From irresistible nibbles to decadent desserts: our greatest recipes for Christmas Day | Meals
![From irresistible nibbles to decadent desserts: our greatest recipes for Christmas Day | Meals](https://thevistaseafoodrestaurant.com/wp-content/uploads/https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/fd55ca4aeeeb43941e4dab87039271904c13c8de/0_2779_5792_3475/master/5792.jpg?width=1200&height=630&quality=85&auto=format&fit=crop&overlay-align=bottom,left&overlay-width=100p&overlay-base64=L2ltZy9zdGF0aWMvb3ZlcmxheXMvdGctZGVmYXVsdC5wbmc&enable=upscale&s=b666024a7955ff1145f6871dc2d8e000)
A decadent starter – and a godsend for cooks who prefer to get forward.
![Yotam Ottolenghi’s three-cheese dip with spiced date syrup and pine nuts.](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/d6c58695bf0404d47efb0fe7a82a92313e7ec8ce/0_803_2333_2333/master/2333.jpg?width=445&quality=45&auto=format&fit=max&dpr=2&s=c9c53c36f26dee9fb33cd8802892d113)
A set of festive snacks: caraway, Home spelt and parmesan grissini with aleppo chilli, to dip in a three-cheese combine with spiced date syrup and pine nuts, and a complicated, sake-cured salmon with sesame sprinkles and pickles.
![Rachel Roddy’s prawn salad.](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/51f6b8511c73fcfc2b6755251f5e5f476820f9f3/0_624_5792_7020/master/5792.jpg?width=445&quality=45&auto=format&fit=max&dpr=2&s=8eab3cc17c8d9ef501de4fd9a8ef04a9)
Two mild first programs to offset the massive feast to come back – a brilliant prawn, fennel and celery salad, and a ricotta and spinach bake that’s someplace between a soufflé and a frittata.
![Yotam Ottolenghi’s spiced creole turkey with bourbon and pineapple.](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/57f39a4b94fb78473e3171eeff2fa5693af1e77f/0_0_4641_3500/master/4641.jpg?width=445&quality=45&auto=format&fit=max&dpr=2&s=f085e5b87243b26d34c2be26b2f1ebc7)
With roast cassava, a garlic and coriander salsa, rainbow chard with ham hock, and a cranberry and chard stem pickle.
![Thomasina Miers guajillo pineapple adobo roast ham.](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/c92f2c6dbbd52b96e495d171b8bd803e947cdfb2/0_0_3856_3500/master/3856.jpg?width=445&quality=45&auto=format&fit=max&dpr=2&s=a076a7354869fc2ae484d182ae15e35f)
A cheering different ham with a spicy, sweet-sour Mexican glaze of pineapple and chilli.
![Ravinder Bhogal’s jewelled nut and cranberry rice pilaf](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/13407c56d78a519a5797859e4379ede9fc4dca2d/0_0_4471_3500/master/4471.jpg?width=445&quality=45&auto=format&fit=max&dpr=2&s=5d6434f8dfe5c8e9092e343b3351f0f2)
Dried fruits are a speciality of the Levant, and convey festive luxuriousness to those dishes of aromatic roast hen and nutty, chewy jewelled pilau rice. Skillful Home Crafters
![Meera’s vegan christmas pumpkin.](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/87aa8d8dbbb862ac9cd69f11cb0e73ee13d24411/0_0_4671_3500/master/4671.jpg?width=445&quality=45&auto=format&fit=max&dpr=2&s=9d406254d35d2efe13757c5a58096993)
A bulging, festive squash full of a savoury stuffing of spicy, herby veg, mushrooms and nuts.
![Meera Sodha’s red cabbage, apple and pomegranate salad.](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/fcda13d4b8544215c53bfb21072c268de123ba78/0_0_4655_3500/master/4655.jpg?width=445&quality=45&auto=format&fit=max&dpr=2&s=ffbe625b8dfb21617812a2708ad859e9)
A crisp and contemporary winter salad of festive pink cabbage, crunchy apple and sweet-sour pomegranate that can go properly with any roast.
