should be eating non-stop and picking at things non-stop.’
When Jon asked, ‘We’re talking greed and gluttony here?’, she responded: ‘Yes, but they can go too far to, when you want to feel full-up and grateful that you feel full up, but you don’t want to be a bloated wreck.’
So, what do we think, starters or no starters?
Elsewhere on the podcast, Nigella revealed she won’t be giving gifts this year and instead will donate to charity.
The TV chef is donating to charity instead of giving presents this year (Picture: Kinetic Content/Kobal/REX)
She told Emily and Jon that she’s ‘not interested’ in gifting presents to ‘people who don’t need things.’
‘Celebrating food with your family is something we all, if we can do, should do it and do it gratefully. But I certainly feel I am not interested in this year buying people who don’t need things presents.’
Nigella recommended gifting loved ones with a card to say you have ‘donated in your name in lieu of a Christmas present’, rather than shopping unnecessarily.
This way, it allows people to ‘feel like you’re still doing something.’
‘You want to celebrate being with your family in ways that we haven’t been able to, but you don’t want it to tip into the obscene.’
Listen to the full interview on The News Agents podcast this evening on Global Player.
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According to the Herald Sun, Nigella has left after just one season after co-hosting the programme.
The cooking competition, which first aired in 2010, is judged by the likes of Manu Feildel and Matt Preston, with Nigella taking over from Pete Evans after his departure following series 11.
Nigella had originally been by Manu’s side at the start of the series, stepping aside for Matt when he took over for the remaining episodes.
Gary Mehigan and Colin Fassnidge also joined as guest judges.
The publication reports that Colin and Manu are definitely returning for the new series, although it has yet to be announced who will be replacing Nigella.
Nigella judged some episodes of last year’s My Kitchen Rules (Picture: Kinetic Content/Kobal/REX)
Ahead of My Kitchen Rules airing last summer, Nigella shut down the possibility of ever appearing in a cooking show that doesn’t prioritise respect among its contestants and crew.
Speaking to Australian Woman’s Weekly about explosive culinary series, the 62-year-old said: ‘I don’t like that at all. I think it’s counterproductive.
‘It makes people at home feel inhibited about cooking too, because they have this persecutory voice in their heads. I couldn’t be part of a programme like that.
‘It doesn’t mean to say you’re not honest, but there’s never a need to be mean.’
Metro.co.uk has approached Nigella’s reps for comment.
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Passive cooking could save you some cash (Picture: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
Given the cost of living crisis, we are all more conscious of the energy we are using in our homes.
And now, people are sharing a handy hack to reduce the time (and energy) it takes to cook pasta.
The ‘passive cooking’ technique involves boiling pasta for just two minutes, then turning the stove off and leaving it in the pot covered, until fully cooked.
Cooking your dinner this way can reduce CO2 emissions by up to 80% compared to cooking your pasta the regular way, according to pasta brand Barilla.
When you consider the fact that about 400 million portions of pasta are served every day, that’s a big cut in emissions.
Not convinced? If it’s good enough for chef Nigella Lawson, it’s good enough for us.
Boil it for two minutes then simply leave it covered (Picture: Getty Images)
On her website, cooking guru Nigella says she always uses this technique – which she calls the Vincenzo Agnesi method – to cook pasta.
‘Bring your water to the boil, add salt, then tip in the pasta, stirring well to make sure it’s all in and not clumped together. Once the water comes back to the boil, let the pasta cook for 2 minutes, then turn off the heat, cover the pan with a clean, thin tea towel (not a waffle-textured one) and clamp on a tight-fitting lid,’ she says.
‘Let the pasta stand like this for as long as the packet tells you to cook it normally. When the time is up, drain the pasta, remembering to remove a small cupful of cooking water before doing so.’
Of course, timings vary for different types of pasta, but Barilla has shared a handy graphic detailing how long you should leave your pasta to sit after boiling.
Spaghetti traditionally takes nine minutes to cook. When using the passive cooking technique it should be boiled for two minutes and left in the water covered for another eight, the brand says.
The former chancellor, who served in Margaret Thatcher’s Cabinet in the 1980, died on Monday (April 3), prompting a flood of tributes from politicians including prime minster Rishi Sunak.
On Twitter on Tuesday, the TV chef, 63, broke her silence following the news of the former MP for Blaby’s death, thanking her followers for their support.
She wrote: ‘Thank you for all your kind messages. And I’ll be back on here properly tomorrow.’
Her followers were quick to share their condolences, with one writing: ‘So sorry for your loss Nigella. Take care and take time for yourself.’
‘Take time. Go steadily. And know you are supported by so much love,’ a fan shared, while another told the Nigellissima star to ‘take as much time as you need.’
A fourth sympathised: ‘So sorry for your loss Nigella, I lost my dad very recently so I know how you must be feeling.’
Thank you for all your kind messages. And Iâll be back on here properly tomorrow
The My Kitchen Rules judge was one of Lord Lawson’s six children and one of four he had with her late mother Vanessa Salmon.
The Domestic Goddess previously told Metro.co.uk that, despite her father’s career, politics wasn’t a common topic for conversation among her family.
She said: ‘I had absolutely no politics at all when I was at Oxford – I just worked and had fun. My father would never expect me to agree with him about anything in particular [laughs].
‘And, to be honest, we never talk about politics much. I’ve never been all that political in any serious sense. I have seen enough of politics to know that I have absolutely no desire to get mixed up in that kind of life.
Lawson died at the age of 91 on Monday(Picture:UK Parliament/Getty)
Paying tribute to Lawson on Twitter, Sunak said the party grandee ‘was a transformational chancellor and an inspiration to me and many others’ as he paid tribute on Twitter.
