Got to love Nigella!, 03 Jan 2009
I love the way Nigella describes food and gives the amateur cook (that would be me, then) an idea of what the finished result of a recipe should taste, feel and look like. This beautiful book is full of fab recipes that I am looking forward to attempting, and the photography is brilliant. I'm particularly looking forward to trying out the Tiramisu layer cake - the perfect opportunity to try out my new springform baking tins! This book IS Christmas! I was given it as a Christmas present and probably my favourite one.

christmas countdown, 02 Jan 2009
I am a huge fan of Nigella and treated myself to this book as an early christmas present. This year it was my turn to cook for the in-laws and family and I wanted everything to be perfect hence my purchase.

I began my food shopping a month in advance so I knew I had all the correct ingredients for Nigellas super moist turkey(trust me it really worked), sprouts with pancetta, parsnips with maple syrup, perfect roast potatoes, bread sauce & chocolate chestnut pots for dessert(we all hate christmas pudding).

I followed her christmas eve & christmas day plan down to the dot, even stopping for a glass of champagne & put my feet up when she says too before the rush starts & I have to say everything was PERFECT, Personnally the sprouts were my favourtite, my nephews adored the parsnips, my parents loved the bread sauce, my partner loves semolina so the roast potates were fabulous & crunchy, and as for the in-laws there were no complaints just praise...for me & the amazing turkey.

Oh and the chestnut chocolate pots were divine(i cheated and put marshmellows on the top so they were a bit gooey).

A fantastic book with some amazing recipes.

Move over Delia, 30 Dec 2008
Beautiful recipes (I haven't found one yet that diesn't work), glorious presentation. And as long as you are organised there are no ingredients which can't be sourced-- even the obscure ones are available online for easy delivery if you take the time to look at the stockists list.

Too many recycled recipes, 22 Dec 2008
I've got quite a few of the Nigella books and borrowed this book in the run up to Christmas to see if it's worth buying. For me, it's definitely not. Most of the recipes have appeared in earlier Nigella books, and it's not worth shelling out for something I've already got.

The book is beautifully presented and I'm sure it would be useful if you needed one cookbook for Christmas. However, I'd think twice about buying this and get a copy of Feast instead, as it's much better value. Most of the recipes here appear in Feast, and Feast also includes chapters on Easter, weddings and various other festive occasions. Feast is a lot more useful and costs about the same.

Fantastic, 20 Dec 2008
This book is fab, the recipes are easy to follow and as something for everyone from easy snacks to the full christmas lunch....o and a cocktail or two. Buy this and you will not be disapointed.

Got to love Nigella!, 03 Jan 2009
I love the way Nigella describes food and gives the amateur cook (that would be me, then) an idea of what the finished result of a recipe should taste, feel and look like. This beautiful book is full of fab recipes that I am looking forward to attempting, and the photography is brilliant. I'm particularly looking forward to trying out the Tiramisu layer cake - the perfect opportunity to try out my new springform baking tins! This book IS Christmas! I was given it as a Christmas present and probably my favourite one.

christmas countdown, 02 Jan 2009
I am a huge fan of Nigella and treated myself to this book as an early christmas present. This year it was my turn to cook for the in-laws and family and I wanted everything to be perfect hence my purchase.

I began my food shopping a month in advance so I knew I had all the correct ingredients for Nigellas super moist turkey(trust me it really worked), sprouts with pancetta, parsnips with maple syrup, perfect roast potatoes, bread sauce & chocolate chestnut pots for dessert(we all hate christmas pudding).

I followed her christmas eve & christmas day plan down to the dot, even stopping for a glass of champagne & put my feet up when she says too before the rush starts & I have to say everything was PERFECT, Personnally the sprouts were my favourtite, my nephews adored the parsnips, my parents loved the bread sauce, my partner loves semolina so the roast potates were fabulous & crunchy, and as for the in-laws there were no complaints just praise...for me & the amazing turkey.

Oh and the chestnut chocolate pots were divine(i cheated and put marshmellows on the top so they were a bit gooey).

A fantastic book with some amazing recipes.

Move over Delia, 30 Dec 2008
Beautiful recipes (I haven't found one yet that diesn't work), glorious presentation. And as long as you are organised there are no ingredients which can't be sourced-- even the obscure ones are available online for easy delivery if you take the time to look at the stockists list.

Too many recycled recipes, 22 Dec 2008
I've got quite a few of the Nigella books and borrowed this book in the run up to Christmas to see if it's worth buying. For me, it's definitely not. Most of the recipes have appeared in earlier Nigella books, and it's not worth shelling out for something I've already got.

The book is beautifully presented and I'm sure it would be useful if you needed one cookbook for Christmas. However, I'd think twice about buying this and get a copy of Feast instead, as it's much better value. Most of the recipes here appear in Feast, and Feast also includes chapters on Easter, weddings and various other festive occasions. Feast is a lot more useful and costs about the same.

Fantastic, 20 Dec 2008
This book is fab, the recipes are easy to follow and as something for everyone from easy snacks to the full christmas lunch....o and a cocktail or two. Buy this and you will not be disapointed.

She must think we were all born yesterday!, 06 Jan 2009
Oh my word what a useless book.
The 'author' has simply collected recipes and tips that almost all of us have learned elsewhere.
For those who haven't learned, all the recipes can be found for free either online or in a good old fashioned cookery book - probably one sitting on your own shelf!!

I found it insulting and threw it in my recycling box, one less copy of this book is a good thing. Hopefully it'll be recycled into a decent book or toilet tissue.



Not so good when you've been cooking a while, 06 Jan 2009
I have been married almost 5 years now, and I picked up all my cooking skills in this time, this book would have been very useful when I first got married and started off cooking, but now buying this book - mainly for the meal plans - I feel was a waste of money, as there was nothing new in it! Like a lot of the other reviews have pointed out, most of us know to reuse a roast chicken the next night in a casserole, it wasn't ground breaking stuff to read this, and although there are a couple of soup recipes I'd not seen before, I will not be making 'Stinging Nettle Soup' no matter how cheap or free it is.

My main reason for buying the book was the pre made meal plans, but I have come to realise that only I can make meal plans for our family as I know that we wouldn't like Lamb's Liver on the menu!! And I find that the recipes in the book are actually a lot simpler than the meals I already make my family presently. So unfortunately the book has got put in a cupboard ununsed, I was thinking of passing it on but I can't think who could make use of it!! Unless my brother when he leaves home.

There is not many recipes in the book considering the thickness of it, a lot is chapters of writing.

It would definitely be a good book to anyone starting out on their own, newly married couples and students, but for me I find not so good for a family.

Brilliant way to save money, 05 Jan 2009
I was bought this as a present for Christmas and already we have saved money in following the recipe plans at the back of the book. Straight forward, healthy food that are easy to prepare and very tasty. Nice to find a non-American book of this type.

Disappointing, 05 Jan 2009
I was really excited to be given this book, having a new baby and trying to work out how to feed him healthily - it was really disappointing to find nothing new, except factual inaccuracies and misleading information.

raised my hackles!, 04 Jan 2009
I was really excited when I opened this book but like some others, found it lacked content. I also found it opinionated and judgemental - get off your high horse!
Also - the comment about looking for the 'red tractor' to for proof that chicken (or any meat) is free range is just plain WRONG - it means it is farmed to agreed standards - not necessarily free range, and not necessarily British.
BTW, what is a potato purl?

Got to love Nigella!, 03 Jan 2009
I love the way Nigella describes food and gives the amateur cook (that would be me, then) an idea of what the finished result of a recipe should taste, feel and look like. This beautiful book is full of fab recipes that I am looking forward to attempting, and the photography is brilliant. I'm particularly looking forward to trying out the Tiramisu layer cake - the perfect opportunity to try out my new springform baking tins! This book IS Christmas! I was given it as a Christmas present and probably my favourite one.

christmas countdown, 02 Jan 2009
I am a huge fan of Nigella and treated myself to this book as an early christmas present. This year it was my turn to cook for the in-laws and family and I wanted everything to be perfect hence my purchase.

I began my food shopping a month in advance so I knew I had all the correct ingredients for Nigellas super moist turkey(trust me it really worked), sprouts with pancetta, parsnips with maple syrup, perfect roast potatoes, bread sauce & chocolate chestnut pots for dessert(we all hate christmas pudding).

I followed her christmas eve & christmas day plan down to the dot, even stopping for a glass of champagne & put my feet up when she says too before the rush starts & I have to say everything was PERFECT, Personnally the sprouts were my favourtite, my nephews adored the parsnips, my parents loved the bread sauce, my partner loves semolina so the roast potates were fabulous & crunchy, and as for the in-laws there were no complaints just praise...for me & the amazing turkey.

Oh and the chestnut chocolate pots were divine(i cheated and put marshmellows on the top so they were a bit gooey).

A fantastic book with some amazing recipes.

Move over Delia, 30 Dec 2008
Beautiful recipes (I haven't found one yet that diesn't work), glorious presentation. And as long as you are organised there are no ingredients which can't be sourced-- even the obscure ones are available online for easy delivery if you take the time to look at the stockists list.

Too many recycled recipes, 22 Dec 2008
I've got quite a few of the Nigella books and borrowed this book in the run up to Christmas to see if it's worth buying. For me, it's definitely not. Most of the recipes have appeared in earlier Nigella books, and it's not worth shelling out for something I've already got.

