The Year Round Nigel Slater Discussion thread

[RainbowZebraWarrior]

Hello, all.

The Nigel Slater Christmas Chronicles readalong usually takes place here between November and February each year (the Christmas Chronicles being a book written by Nigel Slater full of winter recipes and anecdotes) It's been running for a few years, and the contributors have collectively decided it would be nice to have it running all year round.

So here it is. It is a place to appreciate all things Nigel-esque. Think seasonal food and recipes, enjoyment of nature, sharing of news and small moments of joy. It's a calm, cosy space for gentle chat and merriment so pull up a chair, grab a cuppa and relax.

A very hearty welcome to friends new and old!

@SheherazadesSeasonalNonsense I love Dumfries. Sadly, the last time I was there, it was August (notoriously wet and full of midges) it was literally pointless as you couldn't see your hand in front of your face for mist and rain. My favourite butcher is there though and they do the most amazing fruit pudding which is one of my absolutely top foods. Reminds me of frying it on a camping stove as a kid on campsites in the West coast of Scotland which is where we took most of our holidays. I've also just had a Yellowhammer in my garden right now!

@AgathaMystery what a relief to get it done. Best wishes for a smooth recovery.

@CrushingOnRubies I am so intrigued by your processional shenanigans. It all sounds so wonderful. I do love traditions and it reminds me a little bit of the mostly forgotten about Mayday celebrations with the Maypole.

Pleased to hear you've had a lovely few days @Bimblesalong and to hear about the forward travel plans. Gorgeous photos, too. Lovely to hear, too about the garden coming along. You've certainly got it all covered with the cold frame etc (needs must in the North of England, eh?) I'm rather worried about the dahlia tubers I planted in pots a few days ago as we had -1 last night, so I dragged them to the least frost-prone spot. My back garden is fairly sheltered, so fingers crossed. We've had sunny skies here for over a week. It does lead one into a false sense of security somewhat. When I read your post the other day, I bought a russet apple tree as I remembered our conversation last autumn about them. Loved hearing about how all your immediate family have them in their gardens in memory of your lovely Dad ❤️

I have also decided to purchase a silver birch tree to plant at the bottom of the garden. I'm making up for the two trees my neighbour at the back of me cut down a year ago.

Evening all,

@AgathaMystery glad you got the op done, sending best wishes for a speedy recovery.

@RainbowZebraWarrior my neighbours have a silver birch, it is beautiful, the way the leaves wave in the breeze.

Beautiful weather continues here, I had to put the aircon on in both the car and my office today.

Low sun this evening, it was beautiful shining through a hawthorn bush close to where I live

Good news @AgathaMystery , I’ve heard from
friends how ruddy painful gallstones are and am extra pleased for you that the job is done.

I’ve tucked the cold frame up with a blanket over it as we are due 1° overnight and it’s often a bit cooler out in our village. I planted the dahlias up a couple of weeks ago in pots that are by the garage window inside - still no sign of green. They were brought out today to warm in the sun. A few more balmy days to come, much needed.

I couldn't get my river photos to upload so here's abit of hedgerow instead.

We've started some much needed renovations. Next task is floor levelling. Not sure I can face it, even paying someone to do it 😬

@AgathaMysteryget well soon! Take care of yourself. So glad you’ve finally had the op 💐

@RainbowZebraWarriorits more of a May Day welcoming of spring type thing. But not more formal but what people wear is. In one of the processional dances the ladies wear full ball gowns with hats ( think that races scene in my fair lady) and the men wear top hats and tails. And you have to been born or registered in the town to take part. And that’s a very big deal and you have to be registered then get invited.

Oh wow.

sounds absolutely mental and I’m 100% here for it. I went to a cotillion when I was a high school student (USA, 1990’s). It’s was terrific.

Can I say, through the morphine haze, how much I love being on a thread where RZW mentions her fave but her and no one bats an eyelid 😂 I have a fave butcher too. Her name is Carolyn and she’s a conspiracy theorist. Mad as a box of frogs but an excellent butcher.

@AgathaMysteryCarolyn the butcher sounds ace.

no where near Cortillion it’s dancing through the streets with the same tune x4 times which you find yourself walking to the beat to on a random Tuesday because it’s so ingrained in your brain. But yes the organisation / committee side is a bit like cortillion.

@AgathaMystery I’m glad you’ve had the op without too much delay, my brother was cancelled three times before it finally went ahead.
It was a glorious afternoon here but dog walking with my daughter this evening was very cold indeed.

