The Nigel Slater Christmas Chronicles Readalong 2025 - Part 3

[RainbowZebraWarrior]

Hello all, and welcome to Part 3. We Continue our CC journey.

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 began on 1st November.
We continue to read along and comment with the book which is set out in diary form. I will make a post each day (or let you know if there is no entry on a particular day)

For anyone new, it's a challenge to see of you can pick up the book as 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.

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!

The sprouts look great @PrizedPickledPopcorn! I spend a lot of time jiggling about in my kitchen finding angles/ distances where my phone doesn't cast a shadow.

Hope you enjoyed the opera @Bimblesalong

Congrats on the footy @RainbowZebraWarrior. I used to feel guilty about microwave rice but it's made life much easier especially when I'm usually cooking just for me. I discovered Veetee rice over the holidays (think it was the only brand available for a delivery at one point) and it's really good although the packaging is quite wasteful as it's in little plastic pots - I have got them all stacked up though, pending a check to see if they can go in the recycling.

I can't remember who mentioned overnight oats the other day but you inspired me to put some cupboard leftovers into a bowl in the fridge for the next few days - I've got oats, peanut butter, mixed nuts and seeds and some blueberries, with banana to add in when I eat it.

I'm very glad to hear there is a year-round Nigel thread, I was wondering what to do in February!

Thanks for this recommendation. I had hoped it might be on Audible, but it's not. I see there are some on ebay though, so I'll grab one on there.

Speaking of the arts and literature, is anyone else looking forward to seeing the Victoria Wood documentary? It was released in cinemas recently I believe, but I can't see any listings near me, sadly. I was a huge fan of hers, and still mourn her passing. I think it's going to be on TV in around a month or so. Also, anyone thinking of going to see Hamnet? Hoping to take myself off midweek for a screening between school runs. I'd watch anything with Paul Mescal in it, tbf.

I tend to wait for films to arrive on my sofa, before watching them. But Hammet will be on my watchlist, as will Victoria Wood.

Oh I hadn't heard about the Victoria Wood documentary! I miss her.

I'm going to see Hamnet, week after next when it arrives here in the sticks .

Still no snow here, just a teeny bit of frost. Jolly cold though!

DH and I hate marmalade so I've never made it. We both love jam though. I don't think I've actually bought a jar of it for nearly 40 years, because our cupboard is always well stocked with homemade.

@martha79 the year round thread is a lovely place!

How lovely to have a neighbour that gives you venison @thebabessavedme!
The dirty rice is not as interesting as it sounds @RainbowZebraWarrior. It’s a pinch of nom
jobby so diet but still very tasty nevertheless. I will pop you the recipe on tomorrow. It’s an easy dinner if nothing else.
A chilly day in London, and we took the Dashchund for his first trip to the big city. Here he is having lunch with us in coal drops yard. He got lots of fuss and taken for cuddles with the waitresses at the pizza place we went to for lunch, and was the top dog in all of Oxford Street, so he deemed it a great triumph!

I love Hamnet-the book and I’ve also seen the play so very much looking forward to seeing it at the pictures. I’m waiting for it to come to our local little arty cinema in February though.

This Morville Hours book sounds brilliant - just acquired a 2nd hand version on ebay.

I didn't realise the Victoria Wood film was out now - will definitely try to see that. Saw her live once, one of the best nights out I've ever had.

@piscofrisco what a stunning dog, no wonder everyone wanted cuddles.

Woke up very early confused about what day it was (I may be a little stressed about going back to work tomorrow) and also hungry, so the overnight oats were much appreciated.

He looks like a delicious little chocolate Truffle! Ooh yes please to the recipe. I did Google it yesterday and it looks quite interesting. I love all rice dishes, in fact I'm thinking of making season rice today.

There are very limited showings before it comes out on UTVgold or whatever its called next month. My best friend and I idolised her and even now, we use her phrases on our daily texts to each other. We saw her live many times. Her level of talent was truly amazing and she was aways utterly mesmerising. I started to watch the Kermode / Mayo review last night but they get completely on my nerves so I stopped.