The book is beautifully presented and I'm sure it would be useful if you needed one cookbook for Christmas. However, I'd think twice about buying this and get a copy of Feast instead, as it's much better value. Most of the recipes here appear in Feast, and Feast also includes chapters on Easter, weddings and various other festive occasions. Feast is a lot more useful and costs about the same.

Fantastic, 20 Dec 2008
This book is fab, the recipes are easy to follow and as something for everyone from easy snacks to the full christmas lunch....o and a cocktail or two. Buy this and you will not be disapointed.

She must think we were all born yesterday!, 06 Jan 2009
Oh my word what a useless book.
The 'author' has simply collected recipes and tips that almost all of us have learned elsewhere.
For those who haven't learned, all the recipes can be found for free either online or in a good old fashioned cookery book - probably one sitting on your own shelf!!

I found it insulting and threw it in my recycling box, one less copy of this book is a good thing. Hopefully it'll be recycled into a decent book or toilet tissue.



Not so good when you've been cooking a while, 06 Jan 2009
I have been married almost 5 years now, and I picked up all my cooking skills in this time, this book would have been very useful when I first got married and started off cooking, but now buying this book - mainly for the meal plans - I feel was a waste of money, as there was nothing new in it! Like a lot of the other reviews have pointed out, most of us know to reuse a roast chicken the next night in a casserole, it wasn't ground breaking stuff to read this, and although there are a couple of soup recipes I'd not seen before, I will not be making 'Stinging Nettle Soup' no matter how cheap or free it is.

My main reason for buying the book was the pre made meal plans, but I have come to realise that only I can make meal plans for our family as I know that we wouldn't like Lamb's Liver on the menu!! And I find that the recipes in the book are actually a lot simpler than the meals I already make my family presently. So unfortunately the book has got put in a cupboard ununsed, I was thinking of passing it on but I can't think who could make use of it!! Unless my brother when he leaves home.

There is not many recipes in the book considering the thickness of it, a lot is chapters of writing.

It would definitely be a good book to anyone starting out on their own, newly married couples and students, but for me I find not so good for a family.

Brilliant way to save money, 05 Jan 2009
I was bought this as a present for Christmas and already we have saved money in following the recipe plans at the back of the book. Straight forward, healthy food that are easy to prepare and very tasty. Nice to find a non-American book of this type.

Disappointing, 05 Jan 2009
I was really excited to be given this book, having a new baby and trying to work out how to feed him healthily - it was really disappointing to find nothing new, except factual inaccuracies and misleading information.

raised my hackles!, 04 Jan 2009
I was really excited when I opened this book but like some others, found it lacked content. I also found it opinionated and judgemental - get off your high horse!
Also - the comment about looking for the 'red tractor' to for proof that chicken (or any meat) is free range is just plain WRONG - it means it is farmed to agreed standards - not necessarily free range, and not necessarily British.
BTW, what is a potato purl?

My cookery bible!, 08 Jan 2009
I love Delia Smith. My mum had a battered copy that was a huge part of my childhood, and when I left home I immediately purchased my own copy. I use it so often, weekly at least, and I hope it is as big a part in my childrens lives as it is in mine! Her christmas cake recipe is by far the best I have ever eaten, and her all in one sponge cake is fool proof. I love her style of writing, her advice practical, and even my partner (who was brought up with microwave meals and smash) is addicted to Delia and often flicks through the book, hungry to try her recipes! The only recipe I have tried that has failed is her beef curry, but 1 out of 1000 cant be bad! I recommend this to everyone, it really is my cookery bible, and I would be lost without it!

In constant use since 1983 - my kitchen bible, 02 Jan 2009
I've been using this book since its release back in 1983 - it is the only one to remain on my shelves in constant use and the pages are falling out (especially around the cake section!). My daughter has just got her first home so I'm buying this book for her, and while its still in print, I'm buying one for my son for when he leaves too (sometime in the future!!). I just can't bear to part with my own copy!

Buy this book, you'll get the basics and develop confidence in your cooking. You can then adapt them with your own variations (eg use pura not lard!) and will easily be able to follow other cookbooks. And on a final note, the main reason this book is so good is because the ingredients are properly indexed so you can find exactly what you want. Much as I love Jamie Oliver, his indexes are appalling - I mean, if you're looking for chicken you look under c not under r for 'roasted chicken with whatever'.

From the basic to the brilliant, 11 Sep 2008
Everything you could possibly need to know in one handy compact book. Every cook should have a copy of this on their shelf - it is like having a mini delia in your kitchen which you can refer to as and when you need it. Fab!

AMAZIN, 01 Apr 2008
Ths book is fantastic, I could not have got through my teens without it..
The things Delia can do with a Cucumber and a flacid piece of meat are tremdous and a must see..

The pictures and diagrams are particularly helpful and arousing


The New Mrs Beeton!!, 06 Mar 2008
I have had this book since it first came out and it is falling apart now, thus I have to get another!!!

Got to love Nigella!, 03 Jan 2009
I love the way Nigella describes food and gives the amateur cook (that would be me, then) an idea of what the finished result of a recipe should taste, feel and look like. This beautiful book is full of fab recipes that I am looking forward to attempting, and the photography is brilliant. I'm particularly looking forward to trying out the Tiramisu layer cake - the perfect opportunity to try out my new springform baking tins! This book IS Christmas! I was given it as a Christmas present and probably my favourite one.

christmas countdown, 02 Jan 2009
I am a huge fan of Nigella and treated myself to this book as an early christmas present. This year it was my turn to cook for the in-laws and family and I wanted everything to be perfect hence my purchase.

I began my food shopping a month in advance so I knew I had all the correct ingredients for Nigellas super moist turkey(trust me it really worked), sprouts with pancetta, parsnips with maple syrup, perfect roast potatoes, bread sauce & chocolate chestnut pots for dessert(we all hate christmas pudding).

I followed her christmas eve & christmas day plan down to the dot, even stopping for a glass of champagne & put my feet up when she says too before the rush starts & I have to say everything was PERFECT, Personnally the sprouts were my favourtite, my nephews adored the parsnips, my parents loved the bread sauce, my partner loves semolina so the roast potates were fabulous & crunchy, and as for the in-laws there were no complaints just praise...for me & the amazing turkey.

Oh and the chestnut chocolate pots were divine(i cheated and put marshmellows on the top so they were a bit gooey).

A fantastic book with some amazing recipes.

Move over Delia, 30 Dec 2008
Beautiful recipes (I haven't found one yet that diesn't work), glorious presentation. And as long as you are organised there are no ingredients which can't be sourced-- even the obscure ones are available online for easy delivery if you take the time to look at the stockists list.

Too many recycled recipes, 22 Dec 2008
I've got quite a few of the Nigella books and borrowed this book in the run up to Christmas to see if it's worth buying. For me, it's definitely not. Most of the recipes have appeared in earlier Nigella books, and it's not worth shelling out for something I've already got.

The book is beautifully presented and I'm sure it would be useful if you needed one cookbook for Christmas. However, I'd think twice about buying this and get a copy of Feast instead, as it's much better value. Most of the recipes here appear in Feast, and Feast also includes chapters on Easter, weddings and various other festive occasions. Feast is a lot more useful and costs about the same.

Fantastic, 20 Dec 2008
This book is fab, the recipes are easy to follow and as something for everyone from easy snacks to the full christmas lunch....o and a cocktail or two. Buy this and you will not be disapointed.

She must think we were all born yesterday!, 06 Jan 2009
Oh my word what a useless book.
The 'author' has simply collected recipes and tips that almost all of us have learned elsewhere.
For those who haven't learned, all the recipes can be found for free either online or in a good old fashioned cookery book - probably one sitting on your own shelf!!

I found it insulting and threw it in my recycling box, one less copy of this book is a good thing. Hopefully it'll be recycled into a decent book or toilet tissue.



Not so good when you've been cooking a while, 06 Jan 2009
I have been married almost 5 years now, and I picked up all my cooking skills in this time, this book would have been very useful when I first got married and started off cooking, but now buying this book - mainly for the meal plans - I feel was a waste of money, as there was nothing new in it! Like a lot of the other reviews have pointed out, most of us know to reuse a roast chicken the next night in a casserole, it wasn't ground breaking stuff to read this, and although there are a couple of soup recipes I'd not seen before, I will not be making 'Stinging Nettle Soup' no matter how cheap or free it is.

My main reason for buying the book was the pre made meal plans, but I have come to realise that only I can make meal plans for our family as I know that we wouldn't like Lamb's Liver on the menu!! And I find that the recipes in the book are actually a lot simpler than the meals I already make my family presently. So unfortunately the book has got put in a cupboard ununsed, I was thinking of passing it on but I can't think who could make use of it!! Unless my brother when he leaves home.

There is not many recipes in the book considering the thickness of it, a lot is chapters of writing.

It would definitely be a good book to anyone starting out on their own, newly married couples and students, but for me I find not so good for a family.

Brilliant way to save money, 05 Jan 2009
I was bought this as a present for Christmas and already we have saved money in following the recipe plans at the back of the book. Straight forward, healthy food that are easy to prepare and very tasty. Nice to find a non-American book of this type.

