Life writer Alan Jeanne tested one of Jamie Oliver’s famous 15-minute meals, but it didn’t go exactly as planned

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As long as I can remember, Jamie Oliver has been the spokesperson for TV cooking.

Whether it's creating a storm during the lockdown or playing around Southend Pier at Jamie and Jimmy's Friday dinner, his happy face and food are everywhere.

One thing this chef is famous for is making simple, unpretentious, family favorite recipes, including his famous 15-minute meal.

However, the idea that I can prepare a delicious meal for four people in just 15 minutes seems out of reach—and it is completely.

Read more: "I went to the worst rated subway in London and it turned out to be so bad, it was really painful to eat"

Now, don't let Jamie's TV show fool you, thinking it's all smooth sailing.

I decided to treat his best fish cake with mushy peas and tartar sauce, which is essentially fish and chips, but replaced the potato element with bread.

I bought all the ingredients, prepared my workbench, and it was ready, but I noticed something suspicious.

When I read the method, there are a few lines right above it-fine print.

Jamie seems to ignore the mention on the front page that you need to do some preparatory work before you start making the recipe.

The ingredients come out. The kettle is boiling. Set the oven to any temperature you need. A pan is at high temperature. A frying pan at high temperature.

If you have to make sure everything is set to the correct temperature, this will definitely add precious minutes to the cooking process-but Jamie doesn't count them.

Nevertheless, in the name of journalism, I need to test his claims.

My time is set and I can't wait to go.

I first stuffed the baps in the oven, sliced ​​the potatoes, and then transferred them to a half-boiled pan. Then I drowned the fish with flour and chili powder.

I waited until the frying pan was hot enough for the fish to be really cooked, again shortening the precious cooking time.

The recipe says "cook the fish until golden brown", but is the fish white? ! Will white fish magically turn into goldfish after being cooked?

I can't wait to pour the fish in grated Parmesan cheese (pre-grated I bought, I'm so cheeky) and let them cook.

It is impossible for me to wait until they are finished before proceeding to the next step.

Add frozen peas and a handful of sloppy mint to the boiling potato pot. I'm in sprint mode.

Time is running out, I still have mushy peas and tartar sauce to make-who knows how long this fish will take.

I hurriedly added the tartar sauce ingredients into the blender, when...

At 15 minutes, I only ate cooked fish and half of the tartar sauce to show it.

But I won't let the task beat me, because I know that Jamie created some convenience holes that only he knew.

I decided to set a timer, so I know how many more minutes will be spent on the remaining recipes.

Less than a minute later, the tartar sauce was mixed and very thin.

The sauce is not thick and luscious like the recipe book.

Before cleaning the blender for peas, I poured the sauce into a bowl.

I bet Jamie will not clean his own equipment, he may have arranged several spare parts to replace the old equipment.

Time passed by, and I was disappointed by the fact that the 15-minute meal time promised by Jamie had not been fulfilled.

The cooked potatoes, peas and mint went in and quickly turned into Shrek green mushy pulp.

The end of the recipe simply reads: "When the fish is perfectly cooked, take the roast out of the oven and serve it with peas, tartar sauce, and lemon wedges."

I had no choice but to leave the lemons because when I passed by, my local supermarket was already sold out.

The timer stops-6:12.92.

21 minutes and 12.92 seconds. This is how long it took me.

Jamie did not keep his promise, and I know exactly why.

Put all the food on the plates and bowls, and I sit down and look at my not-so-great creations.

The food doesn't have the gloss or pop colors like the pictures in Jamie's book, but I won't let the appearance frighten me.

To make the perfect dashi with healthy doses of mushy peas and tartar sauce, I am ready to delve into it.

In the first bite, my disappointment was shattered into a thousand pieces.

Although sarnie may not look pretty, it tastes as bad as I expected.

Although the recipe is very flavorful, I still can't get rid of the idea that Jamie Oliver lied to me.

He promoted me the dream of cooking a meal in 15 minutes (and millions of copies), but the basic selling point of the book collapsed in my attempts.

I am not a professional chef, but if someone promises to provide quality service within 15 minutes, then it should be done within those precious few minutes, including...

Prepare the vegetables, boil the kettle, heat the pan, and have a blender on hand.

There are a lot of extras in Jamie's recipes that are not compelling at first, and he shamelessly doesn't mention them until you are ready for the challenge.

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Sorry, Jamie, do better, don’t make recipes designed to fail.

I'm still a fan of Jamie Oliver, I just don't know if I can trust him again.

Do you think we should report a story? If so, please email to whatson@mylondon.news or email to ellen.jenne@reachplc.com