SNACK ATTACK
Salt & vinegar crisps no longer make me wince, says Nigella
NIGELLA Lawson is waging a war against “alarming” crisp flavours.
The TV chef, 61, has undergone “deep research” into the variety of salt and vinegar crisps on offer, and believes companies have “muted” their tang in recent years in a desperate quest to become low fat.
Now, Nigella – who keeps a silver bin stocked with crisps at home, that she calls a “crisp cauldron” – says modern flavours are “disappointing”.
Crediting Hula Hoops as having “the most bite”, she complains that Discos no longer make her “wince”.
“This has been a cause of deep research,” said Nigella. “I am a salt and vinegar person. But one of the things I have found alarming, in its own small way recently, is how they have become more and more muted.
“I am disappointed with the salt and vinegar crisps I get. And they keep producing the low-fat crisps – you don’t buy crisps to have a low-fat food.
“Until recently, I had given up crisps in the salt and vinegar department because salt and vinegar Hula Hoops have the most bite.”
Nigella said her tour producer has been “leading her astray” by providing her with Discos, which she insists are “no good anymore”.
“They used to make you wince,” she grumbled. “You have a Disco now, it’s like they have reduced the fat, the vinegar is not there – what is the point?”
One supermarket has perfected the recipe.
“I was recommending Co-op salt and vinegar,” she said. “I was put off initially, because it said chardonnay vinegar. I thought it is not going to be aggressive enough – if it doesn’t hurt the roof of your mouth, it’s wrong. They are good. They are very good – for crisps, they are the best for salt and vinegar.
“Someone told me the Co-op do roast potato flavour crisps – it’s kind of post modern. I like the idea.”
Nigella tasted a new giant Wotsit but was nonplussed: “It was OK but I didn’t need to go to that party again.”
She was speaking at the Brighton Dome Concert Hall to promote her new book, Cook, Eat, Repeat.
“I brought my own salt and vinegar Hula Hoops for the journey today,” she cheerfully informed the audience.