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!

I hear you. I hate all these sugary sweet flavoured gin liquers that are everywhere these days. When I make Nigel's Brandy I don't use the sugar, don't use the wine and don't use the star anise. It's jjts Brandy, apricots and the orange peel. It genuinely makes a beautiful Brandy with apricot and orange flavour rather than a watered down sickly sweet aniseedy offering (Sorry Nigel)

It's 2 degrees here on the NE coast of England this morning and it feels very discombobulating. Candles have been lit.

Here's some pics from the introduction pages (the ones in discussion yesterday about the German baubles)

Marking my place, with thanks @RainbowZebraWarrior.
Will probably have to drop in, and out, and in, a bit, as this winter's looking to be a busy one, with a fair bit of further belt tightening, but looking forward to a little seasonal balance to it all here.🍄

@RainbowZebraWarrior I might give it another go!

This is a lovely idea! I've had a rough few months and I'm not feeling very positive about winter/ Christmas so would love to join in and see if some Nigel magic will help 😊 I probably won't cook lots (live alone and there's a limit to what I can use/freeze/give away) but just sitting down to read every day sounds ideal at the moment.

Just ordered the book to arrive tomorrow.

@RainbowZebraWarrior I'm in the north too, it was 0 degrees C this morning here, beautiful sunrise with a frost on the tops.

I've got to work so no candle here this morning but I'm doing my six monthly St Eval order today. The Alchemy pots are tempting, but the dipped three wick candles are much better value in terms of burn time-vs-cost so I will just order my usual.

I don't drink alcohol anymore, well probably three times a year, but I do have a go at some of the drinks - cranberry or pomegranate juice instead of red wine, local apple juice and alcohol free spirits.

@martha79 I do less of the cooking now I am on my own more, but I still enjoy the book every winter.

@RainbowZebraWarrior what a good idea about Nigel's brandy. I made it once and found it too sweet. Your way sounds much better. I am going to give that a try.

I'm so excited to find this thread @RainbowZebraWarrior thank you.

I've ordered the book.

Candle recommendations Woodwick "fireside" as it crackles as it burns so you feel like you're beside a fire. Also The White Company "autumn" candle which I got in a gift bag last year smells divine.

Not sure how much I'm going to make either since my DP is vegetarian leaning vegan which takes a good bit of the fun out of things, but he drops the veganism when it comes to baking so there's always that. I might be adapting lots of recipes with mushrooms or tofu.

I'm a sucker for a scented candle so will have to give those inspiritus ones a go.

Bright and cold here in the NW too.

Popping into say do admire Nigel’s buns on Instagram today if you’re not already following him.

@Fibrous I’m vegetarian, and dh is coeliac and egg allergic. We muddle through. I’m here for the vibes and companionship - occasionally for actually making the recipes but otherwise my imagination does the trick.

@fibrous the sausages with white beans and leeks is very nice veganised

or maybe it’s not sausages and that’s just how I adapted it. Anyway, nice beans.

@PinballWizened great, we love beans in this house and throwing different types of sausages in at the end works for a lot of things. We have a bean and sausage soup that works well for that, too.

I dont know why I've never seen this thread before, but it sounds lovely! We're very much Nigel fans, so I'm looking forward to joining you all.

Oh he's in Finland the lucky devil. That's the next place on my travel-to-do list.

We’re vegan and about to start reading too. I’m hoping that dropping some home made seitan into some of the recipes might work but I’ll try and remember to share any subs that work well .

Ace, thanks! I will do the same.

@RainbowZebraWarrior we visited Finland for the first time this year and it was amazing.

I don't want to divert attention from Nigel/thread purpose but this book, if you can get hold of a copy, celebrates the seasons. I also dip in and out of it more during the autumn/winter.

Thanks for the reminder about the Woodwick ones, big fan of them. My treat candles are Skandinavisk, especially the one that smells like a forest.

I don’t eat animal products, so just skip any text that goes into great reference. Some of the recipes can be adapted to suit veggies and vegans, or spark off an idea for a veggie/vegans alternative. But overall its the cosy and traditional vibe which keeps me picking up the good every year.

The introduction is my favourite part of the book. So evocative, so magical, so hopeful.

To everything there is a season.

That's really the main reason I love this book. There is an acknowledgement of the twists and turns of life that I find comforting.

There are seasonal Skandinavisk candles on sale right now on BrandAlley, with an extra 20% discount code as well. I'm sorely tempted but I've resolved not to buy anything this year as I've got more than enough already.

Well I don't know if these are VN or NVN but the email from the BM made them all look fab. I particularly like the sari baubles, the cat and Cleopatra!
BM tree baubles

Those are very cute! Might get the nutcracker for my MIL, I think she'd like it.

😍

Vegetarian family here too, will be trying to adapt the recipes, will share the results here!

Has anyone tried the Takka candle from Skandainavisk? I'm tempted to give it a go.

I've parked my St Eval order, when I log into my account the discount code I've found isn't valid (because I am an existing customer - it isn't the welcome one either). I'll pop to my local NT place in the week and buy them there instead.