The Christmas Chronicles by Nigel Slater: Read Along Thread

[Dillidilly]

Here we go people!

I thought we could start reading the Introduction from October 15th at a gentle pace to allow people to join the thread. Then all set for Chapter 1 on November 1st.

The Christmas Chronicles is currently just over £20 on Amazon. Maybe people could share all the options for those who are just joining us, who still want to get a copy.

I'm hoping this thread will be a lovely, gentle, uplifting transition into the Christmas period where we can share our thoughts, recipe attempts and inspiration from Nigel x

Yes @Dillidilly I like that too. It’s quite nice to see people who aren’t extreme extroverts/constantly attention-seeking loudmouths.

And yes I still have that little paperback book somewhere which I also got with the magazine!

@Etherealhedgehog

So I just got myself all set up with a hot bath, a favourite candle and the introduction of Christmas Chronicles - been so looking forward to this after an epic week and a half with a sick baby. I got as far as the bit about what months count as winter and decided I want to leave it until the very end of October - I've been willing on the colder weather, mostly for really boring, logistical baby sleeping bag-related reasons, and all his talk of the seasons made me realise I should try and embrace the mild autumn weather a bit more while it's still here even if DD's sleeping bag hasn't been washed in weeks because the second one's at nursery and it's still too warm for 2.5 togs

I must admit, when I was sitting in the garden in warm sun wearing a teeshirt while reading it this afternoon it did make me feel as though I had started a bit early. But every other year I have left it till about the 30th Oct, forgetting how long the intro is, it's not just a couple of pages like most books. Then I've been late starting the first page proper.

@Etherealhedgehog I feel your sleeping bag related pain, dd keeps being sick on hers and we currently have no washing machine so I'm constantly trying to juggle layers with the wrong tog bag and then compensating by opening the window or something... Flipping nightmare, I can't wait until she can use a duvet like a normal person

I started the first few pages of the intro today, I love how he describes winter as a time for renewal and all of the growth happening underneath our feet, bulbs getting ready to burst into life etc. Without getting to emotional we lost a close family member last week and knowing they won't see another change of the seasons makes me determined to realise just how prescious it is to be witnessing the world following a predictable rhythm and to be looking ahead to another winter.

One thing is bugging me though, and it's probably a stupid question but I know you'll be kind....what is a haw? Nigel said something about hedgerows full of "hedgehogs and haws" I did have a Google but could only find references to watering cans!

I grew up in a household of 1970s burgers and tomato soup ( Only a couple of miles from Nigel). My first cookbook was ‘real fast food’ 25(?) years ago and I remember making his salad of ripe peaches, lime and black pepper and thinking I was so sophisticated - I still eat it now! He inspired a lifelong love of cooking for me. He isn’t slick on tv, but he is different.

I fell in love with him slightly when on one of his first TV shows he extolled the virtues of chip shop chip butty with white bread and butter.
It was like chip based porn 🥰🤣

@FireworkParrot I had presumed it to be something to do with hawthorn and from looking it up it’s the fruit of the tree. I imagine that’s what he’s referring to.

@FireworkParrot

I started the first few pages of the intro today, I love how he describes winter as a time for renewal and all of the growth happening underneath our feet, bulbs getting ready to burst into life etc. Without getting to emotional we lost a close family member last week and knowing they won't see another change of the seasons makes me determined to realise just how prescious it is to be witnessing the world following a predictable rhythm and to be looking ahead to another winter.

One thing is bugging me though, and it's probably a stupid question but I know you'll be kind....what is a haw? Nigel said something about hedgerows full of "hedgehogs and haws" I did have a Google but could only find references to watering cans!

Culinary uses and recipes with Hawthorn Young shoots and unopened flower buds were once known as ‘bread and cheese’. Though much healthier, unfortunately they taste of neither.

The berries, known as Haws, are much like mild apples but the flesh is quite dense and dry. These make good jelly to eat with cheese and a great ketchup substitute.

Haws have also been used in the production of country wines and homemade schnapps.

In addition, leaves, flowers and berries can be used to make a tea

britishlocalfood.com/hawthorn/.

@Patbutchersarrow

I was hoping to come across a second hand copy in a charity shop but no luck so far, now I know I can get a copy for £9 in W H smiths I'll buy from there. Thank you sluj!!

Thanks to @Patbutchersarrow I got it for £9 :)

This one @Dillidilly? It was published in 1992 and was given away free with SHE magazine.

Yes that’s the one.👍

Thank you @herecomesthsun and @HollyandIvyandAllThingsYule that makes sense!

Another couple of pages read in the half-light over breakfast. Lovely .

@longtompot hmmmm, that's not the cover I remember, and it was later than 1992. It would have been about 1997/1998? It was a smaller than a paperback, and I feel the colour orange featured on the front cover.
But definitely She magazine!

I've just googled and I think it was actually Simple Suppers?
So I'm thinking it was a selection of recipes from the book in a little paperback format?

Oh maybe I got confused as I have Real Fast Food too. I’ll dig it out if I can. Yes it was smaller than a paperback, a very good little book.

No looking again it’s definitely this one. Maybe they did two different ones at different times.

@HollyandIvyandAllThingsYule

Oh maybe I got confused as I have Real Fast Food too. I’ll dig it out if I can. Yes it was smaller than a paperback, a very good little book.

Now I'm completely confused too lol! Maybe it was Real Fast Food?! It was lost in 2002 so my memories are very hazy ...I may be conflating two books!

For definite:

1. Free gift with SHE magazine
2. Slim, smaller than paperback size
3. I remember a recipe for herb crusted fish (trout perhaps?)
4. Front cover mainly white but with some orange (although now I'm completely doubting myself!).

😄 well I’ve taken from this discussion that I definitely need to re-visit some of my older cookbooks. I tend to buy a few new ones every year and focus on them for a year or two each and old favourites take a bit of a back seat. I feel Nigel needs to be brought out of the shadows!

Having said that A Cook’s Book is second on my list to buy! Can’t wait!!

Well I think I'm losing it lol...further thought and the mystery Nigel book was actually lost in 2007. I've Googled again, and see Real Fast Food was a free gift with SHE in 2006.
But I could have sworn I got it between babies 3 and 4, which would have been 1997 to 2001.

I need a lie down lol!!

Hahaha I need a lie down too. Yes the free gift in 2006 sounds right for me. I’ve looked for it and can’t find it - I think I may have lent it to my daughter.

@DillidillyThe 30 minute cook was orangey though bigger in format than Real Fast Food - could be related to that? I have both and tbh had completely forgotten about them - very glad you reminded me as I had a thread on here recently begging for very quick recipes to survive the new full-time work plus nursery routine (and not entirely on oven pizza). Should have thought of Nigel. I am going to go and revisit both!

What a clever thing Nigel did in giving away that book! - it’s what started me on my love affair with his wonderful writing and his great food.