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Roast fillet stuffed with mortadella and pistachio nuts
A fillet of beef is expensive, but Christmas is the one time of the year when you might splash out. The meat is easy to prepare, it's quick to cook and there’s no wastage. Perfect festive food!
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Pavarotti's Glazed Ham with Seville Oranges
This is the very ham I served to Luciano Pavarotti when he visited Auckland in 1999, the one which he pronounced 'magnifico!', and
the very one he devoured with such delight after which he hugged me and pleaded for la ricetta (the recipe).
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Turkey Breast in Verjuice with Green Grapes and Almonds
The match of tarragon and chicken is a classic, and it works a treat with turkey too. Lemon, verjuice, cream, grapes and almonds are the main flavours in this dish.
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Quick Mince Pies
These are just the ticket for those who find commercial mincemeat mixtures too sweet and glaggy. Get yourself ahead and make the fruit mince
2-3 days before making the pies, but hold back on the almonds as they’ll soften, and add them when you make the pies.
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Cucumber & Pepper Salad
This colorful salad has quite a chili kick which livens up ham, turkey, pork and fish. If serving it with spicy food, leave out the chili.
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Green Beans with Cashews
Thyme, cashews and beans may seem an unlikely combination, but they’re delicious. The shallots and beans can both be cooked ahead; just reheat them gently before serving.
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My Favorite Stuffing Balls
My family adores stuffing, but like it even more when made into crispy balls. We make these even when we are not having turkey!
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Choux pastry tree with white chocolate and raspberries
Aluminum croquembouche cones can be hired to make this dessert, otherwise improvise and make a cone out of stiff card and line it with foil. Make 2 batches of choux pastry to get the required number of buns - you'll need around 100 buns.
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Meringue Mountain with Strawberries
If you want to make the meringues ahead for Xmas, they will keep well in the freezer, but keep them in a rigid container as they don't freeze solid and are easily smashed.
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Mini Chocolate Mince Pies
Oh, these are rich and naughty! Chocolate gives them such a punch, that truly, one will be enough (that’s one for morning tea, one for afternoon tea, and one for supper!). If any remain, you'll find they keep well for 3-4 days in a covered container.
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Mini Dundee Cakes
These are the answer for those of you who forgot to make a Christmas cake - mini fruity, buttery fruitcakes with an underlying warming alcoholic kick. They smell gorgeously tempting as they cook – bet you eat one while they’re still warm! Based on an idea by English chef Gary Rhodes.
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