Nigel Slater Christmas Chronicles Annual Read along 2023

[RainbowZebraWarrior]

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.

Lucysmum as Taytocrisps has given an excellent taste of the pictures in Advent, I've taken 2 pics of the contents which has got me inspired to try some more recipes.

Hope you can read them.
I don't know the author either!

Candle lit. Wine poured (too early? 😀). Curry (NVN) bubbling away. Wet, smelly dog banished to the kitchen. Log burner lit. No one else in the house 👍. Time to catch up.

@catwithflowers beautiful photo.

Thank you @HannahDefoesTrenchcoat, I like to read the recipes even if I never get round to them. Some we might only ever try the once too - there are so many things to be done or made!

@ItsTapasTime I have wine poured too and am enjoying a quiet half hour watching my candle flicker away & reading festive threads. Will catch up Nigel in my armchair later before I carry on my crochet (green balloon dog - almost certainly NVN! 🤣).

I bought an Advent candle in town today...no idea where it will live but think it'll be nice to mark the passing of the days with it. Coats also successfully purchased for the girls - very easily for once!

Loving the dried oranges photos and warming chat.
Curry also on the stove and fire lit. A selective read for me today as a lifelong vegetarian but enjoying the warmth of his writing. Considering making the fig liqueur tomorrow as I’ve been sorting some cupboards and have found some vodka that adult dcs have abandoned!

@christmascrackle I'm planning on using the dried rose hips simply as a table decoration for Christmas Day along with fresh Ivy, holly and mistletoe. And quite a few strings of little lights from M&S. I'm drying the oranges in the bottom oven/ warming oven of the Aga. I believe you can use the hips for tea but as I'm not into fruit teas I thought simply decoration would be nice.

My step daughter made beautiful name/place decorations for her wedding last year from dried oranges or grapefruit, not sure which, which inspired me this Christmas. ❤️

@christmascrackle Sorry, I should have said I'm mostly air drying the rose hips but they are on a kind of warming thing we have on the stove top which is on constantly in the winter. It's not hot but it definitely speeds up the drying.

Loving this thread even more than CC which is saying something.

Today’s excerpt was apt: Christmas is all about stuffing in my family too - the stuffing sandwiches in the days after Christmas are absolutely the best part of the whole season. Although we always cook ours in the turkey, with a skewer rammed all the way in to the bone to ensure it cooks through. Stuffing cooked outside the bird is something else entirely.

All these Advent recommendations are making my fingers twitch over Amazon. Trying to resist yet another Christmas book, but I must say German Christmases are the best - like Christmas in a Christmas card. We lived in Berlin when the DCs still believed in Father Christmas and I have to say it was truly magical - the cold, crisp days that Nigel talks about, a sprinkling of snow, a proper build up through Advent from the opening of Christmas markets at the start of December with the scent of gluwein permanently in the air, through St Niklaus (December 6) all the way through to trees going up on December 24 (though ours always went up earlier needless to say). It goes dark so early over there, but the Germans positively embrace it. It also helps that a city like Berlin also has forest and lakes as well as shops and market so you can have the best of both worlds - twinkling lights and frozen lakes and woodland walks. Heaven.

Magic! Thanks for sharing.

I want to go to Berlin in the winter now 🎄

Oh my heart, what a lovely description @LillianGish!

I’m seriously twitching on the Advent book too. It’s been on my wish list since it was first mentioned on here back when it had just been published so I think I’ve been quite patient, really! I’ve always known I’d absolutely love it but the photographs here have definitely confirmed it to me. How gorgeous! But I’ll try to hold on for just a little longer...

I’ve still not caught up on the thread — too much going on here in the house which means I just don’t have the brain power to try to keep up 😞 but hopefully tomorrow will feel a bit better.

For everyone wondering about the Advent book, you could do what I did and pop it on wish list or drop heavy hints. It's slightly strange getting it on Christmas Day rather than before but you'd have it in good time for next year. 🤶

I had the same dilemma about the Advent book and then bought it as a present for my sister last year instead 😅I'll be finding a reason to pop by for a cuppa in the next few weeks to snap some pics of the recipes.

@LillianGish what a beautiful description 🎅

I'm just about to settle down with Nigel before I head to bed. It seems I'm quite tired this evening (unless reading wakes me up 🤔)

DH works in the service industry and soo getting any time off in December is a no-go but by some fluke, he got a week at the very start of December 8 years ago so we went to Berlin and it was absolutely magical, just as described here. One of the most memorable trips we've had.

Proper Christmas markets, gluhwein galore and crispy, fluffy donuts. Coming in from frosty streets to steamy cafes serving the best hot chocolate ever. I'd love to do a trip like that again.

Loved reading about the importance of stuffing today, I quite agree Nigel.

I ordered myself a treat advent calendar today as really getting in the Christmas mood, it's a crossword a day one! Probably NVN but I'm looking forward to it.

Thinking about making the apricot drink soon, will take on board PP advice to take out the star anise earlier.

Agh I’m so behind! Just back from a week away and have Nigel in bed with me (so to speak).

where are we up to please?

Good to see the thread up and running! I have been reading CC previous two years with everyone, and have made few recipes as well. Fully intend to make apricot drink and Christmas pudding, both previously tried and loved recipes in our home.

Have to admit jumping on Aldi candle bandwagon. 😊

I was in Liberty 2 weeks ago, browsing their Christmas shop, went to candle section and gave good sniff to all CT candles. Caught myself thinking that Carmelite smells just like the cellar in our fairly old house. Maybe that’s where I should have my Nigel’s reading nook… 🤭

I am currently in the midst of redecorating my daughter’s bedroom, the house is upside down with her belongings everywhere while she sleeps in my office. Hopefully I get it done soon to properly get into Christmas spirit!

@Strawberryfield12 did you make the light pudding or dark. I normally make Nigella's but will give Nige a try this year.

Query re. St Eval Inspiritus Candle. Noticed this being mentioned in this thread a lot. Does The Blessed Nige, long may he reign, recommend this in his book?

5 November

Fire and baked pears

We have been lighting fires around this time for centuries. Since ancient times, Celtic people have gathered around bonfires on October 31 and November 1 to celebrate Samhain, the end of the harvest and the beginning of winter. We burn candles in hollowed out pumpkins on All Hallows, and since 1605 we have celebrated the failure of Guy Fawkes's attempt to blow up the House of Lords and the protestant King James by lighting fires and setting off fireworks.

Nigel himself doesn't recommend (I don't think) but St Eval candles are recommended by a lot of folk on this thread. Later in the book, when Nigel does give his recommendations, one of them is Spiritus Sancti by Cire Trudon. I think Inspritus by St Eval is similar (in name, at least)

Hello all

I did a good walk in the woods yesterday which was very crunchy underfoot with light coming through the branches. Blue sky and then a downpour but that’s ok because you appreciate the hot drink after all the more!

yes to stuffing though the past few years I’ve done a nut roast and that does the trick too.

Don't worry too much about being behind. We have just started 5 November, which is only the 3rd chapter.

Forgot to post today's picture

Thanks Op.

Has anyone made Nigel's leek and beans recipe from today? I imagine success depends on the quality and spiciness of the sausages.