lifestyle

Cioppino, literally meaning ‘chopped seafood’ is a traditional Italian seafood stew that is particularly popular in California, especially San Francisco. This simplified version makes a great light dish for Christmas Eve or a traditional fish dish for Good Friday. Serve with generous slices of toasted and flavoured sourdough bread. Prep time: 20 minutes/Cook time 90 […]

Babkas might be breads that are most especially associated with Easter; this version, however, is adapted to be served with tea, coffee or even mulled wine at Christmas time. Prep time: 90 minutes/Cook time 40 minutes/Makes: 1 loaf Ingredients:For the dough120ml (1/2 cup) full-fat milk50g (1¾oz) caster sugar1½ tsp fast-action yeast1 large egg275g (10oz) strong

This is a classic Eastern European Christmas bread with a walnut and chocolate filling that makes an excellent tea bread (it’s pretty good with mulled wine too). Prep time 120 minutes/Cooking time: 90 minutes/Makes: 1 loaf Ingredients:For the dough300g (2/3 lb) plain flour, plus extra for dusting40g (1½oz) caster sugar1 1/2 tsp sea salt10g (⅓oz)

This is the traditional French yule log, or chocolate log. If you thing that the traditional Christmas pudding is too heavy (or too hot if you’re in the Southern Hemisphere), why not prepare this true Christmas classic instead (or even as well)? This is also vegetarian. Prep time: 20 minutes/Cook time: 20 minutes/Serves: 8-10 Ingredients:For

This is a modern twist on the traditional Christmas cake, with this bundt cake flavoured with cider and the Christmasy spice blend of mixed spice. Not traditional in any way, but still seasonal and really delicious. If you accompany with a salted caramel sauce, this also makes an excellent dessert and is ideal for those

I really like pancakes, and they’re my ideal Lazy Sunday breakfast. This version is excellent as a kids’ treat for Christmas Morning breakfast. Prep time: 20 minutes/Cook time 20 minutes/Serves: 6 Ingredients:1 mug self-raising flour (200g/7oz)1 mug milk (300ml/1 1/4 cups)1 large egg3 oranges, zest finely grated (fruit cut into wedges to accompany the pancakes)½

Biscotti are traditional Italian twice-cooked biscuits. They are ideal with a glass of sweet wine or a glass of mulled wine or cider. That’s why I think they’re a real Christmas classic. Prep time 20 minutes/Cook time 20 minutes/Serves: 4 Ingredients:250g (9oz) plain flour250g (9oz) caster sugar1½ tsp baking powder3 medium eggs, lightly beaten250g (9oz)

A cross between mince pies and Bakewell tarts these mini pies have a mincemeat base, a frangipane filling and are finished with white icing (frosting) and a glacé cherry. Prep time: 130 minutes/Cook time: 20 minutes/Makes: 22 Ingredients:For the pastry:150g (5½oz) plain flour, plus extra for rolling out25g (1oz) caster sugarpinch of salt75g (2½oz) unsalted

leftover-turkey-cheese-potato-pithivier.png A pithivier is a domed puff-pastry pie as a Christmas centrepiece. With a crumbly pastry exterior and packed filling oozing with gooey comté, it’s a wow dish and a great way of using up your Christmas or Thanksgiving leftovers. Prep tie: 45 minutes/Cook time: 35 minutes/Serves: 8 Ingredients:800g floury potatoes (such as Maris Piper),

This dish is loosely based on a Breton fish dish and can be served either as a festive starter or as a vegetarian centrepiece on the Christmas or Thanksgiving table. It’s prepared and sliced like a terrine. This works very well by itself, but also makes a great accompaniment to roast turkey or duck Prep

For my husband, Christmas isn’t really Christmas without spicy braised red cabbage served as an accompaniment. He likes this recipe as you can make ahead and re-heat on the day (indeed the flavours are even better when re-heated). I admit that I wasn’t really a big fan of red cabbage when I first had it,

This is an alternate Christmas dessert from South Africa, using the famous South African cream liqueur, Amarula. It would also work just as well with Irish Cream, Eggnog or Advocaat. Even better, it’s a no-bake tart on a biscuit (cookie) base. Prep time: 20 minutes/Cook time: 10 minutes/Serves: 8 Ingredients:For the base:150g butter, melted (plus

This is my husband’s twist on sausage rolls and they make excellent finger food and can be used for St Andrew’s day, Christmas, New Year and Burns Night. Prep time: 40 minutes/Cook time: 20 minutes/Makes: 20 Ingredients250g haggis, skin removed and crumbled150g sausage meata few shakes of Tabasco or other hot pepper sauce1 bunch fresh

These cupcakes are so cute and ideal for those who love Christmas, young and old. Prep time: 20/Cook time: 20/Makes: 12 Ingredients:1 tbsp milk2 eggs150g butter, at room temperature150g caster sugar150g self-raising flour½ tsp baking powderfinely-grated zest of ½ small orange45g dried cranberries, chopped300g chocolate flavoured icing (frosting)4 Curly Wurly chocolate bars12 glacé cherries24 raisins

African and Caribbean twists make this a truly special mulled wine. It’s my husband’s go-to for Christmas and he claims that after the first sip no one has turned it down! Prep time: 15 minutes/Cook time: 25 minutes/Serves: 4 Ingredients:500ml red hibiscus (zobo) flowers500ml red wine300ml orange juicejuice of 1 lime6 tbsp runny honey60ml brandy60ml

Pears always marry well with wine and this Christmas-spiced version is no exception.Prep time 20 minutes/Cook time: 30 minutes/Serves: 5 Ingredients:5 pearsjuice of 1 lemon2 oranges300ml red wine1 mulled spice bag3 tbsp dark brown sugar Method:Peel the pears, ensuring that the stalk is left on. Zest the oranges using a peeler. Stand all of the

This is an Irish recipe for a classic savoury no-bake cheesecake that you will find in both Britain and Ireland. If prepared in individual moulds this is an excellent Christmas or New Year starter. You can substitute the smoked salmon with smoked trout. Flaked smoked mackerel also makes a very flavoursome topping. Prep time: 30

A pithivier is a domed puff-pastry pie as a Christmas centrepiece. With a crumbly pastry exterior and packed filling oozing with gooey comté, it’s a wow dish and a great way of using up your Christmas or Thanksgiving leftovers. Prep tie: 45 minutes/Cook time: 35 minutes/Serves: 8 Ingredients:800g floury potatoes (such as Maris Piper), cut