Gingerbread Sugar, spice & all things nice

WELCOME

It’s time to save Christmas. It’s not cancelled, as

YOUR delicious.

I so enjoyed the article by Emma Winterschladen [Sep

And now for… THE GOOD NEWS

GREAT THINGS TO DO RIGHT NOW + STORIES TO R AISE A SMILE

How to beat food waste, one jar of jam at a time

Have you downloaded the Olio app to your phone? It’s like a Freecycle for surplus food, and it hit two million users this year. With food waste a huge issue and Christmas fast approaching, there’s never been a better time to share what you don’t want (or need) online

The comfort of SIMPLE PLEASURES

As autumn prepares to give way to winter, Debora Robertson reflects on a strange year and how, in these socially restricted times, we might best see it to its conclusion. The secret, she reckons, is to hold on to the little everyday rituals that make life better

20 WAYS TO MAKE Christmas happier & better

What a year it’s been (if ever there was a need for a new emoji…). But with the festivities fast approaching, it’s more important than ever this year to make the celebrations special - while keeping your sanity intact. Here’s Sue Quinn’s advice on doing just that

SUBSCRIPTION ORDER FORM

At a time of uncertainty, it’s good to know there are

Secret address book YOUR CHRISTMAS MAIL-ORDER SHOPPING GUIDE

“This is the year we’ve all reassessed where we shop, how we shop and what we buy. We know you care passionately about sustainability and supporting British farmers and producers, and so do we. There’s never been a better time than Christmas 2020 to choose wisely, order from the best and pepper quality buys and treats into your Christmas planning. This is by no means a definitive list, but featured here are the companies I would order from without hesitation - with highlights to look out for in each case.” EDITOR KAREN BARNES

YOUR 2020 Gift guıde

We’ve searched far and wide for treasures to surprise the food lovers in your life this Christmas - or add to your wish list. All are available online

GREAT TASTE AWARDS 2020

Over 14 weeks of (virtual) judging, entries were sniffed, squeezed, pulled apart, swirled, sipped and nibbled. Here’s our pick of the three-star products to look out for this season

TEST KITCHEN

We’re still not in our office test kitchen (how we miss it), but every delicious. recipe is put through its paces in the food team’s homes and circulated via pictures (while the rest of us salivate!). Food editor Jen Bedloe shares her favourite supermarket discoveries, gadgets or kit she’s tested, along with intel she’s gleaned this month

LOOSE ENDS

Clever, simple ideas to use up open packets or jars - all from recipes in this issue. By deputy food editor Sophie Austen-Smith

DRINK AND BE MERRY

“The times are unpredictable but parties are almost

The crowdpleasers MAKE & SHARE

RECIPES & FOOD STYLING JEN BEDLOE AND SOPHIE AUSTEN-SMITH PHOTOGRAPHS CLARE WINFIELD STYLING VICTORIA ELDRIDGE

STAR ATTRACTIONS Mains and sides you’ll cook again & again

These recipes have been tested and perfected to bring festive cheer any day of the year, however many you have sitting down to eat. Where the dishes serve more than you need, we’ve given plenty of ideas for leftovers, too, so lunch or dinner is sorted for another day - win, win

The FLEXIBLE WELLINGTON

“Beef welly is a dinner party classic - perhaps because

One-pot magic

Sometimes the simplest recipes are the best - as with this ever-reliable Christmas red cabbage from cookery legend Delia. Put it at the top of your festive recipe list and you’ll fall under its spell - this one’s a keeper

The new BRUNCH CLASSIC

GILL MELLER

How to give dinner Nigella appeal

Nigella has a loyal abundance of fans, with good reason: she demystifies cooking and is skilled at writing recipes that work. Her latest book, Cook, Eat, Repeat - like its long-ago predecessor, the iconic How To Eat - is as much about descriptive, empowering writing as it is about the recipes themselves. Here is a snapshot of Nigella’s thoughts on recipe-writing and six dishes extracted from her new book - good-as-a-hug platefuls of food for cold November nights and the run-up to Christmas. These are recipes to cherish, to enjoy and to cook again and again

THE CHRISTMAS PUDDING It’s all about the melting middle

By the time you’ve cut into this marvellous creation to reveal its oozing salted caramel ganache, ladled hot rum custard over it and sat down to enjoy with a tot of something good, you’ll be able to convince yourself the last nine months have all been a bad dream. The recipe makes two puddings, so give the other one to some lucky person who deserves a treat and a thank you

INTRODUCING… The chocolate orange Christmas cake

The traditional Christmas cake is beautiful to look at with its fancy white icing. When it comes to the classic brown stuff inside, though, perhaps you’re not quite so wowed. But what if that brown stuff were chocolate? Or, for a Christmassy touch, chocolate orange? Time to update tradition with this understated crowdpleaser, which you can make ahead and squirrel away - it will only become more yummy

A lighter take on the traditional cake

Classic Christmas cake gets a makeover in these two recipes from British cookery expert Debbie Major. They’re based on light, crumbly Dundee cake, but with festive twists - could her burnished hazelnut marzipan be this year’s Instagram breaker?

20-MINUTE SHOWSTOPPER

What do you get if you cross tiramisu with chocolate trifle? Make this gloriously decadent but (shh!) easy dessert and you’ll find out. Leftovers probably won’t be an issue but if there are any, they’ll happily sit in the fridge - trifle for breakfast, anyone?

STYLE IN A HURRY

When it comes to weekday cooking, Irish-born chef Clodagh McKenna goes for inspirational but achievable - so far, so delicious. Each of these versatile recipes from her new book lets you borrow some of Clodagh’s laid-back flair with no more than half an hour’s effort

Take a pack of…

Chipolatas, brussels sprouts and juicy gammon aren’t just for Christmas… Make the most of these seasonal staples with dishes that are either super speedy or let the oven or hob do the work

Delia’s food & wine WORKSHOPS

Join Delia Smith, Alex Mackay and other food and wine

The rise of RUM

“The sugarcane spirit is on a roll. Sales of flavoured and spiced rums are up 80 per cent from 2014, and it’s these - along with barrel-aged dark rums - that warm us up with their flavours of toffee and spice” SUSY ATKINS, WINE EDITOR

Let’s make Christmas wonderful! (It’s been a difficult year…)

SAVOURY RECIPES

NOVEMBER 2020 RECIPE INDEX

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Cuppa time

There are prizes to be won and foodie fun to be had with our page of brain teasers