LONDON -- So Nigella Lawson returned to British television screens last night with a new series called Simply Nigella -- a show about "how cooking can make us feel better and more alive."
The first episode opened with Lawson explaining that she doesn't believe it's possible to live well without eating well.
"Whatever the day, I want food that makes me feel good not just when I'm eating it, but when I'm cooking it too," she said. "Simply Nigella is about dishes that do just that -- recipes that relax and restore; uplift and enrich."
The problem was, not everyone agreed.
The main controversy surrounded Lawson's avocado toast.
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"I'm fully aware that avocado toast isn't a recipe," said Lawson, "but it's part of the fabric of my life.
"I'm ready to eat it no matter what the time of day."
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Although Lawson was clearly a big fan of the toast -- which essentially involved spreading mashed avocado on toast and adding radishes and herbs and stuff -- Twitter didn't share her sense of enthusiasm.
I have loved Nigella the whole of my adult life but avocado toast?— Anna McNally (@annamcnally) November 2, 2015
Nigella's making avocado on toast. Groundbreaking.— Ronnie Joice (@ronniejoice) November 2, 2015
Avocado toast?? Like it's a new thing? Get with it Nigella #NigellaLawson— Lady Stow (@lady_stow) November 2, 2015
Some people were mildly annoyed by the programme.
@MeeshyP3 I like #Nigella but Avocado spread on toast? My 4 year old could do better than that!!— Alan Shoesmith (@alanshoesmith) November 2, 2015
New Nigella Lawson cookery show feels beyond parody. So far she’s mashed up an avocado and looked at some holiday photos. #nigella— Dave Harte (@daveharte) November 2, 2015
Nigella returns to TV tonight with a recipe for... avocado on toast. Next week: a cup of tea— Alice Jones (@alicevjones) November 2, 2015
Others were outraged.
I am actually in shock that Nigella is doing a recipe for avocado toast - this isn't what I pay my license fee for!!!— Cathryn Summerhayes (@Taffyagent) November 2, 2015
A few people didn't think it would catch on.
Imagining kids staring with horror at avocados on toast with ginger and dill instead of Coco Pops for breakfast tomorrow. #Nigella— andrew crosthwaite (@acrosthwaite) November 2, 2015
And the creative language annoyed some viewers.
"My latest development in avocado toast experimentation..." Oh #Nigella, what different worlds we live in.— Dean Williams (@DeanWilliams89) November 2, 2015
@nphegarty How many adjectives does it take to convey a slice of avocado toast in #Nigella land? Too many.— Caitriona O'Reilly (@CaitORL) November 2, 2015
Nigella is gr8 but I wish she'd stop using verbs and adjectives THAT MAKE NO SENSE in reference to food. You cannot drape an avocado.— Sophie (@sophie_etc_) November 2, 2015
(Not everyone said mean things about the toast, though.)
Watching Nigella make avocado on toast and not regretting it one bit— izzie rodger (@izzierodger) November 2, 2015
The first episode of Simply Nigella is currently available on BBC iPlayer, if you want to see what all the toast-related fuss is about.