![Emily Scott’s Christmas baked salmon with lemon verbena vodka, clementines, fennel and dill creme fraiche.](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/539b8c488eae0d02e2c4c82f75b68473ebeb2617/0_0_5465_3731/master/5465.jpg?width=445&quality=45&auto=format&fit=max&dpr=2&s=b2c3c02c42da8b720142fbcf475cad92)
An entire fillet of salmon baked with fennel in chilli and sea salt, then drizzled with a honey, lemon verbena and clementine vodka glaze, with candied clementines, and a dill creme fraiche.
![Ravneet Gill's sherry apple pies.](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/138c3e7430b0499544230a617c51d428a3641a97/0_0_5250_3500/master/5250.jpg?width=445&quality=45&auto=format&fit=max&dpr=2&s=86307e82e4e29fdebdbcce7cf195fa56)
Spiced apple pies that can win over individuals who (say they) don’t like mince pies.
![Tom Hunt’s Christmas leftovers pie.](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/6d3d013dfcf5f9c7b739a54e06a23f48477c9866/0_0_3887_3500/master/3887.jpg?width=445&quality=45&auto=format&fit=max&dpr=2&s=47aecae8675fb748a90aab8c1926850c)
Flip the stays of the festive desk right into a barnstorming pie that’s as satisfying to make as it’s to eat.
![Yotam Ottolenghi’s celebration sticky rice cake.](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/eb89e932fd111506fa048f3bd3f02052ae97e8e3/0_991_3731_3731/master/3731.jpg?width=445&quality=45&auto=format&fit=max&dpr=2&s=97abc60e0aafc58fd2449e44634286d3)
Introducing a Chinese language-inspired vegan centrepiece in your Christmas desk.
![Thomasina Miers’ chicken braised with celeriac, pancetta and sage](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/5edd196c093edf41ae0eefd7333b247a74954bee/0_412_3744_4334/master/3744.jpg?width=445&quality=45&auto=format&fit=max&dpr=2&s=b59f370e6ae7912759da14f75362b304)
Scrumptious – and simply tailored to feed nevertheless many individuals you have got across the desk.
![Signe Johansen’s Norwegian-style feast of blow-dried roast duck with a cherry sauce, a winter salad with clementines, fennel and candied walnuts, and Jansson’s temptation – potato, celeriac and rye crisp.](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/47f38a169227bda09431e0af3229d147f2a68ec0/1331_0_4285_3744/master/4285.jpg?width=445&quality=45&auto=format&fit=max&dpr=2&s=a5e3910cc8740536b7b2d251c9da0360)
A Scandinavian feast of blow-dried roast duck with a boozy cherry sauce, a winter salad with clementines and candied walnuts, and an opulent, layered potato hotpot.
![Signe Johansen’s wild mushroom, chestnut and stilton filo pie, and pickled beetroot with a sprout, dried cherry and dill slaw 20201203 Feast SigneJohannsonFiloPie 043](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/e5a5bb3ab213ec7e470e964a07b9a8513b5c0c3e/0_0_5616_3744/master/5616.jpg?width=445&quality=45&auto=format&fit=max&dpr=2&s=ced8c8f2fc5db2373a70e8c1e4e6dcf4)
Wild mushroom, chestnut and stilton filo pie, a “sundown roast” of swede, pumpkin and candy potato with saffron lemon yoghurt, and pickled beetroot with a sprout, dried cherry and dill slaw.
![Rick Toogood’s recipe for stuffed hake with porcini gravy.](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/8488b918496a9b73d80a004da725adb6503d910e/81_759_3624_4439/master/3624.jpg?width=445&quality=45&auto=format&fit=max&dpr=2&s=7a40d2460048290d2b46111fe40c0378)
A crowd-pleasing seafood different to the turkey roast.
