Christmas

To sterilise jars, cover clean jars with cold water in a large saucepan, cover; boil for 20 minutes. Remove jars from water; drain. Stand jars, top-side up, on a wooden board, in a cold oven (do not allow the jars to touch). Heat oven to 120°C/100°C fan-forced. Leave jars in oven for 30 minutes. Add […]

Chicken makes a great choice for Christmas as it is one of the more affordable meats. If you don’t normally buy free-range chicken, this is the time to spend a little bit more and get yourself a quality product. A festive flavour is brought in with pine nuts, currants and balsamic vinegar, but if your budget can’t quite stretch that far omit the nuts and use red wine vinegar in place of balsamic. There’s plenty of gravy to serve with steamed new potatoes.

Drizzled in sweet toffee, these almond and cranberry wreath biscuits make wonderful Christmas gifts.

This fruit cake is deliciously moist and looks beautiful decorated with almonds. It can last up to 12 months, but we think you'll polish it off well before then.

A ham this size is usually a picnic ham which is the shoulder, boned but still with hock attached. It is easier to carve and manage than a whole leg of ham, which usually weighs around 8kg. Note

The lobster meat in the tail is the sweetest and most delicately flavoured. Enjoy this decadent salad.

Slice this delicious pork loin thickly and serve with roasted vegetables; there'll be no complaints. To make sure the crackling maintains its crunchy deliciousness, don't cover it too tightly when resting the meat.

Gluten-free and dairy-free, the flavours and textures of this cake will not disappoint.

Cooking a whole turkey will take about 40 minutes per kilogram. Don’t stuff the turkey until you’re ready to roast it, as bacteria can grow inside a stuffed turkey waiting to be cooked. Trussing a turkey by tying the legs and wings together helps to give the bird a tight look and nicer presentation. It […]

This recipe can be made 1 week ahead. Add chocolate coating up to 3 hours before serving. Note

Singapore chilli crab is this island nation's unofficial national dish and, like Singapore itself, is an amalgam of the best of its Malaysian, Indian and Chinese past.

No Christmas would be complete without a rich fruit cake such as this orange-scented beauty.

The ultimate Christmas indulgence ­ these cookies are full of rich and luxurious ingredients ­ cocoa, butter, sugar and pistachios ­ it will be hard to stop them disappearing from the cookie jar. Use a cake pan or plate to mark a circle on the dough, then cut the dough into a neat round. Note

Nothing says decadence quite like a platter of fresh oysters. Drizzle them with these three fresh, fragrant and delicious Asian inspired dressings and watch them disappear.

Oh, my goodness. Oh, my very goodness. This homemade Irish creme liqueur makes a wonderful and unique Christmas gift. But be warned, you may not want to give it away.

There are few platters more impressive than those piled high with fresh, local seafood. Finish off the jewels of the sea with delicious dipping sauces; serve with chilled white wine, or go all the way with a bottle of bubbles.

These rich and boozy dark chocolate truffles are rudely rich and delicious. They make a perfect after dinner treat, just for when you thought you couldn't eat another bite.

For an elegant Christmas dessert, try this cheat's ice-cream terrine served with fresh berries. For a more layered look, you could use two different flavours of ice-cream.

Teaming sweet flavours with salt is not a new discovery, but in recent years the combination of salt and caramel has worked its way from the culinary elite to mainstream tastes. And a good thing, too.

This is the trifle to end all trifles, the recipe for the ultimate trifle. Sponge fingers, liqueur, raspberries, strawberries and a liqueur spiked mascarpone cream. Delicious.

Loaves can be made up to 2 days ahead; store in an airtight container. Loaves are suitable to freeze. Note

This celestial leg of ham will be the centrepiece of your Christmas table.

It's important not to overcrowd the turkey, fennel and lemon in the baking dish so they cook evenly and caramelise.

What a delightful way to enjoy the flavour of eggnog. These macarons are the perfect, light accompaniment to Christmas dinner, and would make a unique and thoughtful gift for your host.

