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!

1 5/8 kg salmon , scaled, gutted and washed (1 whole salmon) olive oil , and drizzling (for cooking) sea salt fresh ground black pepper 2 bay leaves 3 sprigs rosemary 3 sprigs thyme 3 sprigs basil 3 sprigs sage 3 sprigs parsley 1 head garlic , halved horizontally, then broken into cloves (unpeeled) 2 -3 stalks lemongrass , split in half lenghtways and bruised with the back of a knife 3 small lemons , thickly sliced 5 -6 star anise 1 teaspoon mixed peppercorns (or black) 1 Trim a little of the tail and fins of the salmon with kitchen scissors and pat dry with kitchen paper. Pat the cavity dry as well. Score the skins of the salmon on both sides with a sharp knife at 1 - 2 intervals. Rub all over with olive oil, salt and pepper. 2 Tear two sheets of foil, large enough to envelope the salmon easily. Lay one on top of the other on the work surface and scatter the bay leaves, herb sprigs, garlic and lemongrass over the middle o the foil. Lay the fish on the bed of herbs and tuck some of the flavourings into the cavity. 3 Fry the lemon slices in a little olive oil for 2 - 3 minutes until caramelized around the edges, seasoning them with salt and pepper. Allow to cool slightly. Tuck the caramelized lemon slices around the fish, placing some in the cavity and some on top. Scatter the star anise and peppercorns over and around the fish, putting some inside the cavity. Drizzle the salmon with a little olive oil. Heat the oven to 190 degrees centigrade. 4 Fold the edges of the foil tightly together over the salmon to seal, leaving some space in the parcel for steam to surround and cook the fish. Put the salmon parcel in the roasting tin and cook in the centre of the oven for 25 - 30 minutes, depending on the thickness of the salmon. Remove from the oven and without unwrapping the foil parcel, rest the fish for 5 - 10 minutes. 5 Unwrap the salmon and peel off the skin with a palette knife. Use the back of a spoon to slide the fish off the bone. Serve individual portions garnished with the caramelized lemons.

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 ...

For the marinade 1 lime 2 tbsp olive oil 2 tbsp red wine vinega 1 tbsp clear honey 1 tbsp cayenne pepper 2 garlic cloves 1 tbsp sweet paprika 1 large red chi...

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...

1 lb ground sirloin 1 onion , minced 1 tablespoon ketchup 1 tablespoon sun-dried tomato , cut thinly 1/4 cup garlic , chopped 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce 1/2 teaspoon Tabasco sauce 1/2 teaspoon honey mustard 1 Combine all ingredients. 2 Form into patties, cook as desired.

1/2 teaspoon olive oil 1 red onion , sliced 1 medium butternut squash, peeled and cut into small cubes 1 teaspoon ras el hanout spice mix (Moroccan mixed spice) 2 zucchini , cut into chunks 1 red pepper, cut into chunks 1 yellow pepper, cut into chunks 2 (14 ounce) cans chopped tomatoes 2 ounces sunflower margarine , cubed 2 ounces plain flour 3 shredded wheat cereal, crumbled 1 ounce sesame seeds 1 Preheat the oven to 374°F 2 Heat a frying pan until hot then add the olive oil and red onion and cook for 2 minutes 3 Add the butternut squash and fry for 5 mins until it begins to soften. Add the ras el hanout or spices and stir well to combine. 4 Add the zucchini and peppers and cook for a further 2 minutes Then tip in the canned tomatoes, season with black pepper and bring to a simmer. Cover with a lid and simmer for 10 minutes 5 Meanwhile, rub the sunflower spread and flour together to form breadcrumbs. Add the shredded wheat and sesame seeds and season with black pepper. Mix well to combine thoroughly. 6 Check the seasoning of the vegetables and adjust if necessary. Then pour into the baking dish and spread evenly. 7 Sprinkle the crumble mixture over the vegetables, to cover evenly. Bake in the oven for 15 mins until the crumble is golden and bubbling.

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.

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 tablespoons olive oil 1 cup risotto rice 2 cups hot chicken stock 1 cup jerusalem artichoke, washed and sliced 7 tablespoons butter 1/3 cup cream 1/4 cup parmesan cheese , grated sea salt fresh ground black pepper 8 large scallops , sliced 1/4 cup sugar 1/4 cup sherry wine vinegar 1 Heat a few tablespoons of olive oil in a pan, add the rice, and stir for 2-3 minutes so the rice absorbs the oil. Add the stock a little at a time, stirring constantly, until it has all been absorbed and the rice is cooked - around 25-30 minutes. 2 Meanwhile, cook the artichokes in 3 1/2 tablespoons of the butter until soft. Add the cream. Reduce down until the cream has almost evaporated and the artichokes are velvety in texture, stirring every now and then to make sure it’s not catching on the bottom of the pan. Purée in a food processor. Mix the artichoke purée into the rice and add the remaining 3 1/2 tablespoons of butter and the parmesan. Check for seasoning. 3 Slice each scallop into three pieces and sauté in hot oil for 1 minute on each side until they’re medium-rare. Place on top of the risotto. In a heavy-based pan, heat the sugar until it’s a dark golden colour. Carefully add the sherry vinegar and reduce until you have a thick syrup. Drizzle this over the risotto, and serve.

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.).