These chocolate truffles are such a fun Christmas project for the whole family. They also make a personable and delicious edible gift!
{I was gifted the book and compensated for my work on this post. All opinions remain my own.}
I first heard of The Naked Chef from my boss when I was working in a kitchen. It was in the 90s and my curiosity was peaked. I was a university student in the US and The Food Network was not as cool as it is now plus I didn’t even own a TV! “Is he cooking naked? Who is this guy?” I thought to myself as my boss was demonstrating to me the new way to cook chicken…. a la “the naked chef”. Who would’ve known the naked chef was so much more than a fad and was not going anywhere!
I’ll clean now and confess I am a Jamie Oliver’s fan. As a working mum with very little time to spare, his books are the first ones I open when I need a quick and delicious dinner. I have cooked dozens of his recipes and loved them. I adore his no nonsense, down to business, let’s extract the most flavour in the least amount of time approach. It is mine as well. I do not have time for anything else. I am busy! I really appreciate that he thought that quick food can and should be delicious and developed recipes to prove it! That is now my motto. I also learned that he is not perfect. He loves chilies and lemons a wee bit too much. If you don’t already, half the amount his recipes call for…I do!
So when I was asked to review Jamie Oliver’s Christmas Cookbook I couldn’t possibly say “no” because it’s Jamie and because it’s Christmas! The great news is that I am also giving away not ONE but THREE Jamie Oliver’s Christmas Cookbooks today!! Scroll down for details!!
As soon as I started leafing through the book I saw the familiar photography style and recipes I knew I wanted to cook immediately. His Christmas cookbook is a comprehensive guide on how to do Christmas stress-free.
I get so perplexed when people call Christmas time stressful because to me, it’s all about joy and relaxation, enhanced by delicious food. I do enjoy cooking and that might be why. BUT…even if you don’t like cooking as much as me Jamie’s Christmas Cookbook can help you navigate through the holiday season.
The book starts with many sensible tips on how to do shopping, delegating and planning ahead, so the Christmas day runs smoothly.
It is cleverly broken into courses that make the big day’s dinner like STARTERS, MAIN EVENT (for meat lovers and vegetarians alike) POTATOES (yes, they get their own chapter), VEGETABLE SIDES, GRAVIES AND SAUCES before it dives into DESSERTS and SWEETS.
It even offers a meat-roasting guide as a separate chapter. Having so many helpful tips in one place is a real time saver during a holiday season!
What I also loved about the book is that it gives countless recipes for leftovers as well as post-Christmas recipes such as spicy curries and salads to snap out of the holiday lull.
Another great chapter is dedicated to homemade edible gifts. I love making those!! The recipe I am sharing today from Jamie Oliver’s Christmas Cookbook is for Chocolate Truffles. I am a massive truffle fan, so I knew I had to give this recipe a go. I will admit the simplicity of the process and the need to set spiced rum on fire before mixing it into truffles might have played a part in tempting me.
The recipe instructions were straightforward and the ingredient list was not long. Before I knew it I had the chocolate mixture ready. The recipe stated to chill the truffle mixture for 2 hours before rolling it into truffles. I did find it a bit soft and difficult to work with after two hours, so I popped it back in the fridge for more chilling and after that it was smooth sailing.
Hands covered in chocolate up to your elbows might be your thing, but it is definitely not mine. I really dislike being messy! Or you might feel the same but the taste of these chocolate truffles lightly flavoured with spiced rum and orange blossom water is well worth the trouble! I am definitely buying myself a pair of latex gloves and more chocolate for another batch or two!
Jamie Oliver's Chocolate Truffles
Ingredients
- 3 tbsp dark spiced rum
- 300 ml double cream
- 30 g unsalted butter
- Β½ tsp of orange blossom water
- 300 g quality dark chocolate 70%
- 50 g mixed blanched almonds and hazelnuts
- quality cocoa powder
Instructions
- Pour the rum into a pan and heat gently on a medium heat, then set fire to it with a match (stand back!). As the flames begin to subside, add the cream and bring to a gentle simmer. Remove from the heat and stir in the butter and orange blossom water. Once the butter has melted, add a pinch of sea salt, then add broken chocolate, cover with a lid for 30 seconds, then stir. If the mixture splits, add a splash or two of boiling water. (I added 3!)
- Pour your chocolate mixture in a medium sized bowl and refrigerate for 4 hours to set. Toast the nuts and then chop them up finely.
- Scoop the chocolate mixture with a round spoon and form your truffle with another to give a rounded shape, then dunk the truffle in chopped nuts or cocoa powder. Alternatively, you can dip your truffles into melted chocolate!
