Nigel Slater's The Christmas Chronicles

[Dillidilly]

I bought this wonderful book for my daughter as part of her Christmas present last year. Then I treated myself to a copy in the spring!
It's a fantastic book, full of stories, photography, poetry and 100 recipes for the Christmas season. As a hardback book with gold foil detailing it would even look gorgeous laid out as part of your Christmas decorations.

Each chapter roughly follows the days leading up to Christmas, and we've decided to read and share our thoughts about each chapter in the run up to Christmas, starting from late November if I remember correctly.

I thought it would be a lovely thing to share with someone you love. Currently £18.29 on Amazon.

I've just bought Christmas Chronicles thanks to this thread, never had any interest in a Christmas cook book in my life but you lot have sold it to me Hope it lives up to expectations now.

It was £5.79 on World of Books, very good condition apparently.

I love the feeling of this thread
Question: is there enough stuff other than recipes in CC to make it worth buying if you are vegan? (guessing winter recipes won’t be vegan friendly going by the winter greenfeast!)

I've hardly used any of the recipes to be honest, I just love reading it. It's more diary / winter musings than recipes, although there is one at the end of each little chapter.

@PattyPan

I love the feeling of this thread Question: is there enough stuff other than recipes in CC to make it worth buying if you are vegan? (guessing winter recipes won’t be vegan friendly going by the winter greenfeast!)

I also don’t think I’ve cooked anything from it. It’s more of a reading book. Although I think he has some booze ideas

I've never cooked anything either!
I have bought posh candles, posh notebooks and a fountain pen though.

Thanks all! I will keep an eye out on eBay in that case

My book arrived today! I'm so happy it starts on the 1st November, I cant wait to read it. Only 100 days to go!

You've all bought all the bargain copies 😂😂😂 I'm going to keep checking back as it sounds lovely and I'm now longing for November & the read along thread 😂

I'm disappointed he didn't start on Hallowe'en but maybe Nov 1st will start with Nigel going into his pantry and unwrapping toffee apples and pumpkin pie leftovers .

Oh I love this book.
I bought copies as gifts for my boyfriend's sisters last Christmas as I loved mine so much.
I will absolutely be joining in the read along come October.
I may even try my hand at a recipe from it this year.

Thanks for recommending this book, I got a good as new copy from musicmagpie on eBay for less than £5 including delivery, it arrived yesterday and I love it! Can't wait to read it in the run up to Christmas

Thank you so much for recommending this, I got my copy last week and have spent the intolerable last week rolling my feet over frozen bottles of water, mini air conditioners on blast and dreaming of a cold, crisp autumn/ winter day. It's saved my life this week.

Winters blessings to you all

Hello everyone 👋

🎄🎄🎄 I love this thread. I’ve got the book, bought it last year, and also adore it. I’ll definitely be joining the read-along. Perfect wintery, Christmassy goodness - the kind that warms your soul right down to your bones and makes everything right even if just for a little while. 🎄🎄🎄

I’m not sure how many Christmas cookery books I have...Let me count them quickly...

Turns out, not enough! I mean I’ve got quite a few with Christmas sections (like Nigella’s) but only three specific ones. Delia, Hairy Bikers and a Scandinavian one since I am Danish. Plus another three that are a mix of recipes, crafts and decor inspiration. So yay! I get to buy another one this year!! Now to begin the joyful task of researching which one(s) to treat myself to...

Any recommendations of favourites?

I've just bought the Hairy Bikers 12 Days of Christmas Book after a recommendation up the thread. I remember watching the series on TV and loved it.

Yes, I have that one and find it very useful, lots of lovely but un-intimidating recipes. I don’t believe in stress at Christmas time!

I have the Rose Elliot Christmas one which is a bit of a sad cookbook to be honest, it’s just a normal paperback without any pictures. I also have a German one which is better but that’s not helpful unless you are also a German speaker

My copy arrived today! Just skim read a few pages and know I'm going to love it.

The first of Nigel's two Christmas pudding recipes is fantastic (haven't tried the second one). It's not too heavy, and makes easily enough for two puddings.

@MarisPiper92

The first of Nigel's two Christmas pudding recipes is fantastic (haven't tried the second one). It's not too heavy, and makes easily enough for two puddings.

That's good to know, I've never made a Christmas pudding but really want to this year so will do Nigels one

My book arrived today too.

My copy has arrived and it's looks like it's going to become a lovely Christmas tradition.

It's a gorgeous book

So pleased I started this thread!

Has anyone else preordered his new book out on 14 October? Can’t wait for November and enjoying CC with other people who live it as much as me

@Bryonyshcmyony

I tried that one year and my parents didn't speak to me for 6 months.

I don't know if you have siblings, but I have three plus their partners so we do a Secret Santa each year. My dad does the draw, it's an online thing, we get emails with who our recipient is and we can put in suggestions with links. Saves so much time and money and people get what they want, not tat. The kids once they are over 18 also can join in. Would this be something your parents might like to take part in? To not speak to you for 6 months because you didn't give them a present is a bit ridiculous.

We do the secret Santa for adults using drawnames.co.uk. it's great, it does the draw and you can add a wish list for participants and also for kids not taking part.