Delia Smith - live webchat, Friday, 25 November 2011, 1-2pm

[RachelMumsnet]

We're delighted and honoured at MNHQ that Delia, the grande dame of British cookery, is joining us on 25 November, from 1-2pm for a live webchat. Delia's first Christmas book, Delia Smith's Christmas has been the cookery bible since it's publication in 1994 when the shops ran out of cranberries and Delia became known as the Cranberry Queen. In 2009, Delia's Happy Christmas hit the shelves with over 100 new recipes and an invaluable hour-by-hour countdown to the last 36 hours before Christmas dinner is served.

The party season is about to kick off and Delia's kindly allowed us to reproduce her own mulled wine recipe and her non-alcoholic version for designated drivers.

Delia's Classic Christmas Cake box is currently flying off Waitrose shelves. So ahead of Delia's webchat, we're having our very own bake-off: five MNHQ-ers are making the cake and Delia is going to sample a morsel of each. Find out what she thinks and send in your own questions on Christmas cookery to Delia on Friday 25 November at 1pm. If you're unable to join us on the day, send a question in advance to this thread.

[Merrythulu]

WOW!!! YEAY!!! I never win anything! Huzzzah!

[Merrythulu]

Thank you Delia/MNHQ - fantastic!

[Jux]

I didn't have a question but have really enjoyed reading this chat, and learnt quite a lot too. Mum was a fab cook and began getting Delia's books when they first started coming out, and I have loads of them. She also used to write down recipes from the early programmes and transferred them onto index cards which are in an index box in which she'd been collecting recipes since the 40s! They're all mine now!

Delia, in case you read this later cos I know you ain't got much on, you are the best , thank you for lots of yummy food over the years.

[margherita76]

Exellent chat I really enjoyed it. Mumblingwitharagdolll for fool proof beef do this: buy topside and put old fashioned mustard powder round the outside. Put it in your hottest oven for 15 mins then turn down to 180 for 30 mins then take out the oven and let it rest un touched for as long as possible. This allows juices to plump it all up again. This produces medium rare beef which should be sliced ever so thinly.
Just wanted to share cos I never used to know how to cook beef and following this method works everytime. Use the same timings No matter what size the joint is, unless it's v small in which case take 15 mins off cooking time. Leaving it to rest for up to an hour is utterly crucial.
I'm not saying I know more than delia BTW just trying to be helpful!

[downbutnotout]

I won a prize! And Delia spoke to me!! Best day EVER!!!!

[DashingRedhead]

DH dug this video up: Delia interviewing Kate Bush in the 70s - bless 'em both!

[downbutnotout]

How do I PM Rachelmumsnet [thicko emoticon]?

[BecauseImWorthIt]

Rachel is the OP of this thread - scroll up to her opening post and click on 'message poster'

[loudee]

Downbutnotout I clicked on the inbox sign at top of page, and created a new message to 'rachelmumsnet' I hope that's right and helps!

[MumblingAndBloodyRagDoll]

Waheeey! Delia answered me! Many thanks Delia! and thanks for the mustard tip top Margarita

[loudee]

Oh!! Will mine have worked becausei'mworth it?

[downbutnotout]

Thanks!

[TheMouseRanUpTheClock]

What a great web chat!

[Wordsonapage]

ahh forgot about this ..but kudos to the Delia for answering my pain in the arse question..not once but twice.

[BIWI]

Don't know loudee (sorry, only just seen your post). If it doesn't, send an e-mail to [email protected]

[swallowedAfly]

oh i'm way too late - so many questions!!!!! how will she attempt to wade through this thread bless her!?

just in case - delia oh domestic goddess that thou art:

i've somehow, despite being youngest child, feckless, never quite grew up daughter of the family, ended up being the provider of christmas eve (did it last year as a supposed one off and now it's become apparent that it's expected that that's my part in seasonal proceedings from now on as it went quite well). i'm no master chef and like to do things that are mostly ready well beforehand so i can be handing round guzzling the drinks to everyone and being a good hostess. but stews and casseroles etc seem a bit non fancy for christmas.

what would you recommend?

[AlfalfaMum]

Can't believe she answered my question!
Thanks :)

[swallowedAfly]

duh this was friday i saw the title and assumed the 'today' meant that day. divvy.

[ShadeMumsnet]

Read the Delia webchat here.

[BIWI]

I got my Delia 'kit' today! Thank you very much

[CarolCervix]

hurrah! I got my cake!!!!!!!!!!!!! i am so looking forward to cooking and eating it [fgin]

thank you very much.