Free – food and drink recipes

Christmas hampers can be a great way to share gourmet food that is prepared at home and can make the perfect Christmas gift for your family. Make sure the ingredients are fresh and that you follow some basic instructions.

A dessert spoon of sherry or rum can be a great way to add a kick to your Christmas cake. You should use one for every pound of fruit to be used and soak the fruit overnight. One interesting trick is to place a bowl of water in the bottom of the oven before you heat it up, as this will increase the humidity and will lead to the perfect cake for Christmas. Be sure to remove the cake in a room with a steady temperature and leave it to cool. Finally, you will need to wrap the cake in greaseproof paper and cover with tin foil before storing it in a dry cooled space to mature

On Christmas day, my mother always adds a coin to the finished pudding in line with Christmas tradition. This adds an amusing twist to the eating experience and is especially enjoyed by children. It is best to add the coin or coins after the pudding has been cooked as it can be easily slipped in to the final product. Boil the coins in a pan of water for a few minutes to avoid any untoward bacteria that may be present.

A Christmas dinner wouldn’t be the same without your turkey. I always do my utmost to make sure that it is cooked to perfection and that it is soft and juicy. Pressing a fork or sharp knife into the meat will tell you that it is cooked when the liquid that comes out is clear. When carving the bird, it is best to let it stand for around fifteen minutes before you start. Cut the dark meat before the light and remove the extremities by cutting between the joints with a knife where the bones meet the carcus.

Top tips for Christmas turkey perfection

Always prepare your turkey stuffing well in advance and allow to cool

Make sure that you stuff the neck cavity of your turkey

Cut and slice two or three onions and place these on the bottom on the dish and place your turkey on top of them, not only will they keep the turkey from resting in the juices they will also add flavour

It’s a good idea to use sliced oranges or lemons to your turkey before you add the stuffing as this will add subtle flavor. Be sure to place these in the cavity.

Rub cooking oil, salt, pepper and spices in to the skin of your turkey to help it permeate the meat.

Covering your turkey with streaky bacon halfway through the cooking process will really enhance your final taste.

Eggnog is always a winner at Christmas and is very popular with the traditionalists. Many people add brandy to their mix, although you can have it without alcohol and even without eggs for th dairly and egg intolerants among us. Eggnog is a quick way to warm any new visitors to the house and is best in small doses as can be very potent.

This is a great non alcoholic eggnog recipe. Separate the yolks from the whites of a dozen eggs and beat the whites. It then best to add a half cup of sugar while beating the eggs until the whites start to peak. You’ll need to beat the yolks in a separate bowl until they are creamed and then slowly add 1 cup of sugar as you mix. Finally, take one quart of cream, beat until stiff and mix the eggs, cream and add a touch of vanilla flavoring. Pour the mix in to containers and leave it to set for at least 24hrs. Finally, serve in a large bowl and add a touch of nutmeg.