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.

Good morning and Happy Guy Fawkes.

@Newgirls your walk sounds lovely. There is something magical about crunchiness underfoot - be it leaves and twigs, or frost and snow.

I love fire, therefore I love this chapter and indeed this time of year. From candles to my wood burner, there's something so comforting about it. And I love the fact that every time I step outside at this time of year, there is a faint whiff of wood smoke. It's a good job I like it really as when I was a chef, I cooked on a wood fired oven and used to stink of the stuff permanently.

One of my exes used to do a lot of wild camping. This sometimes involved staying in old bothy's (mainly in Northumberland where they are a thing up here) There is almost always a wood stove in a bothy and he always called it 'Bothy TV' as once it was lit, he and his pals would be so entranced by the flames that they would all sit watching it in silence for the whole evening.

@Stoic123 yes I’ve made it a few times. It’s nice. In fact I might go out and get leeks so we can have it tonight.

Oooh woodsmoke - something so human and comforting about that

Absolutely love a woodsmoke smell. Might treat myself to having the feu du bois candle on a bit later!

Taking the dahlias out of pots today for winter storage. I see that Monty has lifted his, and I’m following his lead. If that’s done and I can get figs, the fig liqueur will be happening.

have a lovely day, all.

Sorry for not replying sooner. I used barley malt extract this year and bought it from Holland and Barrett. I've used plain malt extract before, but got that from a tiny local heath food shop.

Dried cranberries in stuffing - soak the cranberries in port for an hour before adding to the raw stuffing mix. They suck up tonnes of port and go a beautiful ruby red! Got this from a recipe by Henrietta Green about 20 years ago and have done it ever since. The stuffing is good hot or cold (not that my lot leave a lot to have cold!).

Tried Nigel’s leek, beans and sausage recipe last night. Used the specified amount of leeks and it made much more “sauce” than the photo suggested should be there! Not a problem, as the leek purée is very tasty, but just wondered if anyone had the same? Also agree the sausages need to be quite robust .

@RelevantSherbert
yes, I had lots of sauce, I made it into soup for lunch the next day, was delicious!

My notes for the leek and sausage dish from other's suggestions during last year's read along was 'less water. Add mustard'.

Clarabellybutton
No worries!
I’ve got a jar of Meridian Barley Malt extract…heading out with the dog then might make my loaf this afternoon.

@LadyPenelope68 - will try that with some crusty bread I think!

@Waitwhat23 - have added that to my notes, thanks!

@Waitwhat23 less water, add mustard sounds like a very good plan.

@LadyPenelope68 making the remainder into soup is an inspired idea!

@RelevantSherbert the cranberry stuffing sounds delicious. I might try this as I don't like cranberry sauce, but do love cranberries.

I make the sausage and leek dish with Waitrose black pepper and nutmeg sausages. In fact. I've just added them to my online shopping for next week. Also noticed that they are doing black pepper and nutmeg sausage meat and it's on a deal, so I've added that too.

I always think that bean dishes go well with fish too. I did a monkfish and butter bean ragu dish for a cookery competition once. I wrote a home cookery book 22 years ago, and I put it in there, so I'll attach the recipe if anyone would like to try it. The cookery book isn't published by the way, it was just meant as an heirloom to be passed on. (I loved Nigella talking about her grandmothers recipes that she had inherited)

Monkfish and butter bean ragu recipe. Sorry for the gold pen making it hard to read - I was a bit obsessed with it at the time!

Thank you for the sausage and leek tips. Going to make this for a mid-week supper (followed by Leek soup!)

@HannahDefoesTrenchcoat I did the light one, but I am thinking about making the dark one this year

My kitchen smells of Christmas. Preparation for making mincemeat in a few weeks time.

Loving this thread. I mean to join every year but never get around to it, but I have my 2nd hand book at the ready, have read a few pages and am raring to go. I’ve also namechanged for Nigel ☺️

I have to admit, this thread has had a dramatic effect on me in an unexpected way. My brain has decided that the best way to Be More Nigel is to declutter the house and organise things better so that I can decorate and have a nice house, and so I'm establishing a lovely balance between self-indulgence and simplicity. So today I cleared out the cupboard under the sink, made plans with my dad for meeting up over Christmas, started shopping for Christmas cake and mincemeat ingredients and am cooking some venison.

Behold the malt loaf!
Had to use self-raising flour and omit the baking powder.

I made it today, and yes, I left the orange peel in, although I wasn't sure whether I should or not, as Nige doesn't mention it! Fingers crossed!

This week, I've ordered bay laurel oil and some illuminated, battery-operated twigs. We have a very small house, so I'm not planning on a proper tree, as there's no room for one - but little sparkling lights make it feel Christmassy enough, I think.

I'm currently roasting a sirloin joint, DH has lit the woodburner, it's dusky outside, and all very cosy in here. DH doesn't know it yet, but if the rain holds off I'm going to drag him outside later to light sparklers - we're in Ireland so no home fireworks (a good thing, I think - I don't have to worry about DDog).

NIgel's apricot etc. drink only requires 300ml of sweet white wine, and I'm left with 200ml of a rather nice Tokaji - what on earth shall I do with it? I feel a happy evening coming on!

@BaconAndAvocado that looks fab! I love Soreen malt loaf with loads of salty butter but never had any other. This is one of the recipes I will definitely try.

I've just made a not at all Christmassy banana loaf as bananas were brown and needed using 😅

I've only just remembered about this thread! I bought the book but didn't get it until after Xmas last year. I have also got a copy of the advent book which looks amazing. I'm looking forward to following along and hopefully picking up a few traditions as I'm pregnant with our first baby.

Loving all this. Gardening took priority over cooking today as it was sunny. The cake has been fed for the week though.

@BaconAndAvocado Mmm. Malt loaf looks lush! With thick salty butter indeed - Tandsmør

@catwithflowers A pinch of cinnamon in with banana bread makes it quite christmassy. Mind, I'm putting it in everything at the moment (overnight oaty / muesli) as I did that thing where I kept thinking I needed to pop cinnamon on my shopping list and did it four weeks in a row!

Looks absolutely scrumptious!

This one is dead easy. I don't know if it would work with dried berries though. I cheat by using bought clementine juice from M&S. https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/cranberry-clementine-jelly