Velvety, nutty and low-ABV, this sherry flip makes an excellent alternative to eggnog during the festive season
Try our sherry flip, then discover our sherry sour, Tiojito sherry cocktail and frozen sherry cobbler cocktail. Also, try more Christmas cocktails. Sherry flip cocktail
Top this buttery root veg and streaky bacon boulangère with parmesan breadcrumbs – pure winter comfort
Try our swede, leek and smoky bacon boulangère, then discover roast partridge with one-pan boulangère, braised lamb boulangère or boulangère potatoes. Swede, leek and smoky bacon boulangère recipe
This French cake is so called because the thinly sliced apples meld together in the batter to make the body of the cake and almost disappear
Try our invisible apple cake, then discover Dorset apple cake, spiced toffee apple traybake, cinnamon, pecan and apple crumble bars and toffee apple brioche and butter pudding. Invisible apple cake recipe
Make festive entertaining a breeze with our elegant ideas for crowd-pleasing finger food, from moreish sausages rolls to oozing croquetas and perfect dips
Try our easy Christmas canapé recipes and Christmas nibbles for the best Christmas party food. Plus we've got plenty more quick and easy canapé recipes to choose from. For effortless festive entertaining, check out our no-cook Christmas entertaining ideas. If you’re planning a Christmas party this year we’ve got some quick finger food ideas to serve with your Christmas cocktails. Our Christmas nibble recipes are easy to make, from turkey sausage puff pastry tarts to sticky pork belly skewers. We also have some fun twists on Welsh rarebit, spring rolls and croquettes. Explore our Christmas breakfast ideas that can be prepared ahead of time for stress-free entertaining. Christmas canapé ideas Mini sausage rolls Serve a plate of these irresistible sausage rolls, with an extra buttery and flaky pastry, as a canapé for your next festive get-together. Chicken tenders with garlic parmesan Try these chicken tenders for a finger food option at your festive gathering – serve with cute cocktail sticks for spearing. Salmon flatbread Missed the butter board trend? Don’t worry – this festive smoked salmon twist takes it up a notch, with the board itself transformed into an edible base. Jalapeño poppers Perfect for feeding a crowd, these quick and easy three-ingredient jalapeño poppers make 30 irresistible bites – ideal for any gathering. Honeyed squash, sage and feta filo cigars Crisp filo cigars filled with honeyed squash, tangy feta and fragrant sage bring all the cosy flavours of winter in one golden, flavour-packed bite. Tear and share sausage roll Perk up your party buffet with our epic sausage roll and camembert wheel. Prawn and chorizo skewers With just six ingredients, these prawn and chorizo skewers are the ultimate surf-and-turf party bite – bold, smoky and perfect with a drink, no messy fingers required. Popcorn mussels Serve these crispy breaded mussels as a canapé at your next party, with sriracha mayo, hot honey vinegar and ranch dressing for dipping. Smashed parmesan potatoes with avocado Smashing potatoes gives you the crispiest edges and a fluffy centre – the perfect base for spicy avocado. Finish with pickled onions and a pinch of aleppo chilli for a bold vegetarian bite. Bloody mary prawn lettuce scoops Serve this simple and speedy prawn cocktail alternative on a large platter in the middle of the table and let everyone dig in. Pickled melon and prosciutto skewers Give your festive canapés a fresh twist with these pickled melon and prosciutto skewers – the quick pickle adds a bright, tangy lift to this classic combo. Chopped egg salad on salt and vinegar crisps Get inventive with your party food and try this easy all-in-one egg salad and crisps canapé, great for vegetarian guests. Radish butter terrine Radishes and butter are a timeless pairing, perfect for a chic starter or elegant nibble – just slice and spread over crisp rye toast for instant sophistication. Scampi with soured cream dip This is a really easy way to offer people a bite with drinks without going to too much effort. You can swap the soured cream for mayo, if you prefer. Gin and tonic traybake squares Treat your guests to these mini boozy squares at your next drinks party – sweet canapés make a thoughtful extra touch. Pickled beetroot tacos with goat’s cheese Kick off a festive party with these easy vegetarian canapés perfect for fuss-free hosting. Sage and anchovy fritti These crispy little fried anchovy bites with sage leaves would go down a treat at your next drinks get-together. Deep-fried olives stuffed with ricotta and Guindilla chilli Stuffed with fiery spiced ricotta, rolled in panko breadcrumbs and deep-fried until golden, these moreish bites are the perfect party treat. Serve with beer and lemon wedges. Maple-glazed sausage blinis Kick off a festive party with these easy canapés, turning cocktail sausages into impressive bitesize party food. Chilli-and-marmalade-glazed pork belly squares Kick off a festive party with our easy canapés. These sticky-sweet bites can be partly prepared ahead for fuss-free entertaining. Sweet potato and cranberry fritters with nuoc cham These Vietnamese-inspired sweet potato fritters have a festive twist with dried