OK, I know this is not Christmas related (unless you eat Indian food at Christmas), but I made this the other day and it is so easy and tastes so amazing that I had to share it. The recipe comes from Gordon Ramsay's Great Escape Cookbook (hence the metric measurements), but uses chickpeas instead. Who knew tomatoes and coconut milk tasted so awesome together? I used some diced tomatoes from my garden that I had frozen at the end of the summer--they were awesome and far superior to canned. INGREDIENTS - 3 cups cooked chickpeas - salt and pepper - 2 tbsp oil - 1/2 tsp cinnamon - 1/4 tsp cloves - 1 tsp garam masala - 1 tsp chili powder - 4 curry leaves - 1 sweet onion, diced - 2 garlic cloves, minced - 500g chopped fresh tomatoes, skinned - 400 ml can light coconut milk METHOD 1. Heat oil in a large frying pan over medium heat. Toss chickpeas with salt and pepper and set aside. 2. Add spices and curry leaves to the pan and fry for a min, until nice and fragrant. Add onions and garlic and saute for 6-8 mins, until soft. Add a splash of water to deglaze the pan, if needed. 3. Add chickpeas and tomatoes, mix well, and season to taste. Heat to bubbling, then add coconut milk. Simmer gently until ready to serve (over rice). The dish tastes best if it has sat for a while so the flavours can blend. Even better the next day!

275 g red lentils , rinsed 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 large onion 2 large garlic cloves 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1 teaspoon ground coriander 2 teaspoons garam masala 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric 1 tablespoon tomato puree 800 ml stock 1 Fry the onion and garlic until golden. 2 Stir in the spices and tomato puree and fry for two minutes. 3 Add lentils and stock. 4 Simmer for 25 - 30 mins, or until cooked. 5 Puree a little bit if you want.

2 egg yolks 2 eggs 1/2 cup granulated sugar 2 tablespoons granulated sugar 1/2 cup pastry flour 4 ounces bittersweet chocolate (64% cocoa) 1/2 cup butter 2 1/2 cups milk 2 1/2 cups heavy cream 3/4 cup sugar 1 cup , malt granules 12 egg yolks 1 Melt the chocolate with the butter and allow to cool. Whisk the egg yolks and eggs with the sugar then add the flour. Grease the moulds and then dust with cocoa. Pipe the mixture into the greased moulds and then bake at 350ºF for 8-12 minutes, rotating half way through. 2 Malt ice cream, 2 1/2 cups milk, 2 1/2 cups double cream, 3/4 cup of caster sugar, About 1 cup of malt granules, 12 free-range egg yolks. 3 Bring the milk and cream to the boil in a large pan. Turn down the heat and whisk in the malt. Stir until completely dissolved and the liquid is smooth. 4 In a large bowl, beat the yolks and sugar together then trickle in the hot liquid to mix, stirring vigorously to prevent the yolks from scrambling. Pour the combined mixture back into the pan and stir continuously over low heat until it thickens to a light custard consistency. 5 Pass the mixture through a fine sieve and cool down in an ice-bath, stirring occasionally to prevent a skin from forming. When cool, churn in an ice cream machine until almost firm. Transfer to a container and freeze until set. 6 To serve, remove the fondant from the mould and place on a plate. Top with malt ice cream.

1 small red onion 1 red chilli 1 pinch ground clove 1/2 tsp fennel seeds 1/2 tsp ping peppercorns (use green or white if pink are unavailable) 1 tsp turmeric...

For The Red Cabbage: 60 ml malt vinegar 170 g Demerara sugar 125 g butter 1/2 medium red cabbage For The pheasant: 3 sprigs fresh thyme 1 pheasant 4 rashers ...

4 flat mushrooms 1 bunch vine ripened cherry tomato 1 10 g bunch sourdough bread (3 chunky slices, approx) 6 large eggs (free range) 25 g butter (ice cold) 1...

600 g filet of beef 1 sheet pastry dough 2 tablespoons English mustard 3 large mushrooms 100 g thinly sliced parma ham salt and pepper 1 egg 1 Season your fillet steak with salt and pepper. 2 In a skillet fry the fillet. Make sure you lock it so that all the sides are cooked. Do not over cook because it will soon go into the oven - make sure it is cooked rare. 3 Brush English Mustard around all sides of the steak. 4 Cut up mushrooms and put in blender. 5 Season. 6 Blend until fine but not yet into a paste. 7 Take mushrooms out of blender - be sure to try and get rid of the excess water that the mushrooms let out. 8 Put mushrooms straight into a pan - no butter or oil. Cook for 3 minutes. 9 Lay down plastic wrap. 10 On top of the plastic wrap lay down slices of parma ham. 11 On top of the parma ham evenly layer the mushrooms. 12 Put the mustard steak in the middle. 13 Roll all together tightly (like you are rolling sushi) and refrigerate for 10 minutes. 14 Preheat oven to 200°C. 15 Lay down sheet of pastry. Take steak out of fridge, unwrap the plastic and put in the middle of pastry sheet. 16 Lightly whisk egg. Baste around sides to be sure that the pastry sticks together well. 17 Fold sides up carefully and tuck in (just as though you are wrapping a present). 18 Baste all the pastry with remaining egg. 19 Set on an oven pan and cook until pastry is golden brown and crispy. 20 Cut pieces an inch think with a bread knife and serve hot!

