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

Thanks ExcessiveIyDisorganised & HollyandIvyandAllThingsYule.
Think feeding the cake every fortnight or so is what I'll probably do. We don't like really boozey cakes in this family

Oh, all the talk about the panettone… I am not 100% convinced I have had one, somehow it has never been calling me.. however, some time last year I decided to make one myself. I am pretty good at baking and cooking, panettone though… complete disaster, that must have been the rare occasion I chucked it in the bin.

You all have inspired me to buy one. The plan is to get one from regular supermarket tomorrow and see if I Need to upgrade to Fortnums one. 😉

I bought a Panettone today how serendipitous. It was €2.99 from the supermarket. Obviously we have eleventy million different types and I will go to Italian baking hell but....I can't tell the difference between a factory produced €2.99 one and a hand baked pastry shop one. Except the latter are a bit tougher.
DD and I have eaten half of it already. When dp got home he went "YOU'VE BOUGHT A PANETTONE! IT'S ONLY...oh...it's nearly Christmas isn't it?"
I have done NO Nigel cooking at all over the last week. Must get into full on Christmassing.

I obviously bought one anyway.

When dp got home he went "YOU'VE BOUGHT A PANETTONE! IT'S ONLY...oh...it's nearly Christmas isn't it?"

That’s what I told myself this evening as I poured myself a second little glass of port.

@Strawberryfield12 I secretly want someone to buy a Fortnum & Mason pannetone/hamper/ just so I can get a vicarious thrill!

I am taking note of Nigel's panettone recipe. I like panettone but I never know how or what to eat with it

18 NOVEMBER
Surf and turf

Can I just say thank you OP. Because of you I have bought this book and it's bringing me so, so much pleasure. Have a happy Christmas!

Yes thank you @Dillidilly and to all contributors! 🎄🎄

I’ve not read today’s chapter yet, but I’m happy that there’s a ‘surf’ element to it, because that vaguely ties in with what i had planned for dinner: Korean savoury rice porridge with prawns. I fancy the salmon recipe actually but we haven’t got any; Might get some when we do our food & grocery shop for the month, although it’s the one fish that my DH isn’t keen on in its fresh form so I might have to persuade him...

I spent a long happy while perusing the festive hampers at F&M last night when I couldn’t sleep. Ahhhh I’m a sucker for beautifully packaged things.

I just remembered that we didn’t actually buy our pannetone from Wilko in the end, although I had considered it...we plumped for a posh one from the farm shop (the tin was nicer! ).

@HollyandIvyandAllThingsYule . I've taken to buying packs of ready-poached salmon fillets when on special offer, and freezing them. The raw ones don't seem to be as nice as they were.

I’ve made the mincemeat toasted sandwich 3 times already I just used a Sainsbury’s pannetone. I don’t care that it’s still November- it was lush!!

Thanks @sueelleker I might try those!

@ChristmasTree999 we usually try to tone down our treats/rich foods/roasts from about now so that the Christmas feasting feels special but I think Nigel is going to be responsible for a fair bit of extra indulgence this year...

Made a big Kilner jar of mincemeat this morning! House smells great! @ChristmasTree999 the sandwich sounds so good and there’s a bit of mincemeat that won’t fit in my jar… 🤣

Do it! You know you want to!

@HollyandIvyandAllThingsYule I am telling myself that I am just spreading out the feasting over the next few weeks so I won’t over-indulge on Christmas week. This is of course complete rubbish 🤣

I think we can agree that @Savemesome has legitimate grounds for not wasting home-made mincemeat.

Carluccio's Pannettones are £21 (though currently out of stock ). Interesting there's such a wide range of prices.

Hmm, the fishmonger in our local market always has loads of superb hot smoked salmon. He doesn't do thursdays though. Might be one for the weekend.

'And could I have a side serving of toad-in-the-hole with that please.', said no-one ever.

Oh my … I did a longish post and it’s gone puff into thin air. Never mind.

The last line was ‘I have to thank @Dillidilly for my most favourite thread of all time’ 🙏❤️🎄.

Picture is of Nigels dish which I will be doing in the coming days

@StormyCornishSeas

I am taking note of Nigel's panettone recipe. I like panettone but I never know how or what to eat with it

I think you're supposed to drink sweet wine with it. I made one in my bread-maker once; it turned out OK, and almost the right shape, as the bread-maker pan has rounded edges.

Can I ask a really dumb question, lovely chronicalteers?

I am going to make the apricot brandy. Can I use a suitably sterilised screw top jar or do I need a special preserving jar. I never make jams or chutney and the like so am a complete novice.

We are going to need a new thread soon!

Yes we are!🎄🎄🎄

Yes you can use screw tops for the liqueurs.

Thanks! I love this thread, it is like a Christmassy spice scented haven.

The Apricot Substance certainly smelled gorgeous while I was making it. However I had had quite a bit of Champagne at the time so I might have got caught up in enthusiasm.

We'll all have to agree on an Opening Date (18 Dec, a month from now?) and indulge in some Apricot Substance abuse.

@Claudethecat I totally agree ... like a virtual Advent Culinary/Arty Calendar. Simply love it!