Former PM, Boris Johnson paid tribute and said: ‘Nigel Lawson was a fearless and original flame of free market Conservatism.
‘He was a tax-cutter and simplifier who helped transform the economic landscape and helped millions of British people achieve their dreams.
‘He was a prophet of Brexit and a lover of continental Europe. He was a giant. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.’
Best known for his role as chancellor, Lawson retired from the House of Lords in December, ending a parliamentary career stretching back nearly five decades.
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Nigella Lawson has shared a heartfelt message paying tribute to Jock Zonfrillo (Picture: David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images)
Nigella Lawson has paid tribute to Jock Zonfrillo, saying she ‘can’t stop thinking’ about his family and those that have been ‘plunged into deepest grief’.
The MasterChef Australia judge died at the age of 46 on Sunday in Melbourne his family, who said they were ‘completely shattered’.
Lawson has since paid tribute, writing on Twitter: ‘I can’t stop thinking about Jock Zonfrillo’s children, his family.
‘So many are plunged into deepest grief.
‘My heart goes out to them. And I hope their wishes for privacy are respected.’
The MasterChef judged died aged 46 (Picture: Ten)
I canât stop thinking about Jock Zonfrilloâs children, his family. So many are plunged into deepest grief. My heart goes out to them. And I hope their wishes for privacy are respected.
Zonfrillo, who was confirmed as a judge on MasterChef Australia in 2019, is survived by his third wife Lauren Fried and four children.
He shares two teenage daughters, Ava and Sophia, from his first two marriages, and two children, Alife and Isla, with Lauren.
Lawson’s heartfelt words follow TV chefs Oliver and Ramsay paying tribute on social media.
The Hell’s Kitchen star wrote: ‘Saddened by the devastating news of Jock Zonfrillo’s passing. I truly enjoyed the time we spent together on MasterChef in Australia. Sending all my love to Lauren and the family in this difficult time Gx.’
Zonfrillo is survived by his wife Lauren and four children (Picture: Instagram)
Oliver uploaded a selfie with the late chef on Instagram and expressed his devastation.
‘I’m in total shock to wake up to the sudden death of chef Jock Zonfrillo,’ he penned.
‘We had the best time working together for this years master chef, I can’t tell how good it was to work with him ! Jock was very generous to me with his time and spirit in the show and for that I was really grateful…Mellisa, Andy & Jock work as the most inspiring judges and mentors and each have there very own unique view and style….’
He continued: ‘Jock will be so very missed…I can’t believe I’m writing this…….Sending heart felt love and condolences to all of his family, friends and his second family the master chef team and contestants xxx. Love jamie.’
Jamie Oliver shared his devastation with a selfie (Picture: Instagram)
On Monday, Victoria Police confirmed that Zonfrillo’s death wasn’t being treated as suspicious and said a coroner’s report was being prepared.
In a statement shared with Metro.co.uk, the force said: ‘Police will prepare a report for the coroner following the death of a man in Carlton.
‘Police attended an address for a welfare check and located a man deceased about 2am on 1 May. The 46-year-old man’s death is not being treated as suspicious.’
Zonfrillo’s family had earlier confirmed his death in a statement that said: ‘With completely shattered hearts and without knowing how we can possibly move through life without him, we are devastated to share that Jock passed away yesterday.’
They added: ‘So many words can describe him, so many stories can be told, but at this time we’re too overwhelmed to put them into words.
‘For those who crossed his path, became his mate, or were lucky enough to be his family, keep this proud Scot in your hearts when you have your next whisky.’
Shortly afterwards, MasterChef Australia, which was supposed to premiere its new season on Monday night, confirmed it would not air this week in the wake of Zonfrillo’s death.
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After taking on the domestic goddess in skits before, Munya decided to give it another go when putting together a delectable dessert that could very nearly have been created by Nigella.
In the one-minute video shared to social media, Munya took some creative licence when it came to Nigella’s style, opting wear a tight crop top and trackpants, as well as a tea towel over his head, which was either an interesting choice of accessory or a nod to her flowing locks.
As the video began, Nigella (Munya) was preoccupied looking at some shirtless photos of the young king and was a bit caught off guard when realising she was being watched.
Ever the consummate professional though, she quickly pivoted and put her focus into sharing her carefully crafted recipe.
The ‘Terrific Trifle’ to celebrate the coronation (which was slightly mispronounced in the same vein as microwave) was a saucy affair as Nigella explained that it must begin with a ‘sumptuous symphony of sponge fingers’.
While she explained they could be put on top, she explained that she found people ‘always respond well to a surprise finger in the bottom’ too.
In the skit he pretended to be domestic goddess Nigella (Picture: Munya Chawawa)
The next ingredients on the list were a ‘princely punnet of strawberries’ and then a ‘jubilant jug of jelly’.
At the same time as running through the recipe, some helpful subtitles suggested Nigella was ‘flirting in five a day’ and ‘defrosting [jelly] sexually’.
Finishing it all up, she said that people often debated which layer should go last.
Nigella has been the subject of several of Munya’s skits in the past (Picture: Kinetic Content/Kobal/REX)
‘My motto is you’ve never truly finished until you’ve creamed,’ she said, while seductively staring at the camera.
What dish would you make in honour of the monarch?Comment Now
The devilish dessert was promised to ‘even make his majesty come…to your street party’.
In the past Munya has played Nigella several times, which has included sharing her summer smoothie to get through the heatwave, as well as her apparent go-to Christmas dinner.
But while his skits have picked up plenty of fans, Munya also recently hit the small screen after playing King Charles recently.
