Recorded Books Inc. - 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, Elisabetta Grillo, Francesca Grillo, 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, lets face it, when the pressure to feed and entertain builds up, the festive season can begin to lose its sparkle...

Thats where Nigella comes in. With her no-nonsense approach, her inspirational ideas and empathy for the practical realities of the season combined here with reliable, easy-to-follow recipes and reassuring advice about planning and cooking ahead Nigella Christmas is guaranteed to bring comfort and joy and make sure the season of good will stays that way.

Here is everything you could wish for to make your life and your Christmas easy and enjoyable: from party canaps, cocktails and manageable mass catering to scrumptious Christmas cakes and puddings; from no-fuss brunch to quick and easy homemade presents (chutneys, preserves and other delectable standbys) and edible tree-decorations. There are mouthwatering recipes with a seasonal twist and simple menus for feeding friends and family over the extended holiday season with minimal stress and maximum enjoyment. And of course, exciting and inspiring variations for the Main Event itself from her traditional super-juicy turkey with all the trimmings, to the festive ginger-glazed ham and the ultimate Christmas Pud; from goose, rib of beef, stuffed rolled pork, all the way to a special vegetarian Christmas feast, a chocolate pudding for Christmas pudding haters, a French Yule Log, Australian Christmas Pud and the boozy British Trifle.

Nigellas cakes, as always, gladden the heart and, like many of her recipes here, are at home all year round but her At-a-Glance Christmas Dinner Countdown, together with make ahead and freeze ahead tips throughout, can help take out the stress and strain out of the season. With its glorious illustrations, Nigella Christmas will surely be a perennial favourite, the book we will all reach for for inspiration and reassurance as soon as Christmas comes around every year.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Nigella Lawson is the author of bestselling books How to Eat (may just be the best cookery book ever Daily Telegraph), How to be a Domestic Goddess (British Book Awards 2001), Nigella Bites (WHSmith Award 2002) Forever Summer (images of warmth and Mediterranean climes Time Out), Feast (a voluptuous and delicious piece of food writing Guardian), Nigella Express (no. 1 bestseller with over 1 million sales), Nigella Christmas (everything to make your Christmas sparkle Independent) and most recently Kitchen (another blockbuster hearty and wholesome Daily Express) which, together with her successful TV series and the Nigella Quick Collection app, have made her a household name around the world. She lives in London with her family.

Also 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

FOREVER SUMMER

FEAST

FOOD THAT CELEBRATES LIFE

NIGELLA EXPRESS

GOOD FOOD FAST

KITCHEN

RECIPES FROM THE HEART OF THE HOME

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.

And, actually, I think that a Christmas party is the best sort to give. For one thing, everyone is predisposed to have a good time. Theyre out to enjoy themselves: theyre not coming to carp at your canaps.