He’s only gone and done it again – our dear Neven Maguire has released his 21st cookbook titled One Pan Wins, and while we might say this about all of his books (he is a member of the Irish Country Living family after all), this one truly is a winner.
The focus is on easy and delicious weeknight dinners, which can be made, from start to finish, in just one pan. For anyone rushing to get the kids to the GAA pitch or piano lessons while also navigating the end of a work day, homework and evening milkings, this book will not be catching any dust on the bookshelf – in fact, our copy is already splattered and dog-eared from a week of recipe testing.
Published by Gill Books and beautifully photographed by Gillian Buckley, One Pan Wins was officially launched on 7 September in Dublin, by Neven’s good friend Marty Whelan. Neven tells us he wanted to publish a cookbook full of easy, satisfying and tasty meals, because he speaks to a lot of people across the country and he understands how busy their lives can be.
“I wanted recipes that are as little work as possible, and without ending up with lots of dirty pots and pans,” he says. “But they still needed to be delicious and family-friendly. As it says on the cover, these recipes will transform your weeknights.”
Recipe highlights from our own taste-test include Neven’s crispy hoisin turkey noodles, which are packed with flavour and perfectly enhanced with a bit of crispy chilli oil (another recipe you’ll find in the cookbook). Another winner for us is the caramelised jerk pork belly, which is addictively delicious – the fatty pork is already crisp on the outside and tender inside, but the spicy Caribbean seasoning takes it to the next level. If you’re wondering if Neven has any favourite recipes, we asked him to name a few he keeps coming back to on his own busy weeknights.
“I love the chicken piri piri – it always reminds me of filming our series in Portugal,” he says, smiling, “Chicken thighs are a favourite cut of mine. Not only are they full of flavour, they are so economical. Now for the twins, the chilli beef mac ‘n’ cheese is a favourite.
“As you might know though, I have a bit of a sweet tooth and I really love the strawberry and cream cheese slice, especially with some of Pat Clarke’s strawberries. This dessert is so easy to make and is really delicious.”
Publishing 21 successful cookbooks is a feat very few chefs or food writers can say they have achieved. When it comes to Irish food, recipe development and approachable, tasty meals, you could say that Neven pretty much has it down to a science. We asked him what he has learned over the years about writing a really great cookbook, and we got a “classic Neven” response – always so kind, always thinking about his readers.
“The most important thing is to listen to your audience, your customers and readers. I get a lot of feedback, particularly in the cookery school, when we have a lot of time to talk with our guests. I am always listening to what people want, and I really believe that you never stop learning as you go.”
One Pan Wins (€26.99) is published by Gill Books and is available in bookshops nationwide.
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