Disappointing, 05 Jan 2009
I was really excited to be given this book, having a new baby and trying to work out how to feed him healthily - it was really disappointing to find nothing new, except factual inaccuracies and misleading information.

raised my hackles!, 04 Jan 2009
I was really excited when I opened this book but like some others, found it lacked content. I also found it opinionated and judgemental - get off your high horse!
Also - the comment about looking for the 'red tractor' to for proof that chicken (or any meat) is free range is just plain WRONG - it means it is farmed to agreed standards - not necessarily free range, and not necessarily British.
BTW, what is a potato purl?

My cookery bible!, 08 Jan 2009
I love Delia Smith. My mum had a battered copy that was a huge part of my childhood, and when I left home I immediately purchased my own copy. I use it so often, weekly at least, and I hope it is as big a part in my childrens lives as it is in mine! Her christmas cake recipe is by far the best I have ever eaten, and her all in one sponge cake is fool proof. I love her style of writing, her advice practical, and even my partner (who was brought up with microwave meals and smash) is addicted to Delia and often flicks through the book, hungry to try her recipes! The only recipe I have tried that has failed is her beef curry, but 1 out of 1000 cant be bad! I recommend this to everyone, it really is my cookery bible, and I would be lost without it!

In constant use since 1983 - my kitchen bible, 02 Jan 2009
I've been using this book since its release back in 1983 - it is the only one to remain on my shelves in constant use and the pages are falling out (especially around the cake section!). My daughter has just got her first home so I'm buying this book for her, and while its still in print, I'm buying one for my son for when he leaves too (sometime in the future!!). I just can't bear to part with my own copy!

Buy this book, you'll get the basics and develop confidence in your cooking. You can then adapt them with your own variations (eg use pura not lard!) and will easily be able to follow other cookbooks. And on a final note, the main reason this book is so good is because the ingredients are properly indexed so you can find exactly what you want. Much as I love Jamie Oliver, his indexes are appalling - I mean, if you're looking for chicken you look under c not under r for 'roasted chicken with whatever'.

From the basic to the brilliant, 11 Sep 2008
Everything you could possibly need to know in one handy compact book. Every cook should have a copy of this on their shelf - it is like having a mini delia in your kitchen which you can refer to as and when you need it. Fab!

AMAZIN, 01 Apr 2008
Ths book is fantastic, I could not have got through my teens without it..
The things Delia can do with a Cucumber and a flacid piece of meat are tremdous and a must see..

The pictures and diagrams are particularly helpful and arousing


The New Mrs Beeton!!, 06 Mar 2008
I have had this book since it first came out and it is falling apart now, thus I have to get another!!!

Not as "complete" as I'd hoped! , 06 Jan 2009
i bought this book the minute it came out - I am a huge fan of Sarah's - but in truth, despite the enticing cover and fabulous photography, there was simply not enough substance for me. I didn't buy it for the recipes, to be fair, as there are plenty of other great books which cover Christmas food, but rather because I felt that Sarah would give wonderful ideas on creating and celebrating a more natural Christmas. There were some lovely pictures, but those I found inspiring - the hydrangea wreath, for example - were not accompanied by really good instructions. Nice photo, but I was so disappointed that there were no step by step details. Not enough nitty gritty. Not enough inspired and unusual ideas with instructions for utilising all sorts of things in the garden (other than putting them in a vase), which I felt were bound to be in it. I thought the narrative was a little uninspiring, and in places, rather opinionated (is there really only one combination of colours which work well for Christmas?!) . I was sure this would be a real tonic to combat a festive world which is too commercial and glitzy - but perhaps I was expecting too much. There were perhaps half a dozen things I took from it at most - the honey mustard sausages were nice - but not enough that was original or different. And given that Sarah is both those things, her book could have been outstanding.

Superb!, 05 Jan 2009
I wish I'd been the proud possessor of this book BEFORE Christmas as it's so good. Never mind, now I've got it and there are only 11 months to go before I can use it for Christmas 2009;in the meantime, there are lots of recipes which I can see are going to become family favourites, Christmas or not.
I have Delia, I have Nigella, but this goes way beyond either of those. Sarah's Raven's enthusiasm is like Nigel Slater's ; it makes you want to get into the kitchen and start cooking; it makes you want to get your coat and boots on and go into the garden or out for a walk to find some of the beautiful raw ingredients for tranforming your home into a place of winter beauty. I'll never look at artichokes and beans again without wanting to spray them silver!
Thank you, Sarah Raven, for a wonderful book. This will take its place high in my list of "Can't-live-Without-books".

Absolutely AWFUL, 03 Jan 2009
I wouldn't recommend this to anyone. In fact I didn't want to give it any stars - it's not traditional in the slightest. Couldn't relate anything to Christmas - RUUUUUUBBISH - buy Delia or a Victorian Christmas recipe book instead - then you'll have the perfect Christmas book.

Oh, do be quiet!, 18 Dec 2008
Ms L, i came across your reviews while looking to order this book for christmas presents. having bought it and used it successfully already. I must say that i find your reviews and counter reviews rather self important not to mention boring. Do please stop using this site as a vehicle to play AA Gill because it is obvious from what you say that you are not a cook.

Gorgeous Sarah Raven Christmas food and flowers collection, 07 Dec 2008
I have been a huge fan of Sarah Raven since I got my hands on a copy of her brilliant Garden Cook Book. This has stood me in very good stead for the whole year as each new type of meat, fruit and veg has come into season - it seems to cover every type of veg that I've come across. But her Christmas food book does something different - hurrah! - it gives ideas for how to produce scrumptious, special food for a large or small party. I made the crispy cumin and caraway squid for a group of friends a couple of weeks ago and it went down a treat. The very cheesy biscuits (and pesto cheese straws) are the easiest and quickest (and yummiest) things ever and you can stow away some of the mixture in the fridge for another day if you discover that you've made too much. Her sausages in honey and mustard and bruschetta were also dead easy. She suggests all sorts of snacks that can be made in advance, which are right up my street. The book is really pretty - lots of lovely Christmassy colours, sparkly cover and gorgeous photos of food and flowers. Lovely!

In this collection of the very best of her Christmas recipes, Delia Smith demonstrates how you can easily cope with the whole gamut of Christmas entertaining while still having plenty of time to relax with your family and friends. Whether this is the firs

Got to love Nigella!, 03 Jan 2009
I love the way Nigella describes food and gives the amateur cook (that would be me, then) an idea of what the finished result of a recipe should taste, feel and look like. This beautiful book is full of fab recipes that I am looking forward to attempting, and the photography is brilliant. I'm particularly looking forward to trying out the Tiramisu layer cake - the perfect opportunity to try out my new springform baking tins! This book IS Christmas! I was given it as a Christmas present and probably my favourite one.

christmas countdown, 02 Jan 2009
I am a huge fan of Nigella and treated myself to this book as an early christmas present. This year it was my turn to cook for the in-laws and family and I wanted everything to be perfect hence my purchase.

I began my food shopping a month in advance so I knew I had all the correct ingredients for Nigellas super moist turkey(trust me it really worked), sprouts with pancetta, parsnips with maple syrup, perfect roast potatoes, bread sauce & chocolate chestnut pots for dessert(we all hate christmas pudding).

I followed her christmas eve & christmas day plan down to the dot, even stopping for a glass of champagne & put my feet up when she says too before the rush starts & I have to say everything was PERFECT, Personnally the sprouts were my favourtite, my nephews adored the parsnips, my parents loved the bread sauce, my partner loves semolina so the roast potates were fabulous & crunchy, and as for the in-laws there were no complaints just praise...for me & the amazing turkey.

Oh and the chestnut chocolate pots were divine(i cheated and put marshmellows on the top so they were a bit gooey).

A fantastic book with some amazing recipes.

Move over Delia, 30 Dec 2008
Beautiful recipes (I haven't found one yet that diesn't work), glorious presentation. And as long as you are organised there are no ingredients which can't be sourced-- even the obscure ones are available online for easy delivery if you take the time to look at the stockists list.

Too many recycled recipes, 22 Dec 2008
I've got quite a few of the Nigella books and borrowed this book in the run up to Christmas to see if it's worth buying. For me, it's definitely not. Most of the recipes have appeared in earlier Nigella books, and it's not worth shelling out for something I've already got.

The book is beautifully presented and I'm sure it would be useful if you needed one cookbook for Christmas. However, I'd think twice about buying this and get a copy of Feast instead, as it's much better value. Most of the recipes here appear in Feast, and Feast also includes chapters on Easter, weddings and various other festive occasions. Feast is a lot more useful and costs about the same.

Fantastic, 20 Dec 2008
This book is fab, the recipes are easy to follow and as something for everyone from easy snacks to the full christmas lunch....o and a cocktail or two. Buy this and you will not be disapointed.

She must think we were all born yesterday!, 06 Jan 2009
Oh my word what a useless book.
The 'author' has simply collected recipes and tips that almost all of us have learned elsewhere.
For those who haven't learned, all the recipes can be found for free either online or in a good old fashioned cookery book - probably one sitting on your own shelf!!

I found it insulting and threw it in my recycling box, one less copy of this book is a good thing. Hopefully it'll be recycled into a decent book or toilet tissue.



