Nigella Lawson - live webchat - Tuesday 13th December 1 - 2pm

[RachelMumsnet]

It's time for our final Christmas cookery webchat, and you won't be disappointed.... We're thrilled that the domestic goddess herself, Nigella Lawson is joining us at MNHQ for a live webchat on Tuesday 13th december at 1pm.

Just as Cranberry-Queen-Delia caused a shortage of fresh cranberries, 1996 saw the sales of goose fat rocket after it was championed by Nigella as the essential Christmas cooking ingredient. So if you want to know how to make the perfect roast potato or discover the secret to a succulent turkey, join us next Tuesday or send a question in advance to this thread.

Ahead of the webchat, we've been given permission to share Nigella's recipes for cranberry sauce and chestnut stuffing, both from her book Nigella Christmas which is now out in e-book format.

Massively excited to 'see' you here, Nigella, I am a huge fan and your books and very well-used in my house, especially Domestic Goddess - your fairy cakes recipe is the best and never fails to get me a few compliments although the raw mix is so yummy I'm surprised it ever actually makes it into the oven!

Anyway, I digress... Like a lot of people I am getting into baking a lot more these days (combination of hungry family to feed, wanting to eat less processed stuff, watching the pennies and because I really enjoy it). I wondered what kitchen implements you'd count as essentials for someone just getting started. I've got the basics but would love some insider tips for what else I might need.

Thanks and Happy Christmas
J

Hi Nigella

Not a question but a comment from me. I've just made your chilli jam from the website (it is cooling as I type!). From the little bit I have tasted ( from the hob as it boiled over!) I have to say I can hardly wait to use it. It is such a lovely easy recipe too, so thank you!

yippee! DD is on sofa coughing and spluttering and off school and I am on MN with Nigella!

@Get0rf

Oh how wonderful.

Hello Nigella.

I love your books and think you write so beautifully. My favourite book by far is Feast - I really love the different themes and your knowledge of and love for the different regional and ethnic foods is inspiring. I adore the Georgian Feast, and the Jewish recipes.

Two questions - firstly, what is your next book going to be about? I would love it if it would be similar to Feast, expanding on themes such as Jewish food (like a modern version of Claudia Roden).

Secondly, the strongest theme of your writing is your sense of the past, and your memories of cooking with your mother and siblings, such as the memory of your mothers 60's blender, and making mayonnaise from a young age. Have you considered writing an autobiography?

My next book will be inspired by Italian food, which is in itself autobiographical really in that I learnt to love Italian food when I went to work in Italy for a year between school and uni and needed to learn Italian. Not only did I learn how to speak Italian, but I learnt how to cook Italian food, and cemented a relationship with Italy that is fundamental to me. Even my children have Italian names!
But the thing is, I don't think I'd either want to write a straight autobiography, or even remember enough to do so. When I write about food, though, I feel that I say everything that I feel about life.

@thisonehasalittlecar

Hi Nigella, I have always thought of myself as someone who loves cooking, but the recent years of cooking for my not always fulsome with gratitude husband and small children have made me realise that actually I just love eating nice food and cook it because no-one else is going to cook it for me.

My question is, doing it both for your family and your job, do you ever get sick of it? Given that you are, shall we say, pretty financially secure, do you ever think, 'Sod it, someone else can do this now.' I think if I won the lottery I might just throw in the towel on the whole thing and hire a personal chef (and hand her/him all my bookmarked copies of your books, natch )

Reading this over it sounds a bit like me and cooking are in a stale marriage and I'm writing to a relationship columnist for advice: Nigella, the spark in my kitchen is dead, how can I get back the love???

Well, I certainly do look forward to being cooked for by my children (can it measure up to the joy I felt when they could make me cups of tea?) but I am not sure if I am suited to having decisions about food taken away from me. The day in, day out thing of what to cook can get difficult sometimes, but I find I need to engage in it, and enjoy the actual cooking, unless I am too exhausted or bad tempered - and even then, it can be the easiest part of the day!
Having said that, I do love being cooked for, but if I were given the choice between always being cooked for or always cooking, the latter would be what I'd go for.

