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Your go-to Christmas dish…

Christmas isn’t Christmas without that all important Christmas dinner. Find out what some of our fabulous Bookends authors like cooking (or buying) during the festive season…

Carmel Harrington, author of Cold Feet

It’s all about the Christmas dinner for me. I adore the ceremony of this meal. I have Christmas china and delph. I know! But it’s so pretty, with green and red garlands. The turkey and ham are placed in the centre of the table, with the side dishes in bowls surrounding it. Amelia, my daughter, is making our Christmas crackers this year.

Fiona Mitchell, author of The Maid’s Room

Anything I don’t have to cook! I love M&S’s nut roast, but struggled to find it last year. If I spot it, I’m going to buy ten of them. I’m a massive fan of any kind of chocolate cake too. We usually spend Christmas Eve with our friends, and I often make an extremely rich chocolate roulade for everyone.

Jo Thomas, author of The Honey Farm on the Hill

Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without a big pot of chilli con carne made to Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall’s recipe, with beef mince, diced pork, chorizo and cinnamon, on the stove on Christmas Eve. I make it early in the morning or sometimes a few days before, and on Christmas Eve it sits on the stove to simmer gently, filling the house with its glorious smell. That way, it doesn’t matter what time everyone arrives, dinner is ready when we are. I’ve even been known to take the pot to friend’s houses when we’ve been invited for Christmas Eve drinks. It’s a moveable feast and never fails to bring a smile. It brings everyone together and that’s what Christmas is all about.

Kathryn Hughes, author of The Secret

Out of the twenty-five years I’ve been married, I reckon I’ve cooked Christmas dinner twenty times.  The vegetable selection has varied over the years but one stalwart that has remained is the braised red cabbage with apple, sultanas and cinnamon.  One cabbage goes a long way and makes a great accompaniment to cold turkey the next day, and the one after that, and the one after that…you get the picture.

Rosanna Ley, author of The Little Theatre By The Sea

My favourite, home-made by me, last-minute Christmas cake with honey and nut topping and absolutely no marzipan or Santa’s in sight. Yum.

For more festive treats take a look at…

How do you decorate your Christmas Tree?

Or, 

My Favourite Christmas Movie