Nigella Christmas: Food Family Friends Festivities

I should start out by saying that I don't cook Christmas dinner. That holiday is the province of my best girlfriend, though we are invited (ha! required!) to contribute to the meal. (If we didn't show up with appetizers and dessert there would be a lot of grumbling. Perhaps banishment.) However, we do plenty of cooking around the holidays (New Year's eve is _our_ turn) -- and oh boy oh boy am I glad I have this new cookbook to inspire me. Because despite the title, Nigella could easily have called this book "Entertaining Without Losing Your Mind."Yes, a large part of the book is given over to recipes for "the main event," i.e. Christmas dinner. You'll find all the usual suspects (at least British style, such as a trifle rather than an apple pie). Certainly, if you're looking for a holiday cookbook, you will have reason to shout with joy.But unlike Thanksgiving, which means turkey to most people, Christmas has a lot more leeway in regard to what you serve. Ham, turkey, goose, whatever. As a result, plenty of these recipes are suitable for ANYtime you want to entertain a crowd (depending on what "crowd" means to you and the size of your dining table, that could mean as few as 6 and as many as 20). There are several all-inclusive menus, any of which I'd be pleased to put before my guests and which, given Nigella's sensible attitudes about cooking ahead and taking life easy, I might get to enjoy as the cook, too. For example, one of her Christmas dinners is rolled stuffed loin with rubied gravy (ruby being port in this case), Italian roast potatoes with garlic and thyme, Christmas sprouts, red beet orzotto, and panettone pudding. That's a great Christmas meal, sure, but it'd work equally well for Easter. Or for a birthday dinner.Another reason that this cookbook is useful far beyond the holiday season is that Nigella is clearly aware that people do not show up on your doorstep on Christmas day and disappear that evening. It's a time when people move in for a week, and you have to think, "What the heck can I feed this crowd?" (The other things you think about your mother-in-law's arrival are... well, they aren't about cooking. Let's not go there.)Anyway, there are a whole bunch of recipes for "entertaining during the season" and they're going to be used year-round. First on my "make this now" list was a lamb and date tagine with pomegranete juice. (We don't eat lamb, so I made it with beef.) This was simply outstanding. The prep time for this stew (that's what a tagine is) was perhaps 15 minutes including pitting the dates; it baked quietly in the oven for two hours. And did I mention it was delicious? I love easy recipes like this, and I'm sure you do, too. (She serves a maple cheesecake with that menu; it would have gone with it perfectly.) I didn't wait to entertain, either. This fed the two of us for three very happy meals; that's among the virtues of a good stew.Next up on my "who needs a holiday?!" cooking schedule is her potato, parsnip and porcini gratin; or perhaps it'll be the parsleyed fish gratin ("the lazy person's answer to a fish pie").The cookbook also has several chapters that are particularly welcome at this time of year, such as cocktails and appetizers; a Christmas brunch menu; edible presents and party preserves; and "a bevy of hot drinks." She also has several recipes for what to do with leftover turkey, which might be equally useful at Thanksgiving. Incidentally, you'll also find quite a few dishes that are suitable to serve to vegetarians, from butternut "orzotto" (risotto made with orzo) to a pumpkin and goat's cheese lasagna.And, of course, everything is kept simple... but not TOO simple. Which is why I've loved Nigella's cookbooks for years.I was initially a little concerned about ordering this cookbook because the UK Amazon site made it appear that several of the recipes are duplicated from her other books. I did spot a few that are repeats, but just a few, and most of them are variations. It might sound as though, if you already own  Feast , you don't need this book. But this is absolutely unique and standalone, and if you made me choose between the two cookbooks... I would cajole you into changing your mind. Sure I can have both! What kind of friend are you?It's pretty obvious that I'm in love with this cookbook. I'm sure you will feel the same way.

