Delia's Happy Christmas

Delia Smith CBE is an English cook, known for her thorough teaching of basic cookery skills in a no-nonsense style. She is deservedly the UK's best-selling cookery author, with more than 21 million books sold to date, and with this updated Christmas book you can see why. Although that said, I have several of her books and they are all excellent. Today there are many people presenting cooking programmes on TV and writing cookery books, in addition, we even have several TV cooking channels and numerous recipe/food web sites, Delia's being one of them. But for me as a home cook you just can’t beat Delia's books because her recipes always work, and I'm speaking from over 35 years experience of making her dishes. Admittedly some of them can be time consuming, but they are always worth the time and extra effort. This Christmas book doesn’t disappoint, and it has brought us right up to date from the original book first published in 1990. There are so many excellent recipes and entertaining ideas with lots of hints and preparation tips, which will be particularly handy for the new generation that Delia refers to, who haven’t cooked Christmas dinner before. I have previously bought Delia’s complete cookery book for several younger members of the family and they all love it and have found it invaluable. And even though they have other cookery books, it's a book they always return to time and time again. And I know I'll be doing the same with this Christmas book. If like me, you like to shop online there are lots of great sites listed for your Christmas essentials. There are 100 new Christmas recipes added to this book and I think they are totally characteristic of Delia’s excellent style. Plenty of things have changed in the two decades since the first book was published and the new recipes reflect that. There's also a lot more party food, and more choices of main courses and the now essential vegetarian dishes. There's even some great suggestions on what to do with left overs. This is a glossy book with high production values but unfortunately there isn't a picture of every dish, but I’m nitpicking here. This new book is great, really inspiring, and makes me feel totally secure and equipped to cope with any type of Christmas catering. I would have no hesitation in recommending this or any other Delia Smith book, because in general terms they really are all you need and are often the best place to start.

I am really delighted with the new Delia Happy Christmas book. I love the fact that all the true, tried and trusted Delia ideas are still there e.g. the last 36 hours and how to get organised well ahead. But with lots of new ideas too. I Can't wait to try out the Chrismas crackers - yummy pastry too. I think its so good to have a new pudding ideas as well - looks quite easy to do. I do think we all worry at Christmas and Delia is certainly our family's solution! Other people seem to have tried to do Christmas but this is up to date and easy to follow great advice. I have 2 daughters and have bought the book for both of them so they can do it all for me soon! I think it is a lovely tradition that i have had my old book for 19 years and now we can still be using Delia in 2009. Just loved the cover of the book - so striking. Really pretty and unusual, but still festive.

Joy to the World. I was really looking forward to my new Delia Happy Christmas book and it doesnt disappoint. I have the original Christmas book too so was probably wondering at first, like others, would this be much different? Well Delia has really managed to ring the changes with this one, and it has brought us right up to date. It looks very elegant, very cool, calm and collected. This is one book to have with you before, during and probably after Christmas too, so many excellent entertaining recipes and ideas. New and old recipes, classic favourites and new twists all in one place. Lots of hints and preparation tips which will be particularly handy for the generation that Delia refers to, who havent cooked Christmas dinner before (and still a good reminder to those of us who have, many times!). I love the armchair shopping section too - if like me, you like to shop online, lots of great sites for your Christmas essentials. Christmas just isnt Christmas without some of Delia's mums sausage rolls, hot from the oven, so do yourself a favour and make up a batch soon, grab a pad and pen and relax and plan your festivities. Cheers!

I ordered a used book but when it arrived it was brand new not a mark on it and some good recipes, very happy with my purchase

I do have the original xmas book which is still very very helpful. But this does compliment it and I am glad I purchased it rather than not. Yes some dishes are repeated, but I am not too troubled by it. Some lovely new dishes. If I can take a point off it is actually for the size. I was hoping it would be the same size as the original. I love Delia's recipes. I love the fact she explains how the dish should work and doesn't indulge in the 'aspirational' style of cookery book, nor employ thinly veiled sneers at other cookery writers as some seem to enjoy doing. She doesn't have to. You feel Christmassy when you read this book. It makes you want to plan and prepare and cook up the best Christmas.

