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.

@LillianGish yes, I have family in the Peak District who used to get snowed in almost every year when we were small (70s). It's happened maybe 3 times in the last 20 years.

Good morning all. No diary entry from Nigel today. A little catch up day and a chance to breathe. Hoping all your days are gentle and kind to you.

I made the aubergine and lentils last night for the first time. What a wonderful dish! Dh was very sceptical but he loved it and I even heard him on the phone to his mum later, telling her about the amazing dinner we'd just had. The only thing I found was that grilling the aubergines didn't work for me - this is probably more to do with my ancient grill than Nigel's recipe but even though I kept the aubergines low down and away from direct heat, I very quickly ended up with a charred top and half a raw aubergine, so I transferred to the oven which gave a much better result.

I've got so much going on at the moment between work and family so I really approciate the moments I get to read CC entries in the evening. It just feels like the world slows down for 20 mins or so and I can get lost in descriptions of frost and fire.

The brisket recipe is one of my absolute favourites. No idea when I'll have time to make it this year - the next few weekends are quite full on, but it will definitely happen.

Making the brisket today. Feel the need for nourishment as have been feeling a bit poorly past few days. Will make soup too. I have a nice pottery bowl that I feel sure Nigel would approve of

It just feels like the world slows down for 20 mins or so and I can get lost in descriptions of frost and fire - that's exactly it @PricklyBob. Well summarised.

'Frost and Fire' is giving me candle inspiration. I've also had the idea of doing some papier-mache on glass jars with Christmas tissue paper. Said jars will then be used to store matches for the stove as well as candles (tealights) which I'm hoping will look nice. Only had the idea this morning, and came across the perfect paper in Sainsburys.

Currently watching Jamie's Italian Christmas on Food Network. I've decided I'm going to make his Spinach crumble as a side dish for Christmas lunch. Will be right up my Dad's street. Has anyone else tried it?

Rainbow that tissue paper is beautiful and will work really well on glass.

I don’t have the paper version of CC so have been listening to the podcast whilst on my dog walks.

I’ve now got to the end and am bereft!

Anyone know of any other quality Christmas podcasts, doesn’t have to be food-related and I’ve done Jamie Oliver.

@RainbowZebraWarrior what sort of glue do you use to attach the paper to the glass? I have loads of tissue paper.....

I use this. To be honest, I've used wallpaper paste before when doing boxes and it was fine. The Mod Podge acts as a glue, then a glossy varnish coat, too which will look nice on glass I think.

@BaconAndAvocado I've done the same with the audible version of CC. I'm contemplating downloading the audible version of another of his books (Appetite or Kitchen Diaries maybe) I've not been very successful in the past with finding christmassy podcasts that aren't read by folk with annoying voices (once you're used to Nigel's dulcet tones, you're spoiled really aren't you?) That said, I'm going to have another look now in case anything new has popped up.

Rainbow
haha I started listening to an Apple podcast but….the voice became too annoying 😂
Still searching….

I’m saving A Christmas Carol to nearer Christmas.

Just a quick question:

Is anyone using the recipe thread or are you all happy to get just them from the individual chapters as and when you read?

I'm very happy to continue posting if it's helpful, but if everyone's not too bothered and just as happy to come upon recipes in the book and then check/get ingredients, I think I might leave it as it stands and not do any further posts.

I'm having a difficult time atm and feeling overwhelmed.

Please do let us know how it goes. I'm thinking of doing it for the weekend.
We've had homemade chicken and vegetable soup for lunch, after a morning in the garden. Homemade crusty bread also. Such a delight to slow down a bit and enjoy little things.

Sending the gentlest of hugs to you @YuletideSolace I'd just leave the recipe thread for now, especially if you're feeling overwhelmed. I'm one of those folk that note recipes, then save them for a rainy day. I've rarely cooked as I've gone along with Nigel. (Though I must admit, I'm sure the last couple of years I saw more folk cooking and sharing pics)

@YuletideSolace I'm sure no-one will mind if you leave it as it is. You need to look after yourself 🥰

Thanks both.

Yes I absolutely love trees dressed like that. Don't get me wrong, I throw far too many decs on mine. But if I had nothing else, I'd be happy with fairy lights and simple decorations. They show the real beauty of Christmas trees in my opinion 🌲

I totally agree on letting the beauty of the tree itself shine through. It's a big part of the whole thing for me - I'll probably seem a bit silly saying this but I look at it very similarly to how I feel about eating animals: the tree is a living creature which ultimately will die so that I and my family might feel happy, and in return I want to treat it with due reverence, respect and gratefulness. Yes it's the circle of life and yes it's the way nature works but I still want to be mindful.

A tree isn't a creature, really, is it...

Living thing.

That's so funny I was looking at some beautiful tissue paper today (the Victoria and Albert museum tissue paper collection) and was going to buy it for a craft project but wasn't sure quite how I could use it, so this is a great idea. Thanks!

Yes it's a great idea and that paper is lovely. I've just realised that the little tea light holders I picked up in the charity shop the other day might make good little match holders instead!

Ok ran out of time to do the brisket - weekend it is!!

I think I'll do braised brisket on Sunday as it's probably the last chance I'll get - we're going to roast a rolled sirloin joint for Christmas dinner this year so we won't do any big beef dinners in December.

Not Nigel but if you're looking for other good brisket recipes - Jamie Oliver does a Worchester Sauce Brisket which is my go to.

I also sometimes make salt beef from brisket. It's a week long prep but definitely worth it.

I'm already thinking about the level of bereft-ness I'm going to feel when we get to the end on here. I've done a couple of other mumsnet readalongs but never been as consistent as with this one - there's something about the diary format that makes it easier for me to not leap ahead or fall behind.

What did you do at the end last year? Do you all just say "See you in October" and go your own way? I can't bear the thought!