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

Sorry NO 16th.

No 16th in mine - first edition

17th in mine. Published in 2017. (I think I had it the following Christmas)
It's like Bill Bryson- the book about Europe. I bought it for dp because the chapter on Italy was so funny- AND THEY'D TAKEN IT OUT!

This thread was such a lovely idea! I'm well behind with the thread, sorry, but a day ahead with the book, having not spotted that the 16th was missing.

Anyway, I managed the partridge pot roast, which was absolutely devoured by the family, even by the 5yo. The leftovers also worked extremely well the following day gently reheated with pasta, once I'd picked the meat off the bones. (I made one partridge too many as the kids just had half each).

One caveat with the partridge recipe: I can't say I agree with Nigel's cooking time. He says 40 minutes but maybe he's thinking of an aga or something because mine were done well before that. They're only little things!

I've also had a go at the apricot boozy thing but will report next month on that of course. Used a Vouvray as the sweet wine - hope it's sweet enough? Can't make any of the other preserves as a load of my kilner rubber seals have perished (new ones on way from amazon but will they arrive before my pears are past their best? Nerve-wracking stuff.)

Re other recipes: is four hours at 160 enough for a 1.5kg brisket? Anyone tried it? I'd be thinking more like 5 or 6. Actually come to think of it I've been asked to do brisket on new year's eve so would be very interested to know. Hmm might crack out the pressure cooker - it would (boom boom) take the pressure off.

Oh I’m pleased to see someone made the partridge recipe! I haven’t attempted it but it sounded lovely. We had brisket of beef of Sunday but I always cook mine all day in a slow cooker, so not sure if 4 hours in the oven would be enough. I like the slow cooker method - it’s foolproof!

I really wanted to make the partridge but DH vetoed me - to be fair to him, he’s right, we have a freezer full of meat and we do have a policy not to buy extras in between meat shopping dates. I grudgingly accepted it. Maybe next year!

@footchewer it looks great, so pleased someone got to enjoy it!

Re other recipes: is four hours at 160 enough for a 1.5kg brisket? Anyone tried it? I'd be thinking more like 5 or 6. Actually come to think of it I've been asked to do brisket on new year's eve so would be very interested to know. Hmm might crack out the pressure cooker - it would (boom boom) take the pressure off.

Yes I’m sure I do a brisket in about 4 hours, maybe 4.5 at 140° fan which in our oven is equivalent to 160°. That’s in a cast iron casserole dish.

Just read it back...could have sworn I read 1kg. Might need a bit longer then, probably 5 as you thought.

I’m doing a rolled beef brisket this weekend. Looking forward to it!

I have bought a lovely spiced orange and cinnamon candle...from Aldi

Sigh. 5 -6. You know what I was trying to say, I hope...

I’m ready for a roast now, tbh, and I only just finished eating...

@herecomesthsun

I have bought a lovely spiced orange and cinnamon candle...from Aldi

Did it cost £80?

It cost £5. That is quite extravagant for a candle as far as I am concerned.

It looks lovely! I will have a look for it this week when I go to Aldi.

I wonder if Nigel ever shops in Aldi...

I suspect there aren't many branches of Lidl and Aldi where he lives. It's all artisan delis. I have deli envy

Doesn't he live in Islington? i bet there are some Aldis round there.

www.Lisaangel.co.uk homeware flash sale today only, free standard delivery if you spend over £15. They have nice mugs reduced to £4.50.

Sorry wrong thread

LisaAngel is never the wrong thread! Off for a ganzy!

Apologies all!
Brain fart here, there is indeed no 16 November, and my post should have read:

17 NOVEMBER
Pork and panforte

In other news...oh my days, I want his mincemeat sandwich now lol!

Also no 16th November here. The mincemeat sandwich sounds quite easy to make from stuff already in the house (prime criteria for choosing a recipe here) but I suspect I would get more pleasure from just eating the panettone as it comes, from the box. Also, I haven't opened our panettone yet, it is too long before Christmas!

That looks like a recipe for trying in the Days of Leftovers, between Christmas and New Year.

No way our stupidly expensive lovely panettone would end up as a sandwich , although having said that a slice did get left out last year and that was made into the most amazing pain perdu.

@herecomesthsun "I haven't opened our panettone yet, it is too long before Christmas!"

Agreed. and the same goes for mincemeat on 17 Nov. Naughty Nigel.

@LaChatte - No way our stupidly expensive lovely panettone would end up as a sandwich.

Could you let me know where you got yours from? I've never bought one, but we were given one for Christmas last year (I think it was a fortnum's one but not 100% sure should have written down ffs when will I learn? ) and it was the best thing I have ever smelled in my life. (Nigel was looking decidedly smug on 17 December.) Would a Waitrose one suffice (currently £7.50, down from £10) or are we talking digging out the family savings here?

Egads - £40 from fortnums!

The Lidl and Aldi panettones are lovely.

Though we already had a stash by the time they came on sale (I like giving panettones as Xmas presents)