The Nigel Slater Christmas Chronicles Readalong 2025

[RainbowZebraWarrior]

Hello all, it's that time of year again!

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 Christmas Chronicles (Notes, stories and 100 essential recipes for midwinter) book begins on 1st November, however there are 25 pages of Introduction. That's why I start the thread one now; to allow time to prepare and fully appreciate Nigel in All His Splendour come 1st November.

Some regulars to the thread already have the book. For anyone new, it's a challenge to see of you can pick up a bargain. Vinted has come up trumps in the past, as has ebay. A rare and precious charity shop find is always a bonus. Don't forget, you can also listen along to Nigel's dulcet tones via Audible.

I shall post daily and we can share our thoughts and feelings on the days recipes, sentiments and indeed Dear Nigel himself. Observations of nature and the seasons are also very welcome.

So welcome to old friends and new, and don't forget that reading by candle light is particularly enjoyable. Cire Trudon may be one of Nige's candles of choice, but it's somewhat pricey. We don't discriminate against other less expensive brands - even if they are NVN (Not Very Nigel)

Pull up a chair, light a candle, grab a cosy blanket and join in!

Not sure Mr D should be driving, I mean he's not even looking where he's going!

I can see you are all getting stuck in on the cake and pudding making. My mother used to use an old enamel bread tin for her Christmas puddings... they were infamous locally and she used to make a dozen of themfor friends and family including one to be sent to my elder brother in Australis for a taste of home, all the bowls were returned in January... however, you all seem to leave them for just a month, my mother's rested for a full year (oh the joys of a pantry, God bless Council house architects!) before being distributed.

The bread tin, which pre-dated me, was only pressed into service for the mixing, until the fateful November when shrieks were heard from the kitchen and Guinness was escaping through the seam at the base... every bowl in the kichen was pressed into action, including the bread pudding washing up bowl. Were we the only family to have washing up bowls for separate functions, bread pudding making, laundry soaking and the ubquitous sick bowl, all different colours so nothing got cross contaminated.

My mother planned her weekly shopping across the year... in Spring, it would be extra white sugar for the summer jams and from September, it was the dried fruits, giant raisins, currents and peel, and the sugar with the exotic names, Demarara and Muscovado, which was always slightly sweaty in the packet. Brandy and rum would be lifted out to be used, we did not drink so I think those bottles would easily be 10 yrs old.

Re-reading this, I have just realised that mum must have had at least 24 pudding bowls in circulation... a hoarding streak, never!

I don't like Christmas cake or pudding. Haven't heard wild geese recently, but I regularly hear an owl hooting near the river, which is delightful. Yesterday evening I visited a candlelit event at a nearby Georgian house, open to the public, very atmospheric.

Hehe. This really made me chuckle. He's lying next to me in his pumpkin igloo bed (best buy ever!) and I've told him what you said. There wasn't much reaction tbh. He can be so haughty sometimes! 😁

MrD doesn’t need to look where he’s going. Plebs need to get out of the way. And of course there’s always the staff who can look…

I’m part way through my wax adventures. I have allocated all the wax remnants and scent into different colour heaps. I have wicked all the pots. Having a rest now, before kicking off again after lunch.

I read about the winter drinks this morning, and realised as I have buckwheat, I can try buckwheat tea!

The geese are generally present here, doing practice runs from late August. They are the precursor to the turn of seasons. I used to live high on a hill and the geese flew by below my windows.

This morning however, the full flight went off with all the cacophony of the Wild Hunt. I think that must be the last of them, but I’ll check who’s still there on my next walk. I’ve been distracted by spotting an invasive signal crayfish, instead of paying attention to the birds.

Hello all, so glad to have found you.

I've been active on these threads previously but stayed away last year due to dealing with a lot of life challenges. In hindsight, I think that taking the time to read the book each day and be part of the general loveliness of this thread might have been helpful to me, but at the time I just could see a way through.

I'm back this year though and really looking forward to embracing the season. I've read the full thread this morning and am in awe of the talented craftspeople here - I would love to knit but I just can't get the hang of it. There have already been some beautiful descriptions of the season and I'm sorry haven't been able to join in for peak autumn. I have been enjoying the past month though and have made a real effort to make the most of autumn this year. It helps that 2025 has brought some of the most stunning autumn colour I can remember, along with lovely dry crisp weather - it has been an absolute joy to get out for woodland walks, returning home to cosy socks and pyjamas, hearty food and occasional baking.

