Nigel Slater Christmas Chronicles Read Along 2023 - Part Two

[RainbowZebraWarrior]

Continuing from Part 1

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 began on 1st November, however there is still time to fully appreciate Nigel in All His Splendour as it takes us to Christmas and beyond.

Most of us already have the book (or Audio 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 continue to make a post each day and we can share our thoughts and feelings on the days recipes, sentiments and indeed Dear Old Nige himself.

Pull up a chair and a cosy blanket and join in. Twinkly lights are optional, but candle light is definitely recommended. Regulars and newcomers are welcomed like old friends.

Oooh-err, Nigel! 😳

Had my first ever slice of pannetone on Thursday evening during my visit to Christmas at The Botanics, in Edinburgh and I loved it. How have I managed to miss out on this delicious seasonal treat for more than 50 years?? I agree with you @PricklyBob , Santa was amazing. Two women in their late 50s reduced to excited children, waving and giggling (a wee bit of alcohol may have been imbibed by this point, mind...).

Carol singers on the steps outside The Dome on George Street (beautifully lit up in its Christmas finery) on our way back to the station made the day extra festive.

Big love to all of you finding life a challenge the moment. That was me a few short years ago, but some life-imposed and self-imposed changes have made such a difference. Life has a way of pulling you forward and remember, tough times don't last but tough people do. Wishing you all a peaceful week ahead. 🙏

Those comments on Nigel's post - oh my days! Like others said on there, I rushed to see the comments. Absolutely fabulous!

Loving Nigel’s post and I must say that the tart looks so tasty!
@RainbowZebraWarrior thanks for keeping us going with this. You spread a little sparkledust daily.

I have finished the cake and the next thing to do will be to decant and taste the fig liqueur …

@Bimblesalong that cake looks fabulously festive. It's definitely beginning to look a lot like Christmas! Thank you for your lovely words, too.

Just back from the woods, where me and DD have had a lot of fun playing pooh sticks. Cheeks are rosy and it was nice to come home and put the tree lights on. It's not really cold enough for the fire, but I'm looking forward to it turning colder around Christmas eve as I've stocked up the log basket.

OK that instagram post has made my day.

Unmumsnetty hugs to anyone struggling with the season.

I did wonder if the insta post was a bit of a joke from Nigel but no it’s in the observer paper today too. Goodness

I had some friends pop round this morning and I'd been baking (DS arriving led this afternoon for the Christmas holidays). So I was able to share my Christmas pudding gin and mince pies made with the fruit from the gin. Sadly not homemade pastry this time. It would have been made with part icing sugar and orange juice instead of iced water. It was a lovely unexpected morning.

Hugs to everyone struggling.

Also sending hugs. I had a tough year in part too and am not feeling very festive, even though I adore Christmas.

I have given up on making Christmas cake as it never gets finished. I am thinking of making a walnut and coffee cake though, does anyone have a good recipe, please?

I've made this before for my Mum who loves coffee and walnut cake.

https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/user/3841956/recipe/no-fail-coffee-and-walnut-cake

It’s good to have the company of realistic and honest others as we can admit that some days we just keep on buggering on! The niceties of Nigel certainly help the mood and the insta post has kept me chortling all day.

Buggering on! Yes, that is what it feels like at times. Thanks for the recipe @RainbowZebraWarrior will give it a go.

Nigel's instagram post has made me giggle today, too. So funny that it is in the Observer print version too!

Hi all. No Christmassy cooking to report just the buying and wrapping of presents and over ordering of food that will hang around not getting eaten again (olives, French cheese, mince pies). Only have young adults here for Christmas who live on chocolate and cola (breakfast and lunch) and cocktails and crisps (supper).
Cake looks lovely @Bimblesalong and best wishes to those who are not able to have the Christmas they would want this year

. 😂At Nigel’s Instagram and the comments

Unfortunately I don’t do instagram so no idea what Nigel’s post was.
@Inextremis we had this last year with DH having a significant birthday early in the New Year.
We always buy a panettone for our daughters in-laws each Christmas and we have never had feedback as to whether they like it or not so for now they keep getting them!

@MadMadMad this was Nigel's post.

@narniabusiness I have promised myself I am not going to buy certain foodstuffs this year. I used to buy French Camembert every year and it just stinks the fridge out. I also realised I don't really even like it!!

@RainbowZebraWarrior i made a list last Christmas of what we had eaten, with very stern instructions about cheese this year!

@RainbowZebraWarrior We have Camembert and 3kg of Stilton and other cheese. DH is responsible for this. At least I can freeze some of the Stilton.

@RainbowZebraWarrior ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

18 December

The almond paste

Nigel today on insta - he enjoyed the chuckles his tart provided. He is having a low key Xmas this year - a reminder indeed that we can all do that too if required.

I'm so pleased he had a chuckle. It definitely gave a lot of people some light hearted relief from the stress of the season.

Sorry for my very brief post this morning. I'd forgotten we had an early docs appt for DD. Her cough is slowly improving, so no steroids needed thankfully.

I've bookmarked this marzipan recipe to try this week as I really don't like the idea of making it with egg. Will report back.

19 December

Sour Pickles. Sweet comfort.

It isn't cold enough. We are almost at midwinter and you would barely know it here in London. The occasional frosty morning, some fog delaying flights at the airports, but I find myself envying the North of the country, with its early morning frosts and 'persistent' fog.

It was very mild indeed yesterday in London. Very easy to walk around and see the lights. A lovely atmosphere. But yes weirdly mild.

Yes, I had a day out in London on Sunday and didn't take a coat, I was fine in just a jumper. As well as oddly mild I find it oddly quiet now (in a good way), we were around Tottenham Court Road, Soho etc and there's no traffic to speak of and practically all vehicles are electric and silent, it seems so strange.

Oh yes no traffic. Just red buses. It’s very people friendly which is great.