It’s probably far too late now to advise on the main roast of the Christmas dinner – I’m sure it’s all in the bag. But for a low key meal, or just the two of you, I have a couple of good suggestions.
A lamb rack is a good option if you’re cooking a cosy, pared-down dinner, not that a rack of lamb is not a real treat. You could also treat yourselves to a goose breast (available from online butchers, also frozen) or consider a continental-style feast of steamed salmon on Christmas Eve (and go out on Christmas Day – why not?).
And there is always the issue of pudding – literally and in the generic sense. If you don’t like traditional Christmas pudding you might want to try my easy, quick and baked version. Plus a few last-minute-decision desserts including lemon posset and mini pavlovas. Happy Christmas!
Malva pudding is a South African baked dessert, traditionally served at Christmas. It’s a soft cake flavoured with apricot jam and drenched in vanilla cream sauce, usually served warm with ice cream or custard. It’s also a happy medium between a traditional Christmas pudding and a delicious sticky toffee.
In France galette des rois is the traditional, elegant treat for the night of Epiphany, the 6th January. 'The cake of kings' is however an easy and very impressive dessert perfectly good to be served at Christmas too. Good quality puff pastry, homemade frangipane and it’s a cake of, and for, kings!
Traditional lemon posset is a fabulous English dessert which originates from a spiced milky medieval drink. It can be prepared in 15 minutes, from only 3 ingredients: double cream, sugar and lemon juice. It’s not heavy so actually spot on to serve on Christmas Day after all the rich dinner dishes.
If you want to follow tradition but can’t stand or can’t be bothered to make the classic, this easy Christmas pudding is just the ticket, with dates, grated carrots and apple in the mix. It is cooked in the oven, served with delicious caramel sauce. You can bake it well ahead and freeze it too.
Mini pavlovas, homemade meringue nests with whipped cream and fruit toppings: passion fruit, pomegranate and raspberry. Simple and gorgeous, individual meringues are easier to bake than a big pavlova. Also, I’ll just whisper it: those shop-bought meringue nests will do the trick too and no one needs to know.
Something special for a couple’s Christmas: lamb rack with Parmesan crust flavoured with rosemary and lemon zest, roasted to medium rare or medium, deliciously juicy and tender. Low temperature roasting works brilliantly in this recipe.
Lamb rack with Parmesan crust
RECIPE
For the continental-style Christmas Eve, or pescatarian Christmas Day, steam a side of salmon in a foil parcel with dill, chilies and soy sauce. Steaming takes only 15 minutes and the salmon can be served hot or cold.
Lebkuchen, traditional German gingerbread biscuits, are soft and chewy, flavoured with a festive spice mix, very easy and enormous fun to make. Something to do last thing on Christmas Eve perhaps, to contain the kids’ excitement ahead of the big day?
It’s not quite effortless but bûche de Noël aka yule log can be made at short notice provided you have fresh double cream in the fridge and cocoa in the cupboard. It is a chocolate sponge roulade filled with delightful, chocolate flavoured whipped cream. It is impressive and just the perfect Christmas Day dessert.
Another excellent proposition for just the two of you on Christmas Day: roast goose breast with apples and raisins. It is best seared in a skillet to render fat, then finished off in the oven. With apple and raisin topping to cut through the rich flavour of the meat.