Do you have a favourite cookbook for Christmas?

[MrsKingfisher]

I need a really good cookbook with some nice Christmas ideas, preferably ones that aren't 589 calories per spoonful! Do you have a favourite you use for the Christmas period?

Delia Smith's Christmas, but she doesn't go in for low calorie Christmas. Neither do I.

I use Mary Berry and Delia.

I wouldn't say either were exactly weight loss books, but just mix and match the recipes so you have some indulgent recipes with some plainer ones. (And if any time of year is the one to go for taste over calories, I'd say it's Christmas!)

I love Nigella’s Christmas book. Just looking at it makes me feel festive. I also have Delia’s but am less fond.

I think healthy and Christmas are words that don't go together! I can adjust

Mil has a slimming world Christmas cookbook. Not sure how good it is as the most she has ever cooked me is a ready meal... I'm all about pinch of nom and bbc good food websites

Nigella Christmas all the way!

Mary Berry, but with an honourable exception for Nigella’s christmas scones

*gah! nigella’s Christmas Muffins.
Grumblemumbleditbuttongrumble

I love Nigellas Christmas and have already started looking through it in anticipation.
Nigel Slater's Christmas Chronicles is a lovely read

Delia Smith’s Christmas / Delia’s Happy Christmas (I use both) and Nigella’s Christmas. I cook more from Delia but read Nigella’s more. In particular I can very much recommend Delia’s Chocolate Truffle Torte of which I’ve eaten my body weight over the years

I make Mary Berry's soufflé croutons all year round. It also has AGA directions if that's useful to you.

What sort of ideas are you after? Perhaps we could suggest some from our books and you see what you like the sound of the most?

I have nigella mary berry and I absolutely love the Nigel slater Christmas chronicles. I love reading through them. The only thing I’ve ever made out of them is the red cabbage and mincemeat from Mary berry though!

MB's cranberry sauce (she calls it scarlet confit) is amazing.

I also love her recipe for Boozy Cream

"Fold in your chosen booze to taste: 1 tablespoon is good, 2 tablespoons even better, and three tablespoons — wow!"

I tried JO get ahead gravy once it's was disgusting. I have Nigella and it seems I have Mary Berry!

Going to do a Black Forest roulade I think. All the gear no idea I can cook but I am crap at baking!

Nigella Christmas all the way

I have a Christmas ring binder with my favourites - Jamie's get ahead gravy, delias turkey and lots of other ones like Brussels with pancetta and chestnut that I got from a magazine, and my MILs Christmas cake. Also have a countdown list on it from 1-31 to remind me which days to do what (not all cooking, obviously).

Nigel Slater's Christmas Chronicles is an absolute joy

Nigella to look at (some of the recipes don't actually work- avoid the chocolate and orange Christmas cake, it's foul)
Nigel to read about the traditions, and the weather. So gentle and lovely.
Delia if you still need to be told how to slice a tomato (there's a recipe that actually tells you how )

I have many more including, Mary, the Hairies, Jamie etc but the three above are on the podium.

I made my Delia Christmas cake today.