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!

NiqueNique; you could buy the two oils separately, and blend them yourself.

@sueelleker yes I probably will do that (I’ve a few essential oils already and do mix my own blends). But sometimes I just want to buy a little something Christmassy in a pretty little bottle! Silly, really...

@RainbowZebraWarrior that's reassuring! I love orange anyway so I figured I could always fish it out but I'll relax about leaving it in now.
I will have to be strict and ration myself with my tiny amount, and be more organised next year!!

@mummysandwich i left the orange in too. It might be a good idea to fish out the star anise in a week or two.

I had a sniff of the bay nobilis oil in a Neals Yard shop last year and liked it but balked at paying £17 for it, so I've ordered it somewhere cheaper online. However I'm usually more of a cinnamon and orange fragrance person at this time of year. I usually go to a big garden centre and sniff loads of read diffusers before choosing a Christmas one. But I fancy a whiff of bay too, will use it in another room.

Just remembered I bought some orange and cinnamon oil somewhere last year. I have just put a few drops on a pinecone in a tealight holder, will see how well that works.

@GingerPigz lovely autumn display!🍃🍂🍁

@GingerPigz love your display.

I have a vase of pussy willow and dried hydrangea that sits on a bureau in the dining room all year round. I might move it into the living room so we can see it more often and BMN😊 Might also add pine cones..
Thank you for the acronyms!

I have just read the chapter for today and as it was quite short I could resist reading tmrw too.
The sausages with leeks and beans sounds delicious!

Morning all! They are letting me out tonight, so the dog and I can Nigel Nest again.

And I had toast! Very much a luxury these days, and I really enjoyed it.

I'm a bit low on rosemary at the moment. I dug up an overgrown one this year, took cuttings which are still very small. I've just got a bag of dried that I saved.

I've got a small bay bush. I must make myself a vase of festive twigs. I'll start looking out. Gingerpigs display is gorgeous!

I love the sound of basting the tray of stuffing with turkey fat as it cooks. I always cook stuffing separately as we love having lots of it for leftovers so will definitely try that this year.

I liked the sound of both recipes today but sadly don’t think anyone else in my house would eat them. Might do them for myself one day!

@picklemewalnuts that is really good news on you being able to go home

@picklemewalnuts glad you are getting home, hopefully a #nigelnest will speed your recovery.
@GingerPigz love the display. One year we had an oak branch that we put white lights through, loved it. Will keep an eye out.

Loved today's entry, although I disagree with Nigel - I love fireworks. Both recipes look good. The leeks and bean recipe - thinking I could adapt it with roast squash instead of sausages for the vegetarian part of the family (me).

@lbnblbnb I love the sound of the leeks and beans and I will be looking to adapt it as a vegan recipe for myself with vegan sausages. Husband is not a bean lover, but I can get him to have small amounts.

Catching up on the past two days. We drove home from Scotland overnight back to Wales so am shattered!

OH is being a hero and has taken the kids to a soft play while I unpack, and now I'm say down with a cup of chai tea reading up on stuffing and sausages.

Going to my cousin's house tonight for fireworks, so I might rustle through the cupboards to see if I have enough to make the hot apple drink.

I have made the leeks and beans a few times, it is lovely but found I had to tweak it a little. I don't use anywhere near the amount of liquid Nigel recommends as it is too sloppy. Also it needs a bit of extra seasoning, mustard works well.

@ClaudineClare that is useful to know. Thank you.

Good to know this. Thank you

I actually made a very similar dish to the sausage and beans last week (must have been channelling Nigel!)but I didn't puree the leeks. It was nice.

My book arrived this morning but haven’t had time to open it yet. No one will touch stuffing in this house unless it is Paxo due to an unfortunate incident one Christmas when we were all ill after eating some stuffing made with chestnuts.

Have been lurking for a while - really enjoying the book and everyone's thoughts on it!

I made the hot apple drink to sip while out watching the fireworks tonight (plus mulled apple juice for the kids) and wow, it was absolutely delicious! Will definitely be making that again!

I have been reading along but not found time to join in the chat yet. This is my first time reading the CC, or any of TSN sacred texts, and I find his writing style enchanting. The photography is wistful and just beautiful.

I loved this bit in today's section: Hallowe'en has turned into a pantomime of extortion and petty vandalism dressed up as Trick or Treat

Then I nearly choked on my coffee over his musings on alternatives to a Guy, suggesting burning effigies of Saville, Trump or Farage.

I'm going to love Nigel!

I've made the sausage leek and beans recipe, really easy, but I'd reduce the liquid a bit next time

I've made the sausage leek and beans recipe, really easy, but I'd reduce the liquid a bit next time

I've made the sausage leek and beans recipe, really easy, but I'd reduce the liquid a bit next time