cranberries. The tangy-sweet-salty dipping sauce is a great one to have to hand for the festive season. Bread sauce and stuffing croquettes These crispy balls are easy to make and perfect at keeping a hungry crowd happy over the festive season. Duck samosas Check out our impressive samosa recipe packed with tender duck, wrapped in super flaky pastry and served with a fresh coriander chutney – perfect for entertaining over the festive season. Chilli chicken wings These juicy wings are spiced with paprika, cumin, cayenne pepper and fresh oregano, serve with a light yogurt sauce to feed a hungry horde over the festive season. Smoked black pudding croquettes with apple sauce Looking for impressive Christmas canapés to serve guests over the festive season? These indulgent croquettes are packed with smoked black pudding and creamy blue cheese. Mini lobster rolls Proper posh Christmas party food! These mini lobster rolls are easy to make but look impressive – perfect for hassle-free entertaining at a Christmas party. Check out our lobster recipes here Devilled coronation eggs Need an easy canapé to serve this Christmas? Try our coronation chicken devilled eggs – a retro canapé combined with a simple classic British sandwich – perfect party food. More quick and easy canapés here Turkey, stuffing and cranberry sausage puffs Try these crispy turkey, stuffing and cranberry sausage puffs for an easy festive canapé. This recipe makes 15 and can be made well in advance, meaning you'll be ready for all those Christmas parties. Tajín cauliflower bites Jazz up your veggie canapés this Christmas with tajín, a classic Mexican seasoning made from lime, chilli and salt. Mini quiches with salmon and courgette These little wonders look striking, are gorgeously crunchy and easy to put together. Great for an easy addition to any festive buffet. Vegan BBQ jackfruit sliders with mustard slaw Change up pulled pork buns with jackfruit for an easy yet moreish Christmas nibble idea to serve your vegan friends this Christmas. Christmas party tartines In need of really quick and easy cold canapés to make? Try our simple party tartines for fuss-free festive party food that's a bit more substantial than canapés. Carrot, halloumi and dill balls How can you make halloumi even better? Sabrina Ghayour says: combine it with carrot and dill, and deep fry. And we agree. Perfect with drinks. Avocado and prawn cocktail toasts This canapé recipe is great for Christmas party food. It's your classic prawn cocktail with a twist. Pass them around your Christmas party for an easy Christmas nibble. Try our traditional prawn cocktail recipe here. Rarebit and pickled onion croquetas These Christmas canapés have a crunchy exterior, a melty inner and a satisfyingly tangy edge. They're a definite crowd pleaser and a great way to use up leftover cheese over the Christmas period. Fig and goat’s cheese filo parcels Looking for a vegetarian Christmas canapé recipe? These crunchy filo-baked fresh figs make an awesome Christmas nibble or starter that is easy to make. Plenty more fig recipes here. Spiced cod fritters with harissa honey dip Mix up the Christmas canapés this year with these crunchy fish fritters with sweet and spicy dip from Persian cooking guru Sabrina Ghayour. They're a great idea for a middle-Eastern dinner party spread or Christmas party. Pork belly skewers with Vietnamese caramel sauce These pork belly skewers with Vietnamese caramel sauce make easy but impressive canapés for the festive season. Lamb kofta puffs with tahini and tomato sauce This recipe from Persian cook Sabrina Ghayour for flakey puff pastry wrapped around tender lamb koftas is sure to be a hit with your dinner party guests over the Christmas period. Mar hor Christmas nibble recipe (Galloping Horse) This is a meat-free version of a classic Thai recipe and is an easy canapé to have with drinks at any festive dinner party. Try our other Thai recipes here. Mini buck rarebits A Welsh rarebit topped with an egg is called a buck rarebit. This version is beautifully bite-sized, perfect for sharing over the Christmas period for finger food. Mozzarella sticks with spicy dipping sauce Want to please a crowd this Christmas? Try our gooey mozzarella sticks with a punchy dipping sauce. These are best cooked from frozen, so they are a perfect make ahead Christmas nibble over the festive season. Check out our best cheese recipes here Curried chicken nuggets with curry leaf mayo Chicken nuggets are quick and easy to whip up thanks to mayonnaise, which is also used to make a punchy dip flavoured with curry leaf and mustard seeds. Mini chorizo and tomato frittatas These easy canapés can be made ahead then reheated in a warm oven to serve at a festive dinner party. Duck and mango rice paper rolls Ready in just half an hour, these are great cold canapés to make if you're looking for a fresh festive snack. Fig and goat’s cheese puffs The easiest Christmas party finger food with just four ingredients and ready in half an hour. This simple puff pastry canapé serves 16 so great for a crowd. Blinis toppings These blinis are a perfect canapé for festive gatherings, as they’re simple to prepare and versatile. Try topping with sweet charred leeks and whipped ricotta for a vegetarian option.