- Keep prepared truffles refrigerated in an airtight container.
Jessica Walker says
An old Delia Smith cook book that used to be my mums
Chanette Kennedy says
I love anything by Mary Berry, but my most used cookbook is called Family Kitchen Cookbook (I don’t know the author) as it has over 700 recipes in it!
ann clements says
All of Mary Berry’s cook books
Sarah Hughes says
I like naomi smarts one
Eliza james says
15 min meals by Jamie, as a single mum of 4 disabled children and student time is precious! Love that I can knock them up something healthy and hearty within minutes!
Tricia Cowell says
I have a Good Housekeeping Cookery Club Book that I use a lot
ELZBIETA ZNYK says
Gordon Ramsay’s Home Cooking
Irene Jackson says
Delia Smith’s christmas
Simone Kilshaw says
The Pioneer Woman Cooks: A Year of Holidays, I love this!!!!!!!!
Angie McDonald says
I love my Mary Berry Bakes cookbook!
Lisa Pond says
Hairy Bikers are always great! π
Matthew O'Reilly says
I have to be honest and say that I am a HUGE Jamie Oliver fan, watched all his TV shows, got a few of his books and I have to admit that he taught me how to cook.
Carole E says
‘Step by step cookery’ by Marguerite Patten. My cookery bible for many years.
kate kathurima says
mary berry
Lesley says
Love Jamie Oliver’s Comfort Food – especially this time of year. π
Jamie Millard says
ken hom
Laura N says
Jamie’s recipes are great – really keep things simple but always pack a flavour punch!
miss naylor says
DROOLING…..
Milly Youngman says
I really like Deliciously Ella Everyday!
carol boffey says
mary berrys complete cookbook
Linda Curtis says
The Mary Berrys Cookbook
i would love a Jamie Oliver one as well
Jayne Kelsall says
Gordon Ramseys ‘Fast Food’ is brilliant .x
Stuart Robinson says
Thai Food – David Thompson
donna l jones says
the broons cookbook
zoe somerfield says
The Hairy Dieter’s cookbook
Sarah Parker says
jamie oliver
Karen Painter says
Jamies 30 minute cookbook. Its in regular use in our household
Jenny Rogers says
Delia’s Winter Collection
sandy ralph says
Mary Berryβs Complete Cookbook
Katie b says
Nigellas baking ones!
Lynsey Buchanan says
Muffin Tin Meals from Betty Crocker
Kim Lam says
Jamieβs 30 Minute Meals
Susan Elvin says
Jamie’s Italian Cookbook.
Jill Donaldson says
I love my Nigella Lawson Family cook book
Louise Crocker says
I adore Jamie Oliver! He really cares about what people are eating and what to use for the best flavours. I’ve made a number of Jamie’s recipes and myself and the family have always enjoyed it.
Alison says
The good housekeeping cookbook,its an old copy but a great reference
Ali Gill says
I love his comfort food book! Can’t beat it on a cold winters day
Tina Glover says
The great British Bake Off book (from the first series)…. Ive made nearly every recipe and never had any fail yet! Jamies truffle recipe looks delicious thanks for the chance to win the book xx
Jane Adair says
How to be a domestic goddess by Nigella Lawson
Allan Fullarton says
the broons cookbook
Margaret Abram says
My good old Delia Smith cookbook I have had since it was first published.
Gerri Tennant says
I love Christmas and Christmas Cookbooks but I think that this one would be the perfect one for posterity, thanks for the chance.
Imogen Richards says
Jamie Oliverβs 30 Minute Cook Book!!
sallyanne rose says
weightwatchers
Lauren Old says
How to be a domestic goddess by Nigella Lawson
Lisa Wilkinson says
Baking Made Easy by Lorraine Pascale
Sarah Lee says
Jamie’s 30 Minute Meals is a favourite one of mine
Rachael McCadden says
Kitchen Diaries by Nigel Slater
Amy Dacre says
I love Nigella Lawson – how to be a domestic goddess
Caroline J Robinson says
Jamie’s 15 minute meals I always use this when I have a busy week
Christine Constable says
Delia’s Winter Collection
Eileen Tingle says
Those truffles are making my mouth water
jo liddement says
I use Jamie’s 15-Minute Meals cookbook regularly and love both the recipes and the format of the book
Michelle Ptak says
jamie’s “Ministry of Food’
Jade Hewlett says
Mary Berrys Cookbook
Shona J says
I like Nigellissima
Alice says
I’m a Mary Berry and a Jamie girl – fail safe!!
