Annie Mac revealed her obscure pronunciation of the word ‘kneading’ during Celebrity Bake Off on Tuesday night and we’ll never say it the same way again.
The DJ and podcaster, who was among the stars competing in the Stand Up To Cancer charity special, joined the likes of Ed Gamble, Example, and Matt Lucas in the tent.
For the technical challenge, the contestants were tasked with making six identical raspberry doughnuts, and Annie was keen to hammer her dough by ‘nedding’ it.
‘Maybe I should do a bit more nedding,’ Annie said. Talking viewers through the process, she continued: ‘You’re trying to get more air into it, so it’s less dense.
‘The only way you do that is by nedding it.’
Annie Mac wanted to get on with ‘nedding’ her dough (Picture: Channel 4)
Presenter Noel Fielding was rather amused by Annie’s unique take on the word and confronted her about it.
‘Word on the street is that instead of kneading dough you keep saying “nedding” dough,’ he said.
‘Just because I don’t know the baking lingo!’ Annie retorted.
Annie shrugged her pronunciation off saying she didn’t know baking lingo (Picture: Channel 4)
Nigella and her ‘microwavé’ became instantly iconic last year (Picture: BBC)
‘In my opinion, it’s an upgrade,’ Noel replied. ‘Don’t let anyone else tell you otherwise.’
It’s safe to say viewers were a little stunned by Annie’s pronounciation, with one writing: ‘Wait, Annie Mac pronounces “kneading” nedding?’
Others, however, were quick to share gifs of The Simpsons character Ned Flounders.
Each year, The Great Celebrity Stand Up To Cancer sees a host of celebrity bakers head to the tent, in an attempt to raise some money and cause some chaos in the kitchen.
Wait, Annie Mac pronounces âkneadingâ âneddingâ? #GBBO
Other stars putting their baking skills to the test include comedian and creator of Taskmaster Alex Horne, TV presenter Emma Willis, and choirmaster Gareth Malone.
Also hoping to impress the judges are actor and author Ben Miller, The Inbetweeners star Blake Harrison, and TV and radio presenter Clara Amfo.
Former Coronation Street actress Katherine Kelly, TV presenter Laura Whitmore, writer and comedian Mawaan Rizwan, TV star Ruby Wax, TV presenter Sophie Morgan, Friday Night Dinner’s Tracy-Ann Oberman and musician Yung Filly complete the line-up.
Great Celebrity Bake Off for Stand Up To Cancer 2022 returns Tuesday at 8pm on Channel 4.
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The TV chef was seen arm in arm with the entrepreneur (Picture: David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images)
Nigella Lawson has been spotted walking arm in arm with entrepreneur, Alex Fane.
The pair were pictured sharing a roadside picnic together and walked arm in arm in casual outfits back to her car.
Dressed down in a navy gilet, white T-shirt and trainers, events and production mogul Alex pulled the TV chef in close as they shared a giggle.
Eating sandwiches on a quaint picnic table, Nigella looked radiant in a polka dot maxi-dress, black shades and cross-body bag.
Celebrity chef and ‘mee-cro-wah-vay’ queen Nigella, 62, shares two children; Cosima Thomasina, 26, and Bruno Paul, 24, from her relationship with first husband John Diamond.
Nigella cosied up to entrepreneur Alex Fane (Picture: SplashNews.com)
The pair shared a picnic before walking back to her car (Picture: SplashNews.com)
Meeting at The Sunday Times where they both worked in 1986, the journalist died of throat cancer in March 2001 at just 47 years old while his wife was filming Nigella Bites.
The couple were married for nine years after tying the knot in Venice in 1992.
Two years after her first husband’s death, Nigella married art collector Charles Saatchi in September 2003.
Married for 10 years, the famous relationship was renowned for being tumultuous and ended in an extremely public divorce in 2013.
Nigella looked radiant in a polka dot dress (Picture: SplashNews.com)
The pair looked relaxed in each other’s company (Picture: SplashNews.com)
The art expert is now in a relationship with fashion stylist Trinny Woodall.
Since her last marriage, TV chef Nigella has been tight-lipped when it came to her romantic life, with fans left wondering whether she was dating or not.
The famous foodie is currently on a 16-city US tour to promote her new book Cook, Eat, Repeat: Ingredients, Recipes and Stories.
Her 12th cookbook landed on US shelves in April 2021 and now she is showing up in person to deliver ‘the rhythms and rituals of life spent in the kitchen.’
Nigella Lawson’s representatives declined to comment when approached by Metro.co.uk.
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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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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.
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?
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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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 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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King Charles revealed his Birthday Honours List in June (Picture: EPA)
Becoming a Sir or Dame is a bucket list dream for many A-list celebrities, many of who have proudly flocked to Royal palaces to receive their medals from the late Queen Elizabeth II, King Charles III or Prince William.