Indulge in a leisurely weekend with our sweet and savoury brunch ideas: peanut butter pancakes, blueberry smoothie bowls, and eggs in every style
Looking for the perfect brunch ideas? Restaurants across London and the UK are mad about brunch, so why not cosy up and enjoy brunch in your own home? Here are our brunch ideas for a crowd or to enjoy with someone special – pancakes, eggs all ways, we've got comfort food covered. Or try one of our healthy brunch ideas including super smoothies, buckwheat pancakes and avocado on toast ideas (or try our trendy squash on toast recipe). Master the brunch classics with ease – try our hollandaise recipe to make the perfect eggs benedict at home. Pair your brunch dishes with a pokey bloody mary, or start your day with a boost from our breakfast smoothie ideas. After, check out our easy breakfast recipes and recipes with chia seeds. Get your day off to a great start with our five tips for your morning routine. Looking for the best brunch in London? We've narrowed our favourites down in our guide to the best brunches in London.
Make the most of the versatility of this shellfish with our easy scallop recipes, including options for scallops in the shell, starters and impressive mains
Looking for scallop recipes? Scallops make an easy starter to serve at a dinner party, plus the shells add a pretty touch to impress your guests. As well as recipes for scallops in their shell, we have some seafood risotto ideas and much more. Next, try our clam recipes and mussels recipes, plus more seafood recipe ideas.
Our quinoa recipes make the most of this storecupboard staple in nutritious meals, from vibrant sweet potato chilli to vegan burritos and buddha bowls
Looking for quinoa recipes? Want to know how to cook this useful storecupboard ingredient? Try our favourite quinoa salads, chillis and colourful main courses with our top recipes. If you've got a sweet tooth, we've even paired quinoa with chocolate, raspberry and coconut to make a comforting and creamy porridge. Try our ideas below, or check out our vegan chilli ideas here. Get stuck into our best lentil recipes for more filling, nourishing bowlfuls packed with veg and then try our recipes with couscous and our fried rice recipes.
21 Turkish recipes for meze-style feasting
Create a meze feast or Turkish breakfast at home with some of our favourite recipes, from manti dumplings to pide pizza and Turkish eggs
Looking for Turkish recipes? Create your own Turkish meze feast at home. Start with manti dumplings and move on to lamb, pide and more then serve baklava or our Turkish delight-inspired puds. We even have Turkish breakfast ideas to really impress at the weekend. Learn about Turkish coffee culture with our expert barista Celeste Wong's guide, including traditional rituals, how to order it and the perfect recipe for at-home brewing. Easy Turkish recipes Turkish baked aubergine and meatball kebab This easy all-in-one bake is a firm favourite with family and friends – the juicy köfte, meatballs and aubergines just melt in the mouth. Turkish recipe writer Özlem Warren says, "This easy all-in-one bake is a firm favourite with family and friends – the juicy köfte, meatballs and aubergines just melt in the mouth. It is a Gaziantep speciality that you can enjoy in kebab houses in Istanbul, too. In Gaziantep and the southern part of the country, including at my hometown, Antakya, folks prepare this at home and take to the bakery (fırın) to be baked. My homemade version is more of an easy casserole style, everything is cooked in one pot. Please use the long and slim variety of purple aubergines for this kebab." Turkish lahmacun Lahmacun, often referred to as Turkish pizza, is a favourite Middle Eastern flatbread. This version by Özlem Warren features a rich lamb mince topping complemented by a zesty piyaz salad and tangy sumac onions for a burst of flavour. Turkish gözleme Traditionally cooked over a round sac griddle, these stuffed flatbreads are a beloved Turkish snack. Fill them with whatever you fancy – popular choices include mashed potatoes, cheese, chopped spinach, fresh herbs and, for meat lovers, sautéed minced meat. Turkish stuffed peppers There are countless variations of Turkish dolma, but one constant is the generous use of onions and olive oil, which infuse the dish with incredible flavour. Serve these stuffed peppers alongside a refreshing cacik dip, made with cucumber, yogurt, garlic, and mint. Fistikli un kurabiyesi (pistachio shortbread cookies) These crumbly, buttery biscuits are a Turkish national favourite – this version features pistachios in the dough for extra flavour and texture. Classic manti When it comes to comfort food, dumplings always fit the bill. The Polish have pierogi, Italians have ravioli, the Chinese have dim sum – and in Turkey they have manti. Try Hus Vedat's recipe for a delicious starter. Istanbul’s mackerel sandwiches (balik ekmek) Yasmin Khan’s a Turkish street-food favourite is a riot of fried mackerel, salad and a glossy pomegranate molasses dressing. It makes for an easy lunch that's ready in just 20 minutes. Çılbır (Turkish-style poached eggs in garlicky yogurt) Soft poached eggs on a bed of garlicky yogurt topped with herbs and red pepper flakes, çılbır is a versatile dish generally enjoyed as a hot meze. Occe (spring onion fritters) Dunk these pan-fried, herby spring onion fritters into a garlicky yogurt