Reserve the rind from the ham after it has been removed. When storing the ham (or the leftovers), re-cover the leg’s cut surface with the reserved rind ­ this will keep it moist. Use a small sharp knife to cut through the rind about 10cm from the shank end of the leg. Gently lift rind […]

Snow pea, prawn & avocado salad

For a gift-giving idea, spray a bamboo steamer (available from Asian food stores) with silver spray, line with tissue and fill with little cakes. Wrap it completely in cellophane and tie with a ribbon. Substitute brandy for Irish whiskey, if you like.

Take an eaton mess, replace the pav with macaroons and add some custard and you have this deliciously layered raspberry dessert in mere moments.

Serve slices of this mouth-watering ham with juicy barbecued pineapple.

This perfect Christmas midday snack goes well with a glass of mulled wine.

The pudding is best made on the day of serving. Rum sauce can be made a day ahead, store, covered, in the fridge. Reheat the sauce before serving either in a microwave oven or over low heat in a small saucepan until hot. Note

This plump, sticky fruit loaf is a cinch to make and simply delicious.

Keep things simple with this delicious, plump sultana cake.

Sago, also known as seed or pearl tapioca, comes from the sago palm and is used in soups and desserts, and as a thickening agent. You can use Cointreau, Grand Marnier, Curaçao or any other orange- flavoured liqueur in this recipe.

Pomegranate and fennel salad makes a fresh, fruity side for this tender pineapple-glazed ham. This simple meal makes a great alternative Christmas lunch or festive meal.

A crunchy almond topping makes this delicious Christmas fruit cake different from the rest. Perfect served with a pot of hot tea.

Sandwiched with brandy butter cream, these stacked hazelnut and orange spice cookies make a stunning Christmas treat.

These spicy oysters are sure to win over your guests at a barbeque or cocktail party. You can make the spicy dressing in the morning and dress the oysters just prior to serving.

These white Christmas mud cakes are a gorgeous addition to the Christmas dessert table. In fact, they look so good, you won't want to eat them!

The whole orange at the heart of this jaffa steamed pudding perfumes the entire dish as it cooks.

Thrill your family and friends this Christmas by attaching these easy, stunning angel cookies to your presents.

With a fruitcake base, creamy cheesecake filling and fruit topping drizzled with toffee, this Christmas dessert is a wonderfully decadent treat.

Have you always wanted to roast a goose for Christmas day? Here's your chance with this simple recipe. Don't let the addition of chicken giblets put you off, they help the stuffing graduate from delicious to amazing!

The key to making a success of the meal on a big day is all about planning and preparation. If you’re not already a list-maker, become one; having a list will make everything seem so much easier. The special meals, like this wonderful lobster dish, will come together nicely.

This mouth-watering turkey with pancetta, herb and pine nut stuffing will be the centrepiece of your Christmas table.

For a special occasion, you can't go wrong with this spectacular meringue topped with juicy berries and coulis.

Decorated with silver cachous and ribbon, these little fruit cakes make the loveliest Christmas gift.

Filled with chocolate chips and topped with crunchy brazil nuts, this fruity Christmas slice is a keeper.

This quick and tasty dinner is packed full of protein, healthy fats and slow-releasing carbs to keep your fuller for longer.

British in origin, the simnel cake is mostly enjoyed during Easter. These Woman's Day muffin sized versions are jam-packed with fruit and spice, and just the perfect amount of brandy.

Use 250g marinara mix or your favourite seafood in this recipe. Note

No Christmas would be complete without a deliciously plump fruit cake.

Chocolate tart: Ready-made shortcrust pastry can be used. Summer pavlova: Egg yolks can be frozen or refrigerated – use to make mayonnaise, custards or to enrich sauces. Note

Get the kids busy in the kitchen this Christmas with these fun and fruity creations.

To decorate cakes as we have, knead colour of choice into prepared fondant icing. Roll out between two sheets of baking paper until 3mm thick. Cut out star shapes and decorate with cachous. Brush cake with warmed marmalade Press stars on. Wrap in ribbon. Alternatively, decorate top of uncooked cake with whole blanched almonds before […]

Filled with a wonderful stuffing of bacon, rosemary, garlic and breadcrumbs, this easy roast turkey is fuss-free and absolutely delicious.

Not unlike mini pecan pies but for the medley nut filling, these nut tartlets by Woman's Day are a sweet and decadent treat, perfect with your afternoon cuppa and chat with friends.