![Yotam Ottolenghi’s spatchcock chicken with roasted chilli butter](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/37be256cc936e480944985760792dbbc0b272092/0_0_8688_5792/master/8688.jpg?width=445&quality=45&auto=format&fit=max&dpr=2&s=3b4c443110bee824fb880b7a6c552683)
Flip heads with a roast spatchcock hen in chilli butter, with a Gruffalo-inspired stuffing cake, candy potatoes roasted with pecan and lime, and a zingy sprout slaw.
![Gill Meller’s roasted and boiled ham.](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/a4ee0229984812e39229a66f30d081cd740dcbc9/0_3170_5766_3460/master/5766.jpg?width=445&quality=45&auto=format&fit=max&dpr=2&s=e1e2fd7e0e447a0cca4a37e7ca1579b5)
A banquet of gammon cooked with stout, oranges, molasses and spices, with sides of mustard pears, blue cheese gratin, roast parsnip and date salad, herby sprouts with puy lentils, and a caramelised onion mash.
![Sabrina Ghayour’s beetroot, feta and chestnut puffs](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/3e9bc0b45900a0b689aa7c3d1d22724b037656c0/0_1064_5792_6987/master/5792.jpg?width=445&quality=45&auto=format&fit=max&dpr=2&s=eee5a6b8e8064ca9dcae44465d0e6f29)
Everybody will tuck into these festive beetroot pastries – plus a recipe for honeyed harissa brussel that will even win over the anti-sprout brigade.
![Meera Sodha’s vada pav with coriander and peanut chutney.](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/508035e86bc8a995fd2ddaba645ad5f769fab6b0/0_0_8586_5724/master/8586.jpg?width=445&quality=45&auto=format&fit=max&dpr=2&s=a0978f019a512a0088c637397f89a873)
Often known as vada pav, this snack will get on properly with a little bit of inexperienced chutney for the proper festive night snack.
![Nik Sharma’s roast chicken pulao with cranberries, raisins and spice.](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/fd5bfe443d9cf8bd65c69104b8ee23d764c8ad0f/0_772_3739_4836/master/3739.jpg?width=445&quality=45&auto=format&fit=max&dpr=2&s=d4180bbcf030d14b00a82e2f3b6db013)
The proper mixture: spicy hen jewelled with cranberries and cashews, and a pointy fruity aspect.
![Felicity Cloake’s traditional Christmas spread.](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/0ed14aafcbde9a4cd093944e316399344a8f5c9a/0_0_11608_8708/master/11608.jpg?width=445&quality=45&auto=format&fit=max&dpr=2&s=905e50ab4c92c5dbc03943e166086a95)
An enormous, bronzed turkey or a sage and stilton nut roast this yr? Or each? And never forgetting all of the traditional festive sides. Our resident perfectionist exhibits you ways.
![Rachel Roddy’s roasted vegetable and cheese savoury pie, with mushroom and chestnut.](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/fde31e1f203258b2c79bdd13aad23aa5c0ffdd42/0_0_8025_6000/master/8025.jpg?width=445&quality=45&auto=format&fit=max&dpr=2&s=355e63fde58a6ef7a545d0e76e7fda27)
This adaptable seasonal favorite incorporates a ricotta pastry with simply the correct amount of flaky crumble and a thick and richly flavoured filling.
![Rachel Roddy’s coffee and ricotta creams.](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/a569ab997a139d96d33795686687bbe1741699c5/0_0_8000_6000/master/8000.jpg?width=445&quality=45&auto=format&fit=max&dpr=2&s=5a9f70a31320b77b3c1c16879a348bb3)
A satisfying dessert that’s a cross between mousse, cheesecake filling and blancmange – get pleasure from with a glass of one thing robust.
![Thomasina Miers’ pear, panettone and chocolate trifle.](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/b77bffe9ef78be107fabd8b9ee3d3487fd5119a8/0_289_8683_5210/master/8683.jpg?width=445&quality=45&auto=format&fit=max&dpr=2&s=841692ae79f3fd4dc7e2dbc925e5510c)
The head of trifle decadence: mascarpone, panettone, poached pear and chunks of darkish chocolate, with a very good kick of sherry.