Not so good when you've been cooking a while, 06 Jan 2009
I have been married almost 5 years now, and I picked up all my cooking skills in this time, this book would have been very useful when I first got married and started off cooking, but now buying this book - mainly for the meal plans - I feel was a waste of money, as there was nothing new in it! Like a lot of the other reviews have pointed out, most of us know to reuse a roast chicken the next night in a casserole, it wasn't ground breaking stuff to read this, and although there are a couple of soup recipes I'd not seen before, I will not be making 'Stinging Nettle Soup' no matter how cheap or free it is.

My main reason for buying the book was the pre made meal plans, but I have come to realise that only I can make meal plans for our family as I know that we wouldn't like Lamb's Liver on the menu!! And I find that the recipes in the book are actually a lot simpler than the meals I already make my family presently. So unfortunately the book has got put in a cupboard ununsed, I was thinking of passing it on but I can't think who could make use of it!! Unless my brother when he leaves home.

There is not many recipes in the book considering the thickness of it, a lot is chapters of writing.

It would definitely be a good book to anyone starting out on their own, newly married couples and students, but for me I find not so good for a family.

Brilliant way to save money, 05 Jan 2009
I was bought this as a present for Christmas and already we have saved money in following the recipe plans at the back of the book. Straight forward, healthy food that are easy to prepare and very tasty. Nice to find a non-American book of this type.

Disappointing, 05 Jan 2009
I was really excited to be given this book, having a new baby and trying to work out how to feed him healthily - it was really disappointing to find nothing new, except factual inaccuracies and misleading information.

raised my hackles!, 04 Jan 2009
I was really excited when I opened this book but like some others, found it lacked content. I also found it opinionated and judgemental - get off your high horse!
Also - the comment about looking for the 'red tractor' to for proof that chicken (or any meat) is free range is just plain WRONG - it means it is farmed to agreed standards - not necessarily free range, and not necessarily British.
BTW, what is a potato purl?

My cookery bible!, 08 Jan 2009
I love Delia Smith. My mum had a battered copy that was a huge part of my childhood, and when I left home I immediately purchased my own copy. I use it so often, weekly at least, and I hope it is as big a part in my childrens lives as it is in mine! Her christmas cake recipe is by far the best I have ever eaten, and her all in one sponge cake is fool proof. I love her style of writing, her advice practical, and even my partner (who was brought up with microwave meals and smash) is addicted to Delia and often flicks through the book, hungry to try her recipes! The only recipe I have tried that has failed is her beef curry, but 1 out of 1000 cant be bad! I recommend this to everyone, it really is my cookery bible, and I would be lost without it!

In constant use since 1983 - my kitchen bible, 02 Jan 2009
I've been using this book since its release back in 1983 - it is the only one to remain on my shelves in constant use and the pages are falling out (especially around the cake section!). My daughter has just got her first home so I'm buying this book for her, and while its still in print, I'm buying one for my son for when he leaves too (sometime in the future!!). I just can't bear to part with my own copy!

Buy this book, you'll get the basics and develop confidence in your cooking. You can then adapt them with your own variations (eg use pura not lard!) and will easily be able to follow other cookbooks. And on a final note, the main reason this book is so good is because the ingredients are properly indexed so you can find exactly what you want. Much as I love Jamie Oliver, his indexes are appalling - I mean, if you're looking for chicken you look under c not under r for 'roasted chicken with whatever'.

From the basic to the brilliant, 11 Sep 2008
Everything you could possibly need to know in one handy compact book. Every cook should have a copy of this on their shelf - it is like having a mini delia in your kitchen which you can refer to as and when you need it. Fab!

AMAZIN, 01 Apr 2008
Ths book is fantastic, I could not have got through my teens without it..
The things Delia can do with a Cucumber and a flacid piece of meat are tremdous and a must see..

The pictures and diagrams are particularly helpful and arousing


The New Mrs Beeton!!, 06 Mar 2008
I have had this book since it first came out and it is falling apart now, thus I have to get another!!!

Not as "complete" as I'd hoped! , 06 Jan 2009
i bought this book the minute it came out - I am a huge fan of Sarah's - but in truth, despite the enticing cover and fabulous photography, there was simply not enough substance for me. I didn't buy it for the recipes, to be fair, as there are plenty of other great books which cover Christmas food, but rather because I felt that Sarah would give wonderful ideas on creating and celebrating a more natural Christmas. There were some lovely pictures, but those I found inspiring - the hydrangea wreath, for example - were not accompanied by really good instructions. Nice photo, but I was so disappointed that there were no step by step details. Not enough nitty gritty. Not enough inspired and unusual ideas with instructions for utilising all sorts of things in the garden (other than putting them in a vase), which I felt were bound to be in it. I thought the narrative was a little uninspiring, and in places, rather opinionated (is there really only one combination of colours which work well for Christmas?!) . I was sure this would be a real tonic to combat a festive world which is too commercial and glitzy - but perhaps I was expecting too much. There were perhaps half a dozen things I took from it at most - the honey mustard sausages were nice - but not enough that was original or different. And given that Sarah is both those things, her book could have been outstanding.

Superb!, 05 Jan 2009
I wish I'd been the proud possessor of this book BEFORE Christmas as it's so good. Never mind, now I've got it and there are only 11 months to go before I can use it for Christmas 2009;in the meantime, there are lots of recipes which I can see are going to become family favourites, Christmas or not.
I have Delia, I have Nigella, but this goes way beyond either of those. Sarah's Raven's enthusiasm is like Nigel Slater's ; it makes you want to get into the kitchen and start cooking; it makes you want to get your coat and boots on and go into the garden or out for a walk to find some of the beautiful raw ingredients for tranforming your home into a place of winter beauty. I'll never look at artichokes and beans again without wanting to spray them silver!
Thank you, Sarah Raven, for a wonderful book. This will take its place high in my list of "Can't-live-Without-books".

Absolutely AWFUL, 03 Jan 2009
I wouldn't recommend this to anyone. In fact I didn't want to give it any stars - it's not traditional in the slightest. Couldn't relate anything to Christmas - RUUUUUUBBISH - buy Delia or a Victorian Christmas recipe book instead - then you'll have the perfect Christmas book.

Oh, do be quiet!, 18 Dec 2008
Ms L, i came across your reviews while looking to order this book for christmas presents. having bought it and used it successfully already. I must say that i find your reviews and counter reviews rather self important not to mention boring. Do please stop using this site as a vehicle to play AA Gill because it is obvious from what you say that you are not a cook.

Gorgeous Sarah Raven Christmas food and flowers collection, 07 Dec 2008
I have been a huge fan of Sarah Raven since I got my hands on a copy of her brilliant Garden Cook Book. This has stood me in very good stead for the whole year as each new type of meat, fruit and veg has come into season - it seems to cover every type of veg that I've come across. But her Christmas food book does something different - hurrah! - it gives ideas for how to produce scrumptious, special food for a large or small party. I made the crispy cumin and caraway squid for a group of friends a couple of weeks ago and it went down a treat. The very cheesy biscuits (and pesto cheese straws) are the easiest and quickest (and yummiest) things ever and you can stow away some of the mixture in the fridge for another day if you discover that you've made too much. Her sausages in honey and mustard and bruschetta were also dead easy. She suggests all sorts of snacks that can be made in advance, which are right up my street. The book is really pretty - lots of lovely Christmassy colours, sparkly cover and gorgeous photos of food and flowers. Lovely!

Best Christmas Cookery book ever!, 16 Dec 2008
I have had this book since it was first published and my food splattered, dog eared copy has stayed by my side every festive season. It cannot be beaten - the pudding is the most moist, delectable ever eaten, the cake is dried fruit nirvana...the casseroles have been adored by anyone who has tried them, sausage rolls that melt in the mouth...I can't rave enough really!
It also has a foolproof timetable for Christmas Day.
I wish I had a £1 for everytime I have recommended this book over the years - I'd be a millionare :)

NO GOOD FOR TEE-TOTALLERS!, 14 Oct 2008
This is a great book but if you, like me, cannot use alcohol even in cooking (Yes, I KNOW the alcohol burns off, some of us shouldn't even taste it!) then the majority of the hot recipes you simply cannot make.

Delia does state that, for the cakes, orange juice can be used instead of liquour. But, otherwise, almost all the other dishes involving meat (aside from the traditional turkey, of course) are soaked in the stuff!

For that reason I recommend Nigella Lawson's 'Nigella Christmas' a little more. Nigella always tries to provide an alternative to the alcohol, something Delia doesn't do outside of the baking section. (But then we know Delia likes a drink!)

Having said that this is THE Christmas books for nibbles, canapes, party food, cold buffets, winter salads etc and THAT'S the reason it's ubiquitious over yuletide in bookshops. My Auntie, one of the best cooks on the planet, absolutely swears by her copy and that's reason enough to recommend, believe me. Merry Christmas.

Dame Delia Does it Best, 05 Oct 2008
Long before cookery became the province of lifestyle gurus and policiticians Delia was out there doing what she does better than anyone who has come after her. With her no-nonsense, modest approach she taught a nation how to cook. Her Christmas book is a 5 star classic. Her instructions are detailed and fail-safe. When the pressure is on over Christmas there's nobody I'd trust more to get me through the festive period. She is the original domestic goddess!!

BEST CHOICE FOR SUPERB CHRISTMAS CAKES, 01 Sep 2008

I have had this book for a number of years now and the cakes I have made using the recipes have been outstanding! Everything is explained precisely the way it should be and the results are often better than expected. I would recommend this book 100% - especially if you are a lover of fruit cakes. I will be making my Christmas cake this year based on this recipe! Guaranteed to go down very well!

