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.

A wonderful recipe book for the festive season. You can make so many recipes in advance, and freeze them. Takes the strain out of making meals at Christmas.

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 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.

delia smith is an amazing cook and i love all her books

I bought the original and acquired this version to replace the mush used original.

Good recipes

After years of thumbing through my tattered print-offs of her recipes, I decided to treat myself to the book. It was such a treat to settle in to it before Christmas and choose which recipes to try this Christmas. An experience that started with the leisurely read and is still going on as we enjoy the last slices of Christmas cake. I like recipes that are simple, and use ingredients that are easy to source - the recipes I made deliver on both counts.

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

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

Estoy muy contenta con la compra. El libro en sí es muy bonito con una edición en la que se ve que han cuidado el detalle. Fotos estupendas. Las recetas estupendas, muy bien explicadas con una pinta estupenda. Además te da las pautas para organizarte bien y que no te cojan las prisas cuando se vayan acercando las fechas. Totalmente recomendable.