I didn't open CC at all last year but usually cook quite a bit from it. I'll confess that this year I've already made the sausages with leeks and butterbeans - did that last weekend to mark the start of the Season of Nigel. We're going to be away for a couple of weeks mid-end November, which is a shame, but I'll keep up with the audio and with this thread - even if the actual book is too heavy and cumbersome to take with me. I'll definitely also find time to make the brisket with porcini and the orange poppyseed cake at the very least. Hopefully some others too.

My candle of choice for this time of the year is definitely NVN - it's M&S Warmth. I absolutely love it. Will switch over to St Eval Bay & Rosemary on 1 December though.

We're not spending christmas at home this year - first time in almost 25 years. Our plans will end up being lovely but as far from Nigel as possible - I'm predicting lots of noise, and competitive commericalisation... But also reconnecting with family, which is the important part. Also important to find time in the rest of the season to enjoy quiet and slower moments.

Like others, I am on a geese flight path and enjoying the overhead honking. We also hear the occasional owl at night.

Carved a pumpkin last night and have that sitting at the front door, ready for the neighbourhood kids coming round later. They are usually early, which is good as later on this evening DH and I are partaking in a most definitely NVN activity - Back to the Future 40 Anniversary showing at the cinema! I can't even get away with saying we're going to the more traditional cinema, with comfy sofas. It's the multiplex and IMAX screening tonight.

Welcome back @PricklyBob Lovely to have you here again and so sorry to hear that last year was so challenging. It's hard to know what to do for the best sometimes and I think you just have to go with how you feel at the time. Sounds like you have some lovely plans this year ❤️

"MrD doesn’t need to look where he’s going. Plebs need to get out of the way. And of course there’s always the staff who can look…"

I love this @PrizedPickledPopcorn

A candle lit geogian house event sounds so lovely @bibliomania I'd love to do something like that, but I'm unable to do evening events (that makes me sound like a reverse vampire!)

@LatteLady I think I was born in the wrong era. Loved your story about your Mum. I also keep my cakes and puddings for a year. I used to keep the puddings in a box under the bed! I also shop like that. Absolutely everything revolves around what I'm making seasonally, to the point that it's all in my diary for next year already. I also confess I'm a bit of a hoarder.

I've not done the pumpkin. It just keeps looking at me defiantly and I keep doing anything else but carve the darned thing. My Dad helped me move and collect logs in the garage and I was telling him I'd found these lovely salt and pepper walnuts in Aldi. He left me with a gift of eggs from his hens and said why not stick some of these walnuts in your cheese scones today? So I did. And they are flipping delicious! I used to do walnut and white chocolate ones in my café, but these Savoury versions are much better.

Straight out of the oven.

Delicious. I need to give up work. Spend my days making cheeses scones and looking for chestnuts! Work does give me structure though. The fear is, I’d spend my days thinking about making cheese scones and looking for chestnuts, while actually eating chocolate.

I also do few evening events- basically work, which isn’t exciting, and the very occasional outing to somewhere reliably comfortable. I can’t do excitement, my body codes it as stress and rebels.

However- and this is excellent news- my son’s girlfriend who I have barely met for ‘reasons’, is envious of my candle making day apparently. She loved the plums we sent down, has been waiting for the figs to ripen (he didn’t tell me), and generally sounds like she appreciates the things I appreciate. She’s coming for Christmas, so we will get the chance to find out how we get along. I’ve been around MN long enough to know I’m on shaky ground 😁. I’ll curry favour with everything at my disposal! They are planning to move in together next Feb.

Oh my, those scones look delicious. Look at those butter puddles!

I can take or leave a sweet scone, but warm, buttered cheese scones are one of my greatest pleasures.

Those scones look wonderful! I love a good scone.
I've made a cauliflower and bean soup for lunch. Soup is one of my favourite things to make.

That looks lush. Soup is such a comforting thing isn't it? It's wholesome and healthy but warm and filling all at the same time. I can guarantee that at this time of year, I can walk into my parents house and there will be a pay of Soup bubbling away on the aga. It makes me feel like all is well in the world. Even if it is accompanied by my mother bemoaning Dad's pathetic parsnips and manky potatoes!

