Spiced rice & beans

Serve this spicy rice and beans as a side dish to grilled meats and salads. It’s great as part of a big feast to share with family and friends

Chipotle turkey tacos

Use up leftover turkey and gravy from Christmas in this low-effort take on birria tacos. It’s perfect for Boxing Day

Spiced Christmas piccallili

A sweet, sharp pickle is a must-have at Christmas, and homemade is always superior to shop-bought. Be sure to wear gloves when preparing the beetroot to avoid purple-stained fingers!

Croissant crackers

Pair these sweet-and-savoury crackers with creamy brie for Christmas snacking. They also make a great gift – just package them up in an airtight container

Cheeseboard mince pies

Enjoy a savoury twist on the classic mince pie by working sharp cheddar into the pastry – it pairs wonderfully with the rich, fruity mincemeat

Pineapple pulled pork

Contains pork – recipe is for non-Muslims/non-pork eaters.

Use a slow cooker, if you like, to make this pulled pork. Pork shoulder is a budget-friendly cut, so it’s a great way to feed a crowd without breaking the bank

Turkey & ginger brothy rice

Use up that Christmas turkey carcass with this light but flavour-packed rice dish. Top with coriander leaves, crispy chilli oil and crispy onions to serve

Pork belly bites

Contains pork – recipe is for non-Muslims/non-pork eaters.

Serve these moreish mini pork ribs flavoured with clementines and chilli jam as part of a buffet or as canapes. They’re ideal at Christmas to serve a crowd

Whole trout with almond & herb stuffing

We cooked this dish after [my husband] Neil had been out fishing and had caught a fresh-water trout. It’s the stuffing that makes this such a delicious dish; just soften onions and garlic in butter and mix it with the breadcrumbs, fresh herbs, almonds and slices of lemon. Trout is quite forgiving so you can use any mix of herbs you fancy. The stuffing would work just as well with a whole salmon or with small sea breams or seabass.
I really like cooking fish en papillote, and you could certainly use the sealed paper technique here – just cut a big sheet of baking paper to line the oven tray. Once the fish is in and drizzled with the oil, gently bring the sides together, being careful not to wrap the fish too tightly, then crimp to seal and cook as per the instructions below.

Green goddess cabbage salad

Serve this hearty green cabbage salad with smoked trout, prawns or chicken. Alternatively, swap for falafel, halloumi or marinated tofu for a veggie main