Bleaching down with snow here. I'm wishing I'd made a pot of overnight oats so I could munch on something as I sit by the window watching the snowflakes silently fall. Gosh I love this time of day!

Anyway, morning all. No CC entry until the 15th. I've had a little scroll through my favourite Instagram accounts instead. Monty Don does post the most beautiful photos. I've also been looking at books. I see there is also a 'Morville Year' book. I think I might have a rummage at the market today and see what I find book wise. Assuming we get there; the wind is up now so the falling snow is swirling outside my window. Time for more tea, I think!

Ooh that Morville book sounds lovely. I must have done some midnight semi awake ordering last week (I’m a terrible insomniac and sometimes when I’m half awake and doom scrolling I order things-some of which have turned out well and some very much not!), and yesterday this book arrived which might be quite Nigel. I will give it a go and report back.
Snow still a no show here (of course), but still very cold. I’m off for my women’s group walk this morning-wish me luck-then home to make a cheese cake for DSS’s little girlfriend who is coming for tea for the first time today (he is 13 so this is a big deal and we have promised not to be ‘weird’ :) ), do some soup making for the week ahead, and prep for the week at work-I’ve promised the Co farmers a banquet of toasties as a nice activity this week so I need to dig out our sandwich toaster and give it a good clean.

deep breaths @martha79the first day at work after any sort of longer tome off is always nerve wracking. Take it hour by hour. You can do this!

Morning all. Still cold and icy here, the snow has turned into treachery and icicles. Dog very unimpressed.
I have got back into bed with tea (and the dog) and child is watching Cinderella.
@piscofrisco I love sausage dogs! Very sweet.

Morning all.

The sky looks full of snow here but so far not a snowflake has fallen 🙄. Probably a good thing really - I'm off to return dd1 to London today & make sure she has a food shop for the fortnight between today & her birthday. She's coming home for almost a week then, to work and to celebrate.

I really want to jump on the bandwagon & order some of the books you're all buying but am resisting - my tbr is about 15 books high at the moment 🙈. I wanted to re-read Merry Midwinter and the Dead of Winter, but haven't got there yet so will continue to resist (for now).

Collected my new planner yesterday - undated Scribble & Dot, for a fiver on Vinted. Looking forward to setting that up - maybe an hour after work tomorrow with a coffee ☕️, and silence.

Have lovely days all. @piscofrisco I hope meeting ds's gf goes well...how sweet 😊.

@lucysmam I'm creating quite the wish list of books from this thread too but also resisting until I've got through some.

Thanks re work @piscofrisco - I'm sure it'll be fine once I get started. That book looks like another one for the list.

I have been influenced by Nigel on Instagram today and am having baked potato for lunch (with bolognese leftovers) then something involving sausages later. It's just grim and rainy here.

We have had many a chat about ‘don’t be weird’, @piscofrisco ! I worry that we don’t actually have the capacity… I’m ok, DS can pass if necessary as long as he’s allowed to escape after a while, but DH is in a category all of his own. If anyone remembers the Dad in Friday Night Dinners? Yes. Him, but with some additional verbal tics.

However the girlfriend has been and not run fast in the opposite direction so I think we are ok!

@martha79 a fridge full of soup pots and overnight oat pots is a wonderful thing. You don’t have to eat them if you fancy egg on toast, but you can grab and go whenever you want to!

We’ve just had a chicken and ham pie, which was comforting on a day that’s frankly pretty miserable! It’s raining and slushy and cold. But tomorrow we’re having cake with the Bishop so that’s something to look forward to! 😁

Loving the 'don't be weird' convos!

@PrizedPickledPopcorn Your dinner this evening reminds me of being in Cyprus. I was walking along with my folks and we were looking for a traditional Cypriot restaurant. We stopped to look at a restaurant chalkboard, and puzzled, my Mum asked the waiter outside what Chicken Hampies were. He replied "You know, Pukka? From your country, yes?" Pukka Chicken and ham Pies! We still call Chicken and ham pie Chicken Hampie to this day.

