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PORTRAIT: INDIA WHILEY-MORTON Y ou might think the

Festive foraging

Last month I visited the Kelly Bronze turkey

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Next month continues the festive fun with some

WHAT’S ON THE MENU?

Party-hatted head of food Tom Shingler curates meals and a picky-bits spread from this issue’s seasonal delights

APPETISERS

Inspiration, bite-size news, reviews and great stuff to do

PUB OF THE MONTH

THE WHITE HORSE, DORKING, SURREY

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MEET THE READER

John McLean works for a housing association and lives in Greater Manchester with his husband

WHAT YOU’RE COOKING

We’re always nosing around for your latest culinary triumphs, and you never disappoint us with your skills. Find your foodie tribe at deliciousmagazine. co.uk/foodlovers

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Your 2024 Christmas gift guide

Whether you’re after pressie ideas for food-loving friends, or subtly leaving this hotlist in front of your partner, you won’t find a better roundup of gourmet delights this year

Top 5 Christmas cookbooks

Do you have a favourite festive cookbook you rely on for the best mince pies or to help the big dinner along? Mark Diacono reveals his indispensable Christmas classics – with a few surprises in the mix

Starting in style

These special-occasion starters look chef-worthy and taste wonderful. Best of all, you can make the elements in advance, then assemble and add the finishing touches on the day – cue oohs and aahs from your assembled guests

The finishing touch

Looking for a special-gathering dessert that’ll knock your guests’ socks off? Look no further – each element of Pollyanna Coupland’s beautiful trio of sweet treats can be made ahead – just put them together prettily on the plate for instant plaudits

Your veggie showstopper

These days, vegetarians at the Christmas table are accustomed to main courses that look and taste extraordinary. Food writer Elly Curshen’s spectacular filo -wrapped wreath takes things to another level

Made with love

Presents are great – but presents you can eat are even better. Distribute these treats and you’ll upstage Santa himself. They keep for ages, too, so you can sort out your gifts before the festive rush

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Q How do you make a food

Next month in delicious.

Ta-da! Dramatic tiramisu Christmas tree Make Nigella’s marmalade

Recipe index

November.

PUZZLES PAGE

There’s a prize to be won and food knowledge to be tested with Hugh Thompson’s crossword and food quiz. Test the brain cells with a mince pie and a glass of sherry

THE FOOD QUIZ

1 Where does the most renowned cinnamon come

Bonnie biccies

Around the world, there’s a tradition of baking Christmas biscuits – here in the UK, not so much. We say it’s time to change that! Start your own tradition with these simple treats from Scotland’s TV star, The Hebridean Baker

YOUR DEFINITIVE CHRISTMAS DINNER

PHOTOGRAPHS INDIA WHILEY-MORTON The crunchiest, fluffiest rosemary roast

Your Christmas timing plan

An organised cook is a happy cook – especially on the big day. Follow our plan and you’ll be as chilled as a snowman, even while cooking the most important meal of the year. That leaves time for you to open presents, savour a glass or two and – crucially – enjoy the Christmas vibe

The ultimate cream bun

In Rome they often start the day with a maritozzo – a light brioche bun, perfumed with orange zest and filled with fluffy vanilla cream. Learn how to perfect this classic with baker Roberto Nitti – and knock up a batch between Christmas and New Year

The new Christmas cake

Not a fan of fruit cake, no matter how festive? How about a multi-tiered cream-filled chocolate orange cake instead? Star baker Edd Kimber loves a certain Quality Street choc so much he’s created it in cake form – and what a towering beauty it is. Give this a go and it’ll become your regular bake every year

The art of cake decoration

For a showstopper, you need a cake that looks as good as it tastes. Iced-but-undecorated cakes are all the rage in shops, so try these five decorating techniques from Lily Jones of east London bakery Lily Vanilli – shown here all on one cake – and await the plaudits

A toasted sandwich with Matty Matheson

The Canadian chef, restaurateur and cookbook author made internet food shows cool and is now known for his role as loveable handyman Neil Fak on hit TV series The Bear. He gets passionate about soup, family and motorcycles

“We weren’t rich, but we ate like we were”

One from the heart.

