Put your own stamp on Christmas and impress your guests with our five ‘festive food twists'.
As much as we love classic Christmas recipes, it can be fun to change them up. So why not give your guests something a bit different this year?
Put your own stamp on Christmas and impress your guests with our five ‘festive food twists’. With these easy, affordable recipes, you’ll soon be giving Mary Berry a run for her money!
Transform your Turkey
Roast turkey is the top choice for British families on Christmas Day. For many of us it simply wouldn’t be Christmas without it. If you’re going with the classic bird this Christmas, there’s still the question of what to do with the leftovers.
For a tasty treat that will go down a storm with kids, why not try Leftover turkey pizza? It’s super easy, tasty, and you can have it on the table in less than 30 minutes.
Don’t feel you have to be tied to turkey though - it isn’t your only option. If you’ve got a small family, a roast chicken will give you a similar taste for better value, with enough meat to go round. (In fact some people prefer chicken as they find turkey a bit dry!) You can keep that Christmassy feeling by serving chicken with all your favourite festive trimmings.
Switch up your sweet treats
Ooh now you’re talking! Christmas is an exciting time for anyone with a sweet tooth. But what if you’re not really into dried fruit, or just fancy a change? We’ve fallen in love with these cute polar bear cupcakes. Lighter and prettier than mince pies, they’re ideal for a family baking session.
If you know a chocoholic in need of a festive treat, surprise them by baking up a batch of mulled wine brownies. Or for a lighter take on pudding, these Christmas pudding ice cream cones come with that wow factor!
Drinks with a difference
A lot of traditional Christmas drinks contain alcohol. But what if you’re serving kids, people who have to drive home, or anyone else who wants to avoid booze?
The great news is that you can serve up really Christmassy soft drinks. This mulled apple juice has all the spicy sweet flavours of mulled cider, but none of the alcohol. Or how about a festive spin on hot chocolate? This candy cane hot chocolate is perfect for enjoying in front of a festive film.
Make veggie versions
More and more of us are going veggie these days. So even if you’re not vegetarian or vegan yourself, you may end up cooking for someone who is.
Making veggie food doesn’t have to be difficult. We love this meatless version of pigs in blankets, using ingredients you can easily pick up in the supermarket. They’re the perfect party food for everyone - whether you eat meat or not!
But about Christmas dinner itself? This vegan vegetable strudel makes a lovely roast. If you’ve never cooked vegan before, don’t be put off. It’s surprisingly simple to make and uses everyday ingredients.
Decorations you can eat
The only thing better than festive food, is food that doubles up as a Christmas decoration! Here are some simple yet stunning recipes that are ideal if you’re feeling creative or have kids to keep entertained.
How about baking some biscuits that will look gorgeous hanging on the tree? These Christmas cookies have an amazing stained glass effect that comes from melted boiled sweets.
Or if you need savoury snack food for hungry guests, why not rustle up this cheese and tomato Christmas tree? It’s a clever design that’s easy to make but very effective. Lastly, these easy peppermint cream napkin decorations will help bring a magical finishing touch to your Christmas table.
What festive food will you be cooking up this Christmas? We’d love to see your creations! Share a photo of what you’ve made with the hashtag #ChristmasYourWay on Facebook or Twitter.
