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Christmas

From present ideas to party food, find all your Christmas inspiration here.

The Nigel Slater Christmas Chronicles Readalong 2024

1000 replies

RainbowZebraWarrior · 23/10/2024 09:34

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 good few pages by way of introduction. This is why I start the thread now; so that we have time to prepare and settle in.

A lot 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.

I shall post each day and we can share our thoughts and feelings on the day's recipes and sentiments. It's particularly lovely to share any memories and personal traditions (as Nigel himself does)

Note: Reading by candle light can be particularly enjoyable. Cire Trudon may be one of Nigel's favourites but they are somewhat pricey. Share your festive finds here, even if they are at the cheaper end of the scale and possibly NVN (Not Very Nigel)

Pull up a chair, grab a cosy blanket, and light your candle of choice. It's that most wonderful time of the year!

The Nigel Slater Christmas Chronicles Readalong 2024
The Nigel Slater Christmas Chronicles Readalong 2024
OP posts:
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NowLightOneThousandChristmasLights · 23/10/2024 09:39

Hello and thank you @RainbowZebraWarrior .💐

It's HappyDane here with my seasonal namechange for this year. 🕯️🕯️🕯️

Looking forward to reading. Will do my best to be fully present and keep up with the loveliness.

🎄🎄🎄

MovingCrib · 23/10/2024 09:40

Ooooh RZW - thank you! The weather's just perfect to start reading. And the clocks are about to go back this weekend.

Time to get cosy ☕🧁🧣

TeaDrinkerCosy · 23/10/2024 09:43

Thank you @RainbowZebraWarrior for the new thread! I have been lurking on the preparation threads and have my copy of CC ready to go. I was able to pick it up secondhand for £5 so feeling pleased. Really love the general feeling and ethos of the other threads so looking forward to that on this thread too!

HannahDefoesChristmasHamper · 23/10/2024 09:45

Thank you for lovely new thread 🍃 🍂 🍁

ChessieFL · 23/10/2024 09:45

Thanks for the thread. Am looking forward to the readalong! I doubt I’ll make many of the recipes (combination of lack of time and fussy family members) but look forward to hearing how others get on with them.

SpinningTops · 23/10/2024 09:51

Ooh, I'm going to try and get my hand on a copy. I love this kind of thing.

ExquisiteIyDecorated · 23/10/2024 09:55

Thank you, I have got CC on the kitchen table ready to go.

NowLightOneThousandChristmasLights · 23/10/2024 10:33

I doubt I'll make many - or possibly any! - dishes this year; have done lots in the past but DH isn't always keen on Nigel's recipes (he doesn't share Nigel's and my appreciation for earthy flavours such as lentils) and especially doesn't tend to like anything with cranberry sauce or other things like that added in for no particular reason, heh. Will probably still do a couple of the sweets/baked goods.

I'm going for really relaxed and don't feel the need to pile my plate high, pardon the pun, with added expectations.

WeMeetInFairIthilien · 23/10/2024 10:48

I'm ready to join in this year!
I've had a couple of lurkes, over the last few years, but managed to get my own copy this year.

DH came up trumps for my birthday, with a set of Neom candles, and I have a couple of Rituals ones left over from last year, so I shall be using them.

Looking forward to trying some of the recipes.

IngenTing · 23/10/2024 10:54

Good morning! This will be my first year trying this. I've really enjoyed the pre-amble threads, so fully looking forward to this.
My copy was delivered in September and I confess I couldn't help myself, so have already read the introduction.

I'm not sure how easy it will be to get hold of the ingredients over here, but I'm going to enjoy the hunt and the inevitable swaps and substitions! 🌲

Gert12 · 23/10/2024 10:55

I would like to join please. I have the book but have only ever flicked through so look forward to delving in properly.

peachescariad · 23/10/2024 10:56

It's on the coffee table ready and waiting, third year running now - occasionally give it a little sniff in anticipation! Love the smell of a book.
Family think I've lost the plot.....

