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 don’t live there anymore but I sure feel for you today.

I’ve had a NVN day (worked 3 different jobs - work life is so busy this time of year for me) but came home between jobs to flick the slow cooker on again to warm up yesterday’s steak and ale stew. I started it yesterday morning and it tasted okay last night, but tonight it is so rich and absolutely delicious and the colour is all rich and velvety and the steak is falling apart on the fork. We had it with a crusty loaf and thick butter. Yum.

I always think a slow cooker meal or leftovers are like a gift from your past self and a gift to your future self when you are making it. I often think when I am making a massive batch of biscuits ‘agh I can or be bothered today’ but I know in 2 days time I will be ridiculously grateful to myself.

Can I join in? Have started reading along for a couple of years but have fallen by the wayside each time.
I made the apricot brandy last year but I'm drinking less nowadays and it took forever to get through. I also made these spoon sweets from this article and they were delicious. https://www.theguardian.com/food/2023/dec/09/peanut-brittle-spoon-sweets-advocaat-recipes-yotam-ottolenghi-homemade-christmas-gifts?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other

I like to think Nigel would approve of Ottolenghi.

And have also made my own candied peel (surely VN) when it seemed to be very difficult to find last year. Had a byproduct of delicious citrus syrup which did indeed make a lovely Old Fashioned.
https://www.theguardian.com/food/2023/dec/16/how-to-make-candied-chocolate-orange-peel-with-old-fashioned-recipe-zero-waste-cooking?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other

Huge thanks to @Webbb for gifting me a copy of the Christmas chronicles, received today and I'm all ready to catch up!

Is that a beeswax candle cartreffi?

Today's chapter took me by surprise: 'My vegetarian friends are not hardcore, so I don't have to worry about mixing up their Parmesan with my Parmesan.'

I eat meat but wouldn't dream of offering Parmesan to a vegetarian.

I liked the bit about the leaves, I wish I knew them but I never learnt. Maybe one day!

After accidentally feeding one of DC friends who is Jain Buddhist a non vegan rice crispie cake (marshmallow) I am decidedly lax about Parmesan. I just about died of shame that particular day.

DD1 and her bf are vegetarian but are very chilled about parmesan. It's about doing their bit to save the planet so they are not hard core.

It sounds like you forgot @AgathaMystery (great name by the way) but I suspect Nigel doesn't have that excuse.

I can understand laxness but I guess I tend to think of that as non-vegetarian people who choose to eat vegetarian food nearly all of the time rather than being truly vegetarian, if you see what I mean. It's late so you might not! It just surprised me.

This is the first time I've read anything by Nigel Slater and I'm enjoying the vibe but also wondering if I'd find him a bit pretentious if I knew him in real life (case in point, the candle that costs hundreds). And then I stumbled across that bit about the Parmesan and figured that he's not so perfect after all. My view of him will round out as we progress through the book, no doubt.

Every now and then I catch myself thinking Nigel might be just a teeny tiny bit up his own derriere but then he makes a self-deprecating comment which restores the balance nicely.

I've been having a bit of a tricky week, nothing serious but sometimes life just seems to get on top of me a bit but today I noticed buds on my Christmas cactus, so that cheered me up. I am going to plant my paperwhite narcissus bulbs in the next couple of days.

@RainbowZebraWarrior yes it's a beeswax candle. I light candles most nights so try and use beeswax as apparently they're better for you in terms of fumes

@MrsMagWeary thanks for this, looking forward to giving it a try. I love an old fashioned. I’m not drinking at present but I can have it ready for when I can.

Photo in good humour and in appreciation of effort…
I was craving cheese on toast after treatment yesterday so dh made me this 😬. Nvn. Fortunately for the dog I fell asleep after one taste (a defence mechanism?!) so the dog ate it!!! I’m going to have to use some of my leave to train dh up in the ways of the cheese on toast! I like mine nicely brown and bubbling, with some mustard or chutney on.

I think Nigel knows his friends. And if they're not bothered, why should he be.

Of course he's not perfect - he's just a person, like the rest of us.

You know, @ExquisiteIyDecorated, I agree with your sentiment completely. The self depreciation is like Cordelia's love for King Lear, a savor that is sorely missed when lacking.

I'm team "veggie Italian Hard Cheese", but have been veggie for almost 30 years.

I love the quote from today's entry, it so completely sums up rain/sleet to me, as a glasses wearer too.

"...mostly they filmed me getting more and more pissed off. Snow is one thing. But driving sleet, especially when you wear glasses, is another thing altogether."

