Dinner Ladies by Katherine Westwood and Sophie Gilliatt
Review by Kylie Thompson
Rating: 3 stars
Genre: cooking
It’s a common story: you work hard all day, and finally drag yourself home to be faced with the dilemma: what’s for dinner? The idea of cooking makes you want to curl into a ball and cry, or settle in with a bottle of wine and a disclaimer that everyone is on their own. Or, just as likely, the urge to avoid the kitchen nightmare ends with you paying far too much for grease-heavy, unsatisfying dreck from the nearest take away. It’s hard to be a domestic goddess when you’re utterly exhausted, after all.
The Dinner Ladies aren’t fond of any of those options. For ten years, they’ve been solving the dinner dilemma for countless families, with make ahead meals that take the bare minimum effort to reheat on the night. But not everyone wants to, or can justify, paying for someone else to cook their meals for them. For those of us not capable of a home chef or meal delivery service, Katherine Westwood and Sophie Gilliatt created ‘The Dinner Ladies’ cookbook.
The idea is simple: it’s easier to make larger portions of hearty, nutritious meals than to cook something new every single night. It can cut costs down, certainly, but it also shaves cooking time from your week, giving you a little extra time to de-stress. And, if you make slightly more than you need, you can send meals to those who can use the extra help (think older neighbours or relatives, someone who’s sick, or those getting into the swing of parenthood). Good kitchen karma seems to be a running theme.
It’s got to be said, though, some of the recipes require more than a stint in the microwave prior to serving, so it’s good to check what prep is required on the night before getting overenthusiastic with your meal planning. And though it’s pitched as family-friendly cooking, there’s a good chance that at least some of these recipes won’t be a hit with younger, fussier eaters. But for adults and older kids, it’s a safe bet there’ll be a new family favourite somewhere in the collection.
The recipes in ‘Dinner Ladies’ aren’t your quick and easy fare; think ‘intermediate’ skill level and effort, rather than ‘beginner’, and the odd ingredient that might require a trip beyond your local Coles or Woolies. But if you’re okay putting a little bit more energy into the original cook up, there’s a host of flavours to explore.
The photography is well-styled without being over done, though some of the recipes (I’m looking at you, strawberry croquembouche) feel a bit over-fancy for the concept of the book. It’s not hard to make a strawberry tower, granted, but I’m not entirely sure it fits the bill as simple, time-saving fare.
If you’re in the market for fuss-free, healthy cooking that can get you through the work week with minimal effort, oddly enough, this may not be the book you’re looking for. But if you’re okay with just a hint of fuss and effort every night, there are some fantastic recipes to try.
‘Dinner Ladies’ is published by Murdoch Books, and is available through the publisher’s website, and through all leading retailers.