NowLightOneThousandChristmasLights · 23/10/2024 10:56

Oh @IngenTing I think you will be able to make great substitutions!

piscofrisco · 23/10/2024 10:57

Popping in for the lovely new threadSmile

IngenTing · 23/10/2024 11:08

@NowLightOneThousandChristmasLights I might be asking for your Nordic advice from time to time. Even though I've been in Norway and Sweden over a decade, I still find myself "what on earth is .....in Norwegian?" Or googling a Norwegian substitute.
I'm close to the Swedish border, so I can drive over to a decent ICA and get some things there. With the extra bonus of things being a bit cheaper.

The local shop may be getting some stock suggestions as well! They are very kind and often try to source things for me. A recent success was currents!

UnimaginableWindBird · 23/10/2024 11:09

Hello everyone. I remember some very lovely meatballs from quite early on last year so will be definitely be looking forward to those.

LadyLydia · 23/10/2024 11:14

I’m in!

LillianGish · 23/10/2024 11:15

Checking in - Trudon Carmelite at the ready 🕯️

RainbowZebraWarrior · 23/10/2024 11:16

UnimaginableWindBird · 23/10/2024 11:09

Hello everyone. I remember some very lovely meatballs from quite early on last year so will be definitely be looking forward to those.

I think it's referred to as stuffing, but it looks like meatballs to me (if it's the one I'm thinking about early in the book)

I was about to start my orange and Apricot Brandy, but I note that this comes early in the book too, so I am going to wait. I need time to use up some muesli anyway, so that I can repurpose the kilner jar for said liquer.

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RainbowZebraWarrior · 23/10/2024 11:19

Oh, a fair flurry of activity already. How lovely! It definitely feels appropriate this morning. My cashmere gloves are on for the duration now. It's very chilly here on the NE coast of England.

@WeMeetInFairIthilien I do love a Neom candle and probably have them all. Which ones did you get?

OP posts:
NowLightOneThousandChristmasLights · 23/10/2024 11:28

RainbowZebraWarrior · 23/10/2024 11:16

I think it's referred to as stuffing, but it looks like meatballs to me (if it's the one I'm thinking about early in the book)

I was about to start my orange and Apricot Brandy, but I note that this comes early in the book too, so I am going to wait. I need time to use up some muesli anyway, so that I can repurpose the kilner jar for said liquer.

Yes it's stuffing meatballs IIRC - one of the ones that DH isn't keen on. I mean he'll happily eat it (he's always appreciative and we often cook together so it's not that he doesn't value the work that goes into cooking) but it's not something he'd actively choose to have; his argument being he doesn't like it enough to want to buy for it/make it again, which I do understand. I quite like it as something slightly out of the ordinary, but I can take it or leave it. However, I really like the duck with pearl barley and red cabbage! Might do that since we have ducks in the freezer. Also can't resist a lamb boulangère so I'll definitely make that.

Ahh I'm looking forward to it! ☺️

Seasidebubbles · 23/10/2024 12:54

Thank you @RainbowZebraWarriorfor starting this lovely thread again, saying hallo to everyone and looking forward to following again this year. (Have had problems logging in so had to change my name slightly, don’t know why but it won’t let Bubblesbythesea join in!).

WeMeetInFairIthilien · 23/10/2024 13:08

"@RainbowZebraWarrior I do love a Neom candle and probably have them all. Which ones did you get?"

Perfect peace, cosy nights and Christmas wish. It was a gift set "Wellbeing wishes candle trio", I could smell them through the wrapping paper!

Webbb · 23/10/2024 15:05

I'm excited to join in for the first time, thank you RZW!

You can listen to the audiobook version for free if you have Spotify Premium.

Cherrypi · 23/10/2024 15:16

Ooh I was just thinking about this and searched for Nigel and you had started the thread today hurray and thank you! Definitely need a bit of Nigel goodness to perk up the run up to Christmas where hopefully his new book will be under the tree.

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