I had been so looking forward to joining in this thread, reading and cooking along in real time and conversing with like-minded Nigel fans. Unfortunately I had to go abroad at short notice for a family emergency and couldn't take the book with me. I'm home now though and set aside this afternoon to catch up on the book and the thread and make some cooking plans. It's the perfect day for it - really crisp and frost here. I walked along the river this morning and it was beautiful with sparkling frost on the grass and piles of crisp leaves on the ground.
I'm not a fan of dried fruit nor fruity liqueurs so am skipping the first chapter- at least skipping the work, I still love reading Nigel's descriptions.
Every year, I say I'm going to make the stuffing and I do have turkey mince in the freezer so will sort that out this week sometime- love the various accompaniment ideas on this thread. Kale and crushed garlic potatoes will definitely happen!
The sausage, leeks and bean dish has been a favourite ever since I first bought the book and although slightly late this year, I don't want to miss out.
I've never yet tried the gnudi but have long been curious so will try to fit this in too. The aubergine dish is 100% right up my street but DH definitely won't eat it so I might hold that one for an evening when he is out.
I adore Nigel's description of choosing the Christmas tree. We'll be choosing ours next weekend and I'm already beside myself with excitement- this really is my favourite time of year. We're just outside Edinburgh which also has a Christmas tree donated from Norway every year. Like others here, I'd love to visit Norway. It has been on my bucket list for a long time.
Pantos are one Christmas tradition I'm not keen on. I find them too cringey. I love fireworks though but agree they should be banned for domestic use. We have a display in our village every year. It didn't happen last year but was back this year - i was sorry to miss it. A real community event, safe and well organised with all the crackle and smoke you would expect.
I've made the orange and poppy seed cake in previous years but will probably give it a miss this year. I've also previously adapted the pot-roast partridge with chicken legs (sorry, Nigel). I'm now wondering about trying it with poussin. I like partridge well enough but it's not easy to come by. The braised brisket is another firm favourite from the book. I'd like to make that sometime but I have no idea when and how I'm fitting all this in!
I also love and absolutely identify with Nigel's passage about notebooks and lists. I am an obsessive list maker and addicted to notebooks, which I keep like diaries. I wrote out my present list yesterday and am listing recipes from this book and when to make them, as I read.
I adore the Candlelight and Roast Cabbage chapter although this is yet another year in which I've not sourced a posh candle and bay oil. Maybe 2022... I salivate over the cabbage and cheese recipe every year but DH says the idea makes him heave and I'm unlikely to do it for just me. The description of the garden and the need for a cold snap and sparkling frost to bring it back to life, is beautiful.
Apologies for the hugely long musings. I'll be keeping pace with you all from now on and to celebrate being up to date, it's lamb boulangerie for dinner tonight!