4 large chicken breasts 8 sage leaves 6 tablespoons ricotta cheese sea salt and black pepper 8 parma ham slices 1 1/2 teaspoons olive oil handful fresh thyme sprig 1 Cut a deep slit along one side of each chicken breast, without slicing right through, then open it out like a book. On a clean chopping board, finely chop 4 sage leaves, then mix into the ricotta and season with salt and pepper to taste. 2 Lay two Parma ham slices on the board, overlapping them slightly. Put a sage leaf in the middle and lay an open chicken breast on top. Spoon a quarter of the ricotta mixture onto the middle of the chicken, then fold the sides together again, to enclose the filling. Now wrap the Parma ham slices around the stuffed chicken breast. Wrap in cling film. Repeat with the rest of the chicken breasts and chill for 1-2hrs to firm up slightly. 3 Heat the oven to 350F and place a roasting pan in the oven to heat up. Heat a heavy-based frying pan and add the olive oil. When hot, fry the Parma-wrapped chicken, in batches if necessary, for 2 mins on each side until browned. 4 Lay a few thyme sprigs on each chicken breast, then place in the hot roasting pan. Cook in the oven for 12-15 mins, depending on size, or until the meat feels just firm when lightly pressed. 5 Rest the chicken, covered with foil, in a warm place for 5-10 minutes Slice each stuffed breast thickly on the diagonal and arrange on warm plates.

14 ounces farfalle pasta 3 tablespoons olive oil 8 slices streaky bacon , chopped 1 garlic clove , finely chopped 1 cup heavy cream 5 ounces peas , thawed if frozen 2 1/2 ounces parmesan cheese , freshly grated, plus extra to sprinkle 1 small handful sage leaf , and flat-leaf parsley leaves 1 Bring a pot of salted water to the boil. Tip in the farfalle and cook according to packet instructions until the pasta is al dente. 2 Heat the oil in another pan and add the bacon. Fry over high heat for 3 - 4 minutes until the bacon is golden brown. 3 Add the garlic and fry for a minute. Pour in the cream and bring to the boil. Let simmer for 5 minutes until reduced and thickened slightly. 4 Tip in the peas, bring back to a simmer and cook for another 3- 4 minutes. Stir the grated parmesan into the sauce, then taste and adjust the seasoning. 5 When the pasta is ready, drain it in a colander and immediately tip into the sauce. 6 Add the herbs, then toss the pasta until well coated with the creamy sauce. 7 Divide among warm plates and sprinkle over a little more parmesan to serve.

1 medium pumpkin (approximately 2 pounds) 2 tablespoons butter 4 cups risotto rice 6 quarts vegetable stock, or 6 quarts salt water 2 cups mixed mushrooms, cooked 2 minced shallots 1/2 tablespoon garlic (chopped) 2 ounces white wine 2 tablespoons mascarpone cheese 2 tablespoons parmesan cheese (Shredded) 1/2 cup mushroom salt and pepper olive oil 1 Roughly chop pumpkin into small pieces. Sweat in a sauté pan with whole butter until soft. Transfer to a food processor and puree until smooth. Return to a sauté pan and simmer until the liquid is dissolved and the puree is dry. 2 For the Risotto.4 cups risotto rice, 6 quarts vegetable stock or salted water, 2 cups mixed mushrooms, cooked. 3 Bring half the stock to a boil and season with salt. Boil the rice for 6 minutes or until al dente. Strain and transfer to a baking tray and cool. 4 To Finish. Cooked risotto rice. The remaining vegetable stock or salted water, Pumpkin Puree, 2 shallots minced, 1/2 tbsp chopped garlic, 2 oz white wine,2 tbsp mascarpone cheese,2 tbsp shredded parmesan cheese,-1/2 cup cooked mushrooms, Salt and pepper, Olive oil for sautéing. 5 Sweat the garlic and shallots with olive oil. Add white wine and reduce until almost dry. Add risotto rice and in small amounts add stock until rice is cooked. Finish with the pumpkin puree, mascarpone, cooked mushrooms and season with salt and pepper. Garnish with parmesan cheese. 6 *can substitute w/ butternut squash if necessary.

