The trick to entertaining at Christmas is relying on recipes that can be made in advance or are quick and easy once you start. Do not spend the entirety of Christmas tied to the kitchen. Screenshot these six recipes so you’re ready come the Christmas hols.
Spiced Apple Crisps
BBC Good Food
Dried fruit is just the ticket for a light snack amidst the heavy carb loading of Christmas. This recipe shows you how to bake wafer thin slices of Granny Smith apples with cinnamon. Once dried out and cooled, store the spiced apple crisps in an airtight container and enjoy as a snack. Make extra apple crisps as they’ll be gone in a flash. Cook it.
Helen Goh’s Caramelised Sriracha Popcorn
Good Food
Dangerously moreish, this spicy, nutty popcorn has the perfect balance of tangy sweet, salty and spicy. After making the popcorn, coat it well with canola oil. Toss in peanuts, cashews, hazelnuts and pecan nuts and set aside. In a separate saucepan, make caramel with water and sugar, then combine with butter and the popcorn mix. Stir to evenly coat the popcorn and nuts and spread it out forming a single layer on a tray. Bake and cool before storing in a jar. Cook it.
Cranberry Brie Bites
Delish
Forget making dough from scratch at this busy time of year. The readymade dough is just fine for these moreish cheese bites. The combo of sweet-tart cranberry sauce and salty, creamy brie is astonishingly tasty. These cheesy bites can be prepped the night before and are then ready to bake the next day. Be adventurous and vary the toppings. Trial crumbled goat cheese and apricot jam, camembert and cherry or gorgonzola and fig chutney. Cook it.
Bacon Wrapped Dates
The Kitchn
‘Tis the season for a bacon wrapped date. You can assemble these sweet and sticky gems the day before. It’s not difficult and in fact, the ideal job for guests or children clamouring around the kitchen. Stuff a date, wrap it in bacon, stick in a toothpick and, hey presto. The crispy, salty bacon alongside the creamy goat’s cheese in sugary Medjool dates is delicious. Cook it.
Basic Curried Roast Chickpeas
BBC Good Food
Curried roast chickpeas are a healthy protein-packed snack. Drain the chickpeas and pat with a tea towel to remove as much moisture as possible. Tip the chickpeas onto a roasting tray, toss with oil, seeds and seasoning. Roast until golden brown and toss in the curry powder. Delicious. The flavour possibilities are infinite; stick with dry spices and explore. Cook it.
Spiced Pecans
Rachel Cooks
Warmly spiced nuts go hand in hand with the Christmas holidays and best of all, take no more than 15 minutes to rustle up. These crunchy, sweet, salty and spiced pecans are delicious nibbled alone, or sprinkled over a baked brie, salad, ice cream or Greek yoghurt. Lightly glazed with brown sugar and butter, these pecans are then toasted with cinnamon, cumin, cardamom and cayenne. Place the nuts in a jar tied with ribbon for an edible girt. Cook it.
Smoked Mackerel Pate
Great British Chefs
Nobody wants last minute mayhem on Christmas Day itself. Days before the big event, you can bake the curly melba toast and rustle up this smoked mackerel pate. At the last minute, put together these simple oily fishy bites that will fly off the plate. To further simplify matters, use shop bought cranberry sauce and oatcakes. Cook it.
Delia Smith Mini Tarts with Three Toppings
Delia Online
Guaranteed to disappear in minutes are Delia Smith’s mini tarts. Once you’ve assembled all the filling ingredients, these mini tarts are super easy to build. Best of all, they can be made ahead and warmed through in a hot oven for a few minutes, or cooked and frozen in advance and reheated for six minutes. Fill tarts with either parmesan, smoked pancetta and sage or goat’s cheese, red onion and olives or tomato, mustard and thyme. Cook it.
By Annabel Jack
December 2022
