Britain's beloved columnist Nigel Slater joins us this week to reflect on cooking at home. He talks a kinder, gentler English Christmas and shares his Christmas Day Roast Goose, Juniper Sauce and Apple and Lemon Purée from his latest book, The Kitchen Diaries: A Year in the Kitchen with Nigel Slater.

The Sterns report from Las Cruces, New Mexico, where they're digging into warm tortilla chips with "Christmas" sauce and stacked enchiladas at Nopalito. Cheese expert Steve Jenkins says skip the cookies and leave a plate of cheese for Santa this year. Steve's picks and go-with sips will put Santa is a very good mood indeed

Amy Sedaris, author of the hysterical I Like You: Hospitality Under the Influence, has entertaining tips, including how to make money at your parties! She leaves us her recipe for Cluster Haven's Pepper Mill Cheese Ball. Beer historian Alan Eames shares a curious Norwegian fairytale about a young woman brewmaster and her journey with a large barrel of Christmas ale, and the phone lines will be open for your calls.

Broadcast dates for this episode:

• December 23, 2006