Earlier this year Munya played him in Prince Andrew: The Musical, a casting choice he joked might have got royalists up in arms.
‘If people are angry about Meghan and Harry doing a documentary…,’ he teased when he was announced as part of the line-up.
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A special programme has aired in honour of late MasterChef Australia judge Jock Zonfrillo following his death aged 46.
Celebrity chefs including Jamie Oliver, Nigella Lawson and Marco Pierre White took part to pay tribute to him, with Gordon Ramsay being brought to tears as he remembered the beloved star.
Last week, Zonfrillo’s family released a statement describing their devastation over his shocking death, stating: ‘With completely shattered hearts and without knowing how we can possibly move through life without him, we are devastated to share that Jock passed away yesterday.’
On Sunday, a special episode of Australian TV programme The Project was released, in which several notable figures within the culinary entertainment industry paid homage to Zonfrillo’s memory.
Ramsay, 56, described Zonfrillo’s death as a ‘massive shock’, before wiping away tears.
Ramsay had to pause to wipe his eyes while speaking about his late friend (Picture: Getty/Twitter/@theprojecttv)
‘He was never done as a chef, he still had years to go,’ the Hell’s Kitchen star said, adding that spending time with his late friend on MasterChef had been ‘electrifying’.
‘Being in the environment together sort of took us back 20 years, there is something quite amazing about two Scots coming together in Australia, it makes you happy at the end of the day’ he said.
Ramsay added that there was ‘always something quite encouraging’ about everything that they’d been through ‘to get to where we’d been’.
Oliver, 47, remembered meeting Zonfrillo for the first time when he and his wife Jools Oliver went on a date at the very beginning of their relationship.
Oliver was seen in a photo with Zonfrillo on MasterChef Australia shortly before the judge’s death was announced (Picture: Instagram)
‘It was me and Jools’ first date weekend and we went there, and there he was, young Jock, 22-years-old, head chef with a beautiful menu and beautiful food,’ recalled.
‘I remember it because it was the first time I remember being spoiled by another chef. We’ve lost a very, very bright star.’
Lawson, 63, said that her ‘heart breaks’ for Zonfrllo’s children and family, as well as ‘everyone who loved him’.
Lawson was among those who paid tribute (Picture: Dan Wooller/Shutterstock)
‘There’s an old fashioned phrase here but may his memory be a blessing,’ she added.
White, 61, remembered Zonfrillo coming to him when he was 17 years old, recollecting how ‘his enthusiasm was greater than his knowledge’
‘But it was that enthusiasm which drove him, maybe fuelled by his fears of failure, by his insecurities, which I could relate to,’ he continued.
‘Very few chefs have an inquisitive mind, an intellectual mind and a creative mind. Originality is only original if you’re the first and Jock was the first at what he did, and people have followed him. That’s what makes him special, that’s what makes him rare.’
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He was joined on the sofa by Northern Ireland actor James Nesbitt and celebrity chef Nigella – however viewers were left fuming as they slammed his ‘bad manners’ towards the food writer.
As James chatted about his own upcoming project, Jason, who was sitting in the middle, leaned in to him and completely turned his back on Nigella.
Fans were quick to take to Twitter, aka X, to slam the behaviour, with one user, Lady Eileena, writing ‘how bad mannered … turning his back on Nigella, cutting her out of the conversation.’
User Chris noted the ‘awkward body language as Jason Momoa turns his back on Nigella… what’s that all about?’
Jason Momoa and Nigella Lawson on The One Show (Picture: BBC One)
Jason Momoa and Nigella Lawson on The One Show (Picture: BBC One)
Stephen Havard shared a screenshot from the episode and asked ‘what’s Nigella done to upset Jason Momoa then?’
‘Very rude body language by Jason Momoa, putting his back to Nigella,’ Ronan Lewis agreed, with Elizabeth Scott complaining ‘this Jason bloke is rude sitting with his back to Nigella.’
Jason was in London to promote the Aquaman sequel hitting cinemas later this month (Picture: Getty Images Europe)
And as one user put it: ‘Why is Jason Momoa pointedly sitting with his back to Nigella Lawson?’
It comes ahead of the release of Aquaman And The Lsot Kingdom, which sees Jason taking centre stage in his role as the titular superhero alongside Nicole Kidman as Atlanna and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as Black Manta.
Aquaman 2 follows Black Manta as he unleashes an ancient and malevolent force after failing to defeat Aquaman, who in turn forges an unlikely alliance with his brother Orm, the former king of Atlantis to save the world from destruction.
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is set for release on December 22.
The One Show airs weekdays from 7pm on BBC One.
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While it may sound unusual to some, it’s actually a long held tradition up north (Picture: Kinga Krzeminska)
If you’re eating your Christmas dessert with just a cup of tea for company, you’re doing it wrong — that is, according to the culinary queen herself, Nigella Lawson.
While there’s nothing quite like tucking into a huge slice of Christmas cake or a homemade mince pie a couple of hours after Christmas dinner, Nigella believes that half the country is going wrong by not pairing these traditional puddings with a certain side dish: a slice of cheese.
Fancy making your own Christmas cake this year? Nigella shared an easy recipe on her website.
What you’ll need:
775 grams best-quality mixed dried fruit
175 grams unsalted butter
250 grams dark brown muscovado sugar
1 x 250 grams tin sweetened chestnut puree
125 millilitres dark rum
juice and zest of 1 orange
zest of 1 lemon
3 large eggs (beaten)
250 grams plain flour
½ teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon cinnamon
¼ teaspoon ground cloves
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
Method:
Preheat the oven to gas mark 2/150°C/130°C Fan/300°F (though you might prefer to do this after the fruits and so forth have started bubbling in their pan).
