Dinner Time

 Dinner Time

Reviewed By  Grasshopper2       June 4, 2026

 

Author  Zena Kamgaing

Distributor:      Bloomsbury Publishing AU
ISBN:                 9781526693648
Publisher:         Bloomsbury Publishing
Release Date:   02 Jun 2026  

Website:    https://www.bloomsbury.com/au/dinner-time-9781526693648/ 

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Deeply Delicious Meals in 15, 30, 45 and 60 minutes

Dinner Time is quite unique in several ways as well as being the first cooking book published by Zena Kamgaing.  The style of the meals presented show how to prepare a meal in 15, 30, 45 or 60 minutes, giving the reader a choice of fast or slow cooking. Her list of pantry staples covers Chinese food, Japanese food, Korean flavours and Global pantry supplies. Zena loves big bold flavours and after working with Jamie Oliver she has a million followers across Tik Tok and Instagram.

In chapter 1 Zena looks at meals that are prepared in 15 minutes. She shows the use of clever shortcuts, such as using fast cooking protein such as prawns. She also uses “Heavy hitters” in terms of flavours such as harissa, gochujang and chipotle paste. Many of these recipes only use one pan. Some of the dishes are, Creamy tomato and harissa pasta, Curry butter prawns, Japanese curry ramen and Broccoli Caesar pasta salad.

The second section of the book shows recipes that take 30 minutes. The recipes are not complicated but show how to use time and technique. High heat roasting gives caramelisation and steaming ingredients with aromatics build flavour. Some of the recipes in this section are Steamed pork & prawn cabbage rolls, Kimchi tofu rolls, and Sichuan steak frites

The recipes in the 45 min section become more complex, but Zena gives clear and precise instructions. In the 60 min section we are told that some of the best flavours develop when you have patience. Zena’s famous Nigerian fried chicken is in this section. There are also recipes for Spiced red lentil dahl, Fragrant lamb and spinach curry and duck noodle soup.

To conclude the book the chef has included a “Sweet Treats” section. They range from Earl Grey Baklava to Spiced Cherry and Ricotta puff pastry tart. Zena has been inspired by the West African diet she grew up with in her home in Southwest London.  The photographs of each dish show the colours and textures of stunning dishes.

Food, Non Fiction