Delicious Christmas recipes to enjoy this holiday | Tenant news

Delicious Christmas recipes to enjoy this holiday

If you're hosting relatives for lunch or dinner this holiday season, we've got five easy and delicious dishes for your celebration.

They're quick to prepare, budget-friendly, and many can be made ahead of time.

They include classic pigs in blankets, crispy roast potatoes, tangy cranberry sauce, a one-pan roast chicken dinner, and festive gingerbread men.

If you do try any of these recipes, share your festive creations with us at comms@habinteg.org.uk  and we’ll share it on our Facebook page.

Pigs in blankets

Less than 30 mins (prep) and 10 to 30 mins (cook), serves 8 people

A classic Christmas favourite, these pigs in blankets are easy to make and tasty. Wrapped in streaky bacon and roasted until golden brown, they are perfect as a side or snack.

Ingredients

  • 8 thin slices streaky bacon
  • 16 chipolata sausages
  • Cocktail sticks, to secure the bacon

Method

  1. Preheat the oven to 200°C (180°C fan) / Gas 6.
  2. Stretch and flatten each strip of bacon using the side of a knife, then cut in half.
  3. Wrap each bacon strip around a chipolata sausage and secure with cocktail sticks.
  4. Place in a roasting tray and cook for 15 minutes or until golden-brown and crispy.

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Puff pastry cheese straws 

Less than 30 minutes (prep) and 10 to 20 mins (cook), serves 6 people

These super simple cheese straws are ideal for kicking off a party – just pair them with a chilled glass of fizz. Perfect for your festive feast.

Ingredients

  • 300g/10½ oz all-butter puff pastry
  • 4 egg yolks, beaten with a splash of water
  • 150g/5½ oz cheddar, grated
  • paprika, for sprinkling

Method

  1. Preheat the oven to 200C/180C Fan/Gas 6. Line two baking sheets with baking parchment or greaseproof paper.
  2. Roll out the pastry to a 30cm/12in square.
  3. Using a pastry brush, brush the egg mixture all over the pastry. Sprinkle over the cheese and press down lightly. Cover with cling film and chill the dough in the fridge for 15 minutes.
  4. Sprinkle the cheese with paprika, cut in half, then cut each half into 1cm/½in strips.
  5. Twist each strip into a cheese straw shape and place onto the lined baking sheet.
  6. Bake for 15 minutes, or until golden-brown and crisp.

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Cranberry sauce

Less than 30 minutes (prep) and less than 10 mins (cook), serves 6-8 people

This sweet and tangy cranberry sauce is a must-have for Christmas dinner, pairing perfectly with your roast.

Ingredients

  • 100g light brown sugar
  • 100ml fresh orange juice
  • 250g fresh or frozen cranberries
  • Zest of 1 clementine or small orange (optional)

Method

  1. Bring the sugar and orange juice to a boil in a large saucepan.
  2. Stir in cranberries and zest (if using), then simmer for 5 minutes until the cranberries burst and the sauce thickens.
  3. Let cool in the fridge. It will thicken as it cools and is best served chilled.

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One-pan roast chicken dinner

30 minutes (prep) and 1 hour 20 mins (cook), serves 4 people

A stress-free Christmas dinner option, this one-pan roast chicken is bursting with flavour and accompanied by a variety of roasted vegetables.

Ingredients

  • 1 medium chicken (1.6kg/3lb 8oz)
  • ½ lemon, halved
  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 300g new potatoes, halved
  • 2 medium sweet potatoes, cubed
  • 3 medium carrots, cut into batons
  • 2 medium parsnips, cut into batons
  • 1 sprig fresh rosemary or thyme
  • 4 rashers smoked back bacon
  • 100g frozen peas
  • Sea salt and black pepper

Method

  1. Preheat the oven to 200°C (180°C fan) / Gas 6.
  2. Season the chicken with olive oil, salt, and pepper, then roast for 30 minutes.
  3. Toss vegetables with oil, herbs, salt, and pepper, then add to the roasting pan. Roast for 20 minutes.
  4. Add the bacon on top of the chicken and roast for another 20 minutes.
  5. Add peas and cook for an additional 10 minutes.
  6. Rest the chicken for 15 minutes before carving and serving with vegetables.

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Christmas gingerbread men

1 hour (prep) and 12-15 mins (cook), serves 20 people

These adorable gingerbread men are a fun activity to do with family and make a festive gift or treat for guests.

Ingredients

  • 350g plain flour
  • 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda
  • 2 tsp ground ginger
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 125g butter
  • 175g light soft brown sugar
  • 1 free-range egg
  • 4 tbsp golden syrup

To Decorate

  • Writing icing
  • Cake decorations

Method

  1. Sift flour, bicarbonate of soda, ginger, and cinnamon. Blend with butter until breadcrumb-like, then stir in sugar.
  2. Add the egg and golden syrup and pulse to form a dough. Chill for 15 minutes.
  3. Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F) / Gas 4. Roll out dough and cut gingerbread men shapes.
  4. Bake for 12-15 minutes until golden, then cool on a wire rack. Decorate with icing and cake decorations.

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