MarieClaire
  • News
  • Fashion
  • Beauty
  • Lifestyle
  • Career
  • Bridal
  • On Trend
  • Gifts
  • The Edit
  • Discount Codes
MarieClaire
  • News
  • Fashion
  • Beauty
  • Lifestyle
  • Career
  • Bridal
  • On Trend
  • Gifts
  • The Edit
  • Discount Codes
Subscribe
  1. Home
  2. Lifestyle

This Is The Book That Changed My Life

Add it to your reading list. Stat. - by Alley Pascoe
  • 15 Jan 2019
This Is The Book That Changed My Life
Getty

As the culture editor at marie claire, I read dozens of books every year. I'm a sucker for straight-talking self-help guides and empowering memoirs, and I've read more money management books than my bank balance would have you believe, but there is only one book that’s actually changed my life.

That book is Ottolenghi SIMPLE by Israeli-British chef Yotam Ottolenghi, which features “130 brilliantly simple recipes that contain all the inventive elements and flavour combinations that Ottolenghi is loved for, but with minimal hassle and maximum joy.”

penguinbooksaus View Profile
136 likes - View Post on Instagram
OTTOLENGHI SIMPLE is the stunning new cookbook we have all been wishing for: @Ottolenghi's vibrant food made easy. With 130 brilliantly simple, brand-new recipes, you'll be cooking flavour-forward dishes in no time. #simple #ottolenghi #ottolenghisimple #cookbook #recipes

Since picking up the bible-like cookbook a few months ago, I’ve become nothing short of a master chef.

Let me explain why this is such a big deal: I cannot cook.

My culinary skills (or lack there of) are a running joke in my family. I once burnt a serving of Alfredo packet pasta, which has a total of three ingredients.

If my boyfriend isn’t home and hasn’t pre-prepared dinner for me to heat up in the microwave (rude), I’ll have cheese on crackers. You can’t burn cheese on crackers.

My sister-in-law buys us cookbooks every Christmas: 65 Slow Cooker Recipes With Six Ingredients Or Less, 30-Minute Meals, Cooking For Dummies. I've never read any of them (sorry, Tess).

Ottolenghi SIMPLE is the opposite: I haven’t put it down since I got it. I’ve spent hours flicking through the chicly photographed, beautifully styled dishes, planning meals and writing out ingredient lists for our weekly shop.

There are two things that set Ottolenghi SIMPLE apart from other “easy” cookbooks. Firstly, its style: so minimal and crisp. And secondly, its practicality: the recipes actually are simple (if I can cook them, anyone can).

ottolenghi View Profile
10.9k likes - View Post on Instagram
Instagram post by Yotam Ottolenghi * Oct 27, 2018 at 2:15am UTC

In the last few weeks, I’ve made my way through eight recipes – a world record (for me).

I started with the ‘Stuffed courgettes with pine nut salsa,’ devoured the ‘Pea za’atar and feta fritters’ and have most recently tried the ‘Roasted butternut squash with lentils and dolcelatte.’ All were big hits.

My boyfriend said the ‘Pasta alla Norma’ was the best thing I’ve ever cooked, which isn’t that hard TBH, but I’ll still take it.

When I brought leftover ‘Curried egg and cauliflower salad’ to work for lunch, my colleagues refused to believe I'd cooked it.

Tonight I’m making the ‘Tomato and cucumber raita’ with green chilli salsa.

ottolenghi View Profile
9,338 likes - View Post on Instagram
Another one from SIMPLE that'd work well for a weekend lunch, in case you're having one today.. These are Iranian herb fritters that you can make in 20 minutes. All you'd need it a tonne of herbs. Link still in my bio. #fritters

I’m truly a changed woman. And it’s all thanks to Yotam Ottolenghi, the acclaimed food writer who started out as a pastry chef at the Michelin-starred Capital restaurant in London and has gone on to write seven best-selling cookbooks and a food column for The Guardian called “The New Vegetarian.” Ottolenghi SIMPLE is a nod to his first cookbook Ottolenghi: The Cookbook and his namesake restaurant chain, and it’s become an instant hit in Australia.

