24 CHRISTMAS RECIPES YULE WANT TO MAKE EVERY YEAR
Christmas is such a magical time for your kitchen. It’s a time to tap into your family’s traditions, while also leaving plenty of room to get creative! I love exploring fresh takes on old classics this time of year. So far my guests and I have enjoyed them all — with some real keepers that are now on the demand list!!! Here I’ve rounded up my favourites from over the years — I hope you’ll feel inspired for your festive spread.
SAVOURY
Festive Acorn Squash with Baked Chestnut Rice, Cranberry Jam and Parsley Caper Crunch
This dish is one of my favourite creations. Inside, it is filled with chestnuts, and cranberry sauce and topped with a tangy mixture of capers, fresh parsley and toasted pumpkin seeds for crunch. The structure for this centrepiece comes from acorn squash - not your average squash to cook with, so something a bit special since cut in half they make brilliant individual serving bowls.
Caramelised Beetroot, Red Onion & Pecan Tart With a Quinoa Almond Crust
Drumroll, please! Introducing a vegan main dish that’s as beautiful as it is delicious — a vision in pinks and purples, sweet, salty, hearty and gluten-free, too. *swoon*
Oven Baked Risotto With Shiitake, Leek And Courgette
This risotto is a creamy, oozy risotto that we like plain or, when skipping the parmesan, as a side to other dishes. It also teams really well with fresh green herby chutneys or accompanied by sauteed salad leaves. A perfect warming dish to enjoy during the festive period.
Pickled Red Cabbage With Hazelnuts and Griddled Apple
This vinegary, tangy side dish makes a very welcome fresh addition to your mains. Make it a week in advance to let the flavours amalgamate and save yourself some of the stress of getting everything together on Christmas morning!
Cranberry sauce has got an Ayurvedic upgrade with this one — offsetting the sweet sourness of cranberries with a ginger kick, serve it with your turkey, nut roast or whatever else your pièce de résistance may be!
Chestnut Sage and Apricot Stuffing Balls
This delicious stuffing features all the staple festive tastes, but is vegetarian or vegan so everyone can enjoy it!
Rub your roast turkey, cauliflower or tempeh with this fragrant fennel mix, and serve it with a rich umami gravy that can be made with or without a meat roast. Mmh.
Honey Mustard Carrot and Cabbage Green Ribbons With Mustard Seeds
If your oven is always chocka come Christmas day, this side is for you! It’s a tasty veggie stir-fry you can put together in minutes and makes a lovely alternative to your classic roast carrots — and keeping honey strictly uncooked is an Ayurvedic must.
Ginger And Coconut Beta-Carotene Soup
This piping hot pot of sunshine features butternut squash, sweet potato and carrot soup with coconut milk and a LOT of ginger.
Something a little different to the usual salted nuts or fava beans…. move over oven-roasted chickpeas - these are bigger and better - the crispy butter bean! Perfect for a festive sharing board.
SWEETS & GIFTS
This Gujarati-inspired take on a classic Christmas fruitcake was approved by self-proclaimed Christmas cake experts Nick and my best friend Sjaniel, so I think you’ll love it too. It can be made vegan, as well, so it’s great for the whole family.
Christmas Tree Gingerbread Cookies With Sesame Sprinkles
It’s a biscuit AND a festive eco-tree decoration! What more could you want? Plus, as far as decorative gingerbread goes, these are easy-peasy lemon-squeezy.
Clementine and Star Anise Jaggery Marmalade
A marmalade that reminds me of my dad, this recipe includes the beautifully fragrant star anise and is great on French toast, ice cream and pudding! Or serve it with your main course, chutney-style.
These nourishing and nutty walnut balls make for a great festive snack covered in antioxidant-rich good-quality dark chocolate.
Almond Cardamom Sponge Cake with White Chocolate Ganache
This delicious almond sponge cake is now a go-to Christmas bake and an elegant alternative to a traditional Christmas pudding. Spiced with cardamom and lightly sweetened with coconut sugar, this cake is gluten-free and dairy-free and topped with my easy take on a white chocolate ganache.
These fiery dark chocolate ginger sticks are an easy way to make something homemade and delicious using just 3 simple ingredients.
All-Things-Spice Carrot Crunch Biccies
A ginger snap made with fresh carrots and a lovely blend of spices, these are sugar and spice and all things nice.
Chocolate Orange Barfi For Christmas And New Year
This chocolate orange barfi using orange and cocoa has great warming qualities for Vata season alongside a hint of warming saffron and cardamom.
Packed with the flavours of Christmas, these are perfect for keeping around the house or packing up in a pretty box to bring to friends, family and neighbours.
Tea, Rose & Cardamom Giant Mince Pie
You’ve heard of mince pies, but have you heard of the giant mince pie?? This one is infused with the delicate flavours of tea, rose and cardamom for a taste sensation.
A little idea we had since Mahi is now obsessed with all things ‘The Snowman’, since watching the theatre performance in London, and videos of friends in Devon enjoying the first snow of winter. A great one to make with the kids and decorate as you wish, we used black peppercorns for eyes, a pink peppercorn for the nose and some choc chips for buttons and a flurry of desiccated coconut for snow.
DRINKS & DIGESTIFS
Fennel, Grape and Mint Refresher
Wine not! This is a great go-to recipe for a refreshing alternative to a glass of wine or an alcoholic cocktail. The combination of ingredients is not only unusual and delicious but also cooling and calming - the perfect summer tonic.
Ginger, Lime and Salt Fire Starter
A super quick, super easy mixture to nibble on before your big meal to get your digestive fire going, especially if you’re not feeling that hungry beforehand.
Eaten throughout India as a post meal refresher, not only do these sweet fennel seeds clean the teeth and tastebuds and lend a fragrant end to the meal, but they’re also known for toning the digestive system and enhancing Agni, or digestive fire.