Doorways into Christmas
It's December! We hope this newsletter helps you find your own doorway into Christmas; whether that be from something you eat, drink, read, watch or listen to. Here are some of our ideas...
Something festive to eat from Germaine
In our Christmas episode of the podcast, I mentioned baking gingerbread as something that helps me find a doorway into Christmas. This recipe was given to me by a wonderful friend who originally used to gift me a jar of gingerbread until I found out just how easy the recipe was and asked her to gift that to me instead! Now, my youngest son and I spend much of December baking these biscuits together; our first batch of the season baked last night. If there is anyone out there who thinks they can’t bake, you really can bake these. Promise!
Gingerbread Men
125g butter, softened
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup golden syrup
2.5 cups plain (all-purpose) flour
2 tsp ground ginger (I use 3; depends on how much ginger flavour you want or how old your jar of ginger is I have discovered…)
1tsp baking soda
Method
Preheat the oven to 190 degrees Celsius. Place butter and sugar in electric mixer and beat until light and creamy. Add the golden syrup and beat well. Add the flour, ginger and baking soda and stir to combine. Knead the dough lightly to form a smooth dough.
Roll out the dough between sheets of non-stick baking paper to 5mm thick (NB: I find this too stretchy thanks to our summer humidity so I make mine thicker and they keep better shape)
Use cookie cutters to cut out shapes from the dough. Place on baking trays lined with non-stick paper. Bake for 8-10 minutes or until golden brown. Cool on the trays.
And, you are left with the wonderful scent of biscuits and ginger! I personally recommend eating with a cup of tea in the morning and afternoon while you read.
PS - I haven’t broken arms and legs off, my cookie cutters do that. But you could get away with this if you were so inclined.
Something festive to read from Germaine
David Sedaris always makes me laugh no matter what mood I am in and his essay SantaLand Diaries was the first piece of writing of his I ever read. It’s still a favourite, imagining him as a Christmas elf at Macy’s. (Now read in his collection Holidays on Ice but also some essays can be found in The New Yorker.) If you are looking for a doorway into Christmas cheers, this could be yours:
“I’m applying for a job as an elf. Even worse than applying is the very real possibility that I will not be hired, that I couldn’t even find work as an elf. That’s when you know you’re a failure.”
Of course, he does get hired …
“I had two people say to me today, ‘I’m going to have you fired.’ Go ahead, be my guest. I’m wearing a green velvet costume; it doesn’t get any worse than this. Who do these people think they are?”
I plan to reread this today, with my tea and gingerbread.
Christmas reading and cooking from Sophie
Perhaps not surprisingly, the books I reach for at Christmas time are all cookbooks. I pore over old and new favourites and pluck out ideas and inspiration for edible presents, gatherings, salads to contribute to family gatherings and just to fuel the festive fire with glimpses into the Christmas time of others through their stories, pictures and recipes.
Here below are my current favourites. And for some recipes, please head over to the blog (www.local-lovely.com) for 12 recipes for homemade Christmas presents and lots more!
Like her previous book Strudel, Noodles and Dumplings this collection of German recipes and family history is beautifully photographed, written and styled. Anja’s wood cut illustrations for every chapter opener are just beautiful too. A visual delight and the recipes look simple and festive (I’ve made the stolen bites and they were fab).
In Good Company by me!
It feels conceited to include my book here but I do because the Christmas chapter is like a family album of my favourite people and food and a good reminder of good times, happy memories and traditions.
I have a few Leon cookbooks but this one is my favourite, especially the Christmas and Boxing Day section which boasts a bread sauce to die for. If bread sauces are your thing.
Lets just call it here - Nigella is the queen of Christmas (and Nigel the king). Her latest, Cook Eat Repeat was a Christmas present from the kids to me last year and I’m looking forward to cooking from it this year, especially the summer pudding.