In exciting news, Ottolenghi is coming down under for a book tour this month. In less exciting news, most of the events have already sold out. You can still nab a seat at his Tassie talks here, though.

ottolenghi View Profile
6,873 likes - View Post on Instagram
I'm coming to OZ! Can't tell you how excited I am to be heading back after almost 2 years (!) A bit of summer sun and Aussie cheer. Link to some events are in my bio link. See ya!

I missed out on tickets to the Sydney Opera House talk hosted by Adam Liaw, so I’d like to take this opportunity to personally thank Ottolenghi. Yotam, you have changed my life and made it so much tastier, thank you. Forever grateful, Alley. 

Ottolenghi SIMPLE by Yotam Ottolenghi (Penguin, $49.99) is out now.

  • Lifestyle
  • Diet Tips
  • Health
  • Events
Alley Pascoe
Alley Pascoe
Alley Pascoe is contributor to marie claire Australia. She spends her days interviewing inspirational women, including career highlights Kasey Chambers, Serena Williams and Julia Roberts (for seven minutes on the phone).

Subscribe to Marie Claire-+ save!

Subscribe to marie claire

Subscribe Now
Subscribe to Marie Claire

Subscribe to Marie Claire-+ save!

Subscribe to marie claire

Subscribe Now
Subscribe to Marie Claire

Recommended to you

MAFS' Aleks and Ivan exchange wedding vows
Watch 4:43

MAFS' Aleks and Ivan exchange wedding vows

{headline}

{headline}

The 10 Best Books Of 2020

The 10 Best Books Of 2020

Marie Claire Book Club: Must-Reads This Month

Marie Claire Book Club: Must-Reads This Month

Marie Claire Book Club: What To Read This Month

Marie Claire Book Club: What To Read This Month

The Four Very Best Books Of The Month

The Four Very Best Books Of The Month

{headline}

{headline}

The Must-Read Books Of The Moment

The Must-Read Books Of The Moment

12 Books You Need To Read In March

12 Books You Need To Read In March

9 Books You Need To Read This February

9 Books You Need To Read This February

{headline}

{headline}

Relax With The Latest Reads From Australia's Up-And-Coming Novelists

Relax With The Latest Reads From Australia's Up-And-Coming Novelists

Marie Claire Book Club: Must-Reads This April

Marie Claire Book Club: Must-Reads This April

Marie Claire Book Club: International Women's Day Edition

Marie Claire Book Club: International Women's Day Edition

The Most Popular Books Of 2019 Have Been Unveiled

The Most Popular Books Of 2019 Have Been Unveiled

In Case You Needed Reminding, Harry Potter Fans Are Better People

In Case You Needed Reminding, Harry Potter Fans Are Better People

The Five Books You Need To Read This Month

The Five Books You Need To Read This Month

The Wild Life Of Investigative Journalist Holly Watt

The Wild Life Of Investigative Journalist Holly Watt

MarieClaire
  • About Us
  • Discount Codes
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
MarieClaire Magazine Subscribe
  • About Us
  • Discount Codes
  • Contact Us
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy

Brands

  • Beauty Crew
  • Home Beautiful
  • Elle
  • Who

Our Network

  • Better Homes and Gardens
  • BHG Shop
  • beautyheaven
  • New Idea food
  • New Idea
  • Girlfriend
  • That’s Life
  • Practical Parenting
  • All Recipes
  • Perth Now
  • The West Australian
  • 7Plus
  • 7mate
  • 7NEWS
  • 7Sport
  • Sunrise
  • Starts at 60
  • Hard to Find
© 2022 Are Media PTY LTD
All products are independently selected, tested or recommended by our team of experts.If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Get more from Marie Claire

Magazine Subscription Offer

Subscribe to Marie Claire-+ save!

Shop This Offer
Subscribe to Marie Claire