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 have ordered some bay nobilis essential oil today. I love the idea of putting it on fir cones, I have a huge stash of them for firelighting.

@BernieWinters I know that mulled cider had ginger wine in it and a good slug of whisky, yet I don't remember my mum being particularly bothered about how much of it I was drinking! Different times!!

I pondered this earlier in the thread. M

I can't work out what it does to the flavour- all the flavours, less alcohol? Might as well just use flavouring...

I'm not too bothered as there's vast amounts of sugar in everything so it's off limits for me anyway.

(Double checks date!)
4 NOVEMBER
The joy of stuffing

Bringing it to the boil doesn’t boil away the alcohol - it needs to boil for a good while to do that.

<prepared NigelNest for this evening's reading>

Oooh @ShaunaTheSheep another phrase I like lol!
#NigelNest

Loving all the acronyms and definitely need a Nigel nest. In our house we have long had WWND-what would Nigel do when faced with a domestic drama. Loving hearing everyone’s experiences

Wow just found this thread, what a gorgeous idea, it has made me smile already.

We’ve been talking recently about getting an Irish red setter and the agreed name would be Nigel. I really need Nigel for a Nigelnest now 😅

I am saving today’s excerpt until this evening. However I have made the apricot liqueur this morning and used amaretto instead of brandy. In addition I used just 2 star anise. Not sure if I will be more interesting in eating the apricots or drinking the liqueur.

I've been lurking for a while, but I have now made my first foray into being more Nigel... apricot orange and anise is hiding in the cupboard and the kitchen smells relish!
I only made a quarter of the recipe as I discovered that the bag of dried apricots had been ravaged by the DC...
I put in half a star anise, and have left the orange peel in - it doesn't mention them going into the jar so I'm not sure that's right! What have others done?

Ugh kitchen smells delicious, not like relish!!

I've just read today's chapter, with a VN hugge cat on my lap...
I think the Pear, clove and orange granita would make such a lovely, light festive pudding

I read todays chapter in bed this morning with my cuppa and it was a lovely start to the day. The stuffing balls with turkey mince look delicious.
Could we possibly have a post of all the acronyms please? I have no idea what they mean 😊

I’ve left the orange peel in.

Good evening! Just read todays entry and really like the idea of making the turkey, lardo and fennel seed stuffing.
But lardo isn’t available anywhere near me. Would cold butter work as an alternative do you think?

Just read today's entry while under a blanket on the sofa, wood burner and candle going. Lovely. It turned colder here this week (Norfolk) and I think reading CC has made me relish the change more. Maybe not the fog....

Stuffing - I think the family will go for the more traditional version Nigel describes. I am vegetarian, but it has made me think about upping my game with vegetarian 'side' dishes. It is our turn to look after MIL this year, so a lot of time for cooking. Has anyone seen/found Lardo for sale?

Pears - I like his recipe as a solution to those pears that seem too hard to eat for ages but then are suddenly far too soft.

Acronyms:
TSN The Sainted Nigel
VN Very Nigel
WWND What would Nigel do?

Errrr... is that it?

#NigelNest probably involves a blanket, a candle, possible a fire or wood burner, possibly a pet snuggled up to you, possibly alcohol/eau de vie.

I'm getting started tonight! Got mulled wine at the ready, and a Nigelnest of couch and blanket. It's just the most wonderful book.

NVN not very Nigel

DVN definitely very Nigel

UltimateN - speaks for itself

Maybe we should have another:

AIBNE? Am I being Nigel Enough

@Bookaholic73 i think pancetta would be better. Failing that, good quality bacon lardons. As fatty as possible.

I'm just about to settle down and read today's pages. I've made a hot chocolate in the velvetiser and put a generous slug of salted caramel liquer in it. I've lit my NVN candles and I'm under my cozy blanket. I'm going to a Christmas crafts sale this weekend, so I think I shall be upping my candle game and looking for something MMN ( much more Nigel)

😂