I'm reminded of Nigella again and her insistence regarding the stirring of risotto being relaxing. It's the same with soup. Mesmerising and hypnotic.

Yes I'm with Nigella on that. The repetitive action.
My dad has just moved house and left his aga, and I do miss it.

I think I'll have to make some cheese scones again. I always use the Be-Ro recipe; it has a pinch of mustard powder in it, which makes all the difference. I'll also have to look out for those walnuts.

@RainbowZebraWarrior those scones look amazing! Which recipe do you use, please? I love a cheese scone. Are they VN or NVN?)

@LillianGish I do love your Paris photographs, but they make me very envious.

@LatteLady I really enjoyed reading your post. My grandmother had a little council bungalow with a brilliant pantry. My 1920s house used to have one. You can tell where it was by the location of a small window.
I often muse about reinstating it somehow when we get round to replacing our very, very ancient kitchen. Which I keep putting off as I know it will be a nightmare.

I bought this pretty Advent calender today which I am looking forward to using.

Have a Happy Halloween 🎃 everyone.

I used to make scones when I lived in a badly equipped temporary home. I’d add chilli powder and Parmesan, and serve them with cream cheese. I’ve always been a bit gung-ho with scones, but have knocked my confidence using the air fryer. Several batches in a row went wrong and instead of just going back to the oven, or getting an air fryer appropriate recipe, I just gave up 🤣

@AngelChoirsInstead I love your name and that Advent calendar is exceedingly Nigel!

Candle 1 is a disappointment. I knew as I was making it that it was a bit dodgy. It doesn’t smell of much, but is crackling nicely from the rosemary catching fire! I’m sat with a fire blanket just in case!
The light is lovely though.

The soup and the scones look excellent. Lovely-looking candle too @PrizedPickledPopcorn - I hope you don't have any rosemary incidents!

Would also love a pantry - my grandma had one and I used to spend ages in there with her exploring all the ingredients. Or just sitting in there - it was built in under the stairs and it felt so safe and smelled amazing - the closest I can get to it is when you go into a health food shop that has lots of herbs and spices.

I've got my Christmas cake fruit soaking this evening - the kitchen smells of oranges and brandy 🙂

Gorgeous advent calendar @AngelChoirsInstead

I use Mary Berry's cheese scone recipe these days. I was a chef for years and have tried dozens of recipes. Hers is utterly foolproof. She uses mustard powder (as all good cheese scone recipes should) but I also add cayenne. A pinch of each isn't enough as far as I'm concerned though, a good half a teaspoon I'd say.

Trick or treating has been non stop for the past couple of hours here. I'm looking forward to relaxing a bit now.

@PrizedPickledPopcorn tbh i think the glow of a candle is the main draw and you've achieved that, so all good.

www.cookingwithmykids.co.uk/cheese-scones/

I’m going to go against the grain as I don’t like a savoury scone-but I could demolish a fruit one with all the trimmings. I got down to one mini mars bar in my trick or treat bowl so blew out the candle in my pumpkin and scarfed it down. Not very nigel but not to worry.
he hasn’t yet replied about the Medlars. Harumph.
A Happy Halloween to all that celebrate x

I'm afraid I am a philistine and put all the stock in at the same time for risotto. It tastes the same as when I stood for hours stirring tiny amounts in. Sorry, not sorry.

My soup on the other hand is a full day affair. My lentil soup starts the day before with a ham hock bubbling away to make stock.

I’ve been making chutney this week, I was only saying yesterday we need some cheese scones to go with it. Yum.

We had a lovely pantry in the house I grew up in. There was a big stone slab to keep things cool, a high ceiling with hooks for the meat on the walls.

When we moved the new people took the slab out which I always thought was such a shame.

Love the stories of your Mum @LatteLady . I love a pantry. Our previous house had a huge one with slate shelves. In our current house we've turned under the stairs into a walk in pantry. When my parents moved out of my childhood home, they made it a condition of sale that the pantry door moved with them. My mum had recorded the heights of me and my brothers on it over the years and grandchildren had been added to it as they came along. She always made such a ritual of the measuring and marking and it was always done on a family occasion. On the evening of the day of her funeral, quite spontaneously, the pantry door came out for one last time and our heights were marked. Somehow it seemed a fitting tribute to her.