Oh Nigella, I just need to tell you you've cheered me up immensely in the first years of my life in the UK (which were quite gloomy). Thank you, and I love your chocolate cloud cake!

bagpuss Chilli Jam is fantastic - livens up a ham sandwich, great with cheese and crackers. I make some every year and (begrudgingly) give a few away as pressies Needed to remember to use the latex gloves this year, never had a problem before but last year's chillies stung my fingers for a day!

Dear Nigella,

I've already expressed my general appreciation for you earlier on this thread, but I wondered if you could encourage your publishers to bring out more of your books in e-book or Kindle format? I'm keen to liberate the shelf that is currently groaning from the weight of (mostly your) cookbooks, and would love to have them all in one place so I can search them.

Thanks,

BBB (who has recommended many of your books and has started a cookbook sharing club to spread the joy)

@AhsataN

hi Nigella do you have a quick and easy ginger bread biscuit recipe, or festive treats i could make with my fussy eater of a 2 yr old. thank you

I do have some ginger bread biscuits, which I think of as edible Christmas tree decorations, but I think my butter cut out biscuits may be a better bet. My children always loved them and still do!

@SugarAndSpiceMistletoeAndWine

Hi Nigella,

A little bit awe struck here, have all your books and love them, your recipes even featured prominently in my wedding!

I know you have emphasised speedy recipes, what is your favourite short cut to use which still tastes just as good?

Have a wonderful christmas!

I suppose my most regular short-cut (in that I probably use it everyday) is that I use garlic-infused oil rather than peeling and chopping and then cooking garlic in a recipe. Purists look down on this, but I am afraid I doubt I will ever shake the habit.

cheers, would WHOLLY AND UTTERLY look forward to more italian recipes.

@NigellaLawson

[quote OliviaMumsnet] Nigella

Am gutted not to be able to make it into the Towers today.

Just want to say along side almost everyone else on the thread that think you are fab. My domestic goddess book has so many spatters etc it falls open to the the page. Will be whipping up some of your courgette cake into muffins for a new baby later.

V quick but rather specific one, I made the rest of the office some of your butter cut out biscuits when I went to visit last week. (and covered in edible glitter - they were super kitsch, hope you would approve)

Do you think the leftover dough will work as those stained glass biscuits where you do the clever thing with the boiled sweets and melt them? (have never attempted)
TIA

I'm sorry to miss you - but I am afraid I cannot answer your question as much as I long to make those clever stained glass window things with biscuits, I somehow feel I might never get around to it.....

[/quote]
Hmm, so does this mean that if I get around to it myself attempt and don't muck it up succeed that I get the right to call myself a DomesticGoddess?

@housemum

This has now reminded me that I haven't made this year's Chilli Jam (from your Christmas book, that and the Christmas Rocky Road are essential items in my house )

Have you thought about writing a children's cookery book, perhaps your children's favourite recipes from when they were young? Not so "worthy" as the cooking-for-children books often are, but enjoyable food for kids to eat that they can take a part in cooking as well?

I almost had a signed copy of your Domestic Goddess book once, DH was supposed to have ordered it via Waitrose when it came out. On Christmas Day I eagerly unwrapped it to find that he had forgotten all about it until way after the offer had sold out, so I have a copy with "Merry Christmas from Nigella Lawson" cut out ransom-note style, with your name cut out from a copy of the Sunday Times magazine where you wrote the column at the time. 11 years later he is almost forgiven... (Particularly since buying the Kitchen Aid and Magimix for me )

In every book I've ever written, there's been a part dedicated to cooking for or with children, and I suppose I have never thought of separating that and making it the only theme....
I'm sorry about your unsigned book, but a ransom-note-style signature seems a lot more original!

@lemonbonbons

Hi Nigella ,

I would like to make a Xmas Trifle this year. For all sorts of reasons ( I won t go into here ) it must be the best trifle anyone has ever tasted

Which book / recipe should I follow ?

