Beetroot hummus toasts with olives & mint

Sweet, earthy beetroot, salty feta and fresh mint shine in this simple lunch. ‘Eating the rainbow’ is a nutritional plus and beetroot ticks the purple box

Christmas brownies

Chocolate truffles, amaretti biscuits and a few edible Christmas flourishes make these festive brownies an extra-special dessert no one could resist

Quick frosted walnuts

These crunchy walnuts make a great topping for a festive treat or a bowl of ice cream. The simplest way to take a dessert to dinner party level

St Nick’s flip

Nick Jones and Leah de Felice Renton from Birds & Bats Wines describe their cocktail creation as a creamy Christmas dessert in a glass, sign us up!

Spiced pea & courgette fritters with minty yogurt dip

These spiced pea and coriander fritters are easy to make ahead of time. Scatter with crunchy spring onions and serve with the cool minty yogurt dip

Black Forest Christmas fool

A simple, quick and indulgent dessert you can rustle up in 10 minutes. If you want to make a non-alcoholic version, use a can of cherries in syrup instead

Buttermilk caramel puddings

A foolproof make-ahead spin on a crème caramel, using just five ingredients. The perfect winter dinner party dessert for those with a sweet tooth

Fresh & smoked salmon rillettes

A simple starter, fresh and rich, that makes a bit more of a pack of smoked salmon – serve instead of pâté on rye or piled into chicory leaves

Gravadlax with celeriac & fennel salad

A light salmon starter with a crisp salad and honey and mustard dressing. No cooking required, just gravadlax or smoked salmon plus fresh seasonal produce

Easy Christmas turkey

The turkey is cooked high and fast like a chicken, giving it extra crispy skin. It needs longer to rest so the meat can relax and stay succulent

Halloumi fries

Crisp and slightly salty shallow-fried halloumi fries make perfect party food. Great with a sprinkling of za'atar and a spicy yogurt for dipping

Buttered Jerusalem artichokes

A beautiful buttery side dish filled with seasonal goodness. If you're looking for something a little different with your roast, try these roasted veggies