The Christmas Chronicles: Notes, stories & 100 essential recipes for midwinter

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Began my annual rereading of this Christmas journal on November 4, 2020--third time around. Delightful!*** Learn more about what each cookie category does and choose your settings (toggle right to opt in or left to opt out). Cookie policy Allow All The book itself is semi autobiography, part seasonal musing and yes part cook book. The result for me at least is a festive and very nostalgic look at the season - if you were not living it (as we are at the time of me thing this up) you could almost imagine the frost on the window panes or the feeling on your face as the crisp winter air hits it for the first time as you step outside. As compared to now when you can go an entire winter with no snow and the temperature is so high that you have to keep mowing the lawn. There is variance in the writing and some passages are beautiful. The recipes and photographs look good and I will be trying out several recipes this winter. Nigel Slater is a true food writer, as he prefers to be called, rather than chef or TV personality. I haven't seen his show or eaten his food, but I can attest to the food writer label. He writes about food and it's preparation sensuously and lovingly, in addition to traveling, gardening and decorating his home. In this one he also includes food facts and holiday myths and traditions. Not to mention the photographs! I thoroughly enjoyed reading this slowly and savoring his words, and would like to read the autobiography of his childhood, "Toast".

Nigel Slater: Christmas Cake Recipe - WHSmith Blog Nigel Slater: Christmas Cake Recipe - WHSmith Blog

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. Featuring an exclusive interview with his editor, Louise Haines, as well as selected extracts from his audiobook A Cook’s Book.When offered a choice of anything in the bookshop last December, I chose this book. Nearly a year rolled around until I did more than skim it, but it has been a delicious guide to this year’s festive season. So far I’ve made nothing other than the Christmas cake, but that was a project for the month and really the perfect way to celebrate this stuffed compendium of winter’s rituals and culinary traditions. It’s a book that combines recipes with a calendar of Nigel Slater’s approach to Christmas, and it mixes childhood memories with historical tradition and even practical tips. The author’s voice is strong, sometimes even sharp, and highly opinionated. As always, his prose is highly readable and saturated with his own personality. You don’t have to cook from it, although no doubt that would be a bonus. reread: My annual reread! I loved this, of course. Nigel Slater is my favourite food writer, but this time around the snobbery and derision placed on products, practises and traditions that make these recipes doable for people with lower incomes and less time than a full time celebrity chef has to offer really grated on me. It made it feel exclusionary which is a thing that food, cooking and Christmas should never be in my opinion. As someone who struggles to eat enough, or find much joy in food, I can truly say that this book has been nourishing to me. Slater made me fall in love with food again - with the spices, richness, and indulgences that encompass the Christmas season. 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. Nigel disregards the ever-prevalent restrictions, judgements and morality that our diet-conscious society (and, admittingly, myself) places on food - instead, he highlights both the specialness and simplicity of the shared hearty meals that bring us together on cold winter nights.

Chronicles: A Podcast | a podcast by Nigel Slater A Cook‘s Chronicles: A Podcast | a podcast by Nigel Slater

I have really enjoyed reading this in teeny snippets over the 3 month period it covers and think that the book is perfectly designed to be read in this way.In this series you’ll be joining Nigel Slater on a crisp walk through midwinter in all its cold, glistening splendour, all the way up to Christmas Day. Along the path there’ll be recipes for some of your festive favourites and some new ideas, too, to excite your palate in these cold months. In this episode we’ll talk about the art of choosing and decorating a perfectly-cut Christmas tree – the lights, jewels, and baubles that festoon the branches – and its importance as a symbol of the season. I’ll also give you my recipe for a fine, fruity chutney to accompany you through the winter months and brighten those stews, casseroles, and pies that sustain us in the cold.