MKR
Well, here we are, right at the beginning of 2025, a date that, for all that we are actually in it now, still feels crazily futuristic to me. But yes, it’s real, it’s here and so let us celebrate it with gratitude and a glad heart.
It will come as a surprise to absolutely no-one that my way of celebrating anything is through food. As is established nigella.com tradition for every New Year’s Day, Eggs in Purgatory — as you can see — is ROTD, the perfect first port of call for those who have been up late carousing and are, understandably, in fierce need of comfort, ballast and an enlivening jolt!
But there’s another dish I feel I need to bring you on this auspicious day, and it’s also a time-honoured house favourite: Italian Sausages with Lentils.
Photo by Francesca Yorke
In Italy, sausage (though it more commonly takes the form of the luscious, fat-pearled Cotechino) is served with lentils at the New Year, the lentils being thought to resemble little coins, and thus are an edible expression of hope for prosperity ahead. So I should let you know, too, about the Lentils in Red Wine which would be the perfect accompaniment to a roast or, indeed, could be sprinkled with crumbled feta and chopped parsley for those who don’t eat meat. And, given that some cultures imbue pomegranate seeds with the same symbolism, I feel I really have to mention my Pomegranate Jewel Cake!
Photo by James Merrell
It just remains for me to thank you all from the bottom of my heart for your support and companionable presence here over the last year and which means the world to me, and to wish you a Happy and Healthy New Year!
