British celebrity chef Jamie Oliver was thinking big for his new Christmas cookbook. This massive compendium of recipes assembled over 17 years is hefty, at over 400 pages. The British food personality is only going to write a Christmas cookbook once, and his ambition here is to make sure you have the best Christmas ever.
“Jamie Oliver’s Christmas Cookbook” ($35) is indeed packed tight with recipes that cover various holiday occasions, and not only the usual entrees, sides, desserts, but also edible gifts, leftovers, and cocktails. Most dishes vary in degree of decadence; the salad section is relegated to further back in the book. Tips range from putting loved ones to work (delegation is the name of the game) to advice on roasting meats and assembling a cheese board. Oliver also thoughtfully designed the recipes that call for dishes to be cooked at the same temperature.
