Lawson Nigella - Nigella Christmas: food, family, friends, festivities

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This is the first time, since I began with How to Eat in 1998, that I have published a book two years running. I dont feel its something I should make a habit of, but nor can I regret it. Writing and making a book is something I love above all else and, besides, self-denial has never been my strong suit. I just feel grateful that I have work I enjoy so much. But such gratitude is really owed to the raft of people whose hard work allows me to enjoy myself, and whose support and encouragement are crucial. Thanks heartfelt and enduring to (in alphabetical order) Olivia Antolik, Jan Bowmer, Louise Dennys, Moyra Fraser, Mary Gibson, Vivienne Gill, Poppy Hampson, Caz Hildebrand (the sine qua non of any enterprise I embark on), Julie Martin, Lis Parsons, the inspirational and pitch-perfect Gail Rebuck and Alison Samuel, the most elegant and erudite of editors: without all these, it wouldnt be as much fun; indeed, it wouldnt even be possible.

The same is true of those whose names follow (again, alphabetically) and who make up what I think of as my work family, and who, teasingly I think, call themselves Team Nigella: Kate Bull, Mark Hutchinson, Rose Murray, Hettie Potter, Ed Victor, Zoe Wales and Anzelle Wasserman. I know how fortunate I am to be thus surrounded by those I love and trust.

Over the last year my home has looked like a cross between Santas Grotto and Miss Havishams apartments. Much of this agreeable clutter I provided myself, but as much again was gratefully harvested especially for this project and I owe thanks to those who have so generously helped furnish the pictures in this book, even if simultaneously feeding my addiction for seasonalia, in particular B&Q, Best Season, Big Tomato Company, Cath Kidston, Ceramica Blue, Cherubim, ChristmastimeUK and the ever helpful Alfred Rose and his elves, The Conran Shop, The General Trading Company, Heals, Jane Asher Party Cakes & Sugarcraft and the fabulous David Trumper, John Lewis Partnership, Krebs International Glass, Laura Ashley, Marks & Spencer, Merchant Gourmet, Nordicware, Ocean Spray, Papstar, Peter Harvey, Star Trading, Steelite International, Sur la Table (notably Olivia and her staff at the Dallas branch), VV Rouleaux, Wedgwood and Wild Card.

This book is subtitled Food, Family, Friends, Festivities, and it remains only for me to say that the food and festivities would mean nothing without those other two components; it is to my family and my friends that my deepest gratitude are owed, not just as the RSPCA admonitory poster used to say for Christmas, but for life.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Christmas is a time for family and friends, for tradition and treats. But when the pressure to deliver the perfect Christmas dinner builds up, the festive season can lose its sparkle.

Let Nigella come to your rescue, with her glorious celebration of the festive season, full of inspirational ideas, reassuring advice and easy-to-follow, reliable Christmas recipes. Here is everything you need to make your Christmas easy and enjoyable, from party food ideas and scrumptious cakes and puddings to the main event itself turkey with all the trimmings, a vegetarian Christmas dinner or a wide range of delicious alternatives.

With lusciously warm photography, evocative food writing and a beautiful hardback design, this is a book you will treasure for many years as well as a delicious Christmas present for friends and family.

The more the merrier cocktails, canaps and other scrumptious party food
Seasonal support soups, salads, sauces and serve-later side dishes
Come on over easy dinner ideas for stress-free suppers with friends
The main event from traditional roast turkey to the ultimate Christmas pudding ... with all the timings you need for a stress-free Christmas Day
Alternative Christmas dinners goose, beef, pork and a vegetarian feast
Joy to the world Christmas baking and sweet treats
All wrapped up mouthwatering gift ideas for a personal touch
Christmas brunch recipes to make Boxing Day special

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

I love Nigella Lawsons writing and I love her recipes Delia Smith

Theres an intelligence to the way she writes and she expects a certain intelligence of her readers as well Nigel Slater

I am unapologetic about being a home cook rather than a chef.

Real cooking, the sort that goes on in homes, does not have to be tricksy or difficult. A dish of chicken poached with leeks and carrots definitely isnt fancy. But it tastes good, and feels essentially nourishing, to both body and soul, to cook and eat.

I want you to feel that Im there with you, in the kitchen, as you cook. My books are the conversations we might be having.

Nigella Lawson has written nine bestselling cookery books, including the classics How To Eat and How To Be A Domestic Goddess the book that launched a thousand cupcakes. These books, her TV series and her Quick Collection apps, have made her a household name around the world. In 2013 she was one of the Observer Food Monthlys ten Chefs of the Decade. She is a judge and mentor on The Taste in the US and UK.

www.nigella.com
@Nigella_Lawson

Her prose is as nourishing as her recipes Salman Rushdie, Observer

Miss Lawson is the Thinking Persons Cook. She tells stories, she explains why things must be the way she says they must be ... enlightenment and sensual pleasure Jeanette Winterson, The Times

NIGELLA COLLECTION
BY NIGELLA LAWSON

HOW TO EAT

THE PLEASURES AND PRINCIPLES OF GOOD FOOD

HOW TO BE A DOMESTIC GODDESS

BAKING AND THE ART OF COMFORT COOKING

NIGELLA BITES

NIGELLA SUMMER

EASY COOKING, EASY EATING

FEAST

FOOD THAT CELEBRATES LIFE

NIGELLA EXPRESS

GOOD FOOD FAST

NIGELLA CHRISTMAS

NIGELLA KITCHEN

RECIPES FROM THE HEART OF THE HOME

NIGELLISSIMA

INSTANT ITALIAN INSPIRATION

THE MORE THE MERRIER

COCKTAILS, CANAPS AND MANAGEABLE MASS CATERING

THIS IS PROBABLY THE ONE TIME OF YEAR when people who arent party-givers give parties. Sometimes, this is due to an uncharacteristic but nevertheless welcome burst of bonhomie and seasonal spirit; as often, its a duty-date, the product of habit, pressure or other presumed or existing obligations. For as many people who feel a blood-rushing joyousness at the prospect of having their home overrun with people out to have a good time, there are perhaps more who are filled rather with dread, and lacerated by the anxiety that a good time will be neither provided nor had.

This may be a strange thing to say at the beginning of a cookbook, but if its the cooking that makes you not enjoy giving a party, dont cook. Buy salame, get cheese (all chic Italians hand round roughly chunked shards of fresh Parmesan), put grissini in jars, and regular French breadsticks in vases. But know that, sometimes, the act of preparing for a feast, by cooking simple, low-effort food, can make you look forward to the party more. I love to wallow in the Christmas spirit as I get it all underway. Im always happy in the kitchen with Christmas songs Elvis singing Silent Night, Wham with Last Christmas a-playing, fairy lights a-twinkling, platters of food slowly covering every surface.