First let me say that I was fortunate to be able to meet the wonderful Ms. Lawson on December 9, 2009 when she visited Houston:[...]I already had all of her other books and immediately loved her casual style and easy take on cooking. Nigella Express I think is my favorite, particularly the Pollo alla Cacciatore, but I love all of the books. I made the Christmas Chocolate Cookies on page 206 twice, once on Christmas Eve, shortly before the yeast-free diet on January 4th. They really are easy to make and delicious to eat. I didn't have those holiday sprinkles, but ended up getting two containers of colored sugar sprinkles and mixing them--hey, it worked!I also want a cup that says "Keep Calm And Carry On." I've got the sign posted on my desk at work.Ms. Lawson's lecture stated that while she enjoys meeting fans and talking about food, it's simply out of a love of cooking and frequently, wanting to eat now. She doesn't like stressed out holidays, either--but who does? Read the book ahead of time, do a little planning, and you too can have a fantastic holiday that you can enjoy as well as your guests.Now, is there any of that Choco-Chili left???

I bought the Nigella Christmas and Bites cookbook to go with a DVD boxed set that I had been given to by my Mum.We made Chocolate Chili we made a smaller amount which lasted over two days, the best we have tasted, as I don't like to spicy food I got sour cream, but must say I didn't need it, we had this with rice and jacket potato.We have also made the Chili Jam and given that to family and friends as Christmas presents and now have orders for more, this was so easy to do and the taste is something else.I have Nigella Express cookbook and DVD; before that I was a lousy cook, now I love cooking and so does my husband, who now looks through the books picking out things for us to make.For Christmas this year we made everything instead of going to shops and purchasing - we just baked - no more rushing around the shops, as I have the books to hand! What a result.I'm glad that I shopped around I got both books with delivery for less than one book at a bookshop and delivery took less than 2 weeks. Well worth the wait.

Any fan of Nigella knows what to expect- great recipes, a no-fuss approach to food, and her tips for creating a memorable occasion. Her festive food contains "traditional" ingredients with just a few other gems that turn out fabulous dishes with limited fuss. Tried a handful of her recipes for this Christmas (very successful) and will be opening this book up every December. I do like the way she gives clear warnings about anything that requires a bit of effort and also gives great advice about scheduling the work up until Christmas.....thanks, Nigella!! This book is divided differently to many cookbooks, too, in that it assembles recipes for gathering the night before, recipes for Christmas Dinner etc. While some of the seasonings are similar, I found it a good way to find what I might be looking for.She also reminds us all of the important things about Christmas and as always, puts this cook in good cheer before I start. Above all, Nigella inspired confidence in those of us who approach the kitchen with trepidation.

Even though I bought this way too late in the season to try much of anything, I think Nigella Lawson really knows how to write a lovely cookbook. I own several books by her, including the immensely interesting and enjoyable "How To Eat." The production values are very high for "Nigella Christmas": beautiful photos on expensive looking (and feeling) paper. I'm a big fan of hers, so my review is not the most objective one out there. But if you enjoy opening your home and sharing yourself with others through entertaining and cooking, Nigella remains a terrific inspiration for us. Domestic Goddess, indeed.

Beautiful cookbook, our favorite for all our holiday parties!

Been on my list for ages but it was always very expensive since it’s an older book and expensive as I’m not in UK but finally found a good price. Paper quality isn’t very luxurious but better than my print outs and notes. Glad I got it this year before Christmas as I always remember during Christmas prep and say grrrr next year hahaha Lots of good recipes. I usually make from her videos etc as I can see her methods. Lots of cookbooks recipes just don’t work for other altitudes/water/flour/ etc so always tweaking things but most of these have been tired and tested over the years

We like watching her on TV and some of her recipes in the book are very good.

Arrivato in anticipo sul previsto ,pari al nuovo .OTTIMO

C'était un cadeau pour ma femme et elle était très content.

Nigella Lawson does we she does best: cooking. Without trying too hard, without being tedious, without coming up with ingredients you'll have to hunt down or methods that will have you beat by the time you can finally sit at the table.Simple - yet elegant - and as always fully packed with tips and insights only a true kitchen royalty can provide.If you have only one Christmas cookbook, make sure it's this one.