Nigella Christmas: Food, Family, Friends, Festivities

Oh Nigella! The queen of festivity won't let you down.

The porcelain skin, the pouty lips, the knowing smile, and the luscious raven locks of the velvet exterior hides the iron will and foolproof recipes.

She makes a very good point that we have feasted and celebrated with food at this time of the year no matter what religion or tribe that we belong to. From Ancient Babylon to Druids, the solstice has been a time for gluttony, greed, and generosity.

Her portions are spot on too: none of that teeny-tiny portion-control here, this is all based on very healthy appetites indeed.

There's a wonderful chapter on catering for the hungry hordes with some brilliant ideas for manageable mass catering in your own kitchen without too much stress. And the cocktails are definitely worth experimenting with.

I loved the Poinsettia - a heady mixture of Prosecco, Grand Marnier, and cranberry juice served in a frosted champagne flute. Delicious. If somewhat more-ish. Oh, what the hell, it's Christmas after all! The easy-to-follow Christmas Day meal is a cinch, too.

Goose or turkey, both are described accurately and with minimum fuss. There's also a marvellous idea for a vegetarian Christmas feast. Her home-baked present suggestions are far easier than they seem, with no faffing around with sugar thermometers or lots of ingredients that you simply haven't got in the cupboard. Stylish. Delicious. And very do-able.