Classic Delia - before the frozen mash!, 27 Aug 2008
I start reading this about six weeks before Christmas when I make the Christmas pud and Cake. Along with 'The box of delights', this book is part of the perfect build up to Christmas. Admittedly I haven't tried all the recipes but if you want a blow by blow account of how to rustle up the perfect Christmas dinner plus other festive essentials then I commend this book to you.

Got to love Nigella!, 03 Jan 2009
I love the way Nigella describes food and gives the amateur cook (that would be me, then) an idea of what the finished result of a recipe should taste, feel and look like. This beautiful book is full of fab recipes that I am looking forward to attempting, and the photography is brilliant. I'm particularly looking forward to trying out the Tiramisu layer cake - the perfect opportunity to try out my new springform baking tins! This book IS Christmas! I was given it as a Christmas present and probably my favourite one.

christmas countdown, 02 Jan 2009
I am a huge fan of Nigella and treated myself to this book as an early christmas present. This year it was my turn to cook for the in-laws and family and I wanted everything to be perfect hence my purchase.

I began my food shopping a month in advance so I knew I had all the correct ingredients for Nigellas super moist turkey(trust me it really worked), sprouts with pancetta, parsnips with maple syrup, perfect roast potatoes, bread sauce & chocolate chestnut pots for dessert(we all hate christmas pudding).

I followed her christmas eve & christmas day plan down to the dot, even stopping for a glass of champagne & put my feet up when she says too before the rush starts & I have to say everything was PERFECT, Personnally the sprouts were my favourtite, my nephews adored the parsnips, my parents loved the bread sauce, my partner loves semolina so the roast potates were fabulous & crunchy, and as for the in-laws there were no complaints just praise...for me & the amazing turkey.

Oh and the chestnut chocolate pots were divine(i cheated and put marshmellows on the top so they were a bit gooey).

A fantastic book with some amazing recipes.

Move over Delia, 30 Dec 2008
Beautiful recipes (I haven't found one yet that diesn't work), glorious presentation. And as long as you are organised there are no ingredients which can't be sourced-- even the obscure ones are available online for easy delivery if you take the time to look at the stockists list.

Too many recycled recipes, 22 Dec 2008
I've got quite a few of the Nigella books and borrowed this book in the run up to Christmas to see if it's worth buying. For me, it's definitely not. Most of the recipes have appeared in earlier Nigella books, and it's not worth shelling out for something I've already got.

The book is beautifully presented and I'm sure it would be useful if you needed one cookbook for Christmas. However, I'd think twice about buying this and get a copy of Feast instead, as it's much better value. Most of the recipes here appear in Feast, and Feast also includes chapters on Easter, weddings and various other festive occasions. Feast is a lot more useful and costs about the same.

Fantastic, 20 Dec 2008
This book is fab, the recipes are easy to follow and as something for everyone from easy snacks to the full christmas lunch....o and a cocktail or two. Buy this and you will not be disapointed.

She must think we were all born yesterday!, 06 Jan 2009
Oh my word what a useless book.
The 'author' has simply collected recipes and tips that almost all of us have learned elsewhere.
For those who haven't learned, all the recipes can be found for free either online or in a good old fashioned cookery book - probably one sitting on your own shelf!!

I found it insulting and threw it in my recycling box, one less copy of this book is a good thing. Hopefully it'll be recycled into a decent book or toilet tissue.



Not so good when you've been cooking a while, 06 Jan 2009
I have been married almost 5 years now, and I picked up all my cooking skills in this time, this book would have been very useful when I first got married and started off cooking, but now buying this book - mainly for the meal plans - I feel was a waste of money, as there was nothing new in it! Like a lot of the other reviews have pointed out, most of us know to reuse a roast chicken the next night in a casserole, it wasn't ground breaking stuff to read this, and although there are a couple of soup recipes I'd not seen before, I will not be making 'Stinging Nettle Soup' no matter how cheap or free it is.

My main reason for buying the book was the pre made meal plans, but I have come to realise that only I can make meal plans for our family as I know that we wouldn't like Lamb's Liver on the menu!! And I find that the recipes in the book are actually a lot simpler than the meals I already make my family presently. So unfortunately the book has got put in a cupboard ununsed, I was thinking of passing it on but I can't think who could make use of it!! Unless my brother when he leaves home.

There is not many recipes in the book considering the thickness of it, a lot is chapters of writing.

It would definitely be a good book to anyone starting out on their own, newly married couples and students, but for me I find not so good for a family.

Brilliant way to save money, 05 Jan 2009
I was bought this as a present for Christmas and already we have saved money in following the recipe plans at the back of the book. Straight forward, healthy food that are easy to prepare and very tasty. Nice to find a non-American book of this type.

Disappointing, 05 Jan 2009
I was really excited to be given this book, having a new baby and trying to work out how to feed him healthily - it was really disappointing to find nothing new, except factual inaccuracies and misleading information.

raised my hackles!, 04 Jan 2009
I was really excited when I opened this book but like some others, found it lacked content. I also found it opinionated and judgemental - get off your high horse!
Also - the comment about looking for the 'red tractor' to for proof that chicken (or any meat) is free range is just plain WRONG - it means it is farmed to agreed standards - not necessarily free range, and not necessarily British.
BTW, what is a potato purl?

My cookery bible!, 08 Jan 2009
I love Delia Smith. My mum had a battered copy that was a huge part of my childhood, and when I left home I immediately purchased my own copy. I use it so often, weekly at least, and I hope it is as big a part in my childrens lives as it is in mine! Her christmas cake recipe is by far the best I have ever eaten, and her all in one sponge cake is fool proof. I love her style of writing, her advice practical, and even my partner (who was brought up with microwave meals and smash) is addicted to Delia and often flicks through the book, hungry to try her recipes! The only recipe I have tried that has failed is her beef curry, but 1 out of 1000 cant be bad! I recommend this to everyone, it really is my cookery bible, and I would be lost without it!

In constant use since 1983 - my kitchen bible, 02 Jan 2009
I've been using this book since its release back in 1983 - it is the only one to remain on my shelves in constant use and the pages are falling out (especially around the cake section!). My daughter has just got her first home so I'm buying this book for her, and while its still in print, I'm buying one for my son for when he leaves too (sometime in the future!!). I just can't bear to part with my own copy!

Buy this book, you'll get the basics and develop confidence in your cooking. You can then adapt them with your own variations (eg use pura not lard!) and will easily be able to follow other cookbooks. And on a final note, the main reason this book is so good is because the ingredients are properly indexed so you can find exactly what you want. Much as I love Jamie Oliver, his indexes are appalling - I mean, if you're looking for chicken you look under c not under r for 'roasted chicken with whatever'.

From the basic to the brilliant, 11 Sep 2008
Everything you could possibly need to know in one handy compact book. Every cook should have a copy of this on their shelf - it is like having a mini delia in your kitchen which you can refer to as and when you need it. Fab!

AMAZIN, 01 Apr 2008
Ths book is fantastic, I could not have got through my teens without it..
The things Delia can do with a Cucumber and a flacid piece of meat are tremdous and a must see..

The pictures and diagrams are particularly helpful and arousing


The New Mrs Beeton!!, 06 Mar 2008
I have had this book since it first came out and it is falling apart now, thus I have to get another!!!

Not as "complete" as I'd hoped! , 06 Jan 2009
i bought this book the minute it came out - I am a huge fan of Sarah's - but in truth, despite the enticing cover and fabulous photography, there was simply not enough substance for me. I didn't buy it for the recipes, to be fair, as there are plenty of other great books which cover Christmas food, but rather because I felt that Sarah would give wonderful ideas on creating and celebrating a more natural Christmas. There were some lovely pictures, but those I found inspiring - the hydrangea wreath, for example - were not accompanied by really good instructions. Nice photo, but I was so disappointed that there were no step by step details. Not enough nitty gritty. Not enough inspired and unusual ideas with instructions for utilising all sorts of things in the garden (other than putting them in a vase), which I felt were bound to be in it. I thought the narrative was a little uninspiring, and in places, rather opinionated (is there really only one combination of colours which work well for Christmas?!) . I was sure this would be a real tonic to combat a festive world which is too commercial and glitzy - but perhaps I was expecting too much. There were perhaps half a dozen things I took from it at most - the honey mustard sausages were nice - but not enough that was original or different. And given that Sarah is both those things, her book could have been outstanding.

Superb!, 05 Jan 2009
I wish I'd been the proud possessor of this book BEFORE Christmas as it's so good. Never mind, now I've got it and there are only 11 months to go before I can use it for Christmas 2009;in the meantime, there are lots of recipes which I can see are going to become family favourites, Christmas or not.
I have Delia, I have Nigella, but this goes way beyond either of those. Sarah's Raven's enthusiasm is like Nigel Slater's ; it makes you want to get into the kitchen and start cooking; it makes you want to get your coat and boots on and go into the garden or out for a walk to find some of the beautiful raw ingredients for tranforming your home into a place of winter beauty. I'll never look at artichokes and beans again without wanting to spray them silver!
Thank you, Sarah Raven, for a wonderful book. This will take its place high in my list of "Can't-live-Without-books".

