Christmas Food: Canapés, turkey & desserts

Having come from a country slightly obsessed with Christmas, it seems that the further two countries we’ve chosen to live in since the UK, might have even more of a problem. Here in Munich, Christmas Market season is in full swing, with stalls piled high with seasonal goodies – proving that Christmas isn’t Christmas without certain food stuffs wherever you might be.

I found my cooking skills improved tremendously when we embarked on our temporary life abroad, as I could no longer just pop to the shops and pick up UK Christmas staples. As a Brit, it just wouldn’t seem right without a mince pie or a Christmas Pudding during the Festive season, and I am planning on making a lot of things from the fabulous blogs in this, the Christmas Foodie Round-up.

Easy Christmas canapés

Starting off with a few canapés perhaps before the main event itself? Tales of Pigling Bland is here with these ingenious Quick Christmas Canapés and Nutricious Deliciousness is handing around her Courgette Cheesy Bites.

Easy Christmas turkey plus a vegetarian main

Now for the star of the show.

This Christmas turkey recipe for Roast turkey with citrus & herb butter shows a bit of panache in the kitchen, the easy way!

If you haven’t cooked it before, and you are feeling a little daunted, look no further than Mummy Alarm who has a How to Cook The Perfect Christmas Dinner guest post from I’m Counting UFOz.

For an alternative poultry recipe you could try this recipe on BritMums: Turkey Meatballs and Pomegranate Rice or perhaps you are more of Christmas Ham household? Lavendar and Lovage has a fabulous Ham recipe. For a great vegetarian alternative, try Amuse your Bouche’s Carrot & White Bean Cutlets! 

Christmas side dish recipes

Now for the perfect roasties –  look no further than this tried and trusted recipe from MamaCook. Recipes From a Normal Mum does the honours with her Cranberry Stuffing Balls, try Nami Nami for Brussels Sprouts with Lemon, Garlic and Cheese, and

Easy Christmas gravy

This recipe from Marco Pierre White is a double-threat: easy and homemade! Check out Marco Pierre White’s turkey gravy recipe. If you want a vegetarian gravy recipe try We Don’t Eat Anything With a Face’s three Festive Gravies.

Christmas dessert recipes

Now onto Pudding. English Mum demonstrates how to make a traditional Figgy Pudding and Lavendar and Lovage has a delicious sounding Christmas Pudding Ice cream recipe. You could make your own Pumpkin Mincemeat with Veggie Desserts? Or try Rachel Phipps Mince Pies? Or for a twist these Frangipane versions from The Good Life Mum?

Don’t miss out either on these fabulous 33 mouthwatering Christmas bakes and don’t forget the Christmas Fruit Cakes — a classic if there ever was one. 

Now a few more Seasonal sweet treats for later. A slice of Panettone  from Mummy Mishaps? Or a sliver of Ren Behan’s Beautiful White Chocolate Malteser Cake? For the first time recently I attempted to make a Danish Christmas speciality Aebleskiver. Go on, just a couple?  You must still have room for a biscuit or two? How about a White Chocolate and Cranberry Cookie from A Mummy Too, or a beautiful Reindeer Cinnamon Shortbread from Corner Cottage Bakery? And of course, the obligatory Brownie Recipe. I love the sound of Crazy Kitchen‘s After Eight Mint Chocolate Brownies yes please!

Festive cocktails and beverages

Leaving with you a festive beverage or two just for good measure. A View from the Table’s Sloe Gin sounds pretty good, as does Capture by Lucy’s Tiramisu Cocktail Caketail, and then there’s this amazing Malteser Vodka from TheCrazyKitchen.

Now it must surely be time for slumping in front of a bit of Christmas Telly?  Anyone for cheese and biscuits?

What to make with Christmas leftovers

On BritMums there are a host of great recipes for making the most of the leftover food from the feast.

Leftover turkey recipe: Turkey, gammon & sprout pot pie

Leftover turkey recipe: Pepper turkey & vegetable stir fry

Leftover turkey recipe: Turkey & ham pie with leeks