Best of luck for back to work tomorrow @martha79

Weather awful here. Going out this morning was torturous. We've had snow, hail, sleet and freezing rain. All with winds that are trying to blow you over. Anyway, it was good to get back to the market again. I bought another ring from the silversmith lady. I'd been eyeing up some of her seaglass jewellery but the whole lot is sold out. Apparently she's moved from the coast to Kielder and doesn't get to the beach any more. She's asked me to bring my own pieces of seaglass in and she will make something bespoke for me. I'm very excited about this. This is the sort of thing she makes, and these are the two pieces of seaglass I've picked out.

Ah. Still can't upload photos. We'll here's a link if anyone fancies a look.

https://www.tuttifruttisilver.co.uk/seaglassrings?page=2

Oh they are lovely, @RainbowZebraWarrior ! Thank you for that, I enjoyed a little drool! I really should treat myself. And I think we could call them chicken hampies, as well. That’s the kind of thing my guys like.

Chicken hampies 🤣 Good choice for today. @PrizedPickledPopcorn I have made another batch of overnight oats for the next few days.

What beautiful jewellery!

Had a very damp wander this afternoon to the nearest park and the local mini orchard - the apple trees look very bare, but the fig tree is still hanging onto this year's fruit whilst growing new shoots. Spotted the first snowdrops and even a few daffodils with obvious buds - they're always early in that patch but not this early!

Lincolnshire sausage and mash for tea with mushrooms and spinach.

Rice recipe for @RainbowZebraWarrior
I went for my women’s club walk which was nice-some lovely ladies there today, but beleaguered by ice on the paths so most of it spent having coffee.
the girlfriend has been and dh is now taking her home with DSS. I think we passed on the weirdness levels 😁.
Ive felt very rough all afternoon, bloody sore throat, and temperature AGAIN!! So getting my stuff ready and will go to bed early.

I fancy a chicken Hampie now

Pleased my Chicken Hampie anecdote tickled some of you, and also pleased the DSS and new girlfriend thing went well @piscofrisco but sorry to hear you're feeling rough again. Such a rubbish time of year for illness, but you've had more than your fair share my lovely, so hope it passes quickly. I've just been rearranging my dresser and Party Mouse now has pride of place next to my best books.

Speaking of books, I'm also guilty of buying or borrowing more than I can read. I made the fatal mistake of not only stopping by the book stalls today at the market, but also the charity book table at Sainsbury's. I am now the proud owner of a book called 'Stotty 'n' Spice Cake' (The Story of North East Cooking) and also Driving Over Lemons (An Optimist in Andalucia) I've read it before, but got rid of it in a clear out, so decided I had to re read again. It reminds me of Carol Drinkwater's The Olive Farm books. Such gentle and lovely reading.

Hoping @Bimblesalong is OK after her opera outing.

I'm watching Detectorists for around the 20th time. Again, it's just a gentle and easy watch. Have made a cajun chicken pasta for tonight's dinner, but earmarked Pisco's recipe for later in the week. I love anything Cajun or Mexican. I spent my 30th birthday the Moon Palace in Cancun. Having quesadillas for breakfast with a glass of Champagne then lying in a hammock on a beach was my absolute heaven.

@lucysmamI also got an undated scribble and dot planner from Vinted. I really like it!

@martha79good luck tomorrow with returning to work

@RainbowZebraWarriorthe seaglass rings are gorgeous! I love seaglass.

Quiet day here. Popped into Birmingham to see DS as he turned 20 today. That's no more teenagers in my house! He's off out with friends but we're celebrating next weekend. He's a Nigelesque foodie and his favourite gift is a cast iron lidded pan (rip off Le Creuset), second was a colour changing guitar light.

Now watching Call the Midwife with DD.

I'm so glad that there will be an all year round Nigel thread. I feel like I have found my tribe.