dip and enjoy alongside a Turkish meze-style spread. Hot pepper caponata baked eggs Biber salçasi is a Turkish red pepper paste that skyrockets the flavour of this baked egg dish with roasted aubergines, peppers, feta, capers and olives. Keşkek with aleppo pepper butter and gözleme with caçik At the heart of this Turkish-inspired feast is keşkek – a rich, spiced lamb stew that’s thickened with bulgar wheat. To accompany the stew are soft Turkish gözleme (flatbreads stuffed with leeks, halloumi and aromatic spices), and caçik, a cooling yogurt and cucumber dip. Adana kebabs These Turkish-style kebabs are named after the city of Adana and flavoured with chilli and sumac. Make them to feed a crowd at your next barbecue. Turkish-style ratatouille with yogurt sauce Try this recipe for a quick, easy and simple meal. Low-fat, low-calorie and packed with veggies, it's a great option for a healthy vegetarian dinner. Pide with cheese and peppers This recipe for Turkish-style flatbread with cheese and peppers is vegetarian and feeds four in under an hour. Plus, it's under 500 calories. Full Turkish breakfast – menemen Chef Sabrina Ghayour treats us to her version of the classic Turkish breakfast dish, menemen. A delicious combination of eggs, onions and red peppers, this bold, full-of-flavour recipe makes a great weekend treat. Aubergine and chilli pide Pide can be topped like pizza for a quick, easy meal. Make your dough, then top with aubergine, chilli and spices for a vegetarian lunch or supper. Turkish-style lamb pies Use individual pie tins or a large six-hole muffin tin to make these pies. Match with a juicy shiraz to offset the spicy saucing of the pie. More easy pie recipes here. Honey baklava How do you make the classic Middle Eastern dessert baklava even better? Drench it in salted honey sauce, of course! This sweet 'n' sticky treat comes packed with four types of nut, cardamom and cinnamon. Turkish delight jellies These individual desserts make a pretty finish to a Turkish-style dinner. You can adjust the amount of rose flavouring to your own liking. Turkish delight brownies Not a traditional Turkish recipe, but we've used the sweet treat to take brownies to the next level. Spoon these melting, turkish-delight-spiked brownies straight from the pan and serve with generous dollops of ice cream. Turkish ice cream (dondurma) Try Turkish ice cream this summer, made with goat's milk and vanilla. Finish with a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil.
Enjoy la dolce vita at home with our favourite Italian recipes – from homemade pasta and pizza to classic antipasti and a decadent semifreddo.
Looking for Italian recipes? Try our ideas and twists here then check out the best Italian starters, best Italian desserts and best Italian baking recipes. Create your own ultimate Italian feast. Start with easy antipasti ideas, including burrata and a summer antipasti board. We have plenty of primi dishes to choose from... think ricotta gnudi and squash gnocchi, posh pasta dishes (including how to make past from scratch) and easy pizza ideas. Italian dishes for main course include Italian sausages with polenta, easy agrodolce chicken and Italian baked meatballs. Finish with some fab Italian dessert ideas such as Italian lemon cake, homemade gelato and affogato. Learn about Italian coffee culture with our expert barista Celeste Wong's guide, including traditional rituals, how to order it and the perfect recipe for at-home brewing. Tuck into your Italian food and escape to Italy virtually with our foodie road trip in Sardinia and Sicily. Not spotted your favourite Italian dish? Do you know an awesome Italian chef or food writer that you’d like to see featured here? Email us or contact us on social media at @olivemagazine to let us know! Jump to: Italian antipasti ideas Italian pasta dishes Pizza recipes Italian primi dishes Italian main course ideas Italian desserts Italian food ideas Italian antipasti ideas Italian-style flatbread with pear, walnut and gorgonzola The combination of gorgonzola, pears and walnuts is usually found in a salad but works brilliantly on this molten cheesy bread. It’s great hot but equally good for lunchboxes the day after. ’Nduja arancini Try this crunchy arancini with punchy 'nduja, Grano Padano and saffron. This easy yet impressive recipe comes from Italian restaurant Bancone in Covent Garden. Rosemary and olive oil focaccia Check out our simple focaccia with rosemary and olive oil. This incredibly moreish bread recipe is easy to make and the perfect side with any starter. Italian scotch olives This Italian scotch egg-style dish sees olives rolled in sausagemeat and breadcrumbs before frying. This recipe comes from Italian restaurant Luca, where it's served with confit garlic mayo and crispy sage leaves. Italian sausage scotch eggs These are an Italian take on a pub classic – switch out pancetta for chorizo and parmesan for manchego if you fancy a trip to sunny Spain instead. Grilled peaches with burrata Juicy peaches give a sweet contrast to creamy burrata and salty serrano ham in this showstopping summer salad. Loaded olive, tomato and pepper focaccia Soft, fluffy squares of salty focaccia, topped with plump green olives, red onion and cherry tomatoes, make the perfect sharing bread for a dinner party. Served with dips like hummus and tapenade, it’s a delicious start to the meal – though there’s a