![Meera Sodha’s spiced chocolate kheer with almond chikki.](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/630c8ed4d6d97afb7f12d517b521b60935efa1a8/0_448_8688_5213/master/8688.jpg?width=445&quality=45&auto=format&fit=max&dpr=2&s=b71ab39940f7ee45f3869cf09b483bf3)
A chocolate and cinnamon rice pudding, referred to as kheer + caramelised almonds = a Christmas dessert with the x-factor.
![Rachel Roddy’s Christmas cassata.](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/c496286f51d97121e1af149588cb2464f5ec64f3/0_0_8688_5792/master/8688.jpg?width=445&quality=45&auto=format&fit=max&dpr=2&s=5043644fefb6114273385725540d32aa)
A young, outrageously candy dessert.
![Ravneet Gill’s baked alaska.](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/3f47f2dbf02ca5f299cac81ca8d5771eb24cb0fd/0_0_2668_3500/master/2668.jpg?width=445&quality=45&auto=format&fit=max&dpr=2&s=26a1ea5f42132b90e29e89ce57b6f7d0)
Is there any dessert extra flamboyant than this retro barnstormer of ice-cream on a sponge base, all smothered in meringue and blowtorched to crackly perfection?
![Felicity Cloake’s perfect – that is, hybrid – basque cheesecake.](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/0386be5ba757b5be818eaec64d4cbc8edd964add/0_0_4662_3500/master/4662.jpg?width=445&quality=45&auto=format&fit=max&dpr=2&s=1d32d0058c46a527eedfa3ce8f442735)
When you’re nonetheless searching for a high-impact candy centrepiece for the Christmas desk, this straightforward baked dessert is right.
![Rachel Roddy’s dark chocolate and orange tart.](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/e99e614a76b0cba88072cd2fd528fe9c1f84ae32/0_0_4961_3723/master/4961.jpg?width=445&quality=45&auto=format&fit=max&dpr=2&s=791f8f523a85b68519afe4dbb54b47f7)
This festive tribute to the Terry’s Chocolate Orange makes for a showstopping dessert.
![Benjamina Ebuehi’s mini clementine ginger tarts.](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/78810f8b2abdcfcdbfc3916650d6ebc510aace38/0_745_5792_6774/master/5792.jpg?width=445&quality=45&auto=format&fit=max&dpr=2&s=89dad071d2919773eab366a062e180e5)
The sweetness of clementine curd mellows the hit of fiery ginger on this tasty winter pudding.
![Ravneet Gill’s Christmas recipe for steamed date pudding with toffee sauce](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/7cbcb955a3b2f2b98bd13ada43d5b9be2ade5e6d/0_47_5792_6614/master/5792.jpg?width=445&quality=45&auto=format&fit=max&dpr=2&s=7abba64ca5362a2a079c8f522839232b)
A successful different to conventional Christmas pud. Spoons on the prepared …
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Meals stylists: Emily Kydd (Yotam, Ravneet, Candy Spot, friends, Tom), Kitty Coles (Felicity, Thomasina, Meera, visitor spots), Benjamina Ebuehi, Anna Wilkins (Candy Spot), Rosie Ramsden (Felicity), Ellie Mulligan (visitor spots). Prop styling: Jennifer Kay (Yotam, Rachel Roddy, Felicity, visitor spot, Tom), Louie Waller (Felicity, Thomasina, Meera, visitor spots), Tabitha Hawkins (Felicity), Toni Musgrave (Thomasina, visitor slots). Meals styling assistants: Jessica Geddes (Yotam, Rachel), Rosie French (Felicity) Julia Aden (Candy Spot, Rachel), Sarah Vassallo (Felicity, Meera, visitor spots). Picture assistant and retouching: Sophie Bronze (Yotam, Rachel Roddy, friends, Tom Hunt).