Sheri Darby says
Delia Smith
Louise Fairweather says
I have an old Jamie Oliver one that I love, but I often use the internet now
Joanne Hutchings says
I like Jamie Oliver’s 30 Minute Cook Book.
Noemi Hedrick says
I love Jamie’s Italy!
Noemi Hedrick says
I need new inspiration for cooking! Jamie olivers cookbook would be perfect! Please!!!! Let me win.
vikalinka says
Hahaha I wish I could the giveaway is for the UK residents only!
Lee Thomas says
Jamie’s Italy
Sharon Arnott says
The Two Greedy Italians Eat Italy
Ems says
Jamie Oliver’s 15 Minute Meals
Kat Glynn says
Simply Nigella
Charlie Brunton says
I love Jamie Oliver’s 15 minute meals!
Vicky Hawkins says
15 Minute Meals by Jamie Oliver
Susan Hoggett says
My good old Bero recipe book, it’s where all my basic recipes come from!
beky austerberry says
one that got donated from my mum, its falling apart and has some really retro recipes but I love it
Jane says
Delia’s basic cooking, that and Jamie’s naked chef. Both are awesome with basic cookery skills but with added skills.
Jayne Townson says
Mine is Mary Berryβs Complete Cookbook. Thanks for this lovely giveaway.
sam macaree says
the student cookbook
Maxine G says
Currently loving both books by Anna Jones – great veggie food!
carole n says
love looking at new cookbooks but usually come back to Delias
Tracey Peach says
Mine is a very old one which came with a cooker my Mum brought when I was at school it’s full of easy filling recipes which have been loved for many years π x
Corinne Peat says
Save with Jamie!
ValB says
I used a Betty Crocker book in the 80’s in Canada – still using it despite its tatty appearance
Sarah Casey says
Jamie’s Italy!
Sally Collingwood says
Annabel Karmel
pauline hill says
all of Nigel Slaters cook books
pauline hill says
all of Nigel Slaters
Helen Tovell says
Jamie Oliver Save with Jamie
Ellie Wood says
Delia Smith, How to cook has been my bible
ElizM says
Nigel Slater’s Kitchen Diary although I do use a few Jamie Oliver cookbooks too
Graham Ross says
The hairy bikers new book
Jo Carroll says
Complete coincidence but mine’s ‘Mary Berryβs Complete Cookbook’ too. It tells you all you need to know really. x
Solange says
Mary Berry’s Complete Cookbook
Sara houseman says
I know I can’t enter (USA), but I have loved Jaime from his Naked Chef days!! I have all but two of his cookbooks.
vikalinka says
I have most of his books too, Sara! I couldn’t believe how big the stack was when I got them together for a shot!
Becky Duffy says
Simply Nigella
kesha says
A old Betty Crocker cookbook my mom gave me
Caroline Hemple says
Marguerite Patten’s Every Day cookbook. It’s from the 60s and I don’t think anyone would consider making a lot of the recipes these days but it is great for basics like scones and quite fun to dip into and adapt some of the recipes for the 21st century.
Rhia P says
I absolutely love the Hairy Bikers/Dieters cookbooks….never had a bad recipe from them!
Sarah Mackay says
Women’s own cook book
Stephanie Tsang says
How to be a Domestic Goddess by Nigella Lawson
Claire Bodin says
Always Jamie Oliver in our house my husbands favourite
Barbara Knight says
I love all of Rose Elliot’s books, especially ‘The Bean Book’.
Jenifer says
I’m enjoying cooking from Fearne Cotton’s cookbook at the moment, I think that’s the one I’m reaching for most the past few months π
Lorna Kennedy says
Jamie’s 30-Minute Meals is the most “well-thumbed” in our house!
Emma Nixon says
My mums old Delia Smith cook book
Heather T says
My Mum’s hand me down Hamlyn colour cookbook
Paul Wilson says
15 Minute Meals by Jamie Oliver
Claire Willmer says
phil vickery gluten free cook book!
Anne Bostwick says
I love Nigel Slater’s Kitchen Diaries.
Kim Neville says
JOE WICKS LEAN IN 15
Heather Haigh says
How to be a better cook by Lorraine Paacale.
suan watts says
A Readers Digest book for cooking through the seasons
MANDY DOHERTY says
Kitchen Diaries by Nigel Slater
Laura Banks says
the broons cookbook
Allan Wilson says
I have an old cook book called Confort Food that my mum bought me when I first moved out. It is my bible in the kitchen.
Hannah Scudder says
I like a girl called jack by jack monroe
iain maciver says
any of Jamie olivers love the christmas ones