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!

@BishyBarnyBee love your wreath too.

Oh gawd @NowLightOneThousandChristmasLights you’ve reminded me too of that amazing website …

My grannies were both seamstresses and knitters when they weren’t at their jobs or doing house work. One worked as a sewing lady at a hotel in Hove in her latter years, caring for the bed linen and other linens. I was lucky to learn a lot from them.

I'm joining the thread. My copy is sitting at the front of my bookshelf ready to be opened. I'm loving the candles idea I have a rituals one that still smells gorgeous or I might go straight for my Christmas candle - surely its not to early if we're reading Nigel.

That wool is stunning. Lovely hat.

@BishyBarnyBee Our Christmas mugs come out on 1st December and get put away on 12th night every year. We’ve had them for ages and look forward to seeing them every year, it’s part of the tradition of our Christmas.

@GrannyWeatherwaxsBroomstick how wonderful!!

I've been years ago but want to return now the dc are older

I really enjoy the podcast but this thread is making me feel I'm missing out on the picture?

I love seeing all of the knitting!

Mine is certainly a bit less Nigel, but as I have two small children, that is slightly to be expected. 100% machine washable, all the way!

I also realise, the crow/raven has a particularly worried looking expression 😳

Absolutely love those pumpkins! It’s great to share crafts. There is something VN about making and sharing of skills.

Oh I have always wanted to join this thread but didn't have a copy of CC. Until about two weeks ago. Got a second hand copy on Abebooks for £11.50 in mint condition. So happy.

Couldn't wait so I am already halfway through November, but eager to backtrack and go at proper thread pace.

I cannot read yet - I have two papers to hand in first.

Nigel is my carrot on the end of the stick! haha

My copy arrived in the post yesterday and I’ve started the intro. It’s the first time I’ve read it and I think Nigel captures the joy of winter perfectly in just the few pages I’ve read.

I’ve always loved autumn, to me it feels like when the new year should start, but I think that’s because I’m a teacher. However I’m less keen on winter, mainly because I find getting up early in the dark mornings so hard. My plan is to read CC when I get up with a cup of coffee when my house is silent (sometimes, DS is a ridiculously early riser and very fond of Pokémon which ruins the ambience some what). Hopefully it will make the cold, dark mornings a bit more joyful.

I’ve come to realise that summer is my least favourite season, but not for the usual reasons. I love hot weather and being out in the sunshine, but living in Scotland it always feels like it’s only small snatches of good weather and mainly a whole lot of disappointment. The last two years have been particularly bad summers and my garden is just a constant source of frustration at things not growing. A least winter comes with very low expectations.

Looks a bit like Dobby!

My plan is to read CC when I get up with a cup of coffee when my house is silent (sometimes, DS is a ridiculously early riser and very fond of Pokémon which ruins the ambience some what). Hopefully it will make the cold, dark mornings a bit more joyful - early morning solitude in a silent house is a VN moment @Librarybooksandacoconut (Pokemon notwithstanding 🤣). Light a candle and you’ve pretty much got Ultimate Nigel right there!

Morning! I am VN in that I prepared a tisane of ginger, turmeric, chilli and lemon in a thermos by my bed to drink this morning. Chemo has robbed many of my tastebuds and given me a claggy mouth, so I am slathering at the descriptions of food - my taste should return once I’m done next year! I am coming up for air slowly and have Nigel reading the bread section from cook’s chronicles to listen to.

I can almost smell the delights of the bakery “du pain et des idées” which is close to where I usually stay in Paris. It does the most divine sourdough and pastries although I wonder about needing a mortgage to buy them lately!

I confess!!

I don't really know anything about Nigel, I've never seen any of his shows or read his books. But I dropped in and out of the thread (lurking) last Christmas and it seemed such a cosy and warm corner of MN so I was determined to join this year. I followed him on instagram and he's made me smile this year so here I am!

@HowManyDaysTilChristmas I am exactly the same about summer and the subsequent arrival of winter- your description was very good.

It looks as if Nigel is very much on your wavelength today@Bimblesalong judging by his latest Instagram post!

Oh goodness that all looks absolutely divine!

Sorry to hear about the taste buds and claggy mouth @Bimblesalong I hope you can find something in some way that is enjoyable or even soothing.

I'm burning bits and bobs of candles today in order to get rid of old wax and make way for delicious new candles.

I like the fact that the book starts proper next Friday. I'm very much looking forward to Halloween with DD then the book starting the very next day. Hopefully I will get the Brandy drink made over that weekend. I've bought these bottles for the job.

He really is! It’s amazing how his writing brings all the smells and tastes back in memories - very proustian. I am making a list of places to eat at/ things to eat for afterwards!

Is that the apricot, orange and anise recipe on November 1st? I read that and fancy giving it a go. Have you tried it before? And if so, what did you use the apricots for?

I already have some bilberry liqueur maturing in the garage, made in the summer after we had been foraging! I am thinking of using that with white wine to make a Kir. So if that is the aperitif sorted I like the idea of Nigel's apricot brandy as a digestif.

Yup I'm on for it this year. I bought it two years ago and never had a minute to read it. I did already read some pages throughout but happy to go from the start to the end :)

Yes I've tried it a few times. I don't use the star anise as I can't abide aniseed flavour. Once the liquer was gone, I would chop a couple of apricots up sometimes and throw in a tagine, or just pinch on on its own once in a while. occasionally, I'd have some with some Greek yoghurt as a pudding. My Dad chucked them on his late morning porridge with his berries!!

I think the general consensus on the threads over the years is either use less star anise, or don't use at all.

Yes I've tried it a few times. I don't use the star anise as I can't abide aniseed flavour. Once the liquer was gone, I would chop a couple of apricots up sometimes and throw in a tagine, or just pinch one on its own once in a while. occasionally, I'd have some with some Greek yoghurt as a pudding. My Dad chucked them on his late morning porridge with his berries!!

I think the general consensus on the threads over the years is either use less star anise, or don't use at all.

Well, I feel a bit stupid tbh!

I joined the thread last year and had the pleasure of hearing it all for the first time (available as an audio book with Spotify Premium for anyone who hasn't seen the posts that mention this!) and absolutely loved it, so many thanks to RZW and all 🥰.
I made the apple-brandy drink which I LOVED, but I had no idea that you could make in advance and keep!!

How long does it keep for please?

The apple drink is possibly different from the Brandy one that I'm talkng about, so you aren't daft. The Brandy one is Orange peel and Apricots steeped in Brandy.

Anyway, they are the first recipes up in the book, so we won't have long till we refresh our memories.

Just to confuse matters, I've never ever used the desert wine in it, either. Mine is straight up 'flavoured Brandy'.

Oh, and mine keeps for months in the fridge.