Absolutely AWFUL, 03 Jan 2009
I wouldn't recommend this to anyone. In fact I didn't want to give it any stars - it's not traditional in the slightest. Couldn't relate anything to Christmas - RUUUUUUBBISH - buy Delia or a Victorian Christmas recipe book instead - then you'll have the perfect Christmas book.

Oh, do be quiet!, 18 Dec 2008
Ms L, i came across your reviews while looking to order this book for christmas presents. having bought it and used it successfully already. I must say that i find your reviews and counter reviews rather self important not to mention boring. Do please stop using this site as a vehicle to play AA Gill because it is obvious from what you say that you are not a cook.

Gorgeous Sarah Raven Christmas food and flowers collection, 07 Dec 2008
I have been a huge fan of Sarah Raven since I got my hands on a copy of her brilliant Garden Cook Book. This has stood me in very good stead for the whole year as each new type of meat, fruit and veg has come into season - it seems to cover every type of veg that I've come across. But her Christmas food book does something different - hurrah! - it gives ideas for how to produce scrumptious, special food for a large or small party. I made the crispy cumin and caraway squid for a group of friends a couple of weeks ago and it went down a treat. The very cheesy biscuits (and pesto cheese straws) are the easiest and quickest (and yummiest) things ever and you can stow away some of the mixture in the fridge for another day if you discover that you've made too much. Her sausages in honey and mustard and bruschetta were also dead easy. She suggests all sorts of snacks that can be made in advance, which are right up my street. The book is really pretty - lots of lovely Christmassy colours, sparkly cover and gorgeous photos of food and flowers. Lovely!

Best Christmas Cookery book ever!, 16 Dec 2008
I have had this book since it was first published and my food splattered, dog eared copy has stayed by my side every festive season. It cannot be beaten - the pudding is the most moist, delectable ever eaten, the cake is dried fruit nirvana...the casseroles have been adored by anyone who has tried them, sausage rolls that melt in the mouth...I can't rave enough really!
It also has a foolproof timetable for Christmas Day.
I wish I had a £1 for everytime I have recommended this book over the years - I'd be a millionare :)

NO GOOD FOR TEE-TOTALLERS!, 14 Oct 2008
This is a great book but if you, like me, cannot use alcohol even in cooking (Yes, I KNOW the alcohol burns off, some of us shouldn't even taste it!) then the majority of the hot recipes you simply cannot make.

Delia does state that, for the cakes, orange juice can be used instead of liquour. But, otherwise, almost all the other dishes involving meat (aside from the traditional turkey, of course) are soaked in the stuff!

For that reason I recommend Nigella Lawson's 'Nigella Christmas' a little more. Nigella always tries to provide an alternative to the alcohol, something Delia doesn't do outside of the baking section. (But then we know Delia likes a drink!)

Having said that this is THE Christmas books for nibbles, canapes, party food, cold buffets, winter salads etc and THAT'S the reason it's ubiquitious over yuletide in bookshops. My Auntie, one of the best cooks on the planet, absolutely swears by her copy and that's reason enough to recommend, believe me. Merry Christmas.

Dame Delia Does it Best, 05 Oct 2008
Long before cookery became the province of lifestyle gurus and policiticians Delia was out there doing what she does better than anyone who has come after her. With her no-nonsense, modest approach she taught a nation how to cook. Her Christmas book is a 5 star classic. Her instructions are detailed and fail-safe. When the pressure is on over Christmas there's nobody I'd trust more to get me through the festive period. She is the original domestic goddess!!

BEST CHOICE FOR SUPERB CHRISTMAS CAKES, 01 Sep 2008

I have had this book for a number of years now and the cakes I have made using the recipes have been outstanding! Everything is explained precisely the way it should be and the results are often better than expected. I would recommend this book 100% - especially if you are a lover of fruit cakes. I will be making my Christmas cake this year based on this recipe! Guaranteed to go down very well!

Classic Delia - before the frozen mash!, 27 Aug 2008
I start reading this about six weeks before Christmas when I make the Christmas pud and Cake. Along with 'The box of delights', this book is part of the perfect build up to Christmas. Admittedly I haven't tried all the recipes but if you want a blow by blow account of how to rustle up the perfect Christmas dinner plus other festive essentials then I commend this book to you.

Organic christmas, 21 Dec 2008
I loved the look of the book on first opening. It has some fabulous ideas and have made quite a few, including the fab Christmas Bunting. But it isn't always possable to find and felt you own blankets, so I cheated and used felt, the mini panettone recipe looks great and am planning to make them this Christmas.

A Wonderful Book to help prepare for Christmas!, 07 Dec 2008
I bought this book a few weeks ago and have now made 3 of the projects and several of the recipes! My children made the biscuits and brownies for their school Christmas bazar and they disappeared in seconds!The projects are so easy to make! I have already made the felt bird decorations and the fabric scented hearts and they look beautiful! This is definately a book I will be buying for my family and friends! It make preparing for Christmas so much more pleasurable and the range of projects and recipes would suit all levels. The step by steps make it really easy to follow the projects and reipes. The festive breads, cakes and biscuits are just delicious. I will be making them through the year, not just for Christmas! Definately a book to have on your shelf and the photography is beautiful!

A good whole-some christmas!, 02 Dec 2008
I did enjoy this book-not just a decorating for christmas book or a chrismas recipe book but a bit of both and although it will sit on my book shelf for most of the year it will be dusted off every winter to get me in the christmas mood!

Ahh, a lovely book, 19 Nov 2008
What a lovely book. If you want something to really get you into the mood for christmas, this will do it. It presents christmas craft ideas in a simple and inspiring way, and really gives a lovely homely, simple christmas feel.
The crafts are simple yet inspiringly easy, and it encouraged me to dust off the sewing machine and give it a go. So far I've made the fireplace garland, walnut bread and leaf wreath - all of which were simple and stress free. The items I made actually looked like the pictures too. Other items I intend to make are the gooey brownies, raspberry gin, stockings and stocking garland and home made christmas cards and wrapping paper.
True there are some duff ideas, such as potting a christmas tree, but this book is so big it's not really a problem as there are plenty of other decent ideas to make up for it. And yes, some of the ideas are pretty simple, but I hadn't thought of them before and they only added to my enthusiasm for the simplicity.
Beautiful, I can see I will be referring to this book many times over the next few years.

Not as exciting as a Christmas book should be, 01 Nov 2008
This book follows on from "A Slice of Organic Life" which was a very sweet book with lots of proper advice about beginning to keep chickens, make your own compost, etc.

However this book is a lot weaker than the previous title. The pictures aren't tempting, especially of the dried orange tree decorations - they look (to me) disgusting, old and dried up! It also has some factual errors such as claiming that if your Christmas tree goes to landfill it will take "hundreds of years" to rot down. Hmmmm.... And many of the craft projects are the kind of thing where it looks like a good idea at the time (making felt birds for the Christmas tree); but where eventually you realise it's going to take about 3 days of solid work and a lot of shopping and money to make these so-called "simple and homely" decorations...

If you are a real fan of Sheherezade you might enjoy the book but NB that she was the editor, rather than the writer, and the only bit copyrighted by her is the introduction - she is clearly credited on the cover as "editor in chief", not the author.

I totally agree with what Village Preservation Society says in her review - it's sweet, and it's a goal we all want to aim for. But honestly, lots of the stuff (like sticking dried seed heads to a photo album cover) look as if they will fall apart instantly, which nobody wants! Sorry to be so down on the book, because it's a nice idea, but it's just NOT done nicely enough for me to give it more of a recommendation.

Got to love Nigella!, 03 Jan 2009
I love the way Nigella describes food and gives the amateur cook (that would be me, then) an idea of what the finished result of a recipe should taste, feel and look like. This beautiful book is full of fab recipes that I am looking forward to attempting, and the photography is brilliant. I'm particularly looking forward to trying out the Tiramisu layer cake - the perfect opportunity to try out my new springform baking tins! This book IS Christmas! I was given it as a Christmas present and probably my favourite one.

christmas countdown, 02 Jan 2009
I am a huge fan of Nigella and treated myself to this book as an early christmas present. This year it was my turn to cook for the in-laws and family and I wanted everything to be perfect hence my purchase.

I began my food shopping a month in advance so I knew I had all the correct ingredients for Nigellas super moist turkey(trust me it really worked), sprouts with pancetta, parsnips with maple syrup, perfect roast potatoes, bread sauce & chocolate chestnut pots for dessert(we all hate christmas pudding).

I followed her christmas eve & christmas day plan down to the dot, even stopping for a glass of champagne & put my feet up when she says too before the rush starts & I have to say everything was PERFECT, Personnally the sprouts were my favourtite, my nephews adored the parsnips, my parents loved the bread sauce, my partner loves semolina so the roast potates were fabulous & crunchy, and as for the in-laws there were no complaints just praise...for me & the amazing turkey.

Oh and the chestnut chocolate pots were divine(i cheated and put marshmellows on the top so they were a bit gooey).

A fantastic book with some amazing recipes.

Move over Delia, 30 Dec 2008
Beautiful recipes (I haven't found one yet that diesn't work), glorious presentation. And as long as you are organised there are no ingredients which can't be sourced-- even the obscure ones are available online for easy delivery if you take the time to look at the stockists list.

