In her newest cookbook Nigella Christmas, British-born Nigella Lawson, warms our stomachs and hearts with delicious recipes and anecdotes. Nigella’s introduction boldly states that she didn’t originally plan on writing a Christmas/holiday cookbook – ever; but she goes on to say that she greatly enjoyed writing this book. Nigella looks at Christmas and the holiday season not really as a religious time but more as a time to connect with those around her. That is why the book is subtitled food, family, friends, and festivities.

Nigella is a very down-to-earth cook and writer. She loves to eat and she loves to cook and this shows in her recipes and the anecdotes included with each section and recipe. She prefers to entertain and mingle with her guests, not slave away in the kitchen. Most of her recipes have notes about what can be made ahead of time and what needs to be done last minute.

Gorgeous pictures of food are set alongside easy-to-follow recipes that give the cook of any level the confidence to put on a beautiful holiday spread for just a few or for quite a crowd. This book gives you everything you could wish for when planning your holiday feast: from party canapés and catering for larger groups to menu plans for different sized groups. Even included is a section on quick and easy homemade gifts (chutneys, preserves, and other delectable standbys) and edible tree decorations.

Nigella covers all the bases with her holiday cookbook. Many of her mouthwatering recipes could be used year-round but they make for entertaining family and friends over the holidays with minimal stress and maximum enjoyment. This book will make you want to rush right home to cook up the fantastic feasts and scrumptious treats. This lovely British lady has outdone herself again in urging us to slow down and enjoy the holiday season with food, family, friends and festivities. Reviewed by Kim.

A delightful and festive book certainly, but I don't leave it on the shelf until December. This book gets an airing throughout the year, as the recipes aren't all about the big day recipes. There is a huge variety of recipes, and some great food gift ideas too. Some of the recipes have appeared in other Nigella books, but most of the recipes are new. My Christmas menu comes entirely from this book, and I can't tell you how handy the Christmas schedule is. There is less stress cooking Nigella's recipes anyway, but a list, makes things even more do-able. Brined and Super Juicy Roast Turkey, Bread Sauce, truly THE BEST Perfect Roast Potatoes - and the most gorgeous looking book as well. ( )

Just in time for Christmas, Nigella Lawson has brought us a wonderful Christmas gift in her new cookbook Nigella Christmas. First I have to say this is a beautiful book. The photography is absolutely amazing. To tell you the truth I could just look at the pictures over and over again and be happy. They are bright and vibrant and there are so many of them and of all kinds of things, not only food. She has pictures of her table, of gifts, of herself and her kids and a lot of other little things. There is also a green ribbon marker to bookmark your place which I think is another really special touch.

Nigella is another favorite of mine. I find her to have a 'real' personality when I watch her on tv. In other words, I don't feel she is acting her way through. I love how easy she seems in the kitchen and how un-fussy she is about things. I get a huge kick out of her night time visits to the fridge for a snack.

This cookbook certainly hasn't disappointed me. As I said the pictures alone are amazing but the recipes are great too. Granted, most of this food is very holiday'ish and if you are anything like me and ate this rich food everyday, the hips would be continuing their outward journey. Really though, the majority of these recipes can be made at any time of the year, not just Christmas and any recipe can be altered with lower fat ingredients if you wish. This, however, is a Christmas cookbook and the season itself calls for indulgences. In the middle of the book she has a huge Main Event section that deals only with the Christmas meal. There is even a schedule on how she handles Christmas Eve and Day and also alternatives to the traditional turkey if you're looking for that.

This cookbook reads like a novel. She has a great intro where she tells us of her own thoughts on the Christmas season and each recipe has a short section telling us about it which is really interesting. The book is in sections such as cocktails & canapes, stress free suppers (to help before the Main Event hits), baking, and one of my favorites-edible gifts. It's always nice to receive a nice jar of vanilla sugar or a chutney wrapped up beautifully as a gift. All the recipes have make ahead tips and others with tips for freezing so if you were really organized you could really get yourself prepared early for Christmas and really be stress free which is Nigella's goal throughout this book

I really love this cookbook and it would make such a great Christmas gift for the cook or aspiring cook on your list. It's a beautiful book, full of great recipes to really get you into the Christmas spirit this year and every year. This book was released by Random House on November 11.

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