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Delia Smith's Christmas: 130 Recipes for Christmas
Offers advice on holiday entertaining, and includes recipes for appetizers, preserves, vegetarian dishes, game, meat, salads, cakes, candies, and desserts
224 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1990
3 people are currently reading
232 people want to read
About the author
Delia Smith
120 books34 followersDelia Smith CBE is an English cook and television presenter, known for teaching basic cookery skills in a no-nonsense style. She is the UK's best-selling cookery author, with more than 21 million copies sold.
Smith is also famous for her role as joint majority shareholder at Norwich City F.C. Her partner in the shareholding is her husband, Michael Wynn-Jones. Her role at the club has attracted varying media attention, from positive when she "saved" the club from bankruptcy, to negative, when making a controversial on-pitch announcement in 2005.
Already an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE), Smith was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2009 Birthday Honours, "in recognition of ... [her] contribution to television cookery and recipe writing".
Smith is also famous for her role as joint majority shareholder at Norwich City F.C. Her partner in the shareholding is her husband, Michael Wynn-Jones. Her role at the club has attracted varying media attention, from positive when she "saved" the club from bankruptcy, to negative, when making a controversial on-pitch announcement in 2005.
Already an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE), Smith was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) in the 2009 Birthday Honours, "in recognition of ... [her] contribution to television cookery and recipe writing".
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
January 1, 2023
It's an Excellent book if you can afford Delias ingredients. (Hey girl, we are not all millionaires). Seriously though, you can adapt and substitute ingredients. It’s a great book.
January 2, 2015
Newly married in the summer, I was tasked with cooking Christmas dinner by myself for the first time this year, and this book was invaluable.
The book starts with Christmas cakes and puddings that you ought to be making in November if you're doing things properly, though I bought this in late December by which point it was a bit too late. Maybe next year...
There are then all sorts of recipes for party food and nice meals to serve around Christmas time, from roast ham to mince pies to homemade sausage rolls to mulled wine.
The bit I really wanted the book for, however, was the chapter called, "The Last Thirty Six Hours," which talks you minute by minute through cooking the Christmas Dinner, from early on Christmas Even, including breaks for watching a carol service, opening presents, having the neighbours round and having a glass of champagne! I followed this almost to the letter, making everything from scratch (cranberry sauce, gravy, stuffing, bread sauce etc) and it didn't let me down. So, so useful.
I probably won't follow it quite so religiously next time, when I'll hopefully be feeling a bit more confident and willing to experiment, but I suspect it will still be a useful guide.
Finally, there were some good ideas for what to do with various leftovers.
Overall, there's nothing very radical in here - the book is from about 1990 - and if you've been cooking Christmas dinner and catering for Christmas parties for the last twenty years, this may not be for you (though you'd probably still find one or two recipes that caught your eye). But if this is your first Christmas or you're not feeling wildly confident, I don't thing there's anyone better than Delia to guide you through it.
The book starts with Christmas cakes and puddings that you ought to be making in November if you're doing things properly, though I bought this in late December by which point it was a bit too late. Maybe next year...
There are then all sorts of recipes for party food and nice meals to serve around Christmas time, from roast ham to mince pies to homemade sausage rolls to mulled wine.
The bit I really wanted the book for, however, was the chapter called, "The Last Thirty Six Hours," which talks you minute by minute through cooking the Christmas Dinner, from early on Christmas Even, including breaks for watching a carol service, opening presents, having the neighbours round and having a glass of champagne! I followed this almost to the letter, making everything from scratch (cranberry sauce, gravy, stuffing, bread sauce etc) and it didn't let me down. So, so useful.
I probably won't follow it quite so religiously next time, when I'll hopefully be feeling a bit more confident and willing to experiment, but I suspect it will still be a useful guide.
Finally, there were some good ideas for what to do with various leftovers.
Overall, there's nothing very radical in here - the book is from about 1990 - and if you've been cooking Christmas dinner and catering for Christmas parties for the last twenty years, this may not be for you (though you'd probably still find one or two recipes that caught your eye). But if this is your first Christmas or you're not feeling wildly confident, I don't thing there's anyone better than Delia to guide you through it.
August 25, 2016
A staple of my bookshelves. I make Chicken (Turkey) Flan with Leeks and Cheese all year round (pg 214); and I have never stuffed a Turkey with anything other than Delia's American Turkey Stuffing (pg. 194). The Orange and Cranberry Relish (pg. 193) is also very good. Venison with Port, Guinness, and Pickled Walnuts (pg. 115)is a January treat.
This is a book which every mother should give a copy of to her daughter, when that daughter leaves home. If nothing else, it will save that daughter wasting money buying expensive magazines stuffed with Christmas recipes every November/December!
This is a book which every mother should give a copy of to her daughter, when that daughter leaves home. If nothing else, it will save that daughter wasting money buying expensive magazines stuffed with Christmas recipes every November/December!
November 22, 2011
Great to read, don't think I'll be making many of the recipes, they are a bit dated and not to my taste - until you get to the desserts section and then - OH MY!
Coffee granita, truffle torte, little sticky toffee puddings with pecan toffee sauce, and caramelised orange trifle - this book is threatening my willpower.