Line the sides and bottom of a deep 20cm / 8-inch round cake tin with a double layer of greaseproof paper (parchment paper). The greaseproof should be higher than the sides of the tin.
Wrap a double layer of brown paper (the kind used for parcels) around the outside of the tin, tying it with string. The paper should be double the height of the tin, and this gives an extra layer of insulation for the cake so that it cooks slowly. If you don’t have any brown paper, it is not absolutely necessary, but it will keep the cake from becoming too dark around the sides and top.
Put the dried fruit, butter, sugar, chestnut purée or spread, rum and orange juice and zests into a large wide saucepan and bring to the boil gently, stirring as the butter melts. Simmer the mixture for 10 minutes, and then take it off the heat and leave to stand for 30 minutes, by which time the fruits will have been soused and the mixture cooled slightly.
Now, add the beaten eggs, flour, baking powder and spices and stir to combine.
Pour the fruit cake mixture very carefully into the prepared cake tin.
Place in the oven and bake for 1¾–2 hours, by which time the top of the cake should be firm and dry and will have cracked a little. If you insert a cake tester into the middle of the cake it will still come out a little sticky.
Put the cake on a cooling rack and take off the brown paper from around the outside of the tin. It will hold its heat and take a long while to cool, but once it has cooled completely, unmould it from the tin and wrap the cake well in a layer of greaseproof paper and then foil until you want to decorate it.
The cake will keep for a couple of months well wrapped and in a cool dark place. If you want a more boozy offering you can feed the cake with 3 tablespoons more rum as soon as it gets out of the oven. That’s to say, pierce the top of the cake several times with a fine skewer, spoon over the rum and let it sink in.
‘You want something sharp and crumbly,’ she said.
And Yorkshire folk online have confirmed that this is indeed a winning combination and in fact, not much of a revelation, with user Ruth Maxwell-Hudson saying it’s been ‘normal forever’.
‘The people of Yorkshire are responsible for many great things, but none greater than this,’ added Doulgas Hardie.
‘Christmas cake and Wensleydale,’ said Sarah Tyler. ‘A compulsory combination for me, it’s gorgeous.’
But, not everyone is on board. ‘Not convinced,’ wrote Gareth Douce.
‘Nope why ruin a nice Christmas cake with cheese,’ wrote Elaine James.
So whether you’re from the North, South – or the Midlands – which side are you on?
And this year’s Christmas special proved to be just as iconic.
Nigella took BBC viewers to Amsterdam for the special episode, which saw her shaking cocktails, cheese tasting and baking Speculaas.
Along the way, she delivered her classic one-liners and innuendos, including demonstrating her ‘very useful nut bashing bag’.
Elsewhere, as she rolled out the Speculaas dough, she mentioned her drag queen name.
And it’s sent the internet wild.
Nigella Lawson delivered her classic innuendos, and viewers were loving it (Picture: BBC Studios,Jay Brooks)
‘My Speculaas dough has rested, as have I, so before I roll it out, I’m going to give this slab a bit of a dusting with my magic wand, or perhaps it’s a bit more of a seasonal sceptre,’ she began.
Opening out the dough, she then said: ‘Let’s unwrap this fat patty – my Drag name.’
‘Boy I love @Nigella_Lawson I want one of those flour dusting wands and her rolling out the dough “my drag name #fatpatty” she’s defo an ally – LOVE HER,’ viewers @steviewhitehead wrote.
‘A comedy genius’ (Picture: BBC Studios,Jay Brooks)
‘”Fat patty… my drag name” – comedy genius from @Nigella_Lawson,’ @Chauders0117 agreed.
‘OMG, I’m crying with laughter at what you just said “fat patty”, my drag name hahaha,’ @Lamplight69 said.
Another viewer @itskeithriley echoed: ‘”Fat patty, my drag name” – @Nigella_Lawson is utterly joyful.’
âFat patty, my drag nameâ – @Nigella_Lawson is utterly joyful
Boy I love @Nigella_Lawson I want one of those flour dusting wands and her rolling out the dough âmy drag name #fatpatty â ð sheâs defo an ally – LOVE HER
Meanwhile, others were left questioning where to buy Nigella’s ‘magic wand’, after seeing her use it dust flour, while others couldn’t ignore the innuendo.
One viewer @mikedgratton wrote on X: ‘@Nigella_Lawson loves her magic wand eh…? It’s almost a Mickrowarve moment!’
@ashleyking1985 added: ‘Just turned the TV onto BBC1 to Nigella talking about baking parchment and how she loves her ‘magic wand’.’
Nigella’s Amsterdam Christmas is available to watch on BBCiPlayer.
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When making her No-Bake Advocaat and Ginger Cake, Nigella said she had some macadamias ready to go for the recipe in what she dubbed her ‘nut-bashing bag’.
Simply putting the nuts into a zip-lock bag, Nigella took a rolling pin and started smashing the nuts as she said: ‘Bash, bash, very useful!’
Not missing her chance, she looked up at the camera, smiled, and declared: ‘We all need an outlet for Christmas.’
Nigella Lawson has sent fans wild during her latest Christmas special (Picture: BBC)
People watching on at home were understandably obsessed.
‘“I have some macadamias in my nut bashing bag” – I am screaming. Go on Nigella,’ one person posted on X.
‘And the double entendres continue lol,’ someone else shared.
Another added: ‘My husband and son are enjoying naughty Nigella especially with her nut bashing bag.’
Many viewers were obsessed with her ‘nut bashing bag’ (Picture: X)
She provided plenty of entertainment (Picture: X)
This person said the special showed Nigella at her ‘absolute best’ (Picture: X)
However this viewer had one annoyance (Picture: X)
At different points in the special, fans went wild with other comments, including when Nigella insisted on visiting a sweet shop because ‘my liquorice box needs a restock’.