Yes. Yes, I empathise with this !

That's how I feel. These might be some of the people he lives with and / or knows very well. He's made a decision based on what they have already told him, not simply that he DGAF

Typo

7 November

A trip to the forest, and those gnudi.

(The one where Nigel goes to Norway to choose a tree for Trafalgar square. Aka Gnudi Part Two - The Revenge)

Saving todays entry for later but loved the description of leaves yesterday - my favourite thing about this time of year is the beautiful colours and trees - pic of our woodland walk yesterday the whole woods was carpeted with the most beautiful coppery crunchy leaves 🍁 The Gnudi sounds gorgeous and right up my street - never heard of it before but may have a bash at it!

How lovely. I'm going to try and get some beeswax candles made today as I've had the stuff out ready for days (I suffer with a condition that causes pain and fatigue among other things, so some days I can, some days it's bed rest)

Sorry you've had a tricky week @ExquisiteIyDecorated I also have a Christmas cactus which we have worked out is at least 60 years old (inherited from a great aunt) I shall have to go and check it for buds as it lives in the conservatory.

Oh crikey, @Bimblesalong Spot the cheese!

@piscofrisco hoping all is OK with you.

Every now and then I catch myself thinking Nigel might be just a teeny tiny bit up his own derriere but then he makes a self-deprecating comment which restores the balance nicely.

Just a teeny tiny bit? 😁😆

It's part of the fun for me. If he was just sitting there talking about ALDI candles and his trip to the local Carvery at the weekend, I don't think I would find the book half as engaging. The juxtaposition between his exacting tastes and the amazing experiences he can have on a whim - Vienna, anyone? - which he can afford given he has Nigel finances and Nigel time, and his appreciation for the beauty of small things and the simplicity of his childhood is somehow much more interesting.

Some might call him a snob but I know full well if I had his means I'd be very exacting too, so I can hardly hold it against him!

I use the book as a vehicle for hygge. I don't afford it, or Nigel himself, any more thought than that. Any quest to Be More Nigel is very much tongue in cheek and he's certainly not a guru figure to me. I just like food, nature, Christmas, good photos and expensive things.

For the most part I feel he is just someone who really appreciates the finer things in life, whether that’s a handmade pot or a vv expensive candle and why not, he has earned the money and has the time, but sometimes it does tip over into pretentious-sounding, but then he always tips it back the other way with a little side-swipe at himself. I imagine him to be excellent company and am also sure he wouldn't give vegetarians parmesan unless he knew they were OK with it, he is so meticulous. I don’t take it too seriously but it does make me appreciate things I wouldn’t necessarily give much thought too normally. I am listening to ATF in between chapters of CC and just reached the part about trays, well, I have never given the aesthetics of trays a moment’s thought, but now I will and probably end up buying more of them

Today is one of my favourite chapters in the book, the magic of choosing the tree, the frustrations of the weather, I just love it. And when I go to London and see the tree in Trafalgar Square it makes me smile. As for the gnudi, I made them about 3 years ago, it was fiddly and enjoyable, but they tasted a bit nothing-ey if I’m honest.

Gnudi doesn't appeal to me at all - firstly because I don't like ricotta but also it's a bit too fiddly and fussy for me and I just can't be bothered. But I, too, really love this chapter. Norway is lovely in winter. ❄️❄️❄️

Hehe at Aldi candles and a weekend carvery.

I'm imagining listening to him saying that now. Waxing lyrical about how he bagged an extra stuffing ball from the server perhaps. It's a funny image.

He loves in a world of luvvies and darlings. I don't know if anyone saw the video that Caroline Quentin posted on his Instagram where he had obviously sent her a copy of his book. It was all "Oh Niiiiiiigel you've written in it for me. Oh Niiiiigel the cover is simply outraaaaageous. Oh dahliiiing you are so clever"

(I do most of my shopping at Aldi/Lidl so not being a snob there 😉)

Just started reading CC but I may listen to the audiobook too on my dog walks, since yesterday morning. I've stopped listening to the news and need a distraction..
I love this thread and @AgathaMystery, you have inspired me to get out the slow cooker - will report back.

Yes I saw that video @RainbowZebraWarrior and it was a little too luvvy for me if I'm honest. I wonder if people in circles like that ever get tired of the effusiveness or wonder why the hell everyone bothers with it when they know it doesn't actually mean anything much...

Thanks @Willow12345 - I didn't realise there was an audiobook - I've just downloaded it. I read along with the book last year but haven't got round to starting it.