CHRISTMAS HEROES

IMPRESS FRIENDS AND FAMILY WITH THIS FABULOUS FESTIVE MENU INSPIRED BY RECIPES FROM OUR FAVOURITE TV FOODIES

Nigella Lawson's iconic cola ham

SERVES 6

INGREDIENTS

• 2kg mild-cure gammon joint
• 1 onion (peeled and cut in half)
• 2 litres cola

For the glaze

• 1 handful of cloves
• 1 heaped tbsp black treacle
• 2 tsp English mustard powder
• 2 tbsp demerara sugar

1. Put the gammon in a large pan, skin-side down, add the onion, then pour over the cola.

2. Bring to the boil, reduce to a simmer, put the lid on loosely and cook for just under 2½ hours.

3. Preheat the oven to 240°C/220°C fan/ gas mark 9.

4. When the ham is cooked take it out of the pan and allow it to cool so you're able to handle it easily.

5. Remove the skin, leaving a thin layer of fat. Score the fat with a knife to create a diamond pattern, then stud each diamond with a clove.

6. Carefully spread the treacle over the skin, taking care not to dislodge the cloves.

7. Gently pat on the mustard and sugar.

8. Cook in a foil-lined roasting tin for 10 minutes or until the glaze is burnished and bubbly.

Twist: You can use honey instead of black treacle.

Gordon Ramsay's herbed turkey crown

SERVES 6-8

INGREDIENTS

• 125g butter, softened
• 3-4 sprigs fresh thyme, leaves only
• Sprig of fresh rosemary, chopped leaves only
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley leaves, chopped
• Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 2.5kg medium-sized turkey crown (ask your butcher to roll the crown)

1. Preheat the oven 200°C/180°C fan/ gas mark 6.