risk guests might fill up before the main course! Grilled vegetable antipasti Kick off a classic Italian meal with these gorgeous grilled veggies. Serve with fresh focaccia, olives and cured meats for an impressive spread. Burrata bruschetta Make this posh bruschetta from London's Mortimer House restaurant for a pretty Italian dish to serve as a dinner party starter. Figs with Grana Padano and pink peppercorn dressing Adding finely grated Grana Padano to the dressing gives a creamy but piquant contrast to the sweet figs for a vibrant starter. Italian pasta dishes From homemade pasta skills to easy midweek ideas, try our Italian pasta dishes. We have plenty more pasta ideas, from vegetarian pasta recipes to posh pasta recipes for a dinner party and our quick and easy pasta dishes. Classic carbonara Spaghetti carbonara is traditionally made with guanciale (cured pork jowl), but smoked pancetta works well, too. Prep all your ingredients first, as it comes together quickly. Sicilian pasta with cauliflower If you’re looking for an alternative to your go-to pasta dish, check out this recipe, which originates from Palermo, the capital of Sicily, and draws heavily from Arabic influences. Classic homemade ravioli Turn your hand to these homemade Italian dumplings, patterned with fresh herbs for an extra-special decorative twist. Beef cannelloni This creamy beef cannelloni is the perfect make-ahead family dinner as chilling the ragu overnight allows the rich flavours to marry together. Tagliolini alle vongole A simple, flavour-packed dish combining clams with punchy garlic, fiery red chilli and fragrant herbs, including salty samphire and fresh parsley. Penne arrabiata This classic and simple Italian dish is on the table in under 30 minutes, and it packs a punch when it comes to flavour. Serve with ciabatta or focaccia to mop up the leftover sauce. Anchovy pasta This is inspired by a traditional Sicilian pasta which has a drier sauce consistency. If you like it saucier, add more pasta cooking water. Seafood linguine The creamy white wine sauce elevates fresh seafood in this elegant pasta dish, served in bowls with a drizzle of olive oil. Spinach, mascarpone and ham hock rotolo Spirals of salty ham hock, creamy mascarpone and spinach create this showstopping pasta bake. Find more flavoursome ham hock recipes, from risottos to salads. Prawn orecchiette with roasted-shell olive oil Check out our easy orecchiette recipe with large juicy prawns and punchy chilli. Impress with this simple yet flavour-packed pasta recipe this weekend. Casarecce with raw tomato sauce This vegan casarecce is super simple and only takes 15 minutes to make. Casarecce is a twisted short pasta that retains a good bite, perfect for this dish. Chicken milanese Cook the perfect crisp chicken for this Italian classic. Enjoy alongside a simple spaghetti pomodoro or in a ciabatta sandwich. White lasagne White lasagne, like white pizza, doesn’t contain tomato sauce but is still rich and savoury. This version with porcini and pancetta is a bit posher than the usual. Look for high-welfare or rose veal mince. We have loads of lasagne recipes here, from classic lasagne to posh porcini lasagne. Lamb, pea and wild garlic lasagne Mitshel Ibrahim, head chef of Venetian-styled restaurant Ombra, shares his showstopping lamb, peas and wild garlic lasagne, perfect for a lazy weekend project or Italian dinner party. Trofie al pesto Using fresh, homemade pesto, this quick to make pasta dish is ready in 20 minutes. A fast and easy weekday meal that all the family will love. Pizza recipes It doesn't get much more Italian than pizza! Here is a selection of our favourite pizza recipes. Pizza bianca with smoked salmon and spring onions Try this delicious pizza bianca (with a creamy white base rather than tomato sauce). Spring onion, rocket and smoked salmon mean this pizza is piled high with fresh summery flavours. Sicilian-style aubergine pizzas These super-easy Sicilian aubergine pizzas are a great twist on a family favourite. They use crème fraîche instead of a tomato base, charred aubergines, sultanas and pesto, with rocket and pine nuts for a bit of extra crunch. Pizza sauce Flavoured with basil and oregano, slather this tomato pizza sauce over doughy bases to make homemade pizza. No-knead pizza with Italian sausage, fennel and burrata This recipe for no-knead pizza is a bit of a leap of faith, but once you get used to the dough it’s a great method to have up your sleeve. Other Italian primi dishes Ricotta gnudi with sage butter These delicate, light-as-air ricotta dumplings will work perfectly as long as you follow the rules. Don’t be tempted to skip the draining or overnight coating time as these are both essential to the gnudi holding their shape. Creamy chicken with spinach and sundried tomatoes This easy Tuscan chicken one-pot is ideal for entertaining, with minimal washing up required. It’s bound to become a family favourite, and its versatility with any carb means you can switch it up to keep things exciting. Fried gnocchi with broad beans, parma ham, ricotta and sage This combo of cool lemony ricotta and crisp golden fried gnocchi is an absolute winner. Broad bean and mint panzanella with burrata This recipe makes a great spring salad, packed with lots of tangy flavours from anchovies and capers as well as creamy burrata and fresh broad beans. Puntarelle salad with anchovies