Coffee granita, truffle torte, little sticky toffee puddings with pecan toffee sauce, and caramelised orange trifle - this book is threatening my willpower.
March 8, 2008
This is probably my all-time favourite Delia book.
I especially recommend the Christmas Chutney... oh my.... it's wonderful...I think I shall just go and make myself a cheddar sandwich and apply a healthy dollop....
I especially recommend the Christmas Chutney... oh my.... it's wonderful...I think I shall just go and make myself a cheddar sandwich and apply a healthy dollop....
October 8, 2011
I had always struggled with Christmas until I got this book.
Nothing comes close. Her countdown is the thing.
List heaven
Nothing comes close. Her countdown is the thing.
List heaven
September 29, 2013
Really good for adding some special treats to the Christmas dinner table (as if you need more). Pickled pears for Boxing Day with the ham was a nice addition for me.
January 15, 2016
Very interesting with lots of really nice recipes, including some really tasty looking ones for vegetarians
January 17, 2016
Had this book for years and it is the first book I reach for at Christmas.
Her chocolate torte recipe is exquisite.
Her chocolate torte recipe is exquisite.
April 11, 2016
Anyone who would like a stress free Christmas should purchase this book. Delia Smith has a way of presenting recipes which are easy to follow and don't cost a fortune.
July 29, 2016
Still my favourite Christmas cookery book - especially the countdown. We all love the Parmesan parsnips and chestnut stuffing!
March 5, 2018
Loved the book and the TV show. When living in England, I followed Delia religiously and did her Christmas prep exactly as laid out in the book. I ordered our Christmas Goose from her recommended stockist and it was superb. I would not cook goose very year, but for a Christmas in England it was fabulous.
Delia is one of those authors that if you follow her recipes, and instructions, and they are fairly easy to follow, it WILL turn out every time. She is great fr a new cook, or for someone who wants to expand their horizons. Nothing new fangled, no gluten free, dairy free etc, just really good cooking.
Delia is one of those authors that if you follow her recipes, and instructions, and they are fairly easy to follow, it WILL turn out every time. She is great fr a new cook, or for someone who wants to expand their horizons. Nothing new fangled, no gluten free, dairy free etc, just really good cooking.
December 23, 2023
I got this book decades ago and have used it each Christmas, and then I also bought the new version and used that too. I kept this old version because it has the mustard pastry for the turkey flan whereas the new book specifies a shop bought pastry case for the flan, and because not all the recipes in this original book are in the new book. But this year I read this version from cover to cover and although it has a vegetarian section I find it to be meat heavy. It’s not as attractively designed as the newer one either, far fewer photographs, so I’m letting it go to find its next reader.
May 30, 2019
My own copy is actually disintegrating. It’s such a great book . Initially I used it for everything over Christmas. Now I do diversify but if it goes wrong I return to Delia. I don’t care who wrote it or how old it is it’s the solution to any Christmas cooking problem.
This copy is a gift for a New Yorker who has lived in the Uk he wanted to be able to reproduce our Christmas in NY NY. I went All through it and wrote notes about what to select, some to avoid , but many many must do this.
This copy is a gift for a New Yorker who has lived in the Uk he wanted to be able to reproduce our Christmas in NY NY. I went All through it and wrote notes about what to select, some to avoid , but many many must do this.
January 23, 2023
Wonderful. Have had this book for years. Every year around October I read it and decide I will do countless recipes for Christmas. I never do and only end up doing a handful. But, I wouldn't be without it for inspiration and generally getting into the feeling of Christmas. Of the recipes I have done they have all worked and been marvellous. The Sausage Rolls in particular are very good and delicious. I will try more of the recipes.... especially once I get a bigger fridge.
December 26, 2024
Such a nostalgia trip! Some interesting recipes, although a lot are very dated. And sooooo many cakes (that I'd never bother to bake) but do need to try the chutney.
That tongue recipe was grim reading though...
That tongue recipe was grim reading though...
November 19, 2017
Old fashioned but still one of the best Christmas dinner/ Christmas period recipe and timings book going. Will teach you everything from prep, the build up, timings and recipes
November 14, 2021
My go to Christmas Recipe book each year, it’s brilliant! I also love to watch the TV series that features the recipes, it’s on YouTube, it can’t help but get you into the Christmas spirit.
February 12, 2022
I use this book time and again. The recipes are firm family favourites, especially the chestnut stuffing and traditional Christmas cake.
December 4, 2025
One of the best cookery books, which I always read at Christmas. The vegetarian sausage rolls and cheese terrine are amazing.
December 20, 2025
This is a great book if you want Christmas recipes that work, I read it for inspiration every Xmas and always cook the Xmas cake and red cabbage recipes.
November 14, 2023
The timeless classic for a timeless classic Christmas.
Every recipe is failproof. 'the Last 36 hours' chapter was basically the bible on Christmas eve.
My copy is 2nd hand and whoever owned it before me highlighted which recipes are the best by the sheer amount of splatter on them!
Every recipe is failproof. 'the Last 36 hours' chapter was basically the bible on Christmas eve.
My copy is 2nd hand and whoever owned it before me highlighted which recipes are the best by the sheer amount of splatter on them!
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews