The Christmas Chronicles by Nigel Slater. Read Along Thread 2022

[Dillidilly]

INTRODUCTION

Nigel begins his Chronicles proper on 1st November, but there is a lovely, quite lengthy introduction we can dip into during the second half of October.

Last year, posters were also kind enough to share where they had found cut price copies of CC, so hopefully anyone late to the party still has time to find a copy before we start the first chapter.

I had forgotten the lovely introduction. Together with the beautiful photograph at the very beginning of the book, flipping through it and seeing his headings reminded me of why I loved it so much last year!

I've just taken delivery of my copy of this book- inspired by this thread- and I will be joining in!

I've remembered another Christmas makes recipe. Caramelised onion jam. Only lasts about 3 months,so don't want to make it just yet.

We’ve got three homemade chutneys at the moment: onion and apple, green tomato and chilli, and a sandwich pickle with beetroot. And I’ve just made piccalilli too, so I probably won’t make any more now for a while.

I’ll make one more at some point specifically for Christmas - probably Delia’s Christmas chutney, unless I find another recipe in the Good Housekeeping book. I did see a couple of interesting ones the other day in Nigel’s Kitchen diaries 3. I can’t remember which recipes are in CC so I guess I’ll hold off making concrete plans in case I want to make one of them!

Has anyone listened to the podcast? I haven't yet but want to. It's called a cooks chronicles, does anyone know how similar it is to the books?

I checked his index for both fennel and onions, but nothing useful there so I went off piste.

The first series, which covers Christmas chronicles, is an abbreviated reading of the book, and I adore it. It’s my go-to when I’m stressed. Just listening to Nigel talking about the different types of fir tree soothes me. Highly recommended!

Thanks @PorkPieAndAPickledOnion I'm about to have surgery for suspected cancer so will listen in hospital it will be soothing and lovely 🥰

I bought my own copy of the book earlier in the year (for about £4- amazing!) But last year I was able to borrow it using the libby app through my local library. So worth a check to see if yours does that (side note- mine also give you access to AAAAALLL the newspapers and magazines through pressreader so you can read the Christmas editions of good food etc for free). I'm looking forward to reading this properly this year.

Sending lots of positive waves for your surgery, and I can guarantee Nigel’s soothing properties. Take care

Joining you. Was a lurker on the lovely thread last year and bought the book.
Looking forward to participating more this year.

Morning all! We had a dramatic storm in London yesterday, so it finally felt wintery enough to read the introduction (with my bay & rosemary candle. Lovely, but fortunately without the Nigelesque price tag).

Ah I've found my people. I've been reading CC most years since it came out but it's lovely to do it alongside others. I usually start when the book does but it's nice actually to get into it earlier.

Thanks also for the reminder about the podcasts. He has such a lovely voice. He just exudes calm. I also like looking at his home when he shares pics on insta.

All I need now is for the weather to catch up and realise it's nearly Nov and we'd quite like some colder weather. Yesterday started all stormy and became v sunny and warm.

Thank you for mentioning this. I never knew there was one!
Had a listen last night and it is LOVELY. So cosy😊

So happy to have found this thread. I did join early last year but as with some others, life kind of got in the way.
I have actually bought myself a new coffee table so I can have nice candles and a glass of something lovely while I sit in the evening and read. I glare at my DH and DS every time they even think of dumping their stuff on this table 😂(I've even put a basket underneath with my knitting and couple of magazines in it)

I bought a copy last year but never got round to reading it. I’ve just had a hunt, dug it out and read his lovely introduction. Very much looking forward to the rest. 🎄

Count me in as I found I'd bought it some years ago and never read it. Bargain at 99p for the kindle.

Count me in too. I’ve just got the book.

I’m going to gather together the various candle holders and jars I’ve got, maybe add a bit of greenery, see if I can find a pretty tray, so I can get all hygge. Need to get some candles too. So many places seem to be sold out of fairly plain white candles without fragrance.

looki g forward to joining you all.

Hello again! I joined last year and promptly fell by the wayside, but life is busier and stressier somehow, and I'm determined to carve a small magical space each day. I have my copy, and a St Eval candle at the ready and I'm very excited to start.

My copy has arrived, I’m so excited! My first year joining in. Like you said @FoolShapeHeart I am determined to make a bit of time for it each day 🎄

I've just finished the introduction. I'm looking forward to 1st November so I can carry on with it.

Last year I would put DS to bed, then get myself set up with a pot of tea and some biscuits (or something from the Advent recipe book nearer to Christmas), with a blanket over me to read it. I'm concerned that the weather might not be cold enough for that this year! It still feels like mid-September here at the moment

What is the Advent recipe book? Would you recommend (although I don't really need any more cook books...) ?

I, too, have just spent a lovely time this afternoon reading the Introduction. Under a blanket, burning a little candle in a jar that was a 'thank you' from work for Early Years/Nursery Practioner Day just over a week ago.

I remembered all over again how much I love the photography in the book, as well as Nigel's evocative prose.

@MadgeMarple It's the Anja Dunk one mentioned up thread. I would highly recommend. My only problem with it is that there are too many good recipes in it, so I can't fit them all in before Christmas.

There's a section per day of advent and each has a theme, so there's three or four recipes per day.

Sigh. I so, so want that book. 😭

Oh I must have missed that upthread - many thanks!

Am really tempted trots off to search for secondhand copy