and capers If you’re looking for a green salad to add to your Italian spread, try this super-fresh puntarelle, anchovies and caper salad from Ombra restaurant's Mitshel Ibrahim. It’s also perfect as a side to lasagne. Italian main course ideas From fresh fish with almond dressing to Italian sausages and family-style meatball ideas, try our best Italian main meals here. Cacciucco (Tuscan fish stew) Cacciucco is a fish stew from Livorno, a port on the coast of Tuscany, and it should contain five types of seafood. This recipe comes from Caldesi in Campagna, an Italian restaurant in Bray. Braised Italian sausages with cheesy polenta Italian-style sausages with streaky bacon, herbs and a splash of red wine. Serve with some cheesy polenta for extra flavour and you've got a quick and easy midweek meal for all the family. Italian baked meatballs Meatballs baked in rich tomato sauce with a melting mozzarella topping - this recipe is all about comfort food. It's also perfect for freezing, making it a great option for when you don't want to cook mid-week. Cacio e pepe chicken patchwork pie This impressive pie uses all the flavours of one of our favourite pasta dishes to create a rich, peppery sauce. Adjust the amount of pepper to suit your taste. Black seafood risotto This dish from the kitchens of Covent Garden’s Ave Mario sees risotto topped with clams, mussels, squid and langoustines. Italian sausage-stuffed peppers We love the bold flavour combinations in this recipe for Italian sausage-stuffed peppers. What makes it even better, is that this dish can be made in under an hour - perfect for a comforting midweek meal. Scallop risotto Browning your butter adds nuttiness to this creamy scallop risotto, enlivened by garlic, fresh chives, lemon juice and a pinch of aromatic ground mace. Courgette parmigiana This is great for using up a glut of courgettes you might have acquired over the summer months. Top with golden toasted pine nuts for extra crunch. Italian sausage and veg tray roast This easy recipe is ideal when you're short on time. Just bung it all in the oven and you have yourself a hearty and healthy springtime meal. Tomato risotto This comforting dish is packed with simple Italian flavours, and topped with shredded basil and parmesan. Courgette parmigiana This is great for using up a glut of courgettes you might have acquired over the summer months. Top with golden toasted pine nuts for extra crunch. Leek risotto Treat yourself to our beautifully creamy leek risotto with a fried anchovy and breadcrumb topping. The key to the perfect risotto is patience. Italian desserts Try our Italian dessert recipes, from summery Amalfi lemon cake to rich semifreddo, we've got lots of treats to end your Italian meal. More Italian dessert recipes here. Classic tiramisu Whip up our smart, authentic version of this classic Italian dessert, made with mascarpone, marsala and savoiardi biscuits soaked in coffee and Tia Maria. Rich chocolate and hazelnut torte Our chocolate and hazelnut torte is a seriously creamy and indulgent weekend treat. This recipe only takes 30 minutes to whip up and can feed up to 12 people. Buttermilk and sage panna cotta This panna cotta with black pepper honeycomb from Rachel Karasik may sound odd but it really, really works. Biscotti These twice-baked biscuits are the perfect accompaniment to a cup of tea. They are traditionally made with skin-on almonds that give a delicate nutty flavour. Lemon and elderflower maritozzi with pistachio and raspberry Pillowy soft brioche buns are bursting with lemon zest and elderflower cordial-spiked cream, topped with freeze-dried raspberries and chopped pistachios. Pistachio and raspberry tiramisu This modern take on the traditional Italian layered dessert pairs trendy pistachio with fresh, in-season summer raspberries, creating a light and refreshing treat perfect for warmer days. Sgroppino Serve this cocktail-dessert hybrid for an easy yet impressive end to an Italian-inspired al fresco dinner. Tiramisu brownies Not strictly Italian, but this bake brings together all the best bits of a classic tiramisu with the rich, fudgy comfort of a brownie – a match made in dessert heaven. Olive oil cake Serve a slice of sunshine with this lemon-scented cake made with ground almonds and extra-virgin olive oil, dusted with icing sugar. Sicilian ricotta cake This quick and easy all-in-one cake is a breeze to make and will wow everyone at the table. Italian Easter cake (colomba cake) This traditional Italian Easter cake, shaped like a dove and topped with candied fruit, sugar and almonds, is a yeasty bake that's a similar to a panettone. Cannoli Make a batch of homemade cannoli for a sweet Italian treat for your next dinner party, served with a shot of espresso. Almond and Amalfi lemon cake Give our Italian almond and Amalfi lemon cake a go. The Amalfi lemons have a strong aroma and are slightly sweeter than regular lemons. This light summery cake is seriously moreish. Chocolate and hazelnut meringue semifreddo Semifreddo is a type of ice cream with a mousse-like texture. This recipe not only looks impressive but can be made in advance for easy dinner party entertaining. Plus, there's no churning required. Italian Christmas cake This chocolate hazelnut cake (torta alla nocciola) celebrates a classic combination and is deliciously indulgent. It makes for a great dinner party dessert or festive bake.
