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

Well I think I already admitted to a sneaky peek and here is the apricot brandy I made at the start of October. I tried a small glass last night and I can totally recommend it! Delicious

Fat, alcohol-soaked little fruits, each one pissed as a newt I loved that line too

Because I CBA to google, does anyone know what Pedro Ximénez is?

I want to try the hot apple drink. Think it would be lovely alternative to mulled wine.

Someone upthread mentioned about changing up the drinks with the seasons and I can agree with that. It never really occurred to me either, but at the end of summer this year I could feel that I was bored of g&t and white wine. I’m enjoying red wine again just now

@StormyCornishSeas Pedro Ximenez is a very sweet sherry, it tastes very figgy. I love it, but lots of people find it too sweet (although I challenge anyone to pour it over ice cream and tell me it's not delicious)!

Nigella has Pedro Ximenez sherry in her Christmas book. I'm now craving old fashioned liqueur chocolates

@ChristmasTree999, did you just use any old brandy? I have some really cheap in the cupboard that I use for the Christmas cake.

[quote MarisPiper92]@StormyCornishSeas Pedro Ximenez is a very sweet sherry, it tastes very figgy. I love it, but lots of people find it too sweet (although I challenge anyone to pour it over ice cream and tell me it's not delicious)![/quote]
Oooo ok thank you ! I think I've had one try of figs when I was a kid and I wasn't that keen. But might have to give them a whirl again.

Yes Geamhradh just whatever was on special offer at Tesco! Go for it I’m sure it’ll work.

Sent my mum her copy, for her birthday present, today.

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I've just popped that Finnish film on my watchlist. Looks right up my street: thanks!

I fancy the apple drink too, but the dried fruit concoctions aren't really calling to me. Also, I don't like star anise.

I made spiced clementine gin last year, which was delicious, so think I'll have another stab at that.

Very impressed with the Blue Peter-like efficiency of PP! ⭐️ for you! Glad it's delicious.

I read the 1 November entry and have added cloudy apple juice to my online grocery order. This means I won’t be able to post about it under the right heading on this thread. Is everyone else looking ahead to make sure they have the right ingredients at home?

I’m tempted by the apricot and star anise one. But I can’t drink 20 small glasses of them between me and DH. DH doesn’t like brandy or gin so it is likely I will be the only one. I have also thought about making a quarter recipe. But we don’t drink sweet wine either. Any idea what to do with sweet white wine if not drinking it?

I very much doubt I'll be making anything on the exact day, work and life will get in the way. Also, it's similar here, some of these drinks would probably be a waste as no one else would drink it, we don't have many guests and DH prefers beer.

Woken up to our first frost of winter ❄️

The apple drink does sound nice but dh and I aren't big drinkers

@Opal8 you could make it with just apple juice and it would still be delicious, it just wouldn’t have the slight punch of the alcohol flavour. But it wasn’t that much to be honest - one part brandy to four parts apple juice.

@ChildrenGrowingUpTooFast I’m sure it would be fine to post about given things at any point in the thread - @Dillidilly has said many times that she wants this to be a laidback, happy, cosy thread. So I don’t think there are any hard and fast rules about when you must post.

That's an idea!
Thank you

If you did that I would probably use an orange instead of clementine otherwise it might be too sweet without the brandy. The orange gives it a bit of tang.

Will do thank you

@ExcessivelyDisorganised

I very much doubt I'll be making anything on the exact day, work and life will get in the way. Also, it's similar here, some of these drinks would probably be a waste as no one else would drink it, we don't have many guests and DH prefers beer.

Same I read chapter one at 9pm on a Monday . I'm not going to be making hot toddies at that time of night on a Monday when I don't have some of the ingredients. But I'll keep it in mind for when the occasion arises

I've decided to make the apricot brandy as a present for the inlaws (Dh agrees it sounds right up their street) which wine is everyone using?

GlumyGloomer I used a moscato - again whatever was on offer at the supermarket

@ChristmasTree999 thanks, I'll see what I can find

@GlumyGloomer

I've decided to make the apricot brandy as a present for the inlaws (Dh agrees it sounds right up their street) which wine is everyone using?

I bought a €6 bottle of something pretending to be French brandy.

I haven't read the chapters yet (sorry!) but I did add a bottle of sweet wine to our Tesco delivery in preparation for apricot brandy drink 😊

It's gone all cold and frosty outside. I've lit candles including (inspired by a PP) one inside a little ceramic house.

Hygge....