The Christmas Chronicles: A Podcast Nigel Slater

In this special bonus episode from The Kitchen Diaries, we’ll find ourselves preparing for Christmas day, enjoying the festivities, and relaxing into the best day of the year, Boxing Day. I'll also be sharing some of my favourite festive recipes, including how to create the perfect Christmas dinner.

It's Christmas Day – welcome, and a very Merry Christmas. In this episode we’ll talk about the tradition of the Christmas dinner – are you having turkey or goose? – and how to carefully cook them both. Beyond the meat, we’ll make some crisp roast potatoes, steam the pudding, and, finally, settle in the aftermath of Christmas dinner – the warmth of the house buoyed by full bellies and festive cheer – with a drink, Christmas television, and a warm mince pie.

It’s Christmas Eve and in this episode I’ll be bringing in the evergreens, as tradition dictates, burning the Yule log in the fireplaces of my old home, and getting organised for tomorrow – making the gravies, cooking a parsnip loaf, and whipping up some brandy butter. We open our presents, and I’ll talk you through my recipe for a hot-smoked fish and leek pie – my unshakeable habit of making a fish dish on Christmas Eve has never wavered – and a good, nicely balanced brandy butter to effortlessly melt into your steaming pudding tomorrow evening.

In this episode we’ll find ourselves staring at the winter sky – the blazing clarity of the stars – and settle in the gentleness of its glow. We’ll make a wreath, put together some ever-useful terrines, and pair our cheeses with the perfect wine. There’s also a word of praise for the much-maligned drink of the season: a simple, spiced mulled wine.

In this episode we’ll talk about the lightest of all breads: panettone, and my love affair with the sweetly scented, thickly sliced cake. Carols, the traditional sound of Christmas, will have their time to shine; and I’ll give you my recipe for roast cauliflower with carrot hummus, a dinner of quiet comfort, and panettone ice cream: one more way to use this delightful cake over the festive season.

In this episode we’ll embrace the warmth of winter - the scented juices flowing from the kitchen, the soft lights of my home – as well as the sharp flavours of pickled quinces and rhubarb that will brighten your senses. I’ll also talk you through my recipe for pickled rhubarb and salmon and a baked apple mascarpone fool – sharp followed by sweet, the perfect way to liven and, then, settle.