Cooks' Question

I’m a keen, but not very experienced cook – what would you recommend I cook for a ‘pared down to the essentials’ Christmas meal?

Response

First of all – get yourself organised! Lots of things can be made ahead to ease the burden on the day. Take a look at individual recipes for guidance. If you want to focus on the traditional foods, don’t attempt to do it all – these are probably the key elements. You don’t need a starter, so follow Delia’s step-by-step guide to the perfect roast turkey.

How to roast turkey

Make sure you buy a good-quality, flavoursome turkey; Delia recommends Kelly Turkeys.

Read what Delia has to say about them
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You don’t have to stuff it if you don’t want to, just make some delicious gravy.

Gravy guidelines

Roast potatoes are a must and they’re dead easy if you follow Delia’s recipe.

How to roast potatoes

Choose bread sauce or cranberry relish – you don’t need both (although you can make the relish a day or two before if that helps). Serve plainly cooked Brussels sprouts and carrots.

Click here for Traditional Bread Sauce
Click here for Cranberry and Orange Relish

Home-made Christmas pudding really is vastly superior to shop-bought so, if you do want to serve one, do make your own – you can do this weeks ahead, and it’s very easy to do.

Delia’s Traditional Christmas Pudding recipe

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