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.

Nice I shall dust mine off and catch up

Thanks @sueelleker , we've plenty of time to try it out and see how it goes!

I'm just settling down with Nigel & my lantern, after a busy day in the kitchen.

Our Christmas cake is now made, although slightly caught on the edges so may need a trim (dd1 was in charge & left it slightly too long). We made 12 mince pies, 12 jam pies (dd2 doesn't like mincemeat weirdo) and spiced pumpkin muffins too. Oh, and the gingerbread dough for the house at Christmas is freezing too!

I’ve been lurking for a while, finally posting although I’ve been reading along. I made the Apple drink for a cold night which was tasty (although doing the apple slices to garnish seemed quite a bit of effort)!
For anyone wondering about the Advent book I would definitely recommend - this will be the third Advent I’ve had it and have made loads of lovely biscuits and other goodies from it. Me and DH have made them as Christmas gifts for various friends, colleagues, family.

We celebrated sausage day with a hearty cooked breakfast this morning. And not one complaint from any of the kids, which is such a rarity at the dinner table these days. I did the sausage and bean dish last year, but changed up the greens to whatever I had in the fridge. I have sausages and leeks left over so I'll probably make it in a few days time.

Found some ornamental quince in my MIL garden today, which I promptly spiked myself nicking, and now they're on display on the table with some pine cones and they smell lovely.

Loving this thread and all the cosy vibes! @DaisyWaldron that's impressive, I have been feeling the desire to get more organised and nest a bit for Christmas myself. I started cleaning out the attic and batch cooked a lot of cosy slow cooked ragu type dishes. I'm keen to try the Italian sausage, leek and bean dish, not sure how my kids will react to creamed leeks, but going to give it a go nonetheless!

I’ve just caught up and would like to join too if I may! I lurked last year and really enjoyed following everyone’s lovely posts.

The heating has broken in our house but the log burner is making downstairs feel toasty. I’m appreciating the simple seasonal things (although having hot water would be a bonus!).

We’re lucky to have beautiful hedgerow walks and foraging potential nearby. The rose hips this year are particularly spectacular. I’m interested in your drying method catwithflowers and might have a go.

I'm cooking the leek, beans and sausages recipe on Tuesday, but suspect it won't be a success as my children aren't keen on leeks or beans.

6 November

Making Gnudi

Gnudi require the hands of an angel. You must treat the mixture of fresh, white ricotta and grated parmesan as delicately as if it were a Christmas bauble, which in this case I suppose it is. This is cooking with the utmost respect and care, and I love it.

Good morning and welcome to new joiners.

I truly don't think I can be doing with Gnudi. Every year I think "shall I try it?" And every year I read other posters accounts of trying it and think "Nah"

Sorry, Nigel.

@RainbowZebraWarrior exactly the same here!

@AIBConsiderate Lovely autumn decor!

@RainbowZebraWarrior I was thinking about having a bash at the gnudi! Is the general consensus too much faff?

👋 to @ritathecheetah, @lucyhoneychurch7, @PowerTulle, @Rocksonabeach and any other newcomers.

On chapter 6:

I love reading about Nigel’s maintenance of his garden. It’s so gentle, appreciative, unhurried, and accepting of thankless tasks. If anyone doesn’t yet follow him on Instagram, I highly recommend it.

I fancy some avocado.

I think last year was a bit of a mixed reaction from posters who tried it. I'm just not feeling it personally - it doesn't massively appeal as I'm weird with textures and I have to weigh up whether it's worth my energy as I have chronic pain. I liken it to gnocchi (even though it may not be like that at all) I just imagine a bland vehicle I'd then smother in too much cheese 😁

Yes my feelings on it too. I figure I might as well cut out the middleman and go straight to the cheese!

Hello. I've landed from another place, to lurk in your good company, and read along. I hope that's ok. This is such a beautiful, thoughtful, thread. Thank you all.

I made the gnudi a couple of years ago and it was a bit of a faff - I don't mind a bit of faffing but it wasn't worth the effort. The gnudi themselves were so soft and light there was no texture to the dish.

Thanks for the comments on the gnudi - sorry Nige, but that's a no from me!

No Gnudi for me either.

No gnudi for me but I did do some leaf sweeping

am going to get some malt to make malt loaf though as the family love that so will be worth a go

I really can’t be bothered with the gnudi, by the time you smother it in sauce you would hardly taste it and I suspect it’s too bland without sauce.

My culinary efforts are hampered at the moment because the oven has broken. At least I wasn't in the middle of baking a Christmas cake or expensive joint of meat. But it's still a pain.

I’m listening to the podcast of CC and have got ahead of myself on my long dog walks! Up to Christmas Day now.

To carry me through December I bought this.....

It’s beautifully illustrated with Christmas-themed excerpts from novels by Thomas Hardy, Dickens, the Brontës, etc.

@BaconAndAvocado I’ve got that on my list! But I’ll probably have to get another one first - a book of Nordic festive tales.

@DaisyWaldron oh no, hope it’s sorted soon!