Too many recycled recipes, 22 Dec 2008
I've got quite a few of the Nigella books and borrowed this book in the run up to Christmas to see if it's worth buying. For me, it's definitely not. Most of the recipes have appeared in earlier Nigella books, and it's not worth shelling out for something I've already got.

The book is beautifully presented and I'm sure it would be useful if you needed one cookbook for Christmas. However, I'd think twice about buying this and get a copy of Feast instead, as it's much better value. Most of the recipes here appear in Feast, and Feast also includes chapters on Easter, weddings and various other festive occasions. Feast is a lot more useful and costs about the same.

Fantastic, 20 Dec 2008
This book is fab, the recipes are easy to follow and as something for everyone from easy snacks to the full christmas lunch....o and a cocktail or two. Buy this and you will not be disapointed.

She must think we were all born yesterday!, 06 Jan 2009
Oh my word what a useless book.
The 'author' has simply collected recipes and tips that almost all of us have learned elsewhere.
For those who haven't learned, all the recipes can be found for free either online or in a good old fashioned cookery book - probably one sitting on your own shelf!!

I found it insulting and threw it in my recycling box, one less copy of this book is a good thing. Hopefully it'll be recycled into a decent book or toilet tissue.



Not so good when you've been cooking a while, 06 Jan 2009
I have been married almost 5 years now, and I picked up all my cooking skills in this time, this book would have been very useful when I first got married and started off cooking, but now buying this book - mainly for the meal plans - I feel was a waste of money, as there was nothing new in it! Like a lot of the other reviews have pointed out, most of us know to reuse a roast chicken the next night in a casserole, it wasn't ground breaking stuff to read this, and although there are a couple of soup recipes I'd not seen before, I will not be making 'Stinging Nettle Soup' no matter how cheap or free it is.

My main reason for buying the book was the pre made meal plans, but I have come to realise that only I can make meal plans for our family as I know that we wouldn't like Lamb's Liver on the menu!! And I find that the recipes in the book are actually a lot simpler than the meals I already make my family presently. So unfortunately the book has got put in a cupboard ununsed, I was thinking of passing it on but I can't think who could make use of it!! Unless my brother when he leaves home.

There is not many recipes in the book considering the thickness of it, a lot is chapters of writing.

It would definitely be a good book to anyone starting out on their own, newly married couples and students, but for me I find not so good for a family.

Brilliant way to save money, 05 Jan 2009
I was bought this as a present for Christmas and already we have saved money in following the recipe plans at the back of the book. Straight forward, healthy food that are easy to prepare and very tasty. Nice to find a non-American book of this type.

Disappointing, 05 Jan 2009
I was really excited to be given this book, having a new baby and trying to work out how to feed him healthily - it was really disappointing to find nothing new, except factual inaccuracies and misleading information.

raised my hackles!, 04 Jan 2009
I was really excited when I opened this book but like some others, found it lacked content. I also found it opinionated and judgemental - get off your high horse!
Also - the comment about looking for the 'red tractor' to for proof that chicken (or any meat) is free range is just plain WRONG - it means it is farmed to agreed standards - not necessarily free range, and not necessarily British.
BTW, what is a potato purl?

My cookery bible!, 08 Jan 2009
I love Delia Smith. My mum had a battered copy that was a huge part of my childhood, and when I left home I immediately purchased my own copy. I use it so often, weekly at least, and I hope it is as big a part in my childrens lives as it is in mine! Her christmas cake recipe is by far the best I have ever eaten, and her all in one sponge cake is fool proof. I love her style of writing, her advice practical, and even my partner (who was brought up with microwave meals and smash) is addicted to Delia and often flicks through the book, hungry to try her recipes! The only recipe I have tried that has failed is her beef curry, but 1 out of 1000 cant be bad! I recommend this to everyone, it really is my cookery bible, and I would be lost without it!

In constant use since 1983 - my kitchen bible, 02 Jan 2009
I've been using this book since its release back in 1983 - it is the only one to remain on my shelves in constant use and the pages are falling out (especially around the cake section!). My daughter has just got her first home so I'm buying this book for her, and while its still in print, I'm buying one for my son for when he leaves too (sometime in the future!!). I just can't bear to part with my own copy!

Buy this book, you'll get the basics and develop confidence in your cooking. You can then adapt them with your own variations (eg use pura not lard!) and will easily be able to follow other cookbooks. And on a final note, the main reason this book is so good is because the ingredients are properly indexed so you can find exactly what you want. Much as I love Jamie Oliver, his indexes are appalling - I mean, if you're looking for chicken you look under c not under r for 'roasted chicken with whatever'.

From the basic to the brilliant, 11 Sep 2008
Everything you could possibly need to know in one handy compact book. Every cook should have a copy of this on their shelf - it is like having a mini delia in your kitchen which you can refer to as and when you need it. Fab!

AMAZIN, 01 Apr 2008
Ths book is fantastic, I could not have got through my teens without it..
The things Delia can do with a Cucumber and a flacid piece of meat are tremdous and a must see..

The pictures and diagrams are particularly helpful and arousing


The New Mrs Beeton!!, 06 Mar 2008
I have had this book since it first came out and it is falling apart now, thus I have to get another!!!

Not as "complete" as I'd hoped! , 06 Jan 2009
i bought this book the minute it came out - I am a huge fan of Sarah's - but in truth, despite the enticing cover and fabulous photography, there was simply not enough substance for me. I didn't buy it for the recipes, to be fair, as there are plenty of other great books which cover Christmas food, but rather because I felt that Sarah would give wonderful ideas on creating and celebrating a more natural Christmas. There were some lovely pictures, but those I found inspiring - the hydrangea wreath, for example - were not accompanied by really good instructions. Nice photo, but I was so disappointed that there were no step by step details. Not enough nitty gritty. Not enough inspired and unusual ideas with instructions for utilising all sorts of things in the garden (other than putting them in a vase), which I felt were bound to be in it. I thought the narrative was a little uninspiring, and in places, rather opinionated (is there really only one combination of colours which work well for Christmas?!) . I was sure this would be a real tonic to combat a festive world which is too commercial and glitzy - but perhaps I was expecting too much. There were perhaps half a dozen things I took from it at most - the honey mustard sausages were nice - but not enough that was original or different. And given that Sarah is both those things, her book could have been outstanding.

Superb!, 05 Jan 2009
I wish I'd been the proud possessor of this book BEFORE Christmas as it's so good. Never mind, now I've got it and there are only 11 months to go before I can use it for Christmas 2009;in the meantime, there are lots of recipes which I can see are going to become family favourites, Christmas or not.
I have Delia, I have Nigella, but this goes way beyond either of those. Sarah's Raven's enthusiasm is like Nigel Slater's ; it makes you want to get into the kitchen and start cooking; it makes you want to get your coat and boots on and go into the garden or out for a walk to find some of the beautiful raw ingredients for tranforming your home into a place of winter beauty. I'll never look at artichokes and beans again without wanting to spray them silver!
Thank you, Sarah Raven, for a wonderful book. This will take its place high in my list of "Can't-live-Without-books".

Absolutely AWFUL, 03 Jan 2009
I wouldn't recommend this to anyone. In fact I didn't want to give it any stars - it's not traditional in the slightest. Couldn't relate anything to Christmas - RUUUUUUBBISH - buy Delia or a Victorian Christmas recipe book instead - then you'll have the perfect Christmas book.

Oh, do be quiet!, 18 Dec 2008
Ms L, i came across your reviews while looking to order this book for christmas presents. having bought it and used it successfully already. I must say that i find your reviews and counter reviews rather self important not to mention boring. Do please stop using this site as a vehicle to play AA Gill because it is obvious from what you say that you are not a cook.

Gorgeous Sarah Raven Christmas food and flowers collection, 07 Dec 2008
I have been a huge fan of Sarah Raven since I got my hands on a copy of her brilliant Garden Cook Book. This has stood me in very good stead for the whole year as each new type of meat, fruit and veg has come into season - it seems to cover every type of veg that I've come across. But her Christmas food book does something different - hurrah! - it gives ideas for how to produce scrumptious, special food for a large or small party. I made the crispy cumin and caraway squid for a group of friends a couple of weeks ago and it went down a treat. The very cheesy biscuits (and pesto cheese straws) are the easiest and quickest (and yummiest) things ever and you can stow away some of the mixture in the fridge for another day if you discover that you've made too much. Her sausages in honey and mustard and bruschetta were also dead easy. She suggests all sorts of snacks that can be made in advance, which are right up my street. The book is really pretty - lots of lovely Christmassy colours, sparkly cover and gorgeous photos of food and flowers. Lovely!

Best Christmas Cookery book ever!, 16 Dec 2008
I have had this book since it was first published and my food splattered, dog eared copy has stayed by my side every festive season. It cannot be beaten - the pudding is the most moist, delectable ever eaten, the cake is dried fruit nirvana...the casseroles have been adored by anyone who has tried them, sausage rolls that melt in the mouth...I can't rave enough really!
It also has a foolproof timetable for Christmas Day.
I wish I had a £1 for everytime I have recommended this book over the years - I'd be a millionare :)

NO GOOD FOR TEE-TOTALLERS!, 14 Oct 2008
This is a great book but if you, like me, cannot use alcohol even in cooking (Yes, I KNOW the alcohol burns off, some of us shouldn't even taste it!) then the majority of the hot recipes you simply cannot make.

