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.

I am very late to the thread (I have followed the last couple of years) but wanted to agree that the way forward with sausage and beans recipe is to use way less liquid than Nigel sets out and more seasoning. It is actually really tasty once you do this.

Must dig out my copy and start reading.

Stir up Sunnday and my puddings are ready to steam. I have committed the cardinal sin and used plastic pudding bowls with snap on lids.

Well done! Plastic is fine - enjoy your day in the kitchen. I do wish steaming didn't take as long. I'm buying mine this year but might make one next year.

Epic fail @DingDongMerrilyWithPie just realised I’m a week early for Stir Up Sunday too. It’s next weekend. Oh well a job done early is still a job done.

I’m “steaming” using the slowcooker so at least it’s not quite as time consuming.

I was wondering 😁 but better early than never! Maturing time doesn't go to waste.

I'm currently writing Christmas cards

We had the most beautiful day in the Yorkshire Dales yesterday - it was raining heavily, but that made the waterfalls even more stunning and the Autumnal scenery was just beautiful. I’m off to the garden centre to buy bulbs today after reading today’s chapter.

Oh my word, so much to catch up with this thread!

@StarryAnise Your china collection is beautiful. I often dream of doing something similar. I'm a charity shop addict and always think that those cups and saucers have stories to tell. I just don't have the space to store and display as you have but I am fully envious and admiring of what you have done. My absolute favourite things to find in charity shops are paperweights- all those gorgeous glass flowers and designs. I've bought a few and really need to put up a shelf for them.

@RainbowZebraWarrior wow, not only are your wax discs stunning but I'm also bowled over by your masterchef and restaurant history. You must have some stories to tell!

I'm taking a moment to catch up on CC while the orange and poppy seed cake is in the oven and smells divine. No need to light a candle just now, the baked citrus scent is enough.

I got up this morning feeling the need to air the house so I've had all windows open and now it's lovely and fresh. I also went for a walk by the river - there's still a lot of dampness around so the walk was more filled with wet leaves than glittery frost but it's starting to turn crisper and I love it. Very serendipitous that Nigel has written about cold winter walks today. I love his description if London in the snow. I've only been lucky enough to experience it once as I don't go to London often but agree it is beautiful.

I made today's lamb boulangerie a few years ago and loved it but it's increasingly difficult to find breast of lamb, even at the butcher. I'd like to do it again though so will keep my eyes peeled - this might end up being a January recipe.

@catwithflowers I also posted about the leeks, beans and sausages. Advice from @RainbowZebraWarrior was to halve the amount of liquid and add some mustard to the sauce. Made it again last night and much improved! Kept back half of the sauce for soup today (also recommended on the thread) and Mr RS and myself have just finished it off. Very tasty! Might be a few days before we have leeks again though 😁

I'm feeling suitably uplifted by seeing Christopher Ecclestone in A Christmas Carol yesterday (early Xmas present), the first batch of Christmas marmalade is bubbling away on the hob, and fruit is soaking in spiced alcohol ready to start the making of Christmas puds/cake this week. The whole house smells wonderfully of citrus and spice so no need for a Nigelesque candle today.

I thought I might use shoulder instead. I think that should work 🤞🏻

@Watchingpaintdrying you cakexiety brought back memories if my underdone cakes. I'm so scared of burning them I lose my nerve. One year I just cooked it some more the next day 😳
Another year I had to cut a round bit out of the centre like coring an apple and just ice over the top like polyfiller.

Lots of booze is the answer

Some lovely sounding Christmas activities and fruit soaking going on today. I never got round to my Panforte, so may need to re prioritise as we seem to be skidding towards December at great speed now.

I've let myself in for two Christmas fairs. The first of which I've just confirmed for next Saturday! I sell honey, so that's not a problem, as we have plenty. I'm now toying with the idea of selling my Beeswax Ingots too. I reckon I can make a couple of dozen this week. Can I ask you all if you think £3 is a fair price? They are about the size of a chunky cookie. Marketing wise, I'm selling them as 'Christmas decorations' but in theory, you could break chunks off and use as (all natural) wax melts. New pic showing size in relation to my hand.

I enjoy Nigel’s comments about his garden as the last two days recipes have been meaty. It was a little cloudy and damp here today but still nice enough to be out in the garden moving some pots by the back door and lifting some primulas to fill them with. All the new bulbs have been planted but there are some tulips from last year which look a little small and I’m not sure whether I want to bother with them.
Your ingots should sell well at £3 I would think @RainbowZebraWarrior. They are both attractive and unusual.

That seems a very fair price. I'd probably do a notice explaining what they are and how you could melt them, use them as decorations, etc.

Had the orange and poppyseed cake this week, so delicious. Definitely a keeper. Also just had goose (old one lingering in the freezer) so tried Nigel’s lemon potato stuffing - just amazing, and a contender for Christmas Day.
Definitely want to try today’s lamb dish, will see if the butcher can do lamb breast when we go in.
Really just loving the reminders to enjoy the season though, amongst so many people complaining about it.

I'd pay £3 for one of your wax ingots,@RainbowZebraWarrior, especially if I knew they were local and hand made.

Thank you @RainbowZebraWarrior for that advice. I did add garlic and less liquid but am happy to try again with lots more seasoning. I was disappointed as I love pulses but I think maybe I am used to slightly bolder flavours.

So exciting that you were on Masterchef! I believe you also live in Northumberland (we are in a tiny village not a million miles from Hexham). Your wax ingots are beautiful btw

Cooked braised brisket for several hours, not Nigel’s recipe- a Sainsbury’s one - it was absolutely delicious with creamy mash and veggies.

I’m a bit late to this thread but have caught up today on the free Prime Kindle edition.

I’m a vegetarian so wouldn’t want to eat most of the dishes, but I’m here for the cosy winter vibes!

This has just given me a lovely Christmassy frisson. Thank you for sharing!

I don't know why but this paragraph from Nigel has really reminded me of the Bladerunner 'Tears in the Rain' speech and I can't stop laughing.

(It goes "I've seen things you people wouldn't believe... Attack ships on fire off the shoulder of Orion... I watched C-beams glitter in the dark near the Tannhäuser Gate. All those moments will be lost in time, like tears in rain... Time to die.").

20 November (ish) Stir-up Sunday

A shining star. A pudding aflame.

The last Sunday before Advent, the day on which we traditionally make the Christmas pudding, is known as Stir-up Sunday. The name sound older, almost medieval, but like much of this festive lark, it is down to Queen Victoria and Prince Albert.

Good Morning, all!

A bumper chapter from Nigel today!

Thank you for all your feedback about my Ingots. Very much appreciated. I best get on it, today.

Looks like we will need Thread 2 by this evening. Don't worry, I'm on it.

I think your ingots will be an absolute bargain at £3 @RainbowZebraWarrior. Loving the thread at the moment - the winter walks, the soaking fruit, Christmas baking - it makes me feel so cosy to think about everyone snuggled up and enjoying the season. @delishdelosh I smiled at the idea you might have a goose lying about in your freezer - VN - glad you were inspired and that it was such a success. I'm planning on making a Christmas cake for myself today to fill my apartment with delicious smells so I'm delighted to see it's still stir-up Sunday according to the CCs.

A bit off piste but I've discovered a cosy Christmas podcast called The Calm Christmas Podcast.
It's about ways of staying relaxed amongst all the craziness of Christmas.
Nothing like Nige and CC of course but a nice afterthought for those devoid of Nigel.