I have the original and I'm so happy to find all the recipes I've followed, over the years, are there because the original is falling to pieces! I'm now looking forward to trying some of the new ones.

Bought to update an old and well-used copy of 'Delia Smith's Christmas'. Very pleased to see relevant minor changes to old favourites eg spreadable butter, and quite a few new additions. I have quite a few Christmas cookbooks, will be using this one the most this year.

There are some fantastic recipes, that can be used for little hampers, and the section on the last 36 hours is a treat, giving you a run down and time managed, detailed step by step, of the run up to the Christmas lunch. This is very handy, especially for a first time Christmas cook like myself. Would have been nice if there was a chicken dish in there, as my partner isn't a fan of turkey or any other joint of meat. On a whole this is a great book and I believe the way in which it gives you tips on what can be made and frozen in advance to save stress on the day is very helpful. There's something for everyone. A good investment and I'm sure I shall use it for years to come.

Fantastic book, wonderful recipes accompanied by stunning pics to delight the tastebuds and want to cook your heart out

Adoro Delia smith e tutti i suoi libri splendidamente illustrati e di facile comprensione , questo dedicato al Natale non può mancare . Consegna puntuale e materiale perfetto

Buch ist tatsächlich in einem "wie neu" Zustand und kam schon vor dem voraussichtlichen Liefertag an. Ich bin sehr zufrieden. Danke!

Delia Smith is one of the best kept secrets in England! She writes really reliable recipes and her books are serious work horses. They taste fantastic and are always very special and just the right side of elegant. "Happy Christmas" is no exception. It is a combination of her 1990 Christmas book and a colletion of over 120 new recipes. The end result is a book that is vital during the Christmas season. Alongside delicious and inspired recipes, the book also has wonderful organizational elements. There is a section on making a schedule, menu planning, freeze ahead tips, internet sources for hard to find items, essential shopping lists, and also sections on last minute Christmas and plans for New Year. This book covers any and all eventualities of Christmas eating, gift giving, and entertaining. Favorite recipes include: Cranberry Queen of Puddings, Panetonne Bread and Butter Pudding with Marsala, Spiced Pickled Pears, Pear and Cranberry Chutney, Cranberry Cooler, Hot Spiced Cider with Buttered Apples, Parma Ham Pecorino and Rosemary Crisps, Pistachio Sables, Gruyere and Parmesean Allumettes, Suasage Rolls, Scallops in the Shell, Roasted Guinea Fowl with Calvados Creama and Apples, Beef Braised in Guinness and Port with Pickled Walnuts, Roast Duck with Cherry Sauce, Roast Ham with Cumberland Sauce, Slow Briased Pork with Bacon Apples and Cider, Roast Rib of Beef with a Confit of Whole Garlic and Shallots, Luxury Seafood Pie with Parmesean Crust, Roasted Red Peppers Stuffed with Fennel, Tomato Tart with Swiss Cheese and Rosemary, Cheese and Parsnip Roulade with Sage and Onion Stuffing, Oricchiette with Walnut Sauce, Parsnips with Parmesean, Sauteed Caramelised Fennel, Mini Baked Potatoes with Cold Chive Hollandaise, Spiced Cranberry and Orange Brulee, Champagne Jellies with Frosted Grapes, Chocolate and Sour Cherry Crumble, Frozen Chocolate and Vanilla Creme Brulees, and Stem Ginger Ice Cream. Since this book is only published in the UK, you will have to work with the metric system, but she includes conversion charts in the book that make it very easy to do. I highly reccomend this (as well as any Delia Smith title.) If you buy this in combination with Nigella Lawson's Christmas book (also highly reccomended) you will never need to worry about Christmas cooking again! The Brits seem to know what they are doing!

big and bright book. covers only recipes. can be used as coffee table book as well