‘The toolbox full of liquorice has fully sent me over the edge, I can’t stop laughing,’ someone explained.
The blanket bars were eye-opening to see prepped (Picture: BBC)
Even just seeing one of her dishes was an eye-opening experience for some, with Nigella’s blanket bars (almond paste encased in puff pastry) needing some extra work after coming out of the oven.
‘You’ll see that some of the paste has popped out, but you can just press it back in,’ she advised.
‘WOAAHHHH there she goes!’ someone posted.
Will you be recreating any of Nigella’s recipes?Comment Now
Ahead of the special hitting screens, Nigella explained how her unique descriptions come from ‘fear filling the silence’.
‘I think often in cooking, metaphor is a better conveyor of taste and texture, which in a way, are not that easily pinpointed in concrete words – because it’s an atmosphere, or the connotations a particular taste might have,’ she told The Independent.
Nigella recently said she just ‘waffled on’ when the camera was on her (Picture: BBC)
‘But as you can tell, I just waffle on until someone stops me.’
However sometimes even she gets caught off guard by her comments.
‘I don’t have a script, so when Dom Cyriax, my director, says action, I just start blabbering. I have an idea of certain things I need to say in terms of the cooking, but I’m not always sure beyond that.
‘Sometimes I think, “why did that come out? Why did that happen?”. But it does.’
Nigella’s Amsterdam Christmas is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
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And after being made into a meme, she’s now admitted she’s too self-conscious to say it like that anymore.
Speaking on BBC Breakfast today, Nigella admitted that she doesn’t call a microwave the ‘mee-cro-wah-vay’ anymore.
She said: ‘I wasn’t quite aware I’d said it because that’s what I’d call it at home.
‘What’s quite interesting is that a lot of people got in touch with me to tell me what their family mispronunciations are, because so many families do have that.’
Nigella Lawson can’t even pronounce microwave in her special way these days (Picture: BBC Studios / Jay Brookes)
Despite the fan-mail, Nigella won’t say it anymore.
‘It’s made me quite self-conscious now,’ she said.
Opening out some Speculaas dough, she’d said: ‘Let’s unwrap this fat patty – my Drag name.’
‘Boy I love @Nigella_Lawson I want one of those flour dusting wands and her rolling out the dough “my drag name #fatpatty” she’s defo an ally – LOVE HER,’ viewers @steviewhitehead wrote.
‘OMG, I’m crying with laughter at what you just said “fat patty”, my drag name hahaha,’ @Lamplight69 said.
Another viewer @itskeithriley echoed: ‘”Fat patty, my drag name” – @Nigella_Lawson is utterly joyful.’
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Paying tribute on social media, food writer and TV cook Nigella, 63, said: ‘I’m heartbroken to hear this. So cruel.’
Oscar-winning actress Gwyneth, 51, was also among those who replied to the Granger family’s online statement.
‘Oh my goodness, this is so heartbreaking! Love to you all,’ she wrote.
Remembering Granger, Hollywood actor Hugh, 55, wrote on his Instagram Stories in a joint tribute with ex-wife Deborra-Lee Furness: ‘We are devastated to hear the news of Bill’s passing.
‘His talent, his joie de vivre, the way he brought people together, and his commitment to family were inspiring.’
Granger died surrounded by his wife and three daughters (Picture: PA)
‘We will miss his friendship most of all. Our love goes out to Natalie and their three incredible daughters Edie, Ines and Bunny.’
British TV chef Jamie Oliver, 48, paid tribute to Granger on social media and said the news of his death was ‘devastating.’
He said: ‘This is devastating news, I’m so sad to hear this, what a guy he was… a wonderful human, kind calm soul….’
‘I admired everything he represented in food, I remember the first time I met him many moons ago he couldn’t have been nicer and his food so good…’
Granger founded multiple restaurants including Granger & Co in London (Picture: Instagram)
Nigella said she was heartbroken to learn of Granger’s death (Picture: Dan Wooller/REX/Shutterstock)
Hugh and Deborra-Lee made a joint statement paying tribute to Granger (Picture: Kevin Mazur/WireImage)
Actor Richard E Grant shared a row of heartbreak emojis while Australian singer and actor Jason Donovan dubbed Granger a ‘ray of Aussie sunshine.’
Granger founded his first restaurant, called Bills, which gained recognition for its breakfast dishes, specifically scrambled eggs, in the Sydney suburb of Darlinghurst.
He opened several more across his native Australia and later brought the franchise to Japan.
In the UK, Granger established his first Granger & Co restaurant in Notting Hill before expanding across the capital in locations including King’s Cross.
Gwyneth also shared her condolences on social media (Picture: Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic)
Jamie described Granger as a ‘wonderful human, kind calm soul’ (Picture: ITV/REX/Shutterstock)
On TV, Granger fronted six-part series, Bill’s Food, which was aired on the BBC, and also appeared on GMTV for a barbeque special in 2006.
He later helmed Bill’s Holiday, which featured Granger’s travels exploring the varying regions and produce of Australia, and Bill’s Kitchen: Notting Hill.
In 2019 he was among the chefs, including Tom Kerridge and Prue Leith, sharing the secrets behind the dishes that had shaped their lives in the documentary series My Greatest Dishes.
Announcing his death, Granger’s family wrote on Instagram: ‘It is with great sadness that the family of Bill Granger announce he has passed away on 25th December at the age of 54.
