FOOD

Spectator, The, May 28, 2005 by Ross, Deborah

Still, by the time my partner comes home the starters are ready for the oven, the lamb is resting and chocolate pots have (miraculously) set. 'Bloody hell,' he says, 'what's going on here?' I think he thinks Fm going to announce I'm about to leave him or something. Poor chap. Always lives in hope, as anyone would if they lived with someone with thighs like mine. I say I just wanted to try out this new Gordon Ramsay thing with Free DVD!, but better luck next time. Our verdict. The starter? Totally simple, but utterly sublime, the Parma ham adding a wonderful salty contrast to the fish. The recipe made 20. We ate ten apiece. The lamb slopped all over the shop when carved, puking the watery spinach. It tasted perfectly fine, but not exceptional. I wish I'd simply bought a leg and roasted it. The chocolate pots were excellent though. Very rich and dark and gooey. All in all, I'm glad I have the book, but I think the DVD is a bit of a swiz. You might, instead, wish to purchase my own Diary of a Thoroughly Dishonest Mum, which is £768 but worth it, obviously.

Gordon Ramsay Makes It Easy, Quadrille Publishing, £19.99 (contains Free DVD!, for what it's worth).