However, not every star is rushing through the gates of Buckingham Palace to claim their honour.
King Charles revealed his most recent Birthday Honours List in June, with former PM Gordon Brown, subpostmaster Alan Bates, and actress Imelda Staunton among those named.
Other recipients included 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 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 both 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)
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
This story was first published on June 15, 2024.
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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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Annie Mac revealed her obscure pronunciation of the word ‘kneading’ during Celebrity Bake Off on Tuesday night and we’ll never say it the same way again.
The DJ and podcaster, who was among the stars competing in the Stand Up To Cancer charity special, joined the likes of Ed Gamble, Example, and Matt Lucas in the tent.
For the technical challenge, the contestants were tasked with making six identical raspberry doughnuts, and Annie was keen to hammer her dough by ‘nedding’ it.
‘Maybe I should do a bit more nedding,’ Annie said. Talking viewers through the process, she continued: ‘You’re trying to get more air into it, so it’s less dense.
‘The only way you do that is by nedding it.’
Annie Mac wanted to get on with ‘nedding’ her dough (Picture: Channel 4)
Presenter Noel Fielding was rather amused by Annie’s unique take on the word and confronted her about it.
‘Word on the street is that instead of kneading dough you keep saying “nedding” dough,’ he said.
‘Just because I don’t know the baking lingo!’ Annie retorted.
Annie shrugged her pronunciation off saying she didn’t know baking lingo (Picture: Channel 4)
Nigella and her ‘microwavé’ became instantly iconic last year (Picture: BBC)
‘In my opinion, it’s an upgrade,’ Noel replied. ‘Don’t let anyone else tell you otherwise.’
It’s safe to say viewers were a little stunned by Annie’s pronounciation, with one writing: ‘Wait, Annie Mac pronounces “kneading” nedding?’
Others, however, were quick to share gifs of The Simpsons character Ned Flounders.
Each year, The Great Celebrity Stand Up To Cancer sees a host of celebrity bakers head to the tent, in an attempt to raise some money and cause some chaos in the kitchen.
Wait, Annie Mac pronounces âkneadingâ âneddingâ? #GBBO
Other stars putting their baking skills to the test include comedian and creator of Taskmaster Alex Horne, TV presenter Emma Willis, and choirmaster Gareth Malone.
Also hoping to impress the judges are actor and author Ben Miller, The Inbetweeners star Blake Harrison, and TV and radio presenter Clara Amfo.
Former Coronation Street actress Katherine Kelly, TV presenter Laura Whitmore, writer and comedian Mawaan Rizwan, TV star Ruby Wax, TV presenter Sophie Morgan, Friday Night Dinner’s Tracy-Ann Oberman and musician Yung Filly complete the line-up.
Great Celebrity Bake Off for Stand Up To Cancer 2022 returns Tuesday at 8pm on Channel 4.
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The TV chef was seen arm in arm with the entrepreneur (Picture: David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images)
Nigella Lawson has been spotted walking arm in arm with entrepreneur, Alex Fane.
The pair were pictured sharing a roadside picnic together and walked arm in arm in casual outfits back to her car.
Dressed down in a navy gilet, white T-shirt and trainers, events and production mogul Alex pulled the TV chef in close as they shared a giggle.
Eating sandwiches on a quaint picnic table, Nigella looked radiant in a polka dot maxi-dress, black shades and cross-body bag.
Celebrity chef and ‘mee-cro-wah-vay’ queen Nigella, 62, shares two children; Cosima Thomasina, 26, and Bruno Paul, 24, from her relationship with first husband John Diamond.
Nigella cosied up to entrepreneur Alex Fane (Picture: SplashNews.com)
The pair shared a picnic before walking back to her car (Picture: SplashNews.com)
Meeting at The Sunday Times where they both worked in 1986, the journalist died of throat cancer in March 2001 at just 47 years old while his wife was filming Nigella Bites.
The couple were married for nine years after tying the knot in Venice in 1992.
Two years after her first husband’s death, Nigella married art collector Charles Saatchi in September 2003.
Married for 10 years, the famous relationship was renowned for being tumultuous and ended in an extremely public divorce in 2013.
Nigella looked radiant in a polka dot dress (Picture: SplashNews.com)
The pair looked relaxed in each other’s company (Picture: SplashNews.com)
The art expert is now in a relationship with fashion stylist Trinny Woodall.
Since her last marriage, TV chef Nigella has been tight-lipped when it came to her romantic life, with fans left wondering whether she was dating or not.
The famous foodie is currently on a 16-city US tour to promote her new book Cook, Eat, Repeat: Ingredients, Recipes and Stories.
Her 12th cookbook landed on US shelves in April 2021 and now she is showing up in person to deliver ‘the rhythms and rituals of life spent in the kitchen.’
Nigella Lawson’s representatives declined to comment when approached by Metro.co.uk.
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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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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.
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?
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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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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