PS
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subscribetodelicious.SeepKAREN BARNES, EDITOR
WELCOME
The festive holiday is a landmark, a time to stop (for most
of us), even if we can’t go away. It’s a festival season, a celebration of
faiths (Christmas and Hannukah) and a beacon of hope. That’s what
a friend said to me the other day and I thought, YES, it is – and that’s
what it still needs to be... has to be.
I’ve amended this letter three times so far as the news has changed,
and, as I finish, national lockdown number two has just begun, with all
the challenges and hardship that will trigger. We are with you and I see our job as bringing
as much light and life into your home as we can through the pages of your delicious.
We’re having to guess what the situation will be by the time you read this, so we’ve tried to
cover all eventualities: ideas for gifts to make with love and deliver to friends (p74), a roast
for two or four, roasts for more (ham, beef, turkey), wonderful slow-cooked dishes to make
and eat now or batch up and freeze, plus – essential – a multitude of ideas for leftovers.
When everything seems so hard to grab hold of – that’s the only sensible way I can think
of describing it – there’s solace to be found in creating a haven at home, with pinpoints of
structure in the form of small but special moments, even if we can’t invite anyone to share
them with us. Will we get a Christmas Day reprieve? Let’s jolly well hope so!
Meanwhile, can I prescribe sitting quietly in a shaft of sunlight with a cuppa, reading the
stories of hope on p16. Or decorating the tree, candles lit, carols (or cheesy Christmas
music) playing. Or just taking a few calm breaths while cooking: cooking as solace; cooking
as escapism. If all else fails, our cover recipe is a feelgood fix in melted cheese form.
My biggest hope is that we help you to create special moments of your own this
festive season. Please do write and tell me about the good – and the not so good;
we’d love to hear from you: [email protected]. The team and I will bePORTRAIT: PAUL MITCHELL. PHOTOGRAPH: MAJA SMEND. STYLING: TONY HUTCHINSONraising a glass to you, and I wish you a peaceful and happy-as-it-can-be celebration.
Fol low
Karen on
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@editorkarenb