Hi! Does anyone have an old 90s? Recipe for spicy grilled chicken? I think it’s from his 30 minute cook book but I got it from a newspaper originally . I know it’s his because of the commentary about it would be great left marinading all day but he can’t face a clove of garlic in the morning! Would love to reproduce it but can’t find online. Thanks

Crisp Spiced Grilled Chicken
Serves 2
3 tablespoons olive oil
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1 tablespoon ground coriander
1/2 teaspoon ground pepper
3 cloves of garlic
1 hot red chilli pepper,chopped
2 tablespoons chopped parsly
Juice of 1/2 lemon
4 boned chicken pieces
coriander leaves
slices of lime to serve.
In a small bowl, make a paste with the olive oil, cumin, coriander, ground pepper, garlic (crushed to a paste with a little salt) pepper, parsley and lemon.
Rub paste over the chicken pieces and set aside for as long as you can. Fifteen minutes is long enough.
Meanwhile, get the grill really hot. Place the chicken pieces on the grill, cook quickly to crisp the skin and then turn down the heat and cook until tender all the way through. About 12 minutes, turning once. Scatter with coriander, sprinkle over a little salt and serve with slices of lime and crusty bread.
I couldn't find a link, so I had to copy it from my book. Enjoy!

Best wishes for a speedy recovery @AgathaMystery
and now I want to be in a fancy procession too!
went to bed In joggers and an oodie last night as DH will not sanction the heating bring turned on. Brrr.

Morning all.

DD is really poorly bless her. Had to keep her off yesterday, after she started feeling unwell on Sunday. I suddenly realised last night that it was probably covid. Sure enough, she's just tested instantly positive. I'm negative but have a headache, have lost my sense of smell and taste and have a sore throat (to be fair, that's been a permanent feature for over a month) so I could be a couple of days behind her.

At least the sun is shining and I can cancel some non urgent appointments that I couldn't be arsed with anyway

Trying to deduce the event to which you refer @CrushingOnRubies - is it the one where you can hear the curious tone of the cornet, clarinet and big trombone? I am intrigued! Hope you are recovering well @AgathaMystery. I'm finding it increasingly difficult to post on here - especially on my phone - due to the time it takes for adverts to load. Impossible to post any photos - I've just given up. Anyone else having problems or is it just me?

I've seen a lot of people complaining of the same @LillianGish which is a shame. I find it OK, but I use the MN website on an android phone using chrome. Don't know if that makes any difference. I've never had the app as I've heard that's awful.

I'm feeling increasingly rubbish so I've put a hurried food order in for tonight just in case I'm out of action for a few days (seeing as DD has been) and I'm now going to make a pan of soup. I'm necking propolis lozenges as they can do wonders.

The weather is supposed to be glorious from Thursday to Sunday. Need to be well enough to enjoy.

@RainbowZebraWarriorI hope your DD feels better soon. Typical it’s the Easter holidays! And I hope you don’t succumb to the illness either

@LillianGishI think clarinets are involved. Cornets and big trombones are definitely

Thanks @CrushingOnRubies we don't break up until Friday, here, so I'm hoping that I can get her back to school for at least the last couple of days.

I've just been drooling over F&M's Easter Treats online. Specifically their almond Brownies and Spiced date butter to go on hot cross buns which sounds delicious. I think I'll make my own Spiced date butter and Brownies and I've already stocked up on M&S hot cross buns.

@sueellekerthank you so much!

I am not trying to out you i promise! But, Helston?

@AgathaMysteryhow are you getting on?

@SheherazadesSeasonalNonsensebingo 😁 I’m walking with the students at my school in the children’s dance

Fabulous!
my mum is from St Ives. They don’t have a floral dance but they have a similar parade with, like, five widows of the parish and five virgins (!) and so forth. I love that they haven’t died out

edit to add: the traditions, not the virgins 😂

Exactly! The same way that have ‘obby ‘oss in Padstow and Boulder day in St Agnes. They you have newer traditional days because they are clearly good for local businesses in Trevithick Day in Camborne / Redruth forget which. And Mazey/ Golowen in Penzance.

st Ives is a lovely town

That’s awesome. My roots are in Cornwall, with my great x? Grandmother leaving Padstow in the late 1800s. We have family graves going back to at least the 1500s and at least one wrecker in the family 😬. Law-abiding fisherfolk too.

Sorry to hear about the illness @RainbowZebraWarrior and glad you’ve got ahead with getting food in.

How’re you doing @AgathaMystery ? Hope your pain is well managed.

I’m drinking a chilled zero alcohol beer in the sun, toasting a dear friend who died last night. Bloody cancer. She was truly an inspiration and mentor as well as being an all round good egg and hilarious company. We had worked together on various projects for decades and travelled to the opera and arts together. The sequel to a tough 2024 is going hard right now but I’m hopeful of better days.

So sorry to hear about your dear friend @Bimblesalong bloody cancer indeed. Hugs to you x