Looking for an epic centrepiece to serve to guests over the festive season? Check out our best ham and gammon recipes for Christmas, from maple-glazed to ham with fig and almond crust
Try our Christmas ham and gammon recipes for easy, delicious mains. In case you don't fancy turkey this Christmas, we have easy roast ham recipes, Boxing Day baked ham recipes and easy gammon ideas. Next, check out our pheasant and ham hock recipes. We also have a selection of show-stopping vegetarian Christmas recipes and easy veggie sides to go along side your festive feast. For effortless festive entertaining, check out our no-cook Christmas entertaining ideas and Christmas buffet ideas. Looking for tablescaping inspiration? Check out out Christmas table ideas. Best gammon recipes for Christmas Honey-glazed roast gammon This is a fuss-free way of cooking a Christmas gammon joint. It steams in the oven alongside aromatics, and is then finished with a honey mustard glaze. Gammon in coke The sweet, sticky glaze paired with salty gammon is a winner, and will leave your kitchen smelling divine – a perfect centrepiece for a traditional roast dinner. Ham with a spiced ginger rum glaze Serve warm on Christmas Eve with chunky chips and a bitter leaf winter salad, then eat the leftovers cold on Boxing Day. Baked ham with Bourbon and brown sugar Cook the perfect Christmas centrepiece with our showstopping glazed ham. Roast gammon recipe with brown sugar glaze Looking for a moreish Christmas ham recipe to impress your guests over the festive season? Try our cider-braised Christmas gammon with a sweet brown sugar glaze to serve alongside your turkey and trimmings. Check out our Christmas trimmings recipes Spiced gammon with chilli crisp roasties Flavour your gammon joint with orange, star anise, honey and chilli for an effortless Christmas centrepiece, paired with fiery roast potatoes. Slow cooker gammon Try this hassle-free centrepiece for an impressive festive lunch. Put the gammon into a slow cooker with cider and leave for four hours, then glaze for a sticky-sweet finish. Maple-glazed Christmas gammon with apple slaw This maple-glazed Christmas gammon recipe is a clever update on a classic roast. Serve it with bittersweet chicory and a fresh slaw to cut through the salt with your Christmas Day feast. More Christmas Day centrepiece recipes Baked Christmas gammon with potato salad A baked gammon or ham is one of the easiest ways to feed a crowd over Christmas and this glazed Christmas gammon can be eaten cold for days after. Serve with all the trimmings and perfect roasties. Glazed vegan gammon This seitan ‘ham’ is a perfectly festive meat alternative which will hold its own as a Christmas dinner centrepiece. Leftovers make fantastic ‘ham’ and mustard sandwiches for Boxing Day Best ham recipes for Christmas Christmas glazed ham Our baked glazed ham recipe is inspired by the classic Italian negroni cocktail. The spices infuse the meat for a fragrant flavour and the glaze gives a sweet, boozy hit. This ham works really well for a Sunday roast centrepiece or for an easy Christmas ham recipe. Glazed ham with pineapple relish This glazed ham can be scaled up or down in size – just use the calculations in the recipe. Rather than the fuss of boiling then baking, we prefer to tent the Christmas ham with foil and bake in its own juices before glazing, why not try this to go alongside your Christmas Day turkey. Maryland Christmas ham recipe Want an impressive ham recipe for your Boxing Day buffet? Check out this unusual brined ham with a piquant mix of spiced greens. Not only does this cut through the rich meat beautifully, but it looks great on the plate. The Christmas ham glaze is less traditional (and optional) but will give the ham a nice finish. Christmas ham recipe with pomegranate A brilliant alternative to turkey, goose and lamb on Christmas Day. Or something for Boxing Day, if you’ve run out of meat by then! The aromas while cooking this ham are sensational; leave the kitchen door open so that everyone can enjoy it. Serve alongside our super crispy roasties. Glazed ham recipe and rhubarb relish Check out this glazed ham and super easy rhubarb relish recipe from Terry Blake's diverse menu at his first restaurant, Sparrow in south London. Make this easy Christmas ham idea for fuss-free festive feasting. Glazed ham joint with almond crust Sherry, figs and almonds make this ham a great alternative to turkey on Christmas Day. Serve with roast potatoes or with brioche buns to stuff thick slices into for your Boxing Day feast. Maple glazed ham for Christmas This recipe for spiced maple-glazed treacle ham screams Christmas to us. Simmering the ham keeps the meat incredibly juicy, but if you’d rather bake it you can do the first part of cooking in the oven. Check out our best Christmas veggie side recipes to serve with your Christmas ham... Root beer Christmas ham glaze Mother’s restaurant in New Orleans is famous for its baked ham. The recipe is top secret, but the glaze is rumoured to include root beer. Give our glazed ham version a go... Treacle ham with spiced oranges Impress guests with this baked ham over the festive season. The key to this delicious ham is its glaze of maple syrup and orange juice. Make sure to ask your butcher whether the ham needs overnight soaking before cooking.
Radishes and butter are a perfect match and make a stunning little bite. You will need a terrine tin or small tin
Try our radish butter terrine, then discover miso radishes, chilli pickled radishes and more radish recipes. Radish butter terrine recipe
Spiced steak with bean salad and avocado sauce
Serve tender slices of paprika-infused sirloin steak with a fresh and funky pineapple, bean and red chilli salad
Try our spiced steak with bean salad and avocado sauce, then discover our perfect steak, Japanese tomahawk steak, rib-eye steak, steak au poivre and more of the best steak recipes. Spiced steak with bean salad and avocado sauce recipe
Made using just six ingredients, these surf-and-turf party bites would be perfect for a impressing a crowd
Try our prawn and chorizo skewers, then discover paneer tikka skewers, spiced paneer skewers, halloumi skewers, aubergine skewers. Prawn and chorizo skewers recipe
Crunchy potatoes make the ideal bed for spicy avocado. Serve these veggie nibbles with pink pickled onions and aleppo chilli flakes on top
Try our smashed parmesan potatoes with avocado, then discover smashed potato and halloumi traybake, rosemary roasted smashed new potatoes with mustardy chive aïoli, or crushed fried potatoes with curry powder salt, lime pickle yogurt and bombay mix. Smashed parmesan potatoes with avocado recipe
An update on the butter board trend, but here, the board becomes an edible base. Perfect for entertaining at Christmas
Try our salmon flatbread, then discover hot-smoked salmon vol-au-vents, cucumber, smoked salmon and avo stacks, hot-smoked salmon and courgette mini quiches, smoked salmon, beetroot and sorrel and more smoked salmon starter recipes. Salmon flatbread recipe
Eggnog is baker Edd Kimber's favourite festive tipple. In this recipe, the spiced, creamy drink is transformed into his all-time favourite cheesecake
Try Edd Kimber's eggnog cheesecake, then try his devil's food cake, lemon and lime tart, brown butter blueberry and oat milk chocolate blondies or black and white tahini cookies. Eggnog cheesecake recipe
Whipped feta with apricots, olives and oranges
This savoury dip is great to kick off a party – loaded with festive dried fruits and nuts. The pomegranate drizzle adds an extra puckering twist
Try whipped feta with apricots, olives and oranges, then discover BBQ kofte with whipped feta and tahini slaw, whipped feta mousse with melba toast, or whipped feta and beetroot on toast with poached eggs and dukkah. Whipped feta with apricots, olives and oranges recipe
A quick pickle takes simple melon and parma ham skewers to the next level. Perfect for a Christmas or New Year's Eve canapé
Try our pickled melon and prosciutto skewers, then discover devilled eggs, blinis, pork belly canapés and more Christmas canapé ideas. Pickled melon and prosciutto skewers recipe
Smoked ham stuffed dumplings (Bramborové knedlíky plnené uzeným masem)
These Czech dumplings, made with only the simplest of ingredients, are served sprinkled with golden crispy onions
Try Evie Harbury's smoked ham stuffed dumplings (Bramborove knedliky plnene uzenym masem), then discover pierogi, manti, Chinese soup dumplings, or Jeremy Pang's pan-fried soup dumpling. Satisfying to both make and eat, this recipe has such simple ingredients and yet delivers an interesting and massively filling plate of food. In the Czech Republic you can buy a large piece of cooked smoked ham in any supermarket or butcher but, as that is not the case everywhere else, I have suggested using pancetta instead. These dumplings are served sprinkled with what I’ve heard described as České zlato {chess-kair zla-toh}, ‘Czech gold’, a poetic term for golden crispy onions that accurately expresses just how valuable a part of the meal they are: the all-important finishing touch that brings the whole dish together. Recipes extracted from My Bohemian Kitchen by Evie Harbury (£20, Murdoch Books). Photographs: Ola O Smit. Recipes are sent by the publisher and not retested by us. Smoked ham stuffed dumplings (Bramborové knedlíky plnené uzeným masem) recipe
Kick Christmas Day morning off with a vibrant blend of champagne, pink grapefruit juice and blanco tequila
Try our Paloma champagne cocktail, then discover homemade grenadine, bucks fizz, kir royale, French 75 and more champagne cocktails. Paloma champagne cocktail recipe