NIGELLA LAWSON
NIGELLA CHRISTMAS
FOOD FAMILIES FRIENDS FESTIVITIES
(November 2009)
by Nigella Lawson
Christmas is a time for family and friends, for tradition and treats. But, let’s face it, when the pressure to feed and entertain builds up, the festive season can begin to lose its sparkle. That’s where Nigella comes in. With her inspirational ideas, her empathy for the practical realities of the season, and her no-nonsense approach—combined with her reliable, easy-to-follow recipes and reassuring advice about planning and cooking ahead—NIGELLA CHRISTMAS: Food Families Friends Festivities (Hyperion; November 2009; $35.00) is guaranteed to bring comfort and joy, and make sure the season of good will stays that way.
NIGELLA CHRISTMAS includes everything from luscious recipes for welcoming friends and family over the holiday season with minimum stress and maximum enjoyment (cook and freeze ahead or slow-cook in the oven) and Christmas party food and drinks; to tantalizing Christmas cakes and sweet treats, as well as quick and easy presents everyone will love to receive (biscuits, preserves and other delightful standbys) and, of course, exciting variations for the Big Day itself.
With “make-ahead” tips, a “Christmas lunch countdown,” and a directory of suppliers, NIGELLA CHRISTMAS is both practical and inspirational.
NIGELLA CHRISTMAS includes:
• The More the Merrier - The one time a year when people who aren’t party-givers give parties! Say “Cheers!” with a Pomegranate Martini, a Santa’s Little Helper cocktail or a Xmas Xinger or Pussyfoot mocktail, while nibbling tasty Wasabi Crab Cakes, scrumptious Christmas Rocky Road or Aromatic Christmas Ham.
• Seasonal Support - Enjoy foods that can be made ahead or with minimal fuss and brought out to furnish a feast: Roast Squash and Sweet Potato Soup with Buttermilk-Blue Cheese Swirl, Tortilla Soup, and Christmas Salad.
• Come on Over… - It’s the time of year when you want your friends and family to pile around the table to have fun and enjoy; whether you’re serving 6, 8 or more, eyes will gleam with Bourbon-Glazed Ribs, Party Cornish Hens, Festive Couscous, Macaroni and Cheese Deluxe, Tiramisu Layer Cake or Spruced-Up Vanilla Cake with Mixed Berry Compote.
• The Main Event - For Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, it’s “the” meal—traditional or with variations. With make-ahead tips, an “At-A-Glance” countdown and leftover ideas, you’ll be there with family and friends to enjoy Spiced and Superjuicy Roast Turkey with Allspice Gravy, a magnificent but easy Standing Rib of Beef with Port and Stilton Gravy, Rolled Stuffed Loin of Pork with Rubied Gravy, Roast Goose with Pear and Cranberry Stuffing, and a Vegetarian option in the form of a glorious stuffed pumpkin. For after, there is the Ultimate Christmas Pudding or Chocolate Sponge Pudding for Christmas Pudding Haters with Hot Chocolate Sauce. And beyond that, there are recipes for a panoply of stuffings and roasted vegetables, and suggestions that transform leftovers into meals both comforting and exotic.
• Joy to the World - It isn’t Christmas unless there are delicious Edible Christmas Tree Decorations, the classic Yule Log, Sticky Gingerbread, a Pecan-Plus Pie, and cookies and more—Chocolate Christmas Cookies, Cranberry and White Chocolate Cookies, Christmas Cupcakes, and Christmas Morning Muffins.
• All Wrapped Up - ‘Tis the season of giving edible presents and party preserves and who wouldn’t want to have Vanilla Sugar or Christmas-Spiced Salt in their pantry, or some Winter-Spiced Vodka or Pomegranate Vodka for their cocktails, and to snack on, what about Marinated Feta or Olives ‘N’ Pickled Things. And Christmas Chutney, Cranberry and Apple Chutney or Peanut Brittle with Art and Soul make the perfect presents.
• A Christmas Brunch for 6-8 - With friends and family staying with you or dropping by, a brunch is the ideal way to celebrate the day and combine two meals into one. There is nothing better than toasting with an Espresso Martini, and dishing up a Triple Cheese and Onion Strada or some Pumpkin Pancakes with Sticky Maple Pecans, accompanied with an Antioxidant Fruit Salad or some Cranberry, Almond and Honey Granola.
• A Bevy of Hot Drinks - Come in from the cold and warm up with perfectly spiced Mulled Cider, some Hot Honeyed Vodka, or a cozy mug of Hot Schnocolate…
• Dr Lawson Prescribes… - To help you through all the festivities, as the ancient Greeks believed: “let food be your medicine;” with that there is Cuban Cure Back Bean Soup and A Panacea for Seasonal and Self-Inflicted Ills, i.e., Nigella’s chicken soup with a twist.
About Nigella Lawson
Nigella Lawson is the British bestselling author of Nigella Express: Good Food Fast, Feast: Food to Celebrate Life, Forever Summer, Nigella Bites, How to Be a Domestic Goddess, and How to Eat, which have sold in excess of 6 million copies worldwide. Her 2005 book Feast: Food to Celebrate Life inspired Nigella Feasts, which debuted on Food Network in fall 2006. The Domestic Goddess returned in her second Food Network series, Nigella Express, launched in fall 2007 in conjunction with the release of Nigella Express. American audiences also know Nigella as host of Forever Summer with Nigella, her popular cooking/lifestyle series that aired on style, and Nigella Bites, which aired on E! Entertainment Television and Style. She lives in London with her husband and children.
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