Christmas recipe book - Delia or Nigella?

[castlelough]

If I was to purchase one of the above books in preparation for Christmas (never having cooked Christmas dinner before...) which one should I go for?
I'm not looking to veer too much from the traditional fare (for the first attempt anyway!)...
Thanks!

[HoratiaWinwood]

Delia is easy to follow, but most of her recipes are available on her website so I'm not sure I'd bother buying the book. That said, I own a big Delia bible so cooked Christmas dinner from that last year.

But Nigella Coke ham is a Winwood Christmas staple now (recipe also available online ) so I'd be tempted by her too.

[castlelough]

Found the Hairy Bikers Christmas at the library today!

[FireOverBabylon]

The white Delia one - her sausage roll recipe is fab

[castlelough]

I've never heard of the Hairy Bikers! Will have a google!

[pregnantpause]

Seriously- hairy bikers Christmas is brilliant, their countdown for the day is bang on and delicious, and their chrismas pudding is wonderfu . Great ideas for leftover turkey too.I havent got nigella or delias though, so can't compare.

[Caerlaverock]

I always imagine finding pubes in the hairy bikers food

[castlelough]

Hairy Bikers???

[Poledra]

Neither - Hairy Bikers Christmas book is fab.

[41notTrendy]

We have the old Delia Christmas book and the more recent one with the white and red cover. They both have lovely recipes and very reliable.

[MamaMary]

I'd go for Mary Berry - she's uber-reliable and her recipes are far less faff than Delia's.

[Arisbottle]

I would combine the two

[CharlotteBronteSaurus]

yes, i love them both too
delia's christmas cake recipe is brilliant (suits my oven in any case)
we cook nigella's cranberry cookies all year round.

[NuzzleandScratch]

Ooo, caerlaverock, that sounds lovely! Although dh was telling me earlier that apparently they'll be less chestnuts this year, due to the wet summer.

[HazeltheMcWitch]

I have them, and love them both. If you want trad, go with Delia. It's exactly as you'd expect: very clear guidance to how to make 'typical' seasonal food.
Nigella's is a bit more 'fun', and the recipes are slightly less traditional.
2nd the Delia red cabbage. Now a must for Xmas dinner and it freezes really well so I am making mine this week!

[Caerlaverock]

I see your braised cabbage and raise you a nigellas chestnut soup!

[NuzzleandScratch]

Personally I always find Delia very reliable, and I love her Christmas book (white cover with red on). I'm not familiar with Nigella's though. Delia's braised red cabbage is lovely and very easy to do.

[Caerlaverock]

I love the nigella one, I cook from it all year round. Plus the pictures are lovely and get you in the mood.