Christmas is coming, the goose is getting fat… and up and down the land people are pondering the perennial question: what to make for Christmas dinner? It’s never easy cooking for family and friends, especially for a special occasion that only comes once a year and most of us have been stuck in a supermarket the day before Christmas panicking by the chiller cabinets with no inspiration as to what to make. Never fear – help is at hand! Here are some Christmassy ideas from my archives with something for everybody, from the old hand who is tired of making the same old Christmas meal year after year, to the nervous newbie attempting their first Christmas meal. And there is everything you need for a celebration, from cocktails and canapé inspirations, right through to desserts. Merry Christmas!
CHRISTMAS CANAPéS & COCKTAILS
Christmastini cocktail with homemade cranberry clementine vodka
Rassecco (prosecco & raspberry vodka cocktail)
Sloe gin (homemade) and Sloe Lovin’ cocktails
Serrano ham, goat’s cheese & honey crostini
Tomato, olive & basil bruschetti
CHRISTMAS STARTERS/APPETIZERS
Smoked mackerel & salmon paté parcels
Crab-stuffed portabello mushrooms
Smoked salmon and avocado stacks
Roasted nectarines wrapped in Prosciutto
CHRISTMAS MAIN COURSES
Whole leg of lamb on the braai (barbecue)
Sous vide duck breasts in a charred orange & Cointreau sauce
Roast duck with pancetta and potatoes
Nigel Slater’s slow-roast spicy lamb
Schweinsbraten(Austrian slow-cooked pork shoulder)
Pot-roast pheasant with apples & pancetta and a bread gravy
CHRISTMAS SIDE DISHES
French beans with toasted almonds and garlic
Braised red cabbage with apples
Simple sautéed Brussels sprouts with garlic & shallots
Brussels sprouts with caramelised garlic, lamon & chilli
Shredded Brussels sprouts with pancetta & pine nuts
Easy cheesy Brussels sprout gratin
Spicy Brussels sprouts with nduja and preserved lemon
CHRISTMAS DESSERTS
Christmas pudding semi freddo with brandy sauce & cinnamon streusel
Spiced pears roasted in red wine (gluten-free)
Individual charred clementine puddings
Clementine & cranberry upside down cake
Cranberry pear upside down cake
White chocolate & raspberry cheesecake
Chocolate orange trifle in a glass
Nigella’s spiced chocolate orange cake (gluten-free)
Gingerbread-spiced persimmon cake
Chocolate chestnut fondant (almost gluten-free)
South African Peppermint Crisp pudding
Chocolate, blackberry & almond torte (gluten-free)
Decadent flourless chocolate cake (gluten-free)
Cranberry ginger caramel self-saucing pudding
Individual chocolate fondant puddings
