The Nigel Slater Christmas Chronicles Readalong 2024

[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 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!

I've just read today's chapter and feel inspired to make my own festive drink in my own way... My partner and I don't drink alcohol and I can't handle the texture of dried fruit, especially rehydrated! So squeaky! 😫🫣 So I'm thinking a big jar of things like fresh ginger, lemons, orange peel, cinnamon sticks, using something like a cherry juice as a base for them all to steep in. I'm planning to heat at least some of it first, because the ginger especially will release more flavour that way, and it'll end up being a sort of immune-boosting festive drink to savour. I don't want to miss out on drinks that feel special or grown up just because I don't drink alcohol anymore!

Had a crafting session with my mum today at my parents' house; I was knitting socks and she was sewing mini aprons for children. I can't remember who it was that mentioned creating a safe homely place for her adult children to come back to, but I definitely feel that way about spending time at my parents', even though I've never lived in their current house. It feels safer than anywhere else, somehow.

Wish I had a better photo to add but these are just some squash seeds I roasted yesterday after preparing a delicious squash from a local farm shop. We'll have it tonight for supper, roasted with brown rice, fried Brussels sprouts and a vegan cheesy sauce.

Sending good wishes to everyone struggling with their health or the health of animals they love. ❤️

I'm reading today's and have already got the ingredients to make the apricot wine (it says sweet wine so I got Sauternes). I need a clip top bottle though.
I have a very old Christmas candle which is probably NVN but it was out. I might get a new one - the DCs like candles but aren't that responsible around them so we have to be careful
Today is my day off though so I'm not sure how much time I'm going to have other days.

Aaand I have just spotted the recipe uses BOTH. Oops. Time to get brandy too.

I’m a tad late but I made an account just to follow along! The book is on its way, due to be delivered tomorrow so I’ll have some catching up to do. I can’t wait to read and cook with you all!

I’ve just got my copy out !

A quick shout out and cheery wave to my Dunster ‘neighbours’, and those who don’t live near but know and love it 👋

I’m finding the photos on this thread most restorative….. thank you for pictures of sozzling(sp?) fruit, snuggling dogs, crochet blankets, deserted beaches and beautiful candles. My ‘Nigel Time’ is most likely to be late afternoon as I don’t do gentle starts to the day (I’m not a morning person and am invariably rushing around after getting up too late) and this feels like a good way to ease into the evening. It’s also been very nice to read the posts that have come in during the day.

My OH is the brewer in our house so I will be waving today’s chapter under his nose when he gets home and I’ll see what he fancies making. He did the apricot brandy a couple of years back and our son made us the fig one last year - bloody lovely, and I don’t even like figs that much. Funny how steeping things in alcohol increases their appeal……

Love your Nigel Nook and the story behind the blanket, @JustAMiddleAgedDirtBagBaby

Well, I’ve just lit my St Eval winter thyme candle ( thanks rainbow for the discount code), so it’s time to settle down and read today’s entry. Wine in hand and tagine cooking.

What was the code please?

It was THANKYOU20. Not sure if it works now, but worth a try.

Such wonderful photo's this evening. They absolutely make my heart sing.

I can confirm that THANKYOU20 still takes 20% off at St Eval.

I have a Pear and Freesia candle on the go, a glass of wine, a tired dog and now a shopping list for the apricot brandy.

And we're off!!

Will absolutely not be cooking along religiously but I do enjoy an apricot liqueur...

My lovely hot apple drink and a NVN candle. The weather has been unseasonably warm where I am but is now starting to feel frosty so the hot apple drink is warming my heart.

Yes thank you . Just made a big order that should last me a while! I love St Eval candles.

I’ve got the St Eval advent calendar to look forward to in a month’s time.

Yay - and so it begins!

1st November means bringing out The White Company Winter fragrance oil. NVN for sure, but it signifies the build up to Christmas for me! House to myself this evening so enjoying the solitude.

The apple brandy in today's chapter was the one I mentioned in an earlier post. I made it last year and loved it. Can this be made in advance for use a few days later does anyone know? If I made the 4 serving batch, could I keep in the fridge and warm up a serving over the next few nights?

Thanks to all for making this a corner of Mumsnet that is like a hug and with no vipers in sight!

I made the apple drink for a party, had some left over so put in a jug in the fridge and had it the next day/day afterwards (with the apple pieces in it) and if anything, the flavour had developed overnight and was very nice warmed up.

(As an addendum, we were fine with the drink in the day/s after but I take no responsibility for any food poisoning/botulism etc suffered by anyone else!)

Nowt wrong with the White Company winter fragrance, Foxy <eyes WC Advent Calendar>
I'm sure Nigel wouldn't turn his nose up.

The hot apple Brandy drink is something I think is meant to be made and drank immediately. Certainly Nigel doesn't say that it keeps. I can't much comment further as my asthma is triggered by apple / cider drinks so I've never tried it. Ratio wise though you'd be looking at a much higher alcohol % for something to keep in a pantry for a couple of months. This is why I make the Apricot Brandy.

That said, my Dad and his pal make an apple juice from their collective apple trees each year. They store it in wine bottles and it seems to keep quite well. I think they may have some sort of special canning method, though.

Here's something I found in in leiu of me asking him what his method is.

To add: if you only want to keep it for 2 or 3 days, it will be fine in the fridge.

https://originz.co/organically-speaking/ways-to-store-apple-juice-for-a-long-time

@Waitwhat23
@RainbowZebraWarrior

Thanks both! I'll give it a go.....

Is NVN not very new?

Not Very Nigel 😁

You can also be

Very Nigel
Nigelesque
Nigel Adjacent

Lots of degrees of Nigelness here and all perfectly acceptable of course in our quest to carve out a moment

NVN is Not Very Nigel (as in Nigel's tastes are expensive, and ours may not run to his level of expenditure)

So sorry that this is abit late, I’ve only just gotten into baking in the past year so I’m a novice! But how on earth does one use these molds? How do they balance in the oven? Upside down? I’m perplexed!