Photo by Tony Briscoe
I am far from alone in finding that cooking is so much more enjoyable and relaxing if much of what I’m making can be done ahead — and never does that feel more to the point than at Christmas. Jane Lovett, author of the Get-Ahead Cook, is the patron saint of the genre and The Get-Ahead Christmas Cook makes its welcome appearance on CookbookCorner not a moment too soon! Indeed, I’m sure there are many of you who have been stuffing your freezer festively since October, which is when this invaluable volume actually came out. For those, like me, who don’t get our act together until December or, especially, those cooking their first Christmas, this book is the perfect early present to yourself right now. It's packed with calm guidance, reliable practical advice, and recipes that for me hit that seasonal sweet spot between cosiness and elegance.
It covers much ground, covering canapés and party food and drink generally, brunches, lunches, dinners and leftovers. I have eagerly bookmarked the Gougères, those airy puffs of what I could call cheese profiteroles; Chicken Liver Parfait; Cheese Garlic Hedgehog Bread; Jambon Persillé, a jellied, parsley-flecked ham terrine, a favourite of mine, and one that my mother used to make; the Creamy Brussels Sprouts & Chorizo Gratin; After-Christmas Ramen, which can be used to accommodate whatever leftovers you have from the Big Day itself; Leftover Bread Sauce, Ham & Cheese Croquettes, for which I have a particular longing; Slow-Braised Pork Belly with Sriracha & Oyster Sauce; soft and chewy Amaretti biscuits; Chocolate Frangipane Tart with Salted Almond Praline; No-Churn Orange & Cinnamon Ice Cream; Portokalopita, the heavenly, filo-full Greek orange cake — and so very much more.
The recipe I have cheerily chosen to share with you today is the fabulous Sausage Roll Wreath with Sriracha Mayo but, seeing as it’s Christmas, there’s a bonus recipe on the site, too, in the form of her wonderful Potted Ham to help you with your leftovers later!
The Get-Ahead Christmas Cook by Jane Lovett (Headline Home, £28).
Photos by Tony Briscoe.
