The Christmas Chronicles by Nigel Slater: Read Along Thread 2

[Dillidilly]

Here's our new thread!

I'm having such problems with the site, please could someone post a link to the old thread for me?

We have had Nigel inspired snacking this evening

I'm guessing Nigel didn't get to choose the Norway Christmas tree for Trafalgar Square this year then.
www.thepoke.co.uk/2021/12/01/the-state-of-norways-annual-christmas-gift-to-the-uk-has-never-felt-more-apt-17-pointed-responses/?fbclid=IwAR2wFTMkoezla4f-ueLoKTUoLVqbbLcyolkEphHnF0rqfG1CUGJba3rJxbs

Welcome @wildthingsinthenight, we are a haven of apricot brandy and Danish Elves!

Marmite is yeast extract, not malt. We used to be force-fed malt extract as children it was called Carmel or something. I wonder why we were given it? Iron?

2 DECEMBER
To Nuremberg and the Christkindlesmarkt

Come on in wildthingsinthenight!

I dare not eat Soreen, as I could easily polish off the whole loaf in one go with thick butter!
Definitely a thing of my childhood and my granny ❤

Geamhradh
Hi, sorry dropped off the thread.
It was a bought one. Friary Liqueurs.
I needed some for one of the cakes. I don’t usually drink that type of liqueur but tasted it and it is the most delicious one I have come across and not sweet and sickly. It would be lovely in cocktails I imagine but I do use it for the Creole Cake ( Delia) and have a liqueur glass for myself.
I think I bought it in Booths last year. It is from Frome, Somerset so might have bought it in Bristol as DD was down there.

@Dillidilly

I dare not eat Soreen, as I could easily polish off the whole loaf in one go with thick butter! Definitely a thing of my childhood and my granny ❤

With thick butter on? And sometimes jam??

I discovered only relatively recently that malt loaf is delicious toasted with butter.

Having read Nigel's 2 Dec chapter I'm pining for Lebkuchen and Glühwein and wish I was in Nuremberg now!

@wildthingsinthenight jam you say?!
Only ever thick, soft butter sliding over the gooey goodness for me lol!

Now I want some Soreen malt loaf! 😆

[quote Dillidilly]**@wildthingsinthenight* jam* you say?!
Only ever thick, soft butter sliding over the gooey goodness for me lol![/quote]
Yum.
A smidge of blackcurrant jam doesn't go amiss for me

I have never toasted malt loaf. I am obviously going to have to buy another one! Salty butter is my preferred topping.

Well, I enjoyed today's chapter, Nigel's writing describes the scene beautifully, I am going to have to go to Germany in December one year.

@Redsquirrel5 I think you're right about needing the right glasses for these special drinks, we've only got wine glasses and half pint/pints, I'm going to look for some smaller ones that are a bit more appropriate in charity shops when I'm next in town.

You can often find them in charity shops or the cheaper antique shops as they are part of broken sets. If you don’t mind having singles you could end up with a unmatched set of singles. It would be rather lovely.

I know someone who collected blue and white crockery. She had a complete set of mismatched old crockery which looked wonderful when you sat down to the table.

I haven’t read today’s yet but must do so shortly.😊

All our crockery is blue and white (mostly Denby). I'm always drawn to blue, I have a windowsill with a collection of blue glass items. I even like the blue fairylights which are so hated on MN.

3 DECEMBER
Mince pies and the shop windows of Nuremberg

I have spent the afternoon making mince pies- some shortcrust and some frangipane. I don’t think I can agree with Nigel about not using sweet pastry, I always do. Also I find his recipe for mincemeat less sweet and syrupy than shop bought so to me the sugar is necessary! A festive day, but the flour clean up took a while

Came across Nigel's favourite candles in Paris's newly refurbished (and most expensive!) department store, La Samaritaine, yesterday while sheltering from the rain. Had a jolly good sniff (which is all I could afford at €80 a pop! At least I now know what his kitchen smells like

Ooooh @ LillianGish they do look beautiful under their glass cloches tho!

I love this thread as I was so unfeasibly excited when I spotted them. Tried to explain to DH, but it was a lost cause and was so so happy I could come and post on here where my joy would require the bare minimum of explanation.

@LillianGish heh that made me chuckle, I’d be exactly the same. And, just like yours, my DH would be completely nonplussed.

The candles do look lovely!

@Redsquirrel5, thank you! I am craving a tiny glass of cherry brandy.
@LillianGish, the candles look wonderful, do you get to keep the little cloche as well?
I have FINALLY got my Christmas cake in the oven. DD said "but aren't there 3 Christmas cakes in the Christmas cupboard?" Well, yes, there are, but they've been made by someone who's not me. I've also unfrozen my shop bought sweet shortcrust pastry (I'm actually pretty good at pastry, just cba) to make a batch of mince pies once my cake is out and I can turn the heat up.

Here's my cake mix.
I may have had a tiny glass of apricot brandy while I was mixing. Then thought, good god woman. It's 10 in the morning. If anyone walks in they'll think I'm an old soak.

I am in my local Italian coffee shop. I think it might be up to Nigel's standards

Even if it does seem to have turned sideways