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Christmas

From present ideas to party food, find all your Christmas inspiration here.

Nigel Slater Christmas Chronicles Annual Read along 2023

991 replies

RainbowZebraWarrior · 23/10/2023 21:27

Hello all, it's nearly that time!

For anyone who has not already had the pleasure, the annual Nigel Slater Christmas Chronicles read along is a real time annual MN tradition.

The book begins on 1st November, however there are a couple of chapters of preamble. That's why I thought I would start thread one now, so that we have time to prepare and fully appreciate Nigel in All His Splendour come 1st November.

Some of us already have the book. For anyone who doesn't, it's a challenge to see of you can pick up a bargain. WH Smith has come up trumps in the past, as has ebay. A rare and precious charity shop find is the holy grail and adds a certain special-ness that simply extends that warm, fizzy Nigel feeling (and some well earned smugness)

I shall make a post each day and we can share our thoughts and feelings on the days recipes, sentiments and indeed Dear Old Nige himself.

Note: Reading by candle light can be particularly enjoyable. Cire Trudon may be one of Nige's candle of choice, but it's somewhat pricey. We don't discriminate against other less expensive brands - even if they are NVN (Not Very Nigel)

Pull up a chair and a cosy blanket and join in.

Nigel Slater Christmas Chronicles Annual Read along 2023
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Thread gallery
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ExpensiveDecorations · 02/11/2023 15:57

I never used to think I liked Soreen maltloaf till someone suggested toasting it, OMG that makes a difference. I actually dry fry it in a pan as its too sticky and small for the toaster and its easy in a pan. With cold salty butter, mmm.

RainbowZebraWarrior · 02/11/2023 16:06

@catwithflowers yes, the one in Park View. £750 a month rent for the tiniest shop in the world. She clung on for about a year, but it was awful really. So many people used it, but mostly just a dozen eggs and that's never going to be enough to make a living. When I watch Jeremy Clarkson with his farm shop selling honey three times the price of ours, I just think aye it must be canny to have the famous name to draw folk in.

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Nonplusultra · 02/11/2023 16:12

@RainbowZebraWarrior I have two ruined cashmere jumpers from laundry mishaps. Snoods and wrist warmers are a great idea. @Bubblesbythesea I love the idea of making a throw but I’m not sure my patience will extend that far. Yours looks lovely.

SqueakyDinosaur · 02/11/2023 17:07

YuletideSolace · 02/11/2023 10:14

Yes @LillianGish that’s very true - it’s perfectly possible to just dip in and out as life ebbs and flows.

On the aforementioned subject of baking, here is my little splurge for this year which I’m very excited to use!

May I suggest BakeEasy spray to help get your beautiful little Bundts etc out in one piece? It is scarily effective IMO.

EDIT: Apparently not as it's no longer available in the UK. FFS. I am the absolute kiss of death to good products. I've lost count of how many things I love have been discontinued.

RainbowZebraWarrior · 02/11/2023 17:30

Apparently PME Release-a-cake (sold by Lakeland and Hobbycraft) is also good for non stick-ness.

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RobertaGlass · 02/11/2023 17:42

Hello there, may I join? I have bought the book and I am burning the Leather and Cashmere Aldi dupe.

KrazyboutKillian · 02/11/2023 17:54

@YuletideSolace
thanks , not yet arrived
only teeny but I love it

Nigel Slater Christmas Chronicles Annual Read along 2023
Nigel Slater Christmas Chronicles Annual Read along 2023
MerelyPlaying · 02/11/2023 18:37

Ooh please may I join - I love Nigel Slater, but I hadn’t heard of the Christmas Chronicles.

I don’t enjoy this time of year much, I struggle with the dark nights and the pressure surrounding Christmas, although I opt out of a lot of things like Christmas parties/lunches and try and do homemade gifts as far as I can. This thread/read-along sounds as if it might help.