‘A dedicated husband and father, Bill died peacefully in hospital with his wife Natalie Elliott and three daughters, Edie, Ines and Bunny, at his bedside in their adopted home of London.
‘Born in Melbourne, Australia, Bill was a self-taught cook who became a celebrated global restaurateur and food writer with a career spanning over 30 years.’
The statement published on Boxing Day added: ‘He will be deeply missed by all, with his loss most profoundly felt by his adored family, who are grateful for all the love and support that has been given.’
Granger is survived by his wife Natalie Elliott and three daughters, Edie, Inès and Bunny.
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Prue Leith’s replacement could be any iconic chef… (Picture: Channel 4)
Sad news for fans of The Great British Bake Off as judge Dame Prue Leith will be stepping away from the beloved baking competition.
The 84-year-old chef won’t be returning for this year’s celebrity version of the show, wanting to take time to enjoy her other hobbies.
She has been a judge on the popular Channel 4 show since 2017 alongside Paul Hollywood who has been a part of it since its inception in 2010.
Reassuring us all, her representative shared a statement from her on Metro.co.uk: ‘I absolutely love working on Bake Off and am looking forward to filming the next series and meeting our new bakers.
‘I am only stepping back from the Celebrity series, which is just a question of the filming commitment involved as we make these shows back to back.’
Prue famously took over from Mary Berry when the show moved to Channel 4 so naturally there is already speculation about who could step into her shoes.
She’s only leaving for the Celebrity version don’t panic! (Picture: Mark Bourdillon)
Nigella Lawson
Nigella Lawson could bring her microwavé talents to Bake Off (Picture: BBC Studios / Jay Brooks)
The legendary Nigella Lawson is in the running to take over Prue’s slot, which is made more likely as it is the celebrity version, not a full-time gig.
The 64-year-old — yes Nigella is 64 — has been a staple of British TV since the 00s and she even worked with Channel 4 for her debut show Nigella Bites.
Flexing her judging muscles, she has been down under working on My Kitchen Rules as well as stints on MasterChef Australia but Bake Off could bring her home.
Ravneet Gill
Junior Bake Off judge Ravneet Gill has replaced Prue before (Picture: Dave Benett/Getty Images)
Pastry chef Ravneet Gill will be familiar to any diehard GBBO fans as she has judged Junior Bake Off since 2020.
She joined the cast in season six, after none other than Prue exited, having judged for one season.
The 32-year-old author is popular with viewers as she bounces off fellow judge and former Bake Off contestant Liam Charles.
While she may not have the celebrity status of some other chefs, she certainly has the know-how in the famous tent to step into Prue’s shoes.
Nadiya Hussain
We love Nadiya Hussain, enough said (Picture: BBC/Bake Off)
It’s been almost a decade since she charmed the British public with her perfect cakes and unforgettable iced buns in the sixth series.
Since then she was chosen to cook for the 90th birthday celebrations of Queen Elizabeth II and has regularly appeared as a panellist on Loose Women.
As a former contestant, the Nadiya’s Family Favourites star would understand the pressures of the show like nobody else and could bring more culturally diverse challenges, which have been a weak point in the tent.
Lorraine Pascale
Could bake off tempt Lorraine Pascale back to the UK? (Picture: Max Cisotti/Dave Benett/Getty Images)
Model, actress, author, and baker — there’s not much Lorraine Pascale can’t do.
The My Kitchen Rules judge began her career after being spotted by model scouts who found Naomi Campbell but after appearing in Robbie Williams’ Millenium music video she moved into cooking.
From 2007 to 2012, Lorraine, 51, had her own bakery in London named Ella’s Bakehouse after her daughter.
She relocated to the US to work on the Food Network and was a mentor on Worst Bakers in America but has not reappeared on the channel since Covid.
Candice Brown
Lipstick queen Candice Brown could return to judge (Picture: David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images)
The former PE teacher won over fans on her season with bold lipsticks and a cheery personality.
Since then, the 39-year-old has made a name for herself by cooking regularly on ITV’s popular breakfast show, This Morning.
She also branched away from baking with run on Dancing On Ice in 2018 then a celebrity special of Mastermind the following year, which she won with her specialist subject Audrey Hepburn.
Delia Smith
Delia Smith would be utterly iconic (Picture: Stephen Pond/Getty Images)
Okay, we’ll admit this is a long shot as Delia Smith publicly retired from cooking shows in 2013 but it’s not impossible… we believe.
The 82-year-old chef was credited with boosting egg sales in the UK with her Delia’s How to Cook series, dubbed the Delia Effect.
How much more iconic could you get than bringing the TV chef out of retirement for a special Bake Off series?
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Nigella Lawson fans have branded a recipe including a controversial ingredient ‘posh culinary jackanory.’
The TV chef, 64, divided Saturday Kitchen viewers when she whipped up her spin on the Bangladeshi dish bhorta and added comfort food classic, fish fingers.
On X, some fans expressed disgust over Nigella’s creation, with @JustynBarnes writing: ‘Love you, Nigella, but this is your worst idea ever. One never mashes fish fingers. Ever. #SaturdayKitchen.’
Agreeing with their sentiment, @viewfromtheloo3 fumed: ‘Posh culinary jackanory on #SaturdayKitchen today.’
However, some BBC viewers gave the dish their seal of approval and liked the idea of munching on ‘fishfinger mash.’
As @Booneyboone on X put it: ‘Fishfinger mash? And this is why we love Nigella #saturdaykitchen.’
The addition of fish fingers in the bhorta divided viewers (Picture: BBC)
One fan said the inclusion of fish fingers was the ‘worst idea ever’ (Picture: BBC)
Nigella tucked into her fish finger bhorta during a segment on Saturday Kitchen (Picture: BBC)
We think the finished dish looks pretty delicious (Picture: BBC)
Personally, we think that bhorta, mashed up vegetables with herbs and spices, with the extra addition of fish fingers sounds delightful as they elevate any dish.
