Jamie Oliver fans have criticized his new Channel 4 series Jamie: Fast and Simple.
In the new show, inspired by the British TV chef’s new cookbook, Jamie aims to strip cooking down to the essentials with “quick prep” to save time.
In the first episode of the series, Jamie made a Korean-inspired Gochujang Baked Chicken Tray, Quesadilla Tostada, Bolognese Rolls, and Eight Ways to Cook Salmon.
But fans were left confused when Jamie said his “best tip so far” for making a bolognese was to add beef short ribs and let it simmer for two and a half hours.
The instruction infuriated viewers as it did not seem to match the “quick and simple” ethos of the show.
Jamie Oliver fans have criticized his new Channel 4 series which promises quick recipes. Jamie appears in the photo from the program.
Fans were baffled when quick recipes included slow-cooking beef ribs for two and a half hours.
Fans wrote: ‘Wait a second, #quickandsimple?? Did you say 2 hours later? !!’;
‘Look, I like Jamie, I have enough books. But you wouldn’t know it quickly and easily if it bit you in the butt”;
‘That wasn’t quick or easy Jamie #JamieFastAndSimple’;
‘Jamie Oliver quick and easy. Salmon fillets? Korean sauces? Quick and easy pantry recipes?
However, others said the recipes were “genius” and praised their innovative ideas.
They said, ‘That Spag Bol looked crazy, Jamie boy! Putting ribs on them was a great idea, I bet it tasted delicious.
During the show, Jamie batch cooked a large portion of bolognese to reuse in cakes, pastas, and more throughout the week.
He said he had a couple of ‘curve balls’ to achieve his best bolognese yet, increasing the use of vegetables and reducing the meat.
Jamie said adding beef short ribs is his “best tip” for a tasty bolognese.
Fans declared that Jamie’s recipes were “neither” quick nor simple, and declared that he “wouldn’t notice if it bit him in the butt.”
After adding mushrooms, lentils, chopped tomatoes and balsamic vinegar, Jamie said he had “one last great trick for making a better bolognese.”
He continued: ‘The secret ingredient is the ribs… these have the sweetest meat but they also have bone and that bone marrow is better than any stock cube.
‘Bring it to a boil and then we’ll lower it to a simmer for about two to two and a half hours. When that meat falls off the bone, your ragu is ready.
‘We all want recipes that are quick and easy. So I’ve got some really easy ways to improve your cooking,” Jamie said when introducing the show.
“This is a kitchen stripped down to the essentials, to make mealtime faster and easier than ever.”
Jamie, 49, added that the idea of being quick and easy is to let the oven do the hard work to save time in the long run.
In the new show, inspired by the British TV chef’s new cookbook, Jamie aims to strip cooking down to the essentials with “quick prep” to save time.
During the show, Jamie also showed viewers how to prepare salmon eight different ways.
It comes after Jamie embarked on what is being described as his most ambitious school dinner mission yet, having previously fought to have Turkey Twizzlers removed from pupils’ canteens.
The father-of-five hopes to greatly expand his initiative to teach schoolchildren about food and nutrition and get the Government to reinstate A-levels in the subject, which was abandoned under former Prime Minister David Cameron.
Oliver has created a Ministry of Food foundation that offers lessons to teach students ages 11 to 14 how to cook from scratch.
The ten-week program called ‘Ten Lessons to Save Your Life’ is now offered in 320 schools across the UK, serving around 80,000 pupils.
But his organization Jamie Oliver Group now hopes to ultimately reach up to 4,000 different secondary schools.
Students who participate in the programs receive practical advice on skills such as chopping and frying, as well as nutritional information.
Students are given lesson plans, recipes and worksheets, while they are also shown videos of Oliver and his 13-year-old son Buddy.
The celebrity chef now hopes to expand his food and nutrition teaching program which is currently used in 320 schools across the UK.
The restaurateur told The Times: ‘I have never lost my passion for improving school dinners, both in terms of how many children can access free school meals and in setting high standards for what is offered.
‘But having worked with eight different prime ministers over the years, what I have learned is that making progress at that level is difficult.
“So, in addition to pushing for legislative changes, I want to be proactive and show how things can be done in a really positive and festive way.”
He called on ministers to stop what he called “the bombardment of junk food adverts” and also to bring in new laws requiring “clear and honest labeling on food packaging”.
Oliver added: “The UK is in the throes of a health crisis, which also makes it an economic crisis.
“Obesity rates are rising, levels of childhood tooth decay are alarming and the NHS is buckling under pressure – and all of this is being exacerbated by a cost of living crisis that is forcing more people to buy processed foods and cheaper than they are missing the vital nutrients they need to thrive.’
Jamie: Fast & Simple airs Mondays at 8pm on Channel 4.