I have a couple of Trine’s books and adore them - the photography (see below!) and glimpses of modern Danish cooking and entertaining are like catnip to me. This book has a beautiful section on Christmas which all the hygge feels and plenty of recipes to make and share too. Even some for the caramel potatoes my Grandmother would sometimes make at Christmas which I adored! If you don’t yet know of Trine and her work, this podcast interview with Honey & Co might be a good starting point!
Christmas reading from some friends
Belinda Jeffrey, food writer
Each year I pull out Nigel Slater's The Christmas Chronicles. I love it...his evocative writing, the stories he relates, and of course, his wonderful recipes. It's a book that nourishes body and spirit.
Ps Belinda’s new book A Year of Sundays is out now and one of my favourite books of the year.
Maggie Mackellar, writer
It's before Christmas, when everything is chaos and busyness that I need my comfort read. After Christmas is for reading all the big novels, the ones I've saved for all year for the lazy days between Xmas and New Year. But before Christmas, when I need all the comfort and support I read (preferably in the bath with a candle and a glass of scotch) Elizabeth Goudge's A Herb of Grace. It is my grandmother's copy. Her name, address and pls return sticker (yes, that was a thing) is in the front. I could recite this novel to you, I love it so. But the chapters (the books hinge or turning point) when the scattered characters of the novel are returning to the old house by the river is utterly perfect. Gouge lovingly details each characters attitude to Christmas. There is Caroline or Mouse, returning from boarding school with her handmade presents, met at the station by her father, there is Sally, are herione, returning from London on the train, with each of her presents carefully chosen and....well I could go on and on but you need to read. This is a beautiful novel with depth and wisdom. When I read it I feel closer to my grandmother and I feel like the thing I need the most at Christmas time - grace - is a place just waiting for me to step into.
Ps Maggie’s newsletter The Sit Spot is a weekly delight.
Beth Macdonald, retailer, writer
I’ll be turning to Mrs Beeton’s Household Management…an absolute bible! My step grandmother gave me this and we lost her this year so I’ll be making something from it in her memory! Here’s a post I wrote about the book a few years ago.
Ps - Beth and her sister Lucy run the online store Add to Cart where everything is well chosen (really great selection of products) and well wrapped.
@babymac
Annabelle Hickson, publisher
I always turn to Nigella for Christmas and rewatch her BBC Christmas specials, get out her Christmas book and crack open Feast. I am so thrilled that her new book Cook, Eat, Repeat has a chapter dedicated to Christmas, giving me another Nigella-Christmas seam to mine. @annabellehickson
Ps -Annabelle is the publisher and editor of Galah Press.
Sally Frawley, photographer
In recent years the Donna Hay Feasts and Treats book has been my starting point, her mince tarts are brilliant. For a very very long time though Margaret Fulton’s shortbread has been a must and the only one I’ll cook and Nigella’s Chocolate Fruit Cake is non negotiable. So much so that my Neighbour and I had a bake off one year with blind tastings 🤣 🤣.
Ps Sally has a fabulous newsletter called Food Forays and Finds.
A few extra links…
Remember the Muppets Christmas Carol?! Click here for 20 more festive movie recommendations from writers on Literary Hub.
Jeanette Winterson has a newsletter and is currently sharing Christmas stories and musings. And of course it’s wonderful.
Write to us and we’ll send you wine!
If you would like a book and recipe recommendation to help navigate life’s twists and turns, please write to us. Each episode we choose a letter to read out (anonymously) and then prescribe something to eat and something to read that we think might help.
Thanks to Single Vineyards we have been able to gift a case of Highgate wine to each episode’s letter writer.
And it gets better! Single Vineyards have created a special offer for anyone (in Australia) who is subscribed to this newsletter. So, using the code STESTR20 you’ll receive a 20% discount on any wine purchase you make! So great hey!
Very handy for upcoming Christmas feasting and summertime reading! Click here to find out more about their wines on offer.
Email your letters to either Sophie at sophie_hansen@me.com or Germaine at newchaptersbibliotherapy@gmail.com
Sophie & Germaine x
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