2 red chillies, seeds removed, if preferred, and thinly sliced
1 tbsp finely grated fresh root ginger
2 large garlic cloves, crushed or grated
2 tbsp English mustard
2 tsp sea salt flakes (or 1 tsp fine sea salt)
125g/4½oz young spinach
1 lime, juice only
3 tbsp roughly chopped fresh coriander, plus more to garnish (optional)
Method
Make your pink-pickled onions as far in advance as you can: at least 2 hours and up to 24 hours. Place the red onion in a jar with a lid, or simply into a bowl that you can cover. Pour over the red wine vinegar (or lime juice), pressing down on the onions until they are all just immersed. Put the lid on the jar or cover your bowl, and leave the onions to steep.
When you’re ready to make the bhorta, preheat the oven to 220C/200C Fan/Gas 7. Put the fish fingers on a baking tray and cook for approximately 20–25 minutes, which may be slightly longer than the packet directs, but ensures the breadcrumb coating is really crisp.
Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large frying pan (I use a wok-shaped stir-fry pan). Cook the onions over a medium–low heat for 20 minutes, stirring regularly, until pale gold and soft. Add the chillies and cook for 3 minutes, stirring all the while. Stir in the ginger and garlic and cook, still stirring, for another 2 minutes. Spoon in the mustard and salt, stirring to combine. Add the spinach and allow to wilt in the pan for 2–3 minutes, stirring regularly, then squeeze in the lime juice.
Take the pan off the heat while you get the fish fingers. Break them up a bit with a spatula and then add to the pan. Toss everything together, breaking them up further and mashing them into the pan, then sprinkle over the coriander.
Serve topped with the pink-pickled onions and extra coriander, if wished.
During her last Christmas special, viewers were thrilled when she had some macadamias ready to go in her ‘nut-bashing bag’ for her no-bake advocaat and ginger cake.
‘Oh the double entendres are glorious tonight. #NigellasAmsterdamChristmas,’ @SannyEmmy exclaimed on X after watching the episode.
Everyone was also in hysterics when Nigella spectacularly mispronounced a microwave as a ‘mee-cro-wah-vey’ becoming a much-shared meme in the process.
Some fans praised Nigella for her unique creation (Picture: BBC)
Love you, Nigella, but this is your worst idea ever. One never mashes fish fingers. Ever. #SaturdayKitchen
However, in December, Nigella sadly admitted she no longer calls the household appliance a ‘mee-cro-wah-vey’ any more.
She said on BBC Breakfast: ‘I wasn’t quite aware I’d said it because that’s what I’d call it at home.
‘What’s quite interesting is that a lot of people got in touch with me to tell me what their family mispronunciations are, because so many families do have that.’
Nigella continued: ‘It’s made me quite self-conscious now. I tend to refer to it as the you-know-what now.’
Saturday Kitchen airs from 10am on BBC One and Player.
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Other recipients include Strictly Come Dancing icon Amy Dowden, Countdown long-timer Susie Dent, TV writer Armando Iannucci, former footballers Graeme Souness and Karen Carney, and Duran Duran singer and songwriter Simon Le Bon.
But down the years, several celebrities have turned down the esteemed honours offered to them, and for a number of reasons.
Whether they felt as though they didn’t deserve the honours, or because they held anti-monarchist beliefs, several big showbiz names have said ‘No’ when presented with the Queen’s or King’s birthday honours.
Alan Cumming
Alan Cumming gave back his OBE after being initially awarded one in 2009 (Picture: Getty)
Alan Cumming received an OBE in 2009, saying he was ‘incredibly grateful’ to be honoured for services to acting and the work he does for LGBT rights in the US.
He said in a statement: ‘I was incredibly grateful to receive it in the 2009 Queen’s birthday honours list, for it was awarded not just for my job as an actor but for activism for equal rights for the gay and lesbian community, USA.’
But, he added: ‘The Queen’s death and the ensuing conversations about the role of monarchy and especially the way the British Empire profited at the expense (and death) of indigenous peoples across the world really opened my eyes.’
‘So I returned my award, explained my reasons and reiterated my great gratitude for being given it in the first place. I’m now back to being plain old Alan Cumming again.’
Michael Sheen
Michael Sheen was also originally handed an OBE in 2009 (Picture: Getty)
Much like Alan Cumming, Michael Sheen was also awarded an OBE in 2009. However, he too gave his OBE back after consideration in later years.
At the time, Michael said that he believed his home nation of Wales should be independent from the United Kingdom and that he disagreed with Prince William being made the Prince of Wales.
He told political writer and pundit Owen Jones: ‘I [researched] a lot about Welsh history. I’m still standing at the foothills of an understanding of all that, but that was a crash course.
‘I remember sitting there going, “Well, I have a choice. I either don’t give this lecture and hold on to my OBE or I give this lecture and I have to give my OBE back”. I wanted to still give the lecture so I gave my OBE back.’
He insisted that handing the award back hadn’t meant to be rude or disrespectful, and that he was ‘incredibly honoured’ to have received his OBE in the first place.
Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders
‘We didn’t deserve a pat on the back. It felt a bit fake.’ (Picture: Getty)
Comedy duo Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders were bothered offered OBEs in 2001 for their services to comedy and drama.
However, the pair turned the honours down, with Jennifer later explaining: ‘If I felt I deserved a damehood I’d accept it. At the time, we felt that we were being paid very well to have a lot of fun. It didn’t seem right somehow.’
