For a special Christmas Eve dinner that’s packed with festive flavours but not as labour intensive as the main event, this menu from Mary Berry’s latest cookbook, Simple Comforts ticks all of the boxes. Start with delicate crab blinis, feast on a beautiful orange-glazed ham with slow-simmered cabbage, and round it all off with a decadent steamed chocolate pudding.
From the book
Simple Comforts
Heart-warming comfort dishes from the nation’s favourite cook
With easy, family-friendly recipes as well as all-out weekend feasts
Including chapters full of indulgent bakes and sweet treats
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Starter:
Mary Berry’s Crab and Herb Blinis with Pickled Fennel Herb Salad
These delicate blinis are topped with a luxurious crab, crème fraîche and horseradish mix, served up with a sharp fennel salad that cuts through the creamy shellfish beautifully. Serve them as little canapés or a sit-down starter.
Main:
Mary Berry’s Orange-Glazed Ham with Mango and Orange Salsa
“A beautiful glazed gammon is a simple but tasty way to serve a great centrepiece”, says Mary, whose given this classic Christmas dish a sharp, citrussy glaze and served it up with a refreshing mango and orange salsa. This will go wonderfully with mash and a gloriously slow-simmered red cabbage (see below).
Side:
Mary Berry’s Simmered Red Cabbage and Cider
Slow-cooked for around three hours, this cabbage will melt in your mouth. Teamed with cider and redcurrant jelly for a sweet and sour vibe, this can also be made up to 12 hours ahead and reheated when you’re ready to eat.
Dessert:
Mary Berry’s Chocolate Steamed Pudding with Chocolate Sauce
There’s nothing too complicated about this comforting pudding, making it a good one for Christmas Eve. With a light yet richly chocolately sponge, and served with a divine pouring sauce, this is one the whole crowd will love.
