Biographical note:

Nigella Lawson is the author of How to Eat, How to Be a Domestic Goddess (for which she won the British Author of the Year Award), Nigella Bites, Forever Summer, Feast, and Nigella Express. She is the star of Nigella Express on the Food Network. She has been profiled in the New York Times Magazine, Gourmet, and many other publications. She lives in London with her husband and two children.

Main description:

Christmas is a time for family and friends, for tradition and treats. But, let's face it, when the pressure to feed and entertain builds up, the festive season can start to lose its sparkle . . . That's where Nigella comes in. With her no-nonsense approach, her inspirational ideas, and her empathy for the practical realities of the season--combined here with reliable, easy-to-follow recipes and reassuring advice about planning and cooking ahead--Nigella Christmas is guaranteed to bring comfort and joy and make sure the season of good will stays that way. Here is everything you could wish for to make your life and your Christmas easy and enjoyable: from party canaps, cocktails, and manageable mass catering, to scrumptious Christmas cakes and puddings; from no-fuss brunches to quick-and-easy homemade presents (chutneys, preserves, and other delectable standbys) and edible tree decorations. There are mouth-watering recipes with a seasonal twist, and simple menus for feeding friends and family over the extended holiday season with minimum stress and maximum enjoyment. And, of course, exciting and inspiring variations for the Main Event itself--from her traditional super-juicy turkey with all the trimmings, to festive ginger-glazed ham and the Ultimate Christmas Pudding; from goose, rib of beef, and stuffed rolled pork, all the way to a special vegetarian Christmas feast, a chocolate pudding, a French Yule Log, an Australian Christmas Pudding, and The Boozy British Trifle. Nigella's cakes, as always, gladden the heart--and, like many of the recipes here, are at home all year round--but her At-a-Glance Christmas Lunch Countdown, together with make-ahead and freeze-ahead tips throughout, can help take the stress and strain out of the season. With its glorious illustrations, Nigella Christmas will surely be a perennial favorite--the book we will all reach for, for inspiration and reassurance, when Christmas comes around each year.

Review quote:

"A fast feast may seem like a concept at odds with itself, but the goddess of easy extravagance, Nigella Lawson, has figured out how to put together a lavish party menu in ultrashort order . . . That's what her latest cookbook, Nigella Express, is all about--time savers that don't compromise on flavor but are so effective you'll feel you got away with something."

Review quote:

"Nigella covers just about all the quick bases in Express . . . this is a recipe collection that could get you through the holidays."

Review quote:

"Nigella Lawson has conjured up a voluptuous volume of what she called 'fast food for those who love eating.' . . . it's a Nigella-style feast . . . A perfect choice for cooks who would rather sip wine than labor over a hot stove, Nigella Express is, as the British say, brilliant."

Review quote:

"The recipes are a mix of dishes that are quick to prepare and cook--so you can have your dinner out of the grocery bag and on to the table in half an hour or so--and dishes that are easy to prepare early in the day and then are simply left to simmer slowly."