I kind of think that in a way that that was partly what attracted me to working in the food service industry, was that I finally had a family. Its all about the cold and crisp months leading up to including Christmas,new Year and into January/February. In Season 2: Join Nigel Slater on the story of his life in the kitchen from the first jam tart he made with my mother standing on a chair trying to reach the aga, through to what he is cooking now.

Nigel Slater - Christmas Chronicles Nigel Slater - Christmas Chronicles

I throw in a chipolata or two if I’m feeling frivolous, or a slice or two of black pudding for the final 10 minutes of cooking. It's a real treat (as i luffs his voice) and I have listened to it at least three times this year already. In our first episode, we’ll explore the wonderful crackle of winter – a fire in the hearth and boots crunching on frozen grass; as well as the softness – voluminous jumpers and the delicate steam from a deep bowl of soup. Despite the name, I wasn’t wanting or expecting the book to be about Christmas, and largely it isn’t.We’ll take a tour of Nuremberg and the Christkindlesmarkt, and I’ll talk you through my recipes for a sound malt loaf and some orange and poppy seed stollen. His description of Nuremberg Lebkuchen and the Nurnberger Christkindlesmarkt especially delighted me and led me to seek out a local Christkindl market this December where I was thrilled to find some imported chocolate-covered gingerbread. Last year I managed to make a wreath on Nigel's wreath-making day, make only one Nigel-inspired dish and burn some very un-Nigel candles lol!

Nigel Slater Christmas Chronicles Annual Read along 2023 Nigel Slater Christmas Chronicles Annual Read along 2023

Bring to the boil, then lower the heat and let the figs simmer for 20 minutes until soft and plump, and bloated with wine. Or you could spoon the fruit over vanilla ice cream, or frozen yogurt, letting its syrup trickle down the frozen ice. More than just a meal, each recipe is woven into the narration; underlining the simple but important role that food plays within the home and amongst our loved ones.

Peel the pears (skin can be tough, but it is up to you) cut them in half, and scoop out their cores. Nigel Slater is a great lover of winter, and Christmas, and I can’t imagine that anyone could read this book without becoming more enthused about the season - even if one’s taste for it has been jaded over the years. The Christmas Chronicles is the story of Nigel Slater’s love for winter, the scent of fir and spruce, ghost stories read with a glass of sloe gin, and beeswax candles with shadows dancing on the ceiling. There aremidwinter cakes and baking, mincemeat and puddings, vegetarian suppers, the Christmas roasts,crisp winter salads, main course soups,pickles, chutneyand marmalades. I'm struggling to let go of Christmas this year due to the cove and not being able to get back to normal.

Nigel Slater - The Christmas Chronicles

It can't be classified as a recipe book; it's a history of winter traditions and facts, with interesting insights and memories from the author.This I think gives it a more personal touch, when he comments about a recipe or a particular ingredient you know he is speaking from personal experience (and not just the feedback from his restaurants clientele or who he was copied it off). I have yet to try even one of the recipes but if you want to learn how to have a healthy attitude towards food and feasting then this book is pure gold. I just post each chapter heading in bold on the relevant date, and then we all read/share/try the recipes/be a silent reader. Yes, there is softness in the cold months, too, the voluminous jumpers and woolly hats, the steam rising from soup served in a deep bowl, the light from a single candle and the much-loved scarf that would feel like a burden at any other time of year. I just couldn't put the book down and, having finished it, went back to the beginning and started to read it again.

Nigel Slater: ‘I love the crackle of winter’ - The Guardian

I suspect I’ll bring it back out in November and have it on my desk to keep me company through the next festive season.Covered with bacon and smeared with dripping, they will roast to rose-tinted perfection in 25 minutes at 230C/gas mark 9. I have since read more of his work online and watched a few of his TV specials and find myself very drawn to him.