Thank You in advance x

Oh dear, I always think it's hard when anyone focusses too much on the judgment of others. It's too tense-making. I'm even tense trying to think of what trifle to recommend to you. But I'll give it a go. If you want to go trad, then my Boozy British Trifle (N Christmas) is the best route to take; if you want a little seasonal kitsch (and serious deliciousness) then go for the Chocolate Cherry Trifle in Feast. In the interests of thoroughness, I should also alert you to my Raspberry and Lemongrass trifle (Bites) and my Anglo-Italian (forever summer) which introduces blackberries, limoncello and mascarpone. Frozen fruit should be fine with these....

@herecomesthsun

Welcome to Mumsnet! My Xmas dilemma is that I have gestational diabetes. So, very limited sugar and other carbs (diabetes) in addition to restrictions on alcohol, pate, some cured meats and cheese etc etc (pregnancy). I can however eat cream and butter (there are some small mercies).

I was thinking of a festive pannacotta for Xmas dessert (high on cream and relatively low on sugar). I wondered whether you would have any advice on how how to minimise the sugar content and still get a decadent dessert that sets. We are not going to be using much/any alcohol as I'm pregnant and our little boy is 3 (flaming brandy is much of the point of Xmas pudding, so we might simply omit it this year). I was wondering about using agave nectar or fructose. Or would you recommend any other sort of sweet course for Christmas Day?

I really am not qualified to give any sort of advice which concerns a medical condition. You might have to choose between watching others eat or making them not eat pud! Good luck...

@Tobagostreet

Hi Nigella - I love you almost as much as the food you make/write about .

My question is: are you cooking Christmas Dinner yourself this year - and if so, what starter are you making? I'm looking for inspiration and I always find this the hardest course to decide upon, as everyone has different expectations, whereas turkey/goose for main and a selection of puds all satisfy.

Oh - and can I come to a get together at your house too? I'll bring ??

I don't think I am cooking Christmas Dinner this year but I never make a starter. There's quite enough food as it is, plus I really don't think it's manageable to start clearing tables and re-laying for main course. If you feel you cannot go starterless, then I'd hand around a plate of soda bread or pumpernickel spread with a little horseradish mixed with creme fraiche, with a tiny bit of smoked salmon, then a little pickled red cabbage (from a jar!) and fresh dill to decorate.

The Holiday trifle with dried apricots is good too- something a bit different. Raspberry and lemon is truly fab though but would prefer fresh local ones for that.

Thanks for the answer, just wondered as DD2 (8 years old) loves looking at her own cookbooks but they are either 100 ways with celery and couscous, or full of desserts. Will be giving Anna del Conte's book a go, though...

Do you try to maintain any semblance of healthy eating over Christmas- and if so, what? or do you throw caution to the wind for a couple of days?

@Pinner35

Welcome Nigella.....I have just been on facebook (before I saw you were coming on here) and the last words I typed were "Nigella rocks" so I'm thrilled to have you on here.

I have all of your books and most of my staple "go to" recipes are yours however, in these times of economising, having less time, etc please please please could you develop some recipes for the slow cooker. There are so many people who use them but are stuck in a casserole / chilli rut. I.e. me!

Oh and in the Kitchen book - where did you get the "how do you take your tea" poster? I NEED ONE! Sorry, that's one request and one question...

Happy Christmas!!

I am afraid I just can't get on with a slow cooker. I know many people are mad for them, but I am not one of them. Maybe you could consider the pressure cooker route. There's a good book called Lorna Sass on cooking with pressure cookers. I'd like to say it's called Grace Under Pressure but I could be fantasising. My friend and close colleague Hettie made me that 'How do you drink your tea?' picture. I told her at the time she could go into business with it!

@storminabuttercup

Oh my god, oh my god!

My first question is can you recommend a lovely Christmas day breakfast recipe!

Secondly, are you a mumsnetter? You don't have to tell us your name!

That I can certainly do! I have no trouble recommending you my Christmas Morning Muffins on www.nigella.com And they make the house smell so gorgeously festive too!

Nigella, How important do you think sensuality and sexiness is for chefs?

Personally I refuse to use a recipe from anybody that doesn't stir the loins somewhat.

For example.
Delia, NO.
Ramsay, certainly. Especially if he shouts at me. grrrr.
The guy with the moustache off ready steady cook, NO.
River cottage guy, maybe after a few ciders.

And...which other celeb chef does it for you?