Delia does state that, for the cakes, orange juice can be used instead of liquour. But, otherwise, almost all the other dishes involving meat (aside from the traditional turkey, of course) are soaked in the stuff!

For that reason I recommend Nigella Lawson's 'Nigella Christmas' a little more. Nigella always tries to provide an alternative to the alcohol, something Delia doesn't do outside of the baking section. (But then we know Delia likes a drink!)

Having said that this is THE Christmas books for nibbles, canapes, party food, cold buffets, winter salads etc and THAT'S the reason it's ubiquitious over yuletide in bookshops. My Auntie, one of the best cooks on the planet, absolutely swears by her copy and that's reason enough to recommend, believe me. Merry Christmas.

Dame Delia Does it Best, 05 Oct 2008
Long before cookery became the province of lifestyle gurus and policiticians Delia was out there doing what she does better than anyone who has come after her. With her no-nonsense, modest approach she taught a nation how to cook. Her Christmas book is a 5 star classic. Her instructions are detailed and fail-safe. When the pressure is on over Christmas there's nobody I'd trust more to get me through the festive period. She is the original domestic goddess!!

BEST CHOICE FOR SUPERB CHRISTMAS CAKES, 01 Sep 2008

I have had this book for a number of years now and the cakes I have made using the recipes have been outstanding! Everything is explained precisely the way it should be and the results are often better than expected. I would recommend this book 100% - especially if you are a lover of fruit cakes. I will be making my Christmas cake this year based on this recipe! Guaranteed to go down very well!

Classic Delia - before the frozen mash!, 27 Aug 2008
I start reading this about six weeks before Christmas when I make the Christmas pud and Cake. Along with 'The box of delights', this book is part of the perfect build up to Christmas. Admittedly I haven't tried all the recipes but if you want a blow by blow account of how to rustle up the perfect Christmas dinner plus other festive essentials then I commend this book to you.

Organic christmas, 21 Dec 2008
I loved the look of the book on first opening. It has some fabulous ideas and have made quite a few, including the fab Christmas Bunting. But it isn't always possable to find and felt you own blankets, so I cheated and used felt, the mini panettone recipe looks great and am planning to make them this Christmas.

A Wonderful Book to help prepare for Christmas!, 07 Dec 2008
I bought this book a few weeks ago and have now made 3 of the projects and several of the recipes! My children made the biscuits and brownies for their school Christmas bazar and they disappeared in seconds!The projects are so easy to make! I have already made the felt bird decorations and the fabric scented hearts and they look beautiful! This is definately a book I will be buying for my family and friends! It make preparing for Christmas so much more pleasurable and the range of projects and recipes would suit all levels. The step by steps make it really easy to follow the projects and reipes. The festive breads, cakes and biscuits are just delicious. I will be making them through the year, not just for Christmas! Definately a book to have on your shelf and the photography is beautiful!

A good whole-some christmas!, 02 Dec 2008
I did enjoy this book-not just a decorating for christmas book or a chrismas recipe book but a bit of both and although it will sit on my book shelf for most of the year it will be dusted off every winter to get me in the christmas mood!

Ahh, a lovely book, 19 Nov 2008
What a lovely book. If you want something to really get you into the mood for christmas, this will do it. It presents christmas craft ideas in a simple and inspiring way, and really gives a lovely homely, simple christmas feel.
The crafts are simple yet inspiringly easy, and it encouraged me to dust off the sewing machine and give it a go. So far I've made the fireplace garland, walnut bread and leaf wreath - all of which were simple and stress free. The items I made actually looked like the pictures too. Other items I intend to make are the gooey brownies, raspberry gin, stockings and stocking garland and home made christmas cards and wrapping paper.
True there are some duff ideas, such as potting a christmas tree, but this book is so big it's not really a problem as there are plenty of other decent ideas to make up for it. And yes, some of the ideas are pretty simple, but I hadn't thought of them before and they only added to my enthusiasm for the simplicity.
Beautiful, I can see I will be referring to this book many times over the next few years.

Not as exciting as a Christmas book should be, 01 Nov 2008
This book follows on from "A Slice of Organic Life" which was a very sweet book with lots of proper advice about beginning to keep chickens, make your own compost, etc.

However this book is a lot weaker than the previous title. The pictures aren't tempting, especially of the dried orange tree decorations - they look (to me) disgusting, old and dried up! It also has some factual errors such as claiming that if your Christmas tree goes to landfill it will take "hundreds of years" to rot down. Hmmmm.... And many of the craft projects are the kind of thing where it looks like a good idea at the time (making felt birds for the Christmas tree); but where eventually you realise it's going to take about 3 days of solid work and a lot of shopping and money to make these so-called "simple and homely" decorations...

If you are a real fan of Sheherezade you might enjoy the book but NB that she was the editor, rather than the writer, and the only bit copyrighted by her is the introduction - she is clearly credited on the cover as "editor in chief", not the author.

I totally agree with what Village Preservation Society says in her review - it's sweet, and it's a goal we all want to aim for. But honestly, lots of the stuff (like sticking dried seed heads to a photo album cover) look as if they will fall apart instantly, which nobody wants! Sorry to be so down on the book, because it's a nice idea, but it's just NOT done nicely enough for me to give it more of a recommendation.

different recipes, 19 Jan 2008
i tried the mincepies which were a great new taste with the marzipan in, I also copied the christmas cake with the stockings around - again a grea idea. Also did the shortbread recipe but decorated them in my own way but also lovely. Oh and I did the Christmas pudding recipe with the grated butter!! yes quite tricky but well worth it best pudding I've ever had and even when I made it.

Simple, easy and delicious Christmas Food, 13 Oct 2007
This newest book in Good Food Magazine's '101' series has plenty of dishes for over the Christmas season. Recipes include edible gifts such as truffles, Christmas cakes and other bakes, party drinks and nibbles, chutneys and dressings, starters, the main Christmas feast, all types of vegetable accompaniment and of course, sweets and desserts.

The recipes are varied but most are simple and quick and could be made by a novice cook, an expert cook and everyone in between. There are even recipes that you could make with the kids.

There are a few vegetarian options for the main Christmas meal although maybe not as many to provide a huge choice if you don't eat the traditional turkey. For meat eaters - there are choices for turkey, chicken, beef, ham and much more. And there are plenty of choices of desserts, nibbles, starters and everything else.

Each recipe is accompanied by its own picture which I always think is essential for any good cookbook and makes your mouth water before you've even started cooking!

If you're looking for a simple, cheap cookbook with quick, easy meals for Christmas then you really can't go wrong with this one. Recommended.

The cover of Forever Summer features Nigella Lawson posing in a convertible car with luggage piled behind her, as though driving along the Riviera. Her beaming smile, however, betrays a hint of strain. Can she be wondering whether success and fame constitute something of a treadmill? Given that she has attained iconic single-name status, will she ever be able to return, should she wish, to the humble obscurity of serious journalism?

If treadmill it is, it's one she continues to work with considerable panache. What she never lacks is poise: her effortless blend of the artless and the deeply considered does not fail, here, to beguile. Nigella's appeal is, of course, a lifestyle thing--you, too, could be at once an intelligent modern woman and an old-fashioned vamp, draped in pashminas and liable impulsively to pop off for a run down to Monte. In all this, and especially if you take her television persona into account, the food can seem a little incidental. But it is of course at the heart of the project. Nigella Lawson seems to have a knack of thinking creatively about food which allows her to turn a recipe over in her hands, as it were, give it a tweak and turn it into something livelier and fresher than it was before. So her Greek Salad marinates the red onion and omits the sapid cucumber, substituting sliced fennel. Barbecued Sea Bass is stuffed with preserved lemons (pickled, incidentally, in a usef! ully unusual way). Roast Potatoes are given in their Swedish Hasselback form (sliced nearly through, so they fan out in cooking). The section on ices is adorned with Margarita Ice Cream ("surely what angels would eat at their hen night"), while Nigella indulges her inner slapper with Slut-Red Raspberries in Chardonnay Jelly. Above all, she communicates, through dozens and dozens of recipes, the ideals of freshness, simplicity, spontaneity and immediacy, a combination it's hard to resist. --Robin Davidson

Got to love Nigella!, 03 Jan 2009
I love the way Nigella describes food and gives the amateur cook (that would be me, then) an idea of what the finished result of a recipe should taste, feel and look like. This beautiful book is full of fab recipes that I am looking forward to attempting, and the photography is brilliant. I'm particularly looking forward to trying out the Tiramisu layer cake - the perfect opportunity to try out my new springform baking tins! This book IS Christmas! I was given it as a Christmas present and probably my favourite one.

christmas countdown, 02 Jan 2009
I am a huge fan of Nigella and treated myself to this book as an early christmas present. This year it was my turn to cook for the in-laws and family and I wanted everything to be perfect hence my purchase.

I began my food shopping a month in advance so I knew I had all the correct ingredients for Nigellas super moist turkey(trust me it really worked), sprouts with pancetta, parsnips with maple syrup, perfect roast potatoes, bread sauce & chocolate chestnut pots for dessert(we all hate christmas pudding).

I followed her christmas eve & christmas day plan down to the dot, even stopping for a glass of champagne & put my feet up when she says too before the rush starts & I have to say everything was PERFECT, Personnally the sprouts were my favourtite, my nephews adored the parsnips, my parents loved the bread sauce, m