From the main event to hearty sides, and sweet treats to easy suppers, these brilliant recipes will see you through the festive season with very little fuss
Allan Jenkins
Mon 23 Nov 2020 03.00 EST
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Whatever you are thinking of cooking, for however many, relax. It doesn’t need to be difficult. We’ve got your Christmas covered with 20 simple festive treats. From penne al vodka to pumpkin and chestnut soup, or traditional roast turkey to Malay-spiced duck, we offer seasonal comfort for a range of meals. There’s rum-glazed ham, Danish roast pork belly, and Shanghai-style dumplings made for leftovers. Nathan Outlaw shares his fisherman’s stew, and Lopè Ariyo her citrus-baked salmon. For something sweet, there’s snickerdoodles, strudel and a boozy pear trifle. These are simple, professional secrets to a stress-free Christmas. A gift from us to you. An impressive, burnished ham to have hot as an alternative festive roast on the day, or cold for easy meals in the lazy days after Christmas For some, it’s not Christmas dinner without roast turkey and stuffing. This year, make it a small bird for a small gathering, and get ahead on the trimmings to keep the day stress freeAndi Oliver’s brown sugar, cranberry and rum-glazed Christmas ham (pictured above)
Roast turkey, chestnut and sausage stuffing, and gravy by Lindsey Bareham
Jacket potatoes get the festive treatment with smoked salt, extra-crisp skins and a moreish dip (a perfect way to use Christmas stilton)Nigel Slater’s salt-crust potatoes with blue cheese and goat’s curd
A giant pot of seafood makes for a simple but luxurious celebratory meal for any occasion over the festive periodNathan Outlaw’s fishmas stew
Everyone’s favourite comfort dish is the perfect companion to Christmas ham or roast chicken, and an ideal way to use up cheeseboard leftoversYotam Ottolenghi’s mustardy cauliflower cheese
The quickest, no-fuss festive roast stars the classic pairing of pork and apple – perfect to have on Christmas Eve, like they would in DenmarkPork belly with apple and thyme by Trine Hahnemann
Winter root vegetables are given a fragrant twist in this hearty vegetarian side dish that doesn’t suffer from being made in advancePan-roasted parsnips and carrots with cumin butter by David Tanis
When Christmas is more about enjoyment than effort, this roast chicken and sauce is far more impressive than the relaxed method would suggestDiana Henry’s chicken pot-roasted in milk, bay and nutmeg
This sweetly sour, spiced cabbage adds a burst of colour to the table, and brilliantly complements rich roast meats or cheese-based dishesChristmas braised red cabbage by Paul Cunningham
These classic American sugar cookies will fill your kitchen with the warming seasonal scent of cinnamon – remember to leave one out for Father ChristmasClaire Ptak’s snickerdoodles
Simple, spicy, vegan, and the best use for a surplus of sprouts, this take on fried rice is perfect for the in-between days of ChristmasMeera Sodha’s sprout nasi goreng
With brilliant colours and fresh flavours that pop, this is a main course guaranteed to bring cheer to any tableCitrus-baked salmon with beetroot boiled potatoes by Lopè Ariyo
Gently spiced poached pears star in this take on the traditional trifle that’s easy to assemble and customise to tasteBoozy poached pear trifle by Ravneet Gill
Duck is the perfect roast for two, and here the rich meat and sauce are infused with Malay-inspired spicesCoconut and lemongrass roast duck by Mandy Yin
A warming stew for cold December days, or ring in the new year like the Italians do – with sausages and lentils for luck. Here’s to 2021!Sausages, lentils and lemon by Joe Trivelli
A crisp base with a savoury, creamy topping that can be on the table in half an hour – everyone needs a recipe like this up their sleeve at ChristmasRosemary, goat’s cheese and mushroom tart with pink peppercorns by Rukmini Iyer
Smoky ham and earthy chestnuts bring the taste and spirit of the season to this hearty, comforting soupPumpkin, bean and chestnut soup by Jeremy Lee
Making this easy, kitsch pasta dish is a festive tradition for one of our favourite chefs – one taste and it’s sure to become a tradition for you, tooPenne al vodka by Joe Trivelli
This simplified take on a Ukrainian festive dessert makes a change from traditional Christmas puddingPoppy-seed, pecan and apple strudel by Olia Hercules
One of the best ways to use leftovers – and make a little go a long way. You can fill dumplings with pretty much anything, but stuffing and chopped sprouts work particularly wellChristmas dumplings by Michael Zee
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Topics
- Christmas food and drink
- Observer Food Monthly's 20 best recipes
- Food
- Meat
- Fish
- Dessert
- Baking
- Vegetables
- recipes
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