'Nigella Christmas'
By Nigella Lawson, 288 pages, $35
Celebrity chef Nigella Lawson tackles Christmas in this warm, welcoming collection. Lawson's roundup of updated classics should provide a solid foundation for constructing an elaborate dinner menu or a simple cocktail party; alternately, readers can use one of her menus, centered around roast turkey, goose, pork or beef — as well as a vegetarian lineup featuring roasted pumpkin stuffed with a ginger and tomato sauce — that come complete with a Martha Stewart-worthy timeline and tips for handling leftovers.
Gifts are also covered, including Vanilla Sugar, Dried Cherries in Cherry Brandy, infused vodkas and peanut brittle. Lawson's fans and those who've been looking for a solid Christmas cookbook will find this a valuable addition to the bookshelf, but anyone with a reliable Christmastime canon may find it redundant.
— Publishers Weekly
