Christmas Feast Done Right

Often made with pork, duck or goose, the savoury quality of rillettes comes from using traditionally fatty meats and a generous quantity of salt. The great thing about them (aside from being a delectable entrée to entertain guests) is that they can be prepared two to three days before Christmas, then refrigerated till you need it. This is the perfect recipe for those who would like to spend their Christmas afternoon stress-free rather than rushing about in the kitchen.

Chef tip: If you intend to keep this dish for a longer period of time, pour a thicker layer of fat over the cooked meat to act as a seal.

If you'd like to try cooking a different kind of main course this Christmas, consider swapping the turkey with a lamb. Serve a whole, roasted lamb rack this festive season with zucchini, tomatoes and eggplants at the side, topped off with sprigs of rosemary and a pinch of seasalt. Don’t forget to pair the dish with flavourful sides, like couscous, salad and mash potatoes for a wholesome Christmas dinner.

Chef Tip: To enhance the natural flavours, give the vegetables time to soak in the lamb juice by allowing it to sit at room temperature for an hour once done.

Bacon makes everything better so why not try a loin of pork, wrapped in bacon which will be just as festive? Brushed with honey and red wine vinegar and served with apple sauce, this would be the sinful and savoury star of any dinner party.

Chef Tip: To ensure your apples cook at the same time, cut them evenly into 1 to 2-inch chunks.

Traditionally eaten during Christmas, stollen is a German fruit bread made with an assortment of dried fruit, nuts and spices. Though it may take time to prepare this, the happy smiles on the faces of your dinner guests would be well worth the effort.

Chef Tip: To prevent the stollen from losing moisture, cover the dough with a clean, damp cloth when proving it outside the oven.

You can’t have a Christmas party without a tray of festive cookies to munch on. Cut into cute little stars and lightly dusted with icing sugar, these cinnamon spiced Christmas cookies are perfect as little post-dinner treats or for the kids to have on the side with warm milk.

Chef Tip: For a healthier alternative, replace white sugar with brown sugar. Also take this chance to experiment with different spices that will add a festive touch!