These adorable (and delicious) reindeer cookies and perfect for Christmas time. Make them with the family for a fun day baking, or give them as gifts to your loved ones.

Christmas day can be busy enough without the added stress of the traditional dinner. Save precious time with this delicious roast turkey recipe. Everyone will think you've been slaving away for days!

These tasty mini meatloaves are delicious served with a dollop of cranberry sauce and pan-fried brussels sprouts.

MAKES ABOUT 16 Microwave syrup in a microwave-safe bowl on high (100% power) 10-20 seconds. Bake the cut-out shapes with other cookies 5-7 minutes, then keep in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks. Note

There are many flavours in this exquisite chocolate winter pudding, lavender, honey, chocolate and orange, that mingle and flow together to create something rather beautiful.

Light, zesty and crumbly, these beautiful shortbread biscuits are beautiful enjoyed with a cup of tea or given as gifts to loved ones.

Love to make that traditional Christmas cake but find yourself without the time as the 25th draws nearer? This mix can be made up to one month in advance and tastes even better without the stress of hurried baking.

Rich, moist, fruity and fragrant with brandy, this moist Christmas cake is best served with a cup of tea or a mug of good coffee. The fruit mixture can be used as a base for puddings or a filling for mince pies.

One of the, many, great things about a classic steamed Christmas pudding is that you can get all of the cooking and steaming out of the way ahead of time and reheat in the microwave when you're ready to eat.

Fresh ginger dressing really brings this prawn and avocado salad to life. Perfect for a light lunch on the deck with friends, served with crusty bread and dry white wine.

That feeling when you realise you haven't made a Christmas cake and then discover our fabulous last-minute recipe.

A classic family favourite, this beautiful roast chicken dish is full of flavour from the baked fennel and garlic, and best of all you can cook almost the whole meal in one pan.

Quick, juicy and tender, these roasted pork fillets with orange make a great mid-week dinner. Serve with some crusty bread and a green salad.

This recipe can be made up to 3 hours ahead. Not suitable to freeze. Note

Rich, dense fruit cake is a real treat to the connoisseur, and this easy melt-and-mix recipe make turning out a winner almost effortless.

Delectable Christmas fudge in white, red and green colours.

Little chocolate Christmas puddings brought to you by Australian Women's Weekly.

Steeping the fruit in Grand Marnier make this Christmas cake extra delectable. If you're storing before decorating, you can poke a few holes in the top and splash a little liqueur over the cake then wrap, and repeat.

A gluten-free diet doesn't mean lowering your standards. This gluten-free Christmas pudding is bursting with fruit and flavour.

The perfect balance of sweet and tart, this delicious candied orange peel recipe can be included in desserts, cakes and savoury dishes like tagines.

Rich, fudgey and utterly decadent, the combination of chocolate and coffee flavours makes this mocha fudge irresistible. Serve with a shot of liqueur for a sophisticated dessert.

You need two large (460g) overripe bananas to get the amount of mashed banana. If you don’t have a candy thermometer, boil the syrup until it’s thick with heavy bubbles. Remove from heat, let bubbles subside, then reassess the thickness of the syrup. Note

This deliciously tender roast goose recipe is stuffed with a pisatchio and fig stuffing, perfectly balancing sweet and nutty. It's the perfect meal for a special occasion like Christmas.

The glaze can be made ahead of time. Note

Christmas cutters are available from all good kitchenware shops or cake decorating shops. Note

This recipe is not suitable to freeze. Note

You need about 2 large carrots for this recipe. This cake can be made 2 weeks ahead and refrigerated. Note

If the dough feels soft after rolling out, refrigerate for about 15 minutes before cutting out shapes. Fill boxes with anything you like, chocolates, candy canes, lollies or biscuits ­ they would all make a great gift. Instead of using a paper piping bag, place the melted chocolate into a zip-top plastic bag and cut […]

This recipe makes a lot of little one-bite shortbreads. If you like, make 50 shortbreads and freeze the remaining log, wrapped in baking paper then plastic wrap, for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight before slicing and baking. You will need to halve the butter cream frosting if only baking 50 shortbreads. […]

Impress your Christmas guests this year with a perfectly-created cake, thanks to this beautiful rich hazelnut fruit cake recipe. Happy baking!