Your seasonal survival kit

As we launch ourselves into Christmas, columnist Debora Robertson gives us her guide to keeping your energy up and – spoiler alert – it involves hearty breakfasts, plenty of me-time and pots of good things in the freezer

A touch of spice

It’s the time of year when the body craves hearty food, but what the taste buds really want is a refreshing hit of spice to wake them up. Step forward Lara Luck – her comforting yet refreshingly vibrant Caribbean recipes will banish winter blues and give you a renewed zest for life

The cost-conscious mum making kitchen magic

For over a decade YouTuber Amelia has led a frugal lifestyle, sharing tips online to helps others sticking to a budget, struggling with the cost-of-living crisis or saying no to consumerism. She explains the challenges and rewards, from meal planning to memorable Christmases

12 PRIZES UP FOR GRABS

WIN! WIN! WIN!

DON’T BIN IT! Christmas condiments

The true taste of Christmas is enhanced by all the little extras on your plate, but afterwards your fridge can end up overloaded with half empty bowls and jars. Emily Gussin shares some wise ways to use them up

12 WAYS TO think greener THIS CHRISTMAS

With a little creativity and planning, you can not only wow your guests this year but you can also do your bit for the environment. The delicious. food team’s Emily Gussin shares her savvy ideas for cutting waste, plus canny recipes for a more considered Christmas

CHRISTMAS FEASTING AIN’T WHAT IT USED TO BE

Roast heron, stuffed wild boar’s head and pies the size of a small car… A British Christmas wasn’t always about turkey, roasties and a tub of Celebrations. Food historian Dr Annie Gray reveals some of the riotous feasting habits of yesteryear that are now long forgotten – anyone for a game of flaming-currant-dodging?

Drinks

The best wines, spirits and beers to get you through Christmas, plus a simply brilliant aperitif

20 SusyÕs best buys for Christmas

It’s the time of year when we tend to splash out a little on our wine. But how to guarantee it’s money well spent? Follow our expert Susy Atkins’ recommendations and you’re sure to have a very merry time

A Christmas ale

Beer school.

The borrowers

If the last time you rented was from Blockbuster, let us introduce you to sharing libraries, where you can borrow everything from camp beds for Christmas guests to a meat thermometer for the turkey. It’s a win for your pocket and the planet

29 BEST BUYS FOR CHRISTMAS 2024

It’s an exciting time of the year what with buying presents and meeting up with family and friends. With all that going on, we think cooks deserve some help in the kitchen. That’s why the team at delicious. have spent the past few months scouring the supermarkets to find the best ready-made snacks, puddings, picky bits and showstoppers to save you time and help ease your way through the festive period

GREAT TASTE FESTIVE FAVOURITES

There’s more to Christmas than just the big day – with that in mind, we contacted our friends over at the Great Taste Awards to recommend this year’s 3-star standouts for adding a little magic throughout all the festivities

Make it every day.

Bring style to your weeknights with nourishing winter salads and instant entertaining ideas for those last-minute festive guests

Wonderfully wintry salads

Combining all the joy of a summer salad – freshness, crunch and a zingy dressing – with the comforting flavours of colder months, these recipes will top your ‘must cook’ list this month

The 15-minute host

As party season hits, every day can turn into a day for entertaining. There’s no need to get stressed, though – with these quick ideas we’ve got you covered. Bring on those unexpected visitors!

The comfort zone

It takes little effort but a lot of time to produce the deep flavours and soft textures of this rich beef stew. Make it over the weekend, then keep it in the fridge or freezer for some no-hassle midweek feasting

Where to find Christmas cheer

Shopping for festive crafts while sipping mulled wine and snacking on hearty grub in the frosty air… it’s a tradition that started in Northern Europe but it’s catching on here too. We’ve found the best places in the UK to do it, plus a few further afield

When two Christmases become one

Step-families and in-laws blending separate traditions, new couples spending their first Christmas together… As the years go by, reflects food writer Clare Finney, old rituals are lost and new ones discovered. Hold on to what’s important, though, and all will be okay