I’ve reserved the book at the library but I have also got Spotify so I might start listening on there. Popped into Aldi and got a Winter Spice candle like the one pictured above by a previous poster, I preferred it to the other scents. So I think I’m ready, I’m excited about discovering this!

noodlezoodle · 02/11/2023 18:46

LillianGish · 01/11/2023 18:13

Just coming on to nominate my favourite sentence from today’s entry (with reference to the alcohol-laden figs left over from his figs with maple syrup and anise): I often have one or two, straight from the jar, as a treat when I have finished the ironing. Is it actually possible that Nigel does his own ironing?

Was looking to see if anyone would mention this! I was cracking up - possibly the most Nigel thing ever Grin

RobertaGlass · 02/11/2023 18:46

The photos don’t do them justice but just bought these. They are made from recycled sari material. They are really pretty.

Nigel Slater Christmas Chronicles Annual Read along 2023
noodlezoodle · 02/11/2023 18:46

KrazyboutKillian · 02/11/2023 17:54

@YuletideSolace
thanks , not yet arrived
only teeny but I love it

That's really beautiful - could I ask where it's from please?

Whoopsadaisydownagain · 02/11/2023 19:17

Malt loaf bakers , try it with butter and a slither of cheese. Delish .

RainbowZebraWarrior · 02/11/2023 19:30

Beautiful baubles and wreath! That wreath gives me an idea of making something festive with a jar of sea glass I have.

Welcome, @MerelyPlaying

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LaviniasBigBloomers · 02/11/2023 19:34

@YuletideSolace that's so pretty I'd be tempted to hang it on the wall with a christmas ribbon!

Newgirls · 02/11/2023 19:35

I loved his description of the boozy fruits with yoghurt, cheese etc more so even than the idea is drinking the liquid

LaviniasBigBloomers · 02/11/2023 19:39

I have read all the intro and yesterday's entry and just as I opened the book, a flight (skein? Is that right or did I make that up completely?) of wild geese flew overhead, honking like billy-o. I'm going to take that as an omen.

I'm definitely doing the apricot brandy, I have a bottle of sweet German wine that I know to be 'good' but too sweet for me to actually drink sitting in the wine rack. I cannot abide figs (am actually quite weird about dried fruits, apart from apricots) so think I will make a double batch of it rather than have Tesco suddenly thinking I like prunes and weird shit and sending me offers for things to mess up my algo. Wink

Justtrying · 02/11/2023 19:44

Haven't read the whole thread but I've had Christmas Chronicles on my cookbook shelf for years and generally only dipped in and out. As its pouring down and I'm feeling Mrs Miserable, the readalong sounds the perfect pick up. Off to pour a glass of wine and retrieve book.

KrazyboutKillian · 02/11/2023 19:54

@noodlezoodle
they are a Canadian co ( I think ) called artglas , some really lovely things there
hoping it arrives for Xmas

Justtrying · 02/11/2023 20:17

After a quick skim through the preamble, I'm ready and already thinking my cupboards have the ingredients for the brandy apricots, just need a suitable jar. Bring on stuffing at the weekend.

CrushingOnRubies · 02/11/2023 20:47

I'm all caught up 😌

I like reading about the boozey dried fruits but I fell like I would be the only one who would drink them and appreciate it.

Also looking forward to the stuffing at the weekend.

noodlezoodle · 02/11/2023 20:57

KrazyboutKillian · 02/11/2023 19:54

@noodlezoodle
they are a Canadian co ( I think ) called artglas , some really lovely things there
hoping it arrives for Xmas

Wonderful, thank you!

MissRead · 02/11/2023 21:51

Can I join? I was on the thread a couple of years ago but have never made it all the way through the book. I got one of the WHS bargain copies but I do find reading on a screen easier as my eyesight is rubbish so I’ve got it on Kindle as well now, just racing to catch up!

legosunqueen · 02/11/2023 21:54

Happy to join this again this year - this book is my go-to to immerse myself in all things Christmassy. Last year we spent Christmas with my Dad in New Zealand. Wonderful of course in many ways (not least because we were originally due to go just there after the March 2020 lockdown) but I am so excited for a proper UK Christmas this year!

catwithflowers · 03/11/2023 07:35

@RobertaGlass where are your sari baubles from? They are lovely 😍

NollaigChridheil · 03/11/2023 07:59

He has inspired me to move beyond spag bol for this season. I'm so pedestrian when it comes to our family meals.