for the herb butter 9oz pack unsalted butter , softened 1 sprig fresh rosemary , chopped leaves only 2 tablespoons fresh parsley leaves , chopped salt fresh ground black pepper 11-13lb medium-sized turkey 3 -4 thick sausages , skins removed for the prepared stuffing 7oz white breadcrumb 4 1/2oz butter 1 onion , finely chopped 1 large sprigs of thyme and rosemary , chopped leaves only 6 fresh sage leaves 1 lemon , zest only 2oz pine nuts 3 tablespoons fresh parsley , chopped 1 teaspoon sea salt fresh ground black pepper for the gravy 1 onions or 1 large shallot , chopped 2 tablespoons olive oil 4 fl.ozs. dry white wine 1 bay leaf 17 fl.ozs. chicken stock 7 fl.ozs. double cream pan juices, from roasting sea salt fresh ground black pepper 1 Pre-heat the oven to 180C/350F/Gas 4. 2 Make the herb butter, mix herbs and butter together to form a paste, season well and chill. 3 Prepare the turkey, to remove legs, cut through the skin and pull joint firmly away from body then cut through ball and socket joints. 4 Cut away the 'oyster' on the back of the turkey so leg and thigh comes away cleanly. 5 With a thin, sharp knife, bone both legs and stuff with sausage meat. 6 Wrap tightly in tin foil and chill to set the shape. 7 Prepare the crown, cut off wing tips and, for easier carving, take out the wishbone and cut away back bone with poultry shears. 8 Lift up the breast skin with your fingers and separate it from the flesh. 9 Divide the herb butter between the two breast flaps and pull the skin back over. 10 Season well, place in a roasting tin and cover loosely with butter paper or foil. 11 Cook the turkey, put the foil-wrapped legs in a roasting pan and cook at 180C/350F/Gas4 for 45 minutes. Reduce temperature to 160C/320F/Gas 2 and cook for a further 15 minutes then remove foil and cook for a further 30 minutes, straining off any juices for the gravy. 12 Cook the crown for 1-1½ hours at 180C/350F/Gas 4 until juices run clear and let the bird rest for 30 minutes before carving. 13 Make the stuffing, melt butter in a large frying pan and gently sauté onion and garlic for five minutes until soft. 14 Stir in the herbs for one minute then add breadcrumbs to absorb butter. 15 Mix in zest, pine nuts and seasoning and cook over medium heat for about seven minutes until crumbs start to brown and crisp. 16 Take off the heat, mix in the parsley and serve warm. 17 Make the gravy, sauté the onion in the olive oil for about five minutes. Pour in the wine, add the thyme and bay and boil until reduced right down. 18 Add stock and boil until reduced by half then add cream and boil for further five minutes. Season with freshly ground black pepper. 19 Remove from heat, cool for ten minutes and strain. 20 Add turkey pan juices, boil for two minutes, season with salt and strain. (This can be made in advance and frozen before the juices are added. When thawed, simply heat until boiling and follow point 20.).

1 (5 kg) turkey sea salt & freshly ground black pepper 2 onions , peeled and halved 1 lemon , halved 1 head garlic , halved horizontally 6 bay leaves olive oil , to drizzle 8 slices smoked streaky bacon lemon 375 g butter , at room temperature 1 tablespoon olive oil 2 finely grated small lemons, zest and juice 3 garlic cloves , peeled and crushed 1 small bunch flat leaf parsley , leaves only, chopped 1 Preheat the oven to 220°C/Gas 7. Meanwhile, prepare the herb butter. Put the butter into a large bowl and season with salt and pepper. Add the olive oil and mix well. Add the lemon zest and juice, crushed garlic and chopped parsley. Mix well to combine. 2 Remove the giblets from the turkey cavity. Season the cavity well with salt and pepper, then stuff with the onions, lemon, garlic halves and 2 bay leaves. 3 With your hands, loosen the skin on the breast from both ends of the bird so that you will be able to stuff the flavoured butter underneath it, making sure you keep the skin intact. Repeat with the skin on the legs – from the lower side of the breast feel your way under the skin and out towards the leg, loosening the gap. 4 Stuff half the butter mix into the opened spaces under the skin. From the outside of the skin, gently massage the butter around the breasts so that the meat is evenly covered. Finally, insert the rest of the bay leaves under the skin of the breasts. 5 Place the bird in a large roasting tray, breast side up. Spread the rest of the butter all over the skin. Season well with salt and pepper, then drizzle with a little olive oil. (If preparing a day ahead, cover the turkey with foil and refrigerate at this stage.). 6 Roast the turkey in the hot oven for 10–15 minutes. Take the tray out of the oven, baste the bird with the pan juices and lay the bacon rashers over the breast to keep it moist. Baste again. Lower the setting to 180°C/Gas 4 and cook for about 2½ hours (calculating at 30 minutes per kg), basting occasionally. 7 To test whether your turkey is cooked, insert a skewer into the thickest part of the leg and check that the juices are running clear, rather than pink. As oven temperatures and turkey shapes and sizes vary, it is crucial to check your turkey about 30 minutes before the calculated roasting time. If the juices are pink, roast for another 15 minutes and check again. Repeat as necessary until the turkey is cooked. 8 Transfer the turkey to a warmed platter and remove the parson’s nose, wings and tips of the drumsticks; reserve these for the gravy. Leave the turkey to rest in a warm place for at least 45 minutes; make the gravy in the meantime. Remove the bay leaves from under the skin before carving. Serve the turkey with the piping hot gravy, stuffing and accompaniments.