She continued: ‘We didn’t deserve a pat on the back. It felt a bit fake to stand alongside people who devoted their lives to truly worthy causes.’
David Bowie
David Bowie turned down two offers in the Queen’s birthday honours list (Picture: Julian Makey/REX/Shutterstock)
Before his death in 2016, David Bowie turned down not one but two honours from the Queen – first a CBE in 2000, then a knighthood in 2003.
Speaking to The Sun in the aftermath, he told them: ‘I would never have any intention of accepting anything like that. I seriously don’t know what it’s for.
He also spoke about Sir Mick Jagger accepting a knighthood: ‘It’s not what I spent my life working for. It’s not my place to make a judgement on [Mick] Jagger, it’s his decision. But it’s just not for me.’
Living in the USA at the time, Bowie chose not to express his views on the monarchy.
George Harrison
George Harrison turned down an OBE a year before he died (Picture: Getty)
In 1997, George Harrison’s fellow Beatles bandmate Sir Paul McCartney accepted a knighthood, while Harrison rejected an OBE he was given.
Harrison died a year later from complications with cancer at the age of 58. In 2018, Sir Ringo Starr accepted his knighthood, becoming the second Beatle to receive such an honour.
Ray Connolly, a journalist who knew The Beatles at points during their career, told the Mail: ‘Whoever decided to offer [Harrison] the OBE and not the knighthood was extraordinarily insensitive. He would have felt insulted.’
Nigella Lawson
Nigella responded: ‘I’m not saving lives’ (Picture: FilmMagic)
Nigella Lawson has spent years endearing herself to the public thanks to her brilliant recipes and her brilliant pronunciation of the word ‘microwave’.
However, she wasn’t interested in accepting an OBE in 2001, turning down the offer and giving an explanation similar to Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders.
She said at the time: ‘I’m not saving lives and I’m not doing anything other than something I absolutely love.’
Celebrities who turned down honours
George the Poet
Danny Boyle
Benjamin Zephaniah
Skepta
Paul Weller
Ken Loach
Vanessa Redgrave
Martin Amis
John Cleese
Brian Eno
Roald Dahl
Stephen Hawking
Jon Snow
LS Lowry
John Lennon
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However, she has reconsidered some of the more tongue-in-cheek titles of past recipes due to changing slang.
The 61-year-old shares a daily recipe on Twitter from her back catalogue of cookbooks, and recently posted the recipe for Ruby Red Raspberries in Chardonnay Jelly.
She tweeted: ‘#RecipeOfTheDay is a dream of a dessert, and so easy to make. If you’ve never tried home-made jelly before, now’s your chance: Ruby Red Raspberries in Chardonnay Jelly for the win!’
While the picture of the dessert got tummies rumbling, a handful of followers noticed that the raspberry and jelly concoction was previously called ‘Slut Red Raspberries in Chardonnay Jelly’ when first published in Nigella’s 2002 cookbook Forever Summer.
I feel that the word has taken on a coarser, more cruel connotation, and Iâm not happy with that
One person asked: ‘Wonderful recipe (as always!) but it makes me wonder what has happened to this country when we can’t even call that recipe by its hilarious original name. What has happened to our free speech, humour and a sense fun? I love your turn of phrase Nigella!’
Nigella responded: ‘I feel that the word has taken on a coarser, more cruel connotation, and I’m not happy with that.’
She also addressed the name change on her website, writing: ‘This recipe has had a slight name change, but is the same dessert of dreams: the wine-soused raspberries take on a stained glass, lucent red, their very raspberriness enhanced; the soft, translucently pale coral just-set jelly in which they sit has a heady, floral fragrance that could make a grateful eater weep.’
The raspberry dessert isn’t the only one of Nigella’s recipes to get a title tweak.
The writer and chef has published 14 cookbooks (Picture: Dave Benett/Getty Images)
Earlier this month, the star posted a recipe for ‘Slattern’s Spaghetti’, her version of pasta alla puttanesca, which is usually translated to ‘whore’s spaghetti’.
Nigella explained on her website: ‘Although you will often see its Italian name explained as meaning “whore’s pasta” in English, the general consensus seems to be, however, that this is the sort of dish cooked by slatterns who don’t go to market to get their ingredients fresh, but are happy to use stuff out of cans and jars.
‘I recently had a Twitter conversation with one Jim Hewitt about the new name for this and I gratefully end with this fabulous message of his: “On those days when my mum couldn’t be bothered to brush her hair and cooked dinner using whatever was in the cupboard she would say: ‘Hush. I’m slatterning!’”This is perfect for a slatterning day.’
Since her first book How to Eat: Pleasures and Principles of Good Food was published in 1998, Nigella has published a further 13 cookbooks, most recently Nigella’s Cook, Eat, Repeat, which was released last year.
She joined the eighth series of the show as a guest judge, alongside the returning judges, before returning to the show for the tenth series in 2018 and the eleventh series in 2019.
Nigella and her mee-cro-wah-vay became instantly iconic (Picture: BBC)
During the chat, she addressed her famous mee-cro-wah-vay moment when asked if she had any more fun words she uses around the house.
Nigella shared: ‘I have other words I use, you know how all families have those words.
‘If I get some new appliance I have to read the destructions… if I’m going to meet someone, I have to text them to say I’m en-croute.’
She revealed she ‘wasn’t even aware I’d said that out loud’ and explained: ‘I would say that at home, when I did it, it’s just a joke, mispronouncing words.
‘You can end up speaking in a language that is a bit of a bonkers side!
‘That was filmed in a brief window in lockdown so I can’t be held accountable for the state of my mind then,’ Nigella laughed.
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