Christmas Cookery books

[OMGitsnotgood]

I bought every Christmas mag going until I realised I was spending a fortune and really not getting much value from them .To this day I haven't been inspired by any Christmas present suggestions. I used to like the decoration and craft ideas but these days we have Pinterest and Mumsnet! So I started buying Christmas cookbooks as it's the recipes I most like looking through. Most I've picked up in charity shops over the years.
Delia remains my go-to. I also have Nogella, Gordon Ramsay, the Hairy Bikers, BBC Good Food, Sarah Raven and possibly a couple more I can't remember. I'm not a big Nigel Slater fan (sorry!) but if anyone can sell me on why I should get the Christmas Chronicles I will keep an open mind!
Any 'must have classics' that I am missing? Or any with a more modern take on recipes? I'm more interested in ideas for entertaining during the festive season than Christmas Dinner itself as I've been doing that for decades.
Thank you

Delia Smith's Christmas

The Christmas chronicles is quite a nice book to be fair - it’s not just recipes - it’s more recipes and a journey through the whole winter season which is quite comforting. But I get why you’re not so keen on Nigel slater! 😂

for desserts, I love the great British bake off Christmas book - it’s really lovely and has some lovely showstoppers - as you’d expect 😄

Yes that's the one I use the most.

I'll see if I can borrow a copy from the library and then decide if I want to buy it.

I do have a couple of GBBO books but not the Christmas one - wasn't aware there was one - and am definitely interested in that!

Thank you

Oh yes sorry I missed that line in your OP, that'll learn me for skim reading!

Do you have Nigella’s Feast. Not a Christmas book but has a lovely Christmas chapter.

I’ve got a Kim Joy Christmas book that is super cute, I love baking little novelty things. But she’s probably a bit marmite!

This is a beautiful book. I admit I’ve barely cooked anything out of it as the recipes are much too complicated for everyday but if you’re entertaining it could be what you’re looking for.

GBBO Christmas! for those feeling the Christmassy baking urge 🤶

@Toddler101 I shouldn't have been so lazy in my OP and I should have written the full title ! Glad you agree with me on that book

There is a yearly read along thread on here for the Christmas Chronicles - I really enjoyed it last year.

Yes I do and agree it is a lovely book. The sticky garlic potatoes from there are truly amazing, just don't try to count the calories! A great NYE side dish.

Not heard of that one, exactly why I started this thread, will look out for it thank you

Another one I haven't heard of, will investigate, thank you

Maybe I need to give it a go. I know it has a huge MN following

Yes I think this book is one I need to buy!! Thank you

I bought Nigel slater’s Christmas chronicles on the back of last years thread and really do not get the hype. I found it one big, self indulgent yawn-fest. I have a couple of his other cook books I like, but that was not for me.

I don’t have a specific Christmas cook book recommendation I’m afraid op, I get bits and pieces from different ones. If I’m cooking goose then nigellas recipe for gravy in feast is great (we also loosely follow her Boxing Day bubble and squeak recipe in there). Some Mary berry recipes, some Delia, some Jamie Oliver. If you find a good one please do let us know.

The funny thing is that I'm not keen on Nigel Slater's cookbooks generally but I liked the readalong mostly because I liked seeing what other people were making

Yes, I think that’s why I bought it. The MN follow of it was very enjoyable.

We use Nigella's Christmas book, along with Jamie's mostly. I'm going to check out that GBBO one though!

https://www.amazon.co.uk/ELIZABETH-DAVIDS-CHRISTMAS-Nov-01-2011-Hardback/dp/B0092I94T4/ref=sr_1_4?crid=G5NFCP8SLI8E&keywords=Elizabeth+david+christmas&qid=1694926662&s=books&sprefix=elizabeth+david+christmas%2Cstripbooks%2C413&sr=1-4. This has my favourite line ever “if I had my way, and I shan’t, …”. I just love that.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Christmas-Australian-Womens-Weekly-Library/dp/1863961046/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1NTAJ4RGX79TS&keywords=Australian+womens+weekly+christmas&qid=1694926776&s=books&sprefix=australian+womens+weekly+christmas%2Cstripbooks%2C536&sr=1-1. Food, carols, handicraft. Clear, simple instructions.

Again, clear instructions. https://www.abebooks.com/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=31534999460&searchurl=ds%3D20%26kn%3DSimply%2Bdelicious%2Bchristmas%26sortby%3D17&cm_sp=snippet--srp1--title1

Thank you, lots of suggestions for books I don't already have.

If you have anyone gluten free in your household Becky Excel Gluten Free Christmas is great.

I just got the Christmas Chronicles on Kindle Unlimited (ie, free with the cost of a subscription) - and I love it already - am still in November, but it's rather inspirational (and aspirational!).

Advent: Festive German Bakes is a lovely book.