BBC Good Food
BBC Good Food
  • Sign in / Create an account
  • Home
  • Recipes
    • Christmas
      • Christmas baking
      • Christmas dinner
      • Homemade gifts
      • Vegetarian Christmas
      • see more ...
    • Cakes & baking
      • Gingerbread
      • Festive cake
      • Mince pies
      • Easy baking
      • see more ...
    • Healthy
      • Healthy Christmas
      • Cheap & healthy
      • Healthy breakfast
      • Healthy lunch
      • see more ...
    • Family & kids
      • Christmas for kids
      • Family meals
      • Kids' party
      • Snacks for kids
      • see more...
    • Dishes
      • Pasta
      • Soup
      • Pie
      • Casserole
      • see more ...
    • Events
      • Christmas
      • Pancake Day
      • Mother's Day
      • Easter
      • see more ...
    • Everyday
      • Freezable
      • Batch cooking
      • Cheap eats
      • Leftovers
      • see more ...
    • Ingredients
      • Fish
      • Fruit
      • Meat
      • Vegetables
      • see more ...
    • Occasions
      • Sunday lunch
      • Dinner party
      • Afternoon tea
      • Easy entertaining
      • see more ...
    • Quick & easy
      • Easy but impressive
      • Quick & healthy
      • Quick cake
      • Under 20 minutes
      • see more ...
    • Seasonal
      • Spring
      • Summer
      • Autumn
      • Winter
      • see more ...
    • Special diets
      • Dairy-free
      • Gluten-free
      • Low-fat
      • Low-GI
      • see more ...
    • Vegetarian
      • Iron-rich
      • Vegan
      • Vegetarian party
      • Veggie comfort food
      • see more ...
    • More recipe ideas
      • Cheap eats
      • Courses
      • Slow cooker
      • Cheap cut
      • see more ...
    • Christmas biscuits
    • Christmas gifts
    • Festive desserts
    • Vegetarian Christmas
    • see more...
  • Recipe inspiration
  • How to
    • Guides & techniques
      • Cookery
      • Health & nutrition
      • Occasions & events
      • Family & kids
      • Everyday
      • Videos
    • Tools
      • Roast calculator
      • Cake tin size guide
      • Volume & weight convertors
      • Oven temperature guide
      • Sugar temperature guide
      • Glossary
    • Seasonal calendar
  • Lifestyle & events
    • Lifestyle
      • Health & nutrition
      • Family & kids
      • Budget & everyday
      • Entertaining
      • Travel
      • Food trends
      • Drinks
      • Equipment reviews
    • Events
      • BBC Good Food Shows
      • Good Food live events
      • Valentine's Day
      • Pancake Day
      • Halloween
      • Bonfire Night
      • Christmas
  • More Good Food
    • Good Food magazine
    • Subscribe now
    • Subscriber Club
    • Good Food Wine Club
    • Good Food reader offers
    • Competitions
    • Good Food apps
    • Good Food events
    • Contact Us
    • Follow us
  • Christmas party
  • Festive baking
BBC Good FoodHome
Skip to main content

My Good Food

Create an account

Sign in
Sign in with FacebookSign in with Google
Forgot password?

Shopping List

  • Home
  • Recipes
    • Christmas
      • Christmas baking
      • Christmas dinner
      • Homemade gifts
      • Vegetarian Christmas
      • see more ...
    • Cakes & baking
      • Gingerbread
      • Festive cake
      • Mince pies
      • Easy baking
      • see more ...
    • Healthy
      • Healthy Christmas
      • Cheap & healthy
      • Healthy breakfast
      • Healthy lunch
      • see more ...
    • Family & kids
      • Christmas for kids
      • Family meals
      • Kids' party
      • Snacks for kids
      • see more...
    • Dishes
      • Pasta
      • Soup
      • Pie
      • Casserole
      • see more ...
    • Events
      • Christmas
      • Pancake Day
      • Mother's Day
      • Easter
      • see more ...
    • Everyday
      • Freezable
      • Batch cooking
      • Cheap eats
      • Leftovers
      • see more ...
    • Ingredients
      • Fish
      • Fruit
      • Meat
      • Vegetables
      • see more ...
    • Occasions
      • Sunday lunch
      • Dinner party
      • Afternoon tea
      • Easy entertaining
      • see more ...
    • Quick & easy
      • Easy but impressive
      • Quick & healthy
      • Quick cake
      • Under 20 minutes
      • see more ...
    • Seasonal
      • Spring
      • Summer
      • Autumn
      • Winter
      • see more ...
    • Special diets
      • Dairy-free
      • Gluten-free
      • Low-fat
      • Low-GI
      • see more ...
    • Vegetarian
      • Iron-rich
      • Vegan
      • Vegetarian party
      • Veggie comfort food
      • see more ...
    • More recipe ideas
      • Cheap eats
      • Courses
      • Slow cooker
      • Cheap cut
      • see more ...
    • Christmas biscuits
    • Christmas gifts
    • Festive desserts
    • Vegetarian Christmas
    • see more...
  • Recipe inspiration
  • How to
    • Guides & techniques
      • Cookery
      • Health & nutrition
      • Occasions & events
      • Family & kids
      • Everyday
      • Videos
    • Tools
      • Roast calculator
      • Cake tin size guide
      • Volume & weight convertors
      • Oven temperature guide
      • Sugar temperature guide
      • Glossary
    • Seasonal calendar
  • Lifestyle & events
    • Lifestyle
      • Health & nutrition
      • Family & kids
      • Budget & everyday
      • Entertaining
      • Travel
      • Food trends
      • Drinks
      • Equipment reviews
    • Events
      • BBC Good Food Shows
      • Good Food live events
      • Valentine's Day
      • Pancake Day
      • Halloween
      • Bonfire Night
      • Christmas
  • More Good Food
    • Good Food magazine
    • Subscribe now
    • Subscriber Club
    • Good Food Wine Club
    • Good Food reader offers
    • Competitions
    • Good Food apps
    • Good Food events
    • Contact Us
    • Follow us
  • Christmas party
  • Festive baking
  • Home
  • Recipes

    Not sure what to cook?

    We’ve pulled together our most popular recipes, our latest additions and our editor’s picks, so there’s sure to be something tempting for you to try.

    Inspire me
    • Christmas
      • Christmas baking
      • Christmas dinner
      • Homemade gifts
      • Vegetarian Christmas
      • see more ...
    • Cakes & baking
      • Gingerbread
      • Mince pies
      • Festive cake
      • Easy baking
      • see more ...
    • Healthy
      • Healthy Christmas
      • Cheap & healthy
      • Healthy breakfast
      • Healthy lunch
      • see more ...
    • Family & kids
      • Christmas for kids
      • Family meals
      • Kids' party
      • Lunchbox
      • see more...
    • Cuisines
      • American
      • Chinese
      • Greek
      • Mexican
      • see more ...
    • Cocktails & drinks
      • Festive drinks
      • Classic cocktails
      • Gin cocktails
      • Non-alcoholic drinks
      • see more ...
    • Dishes
      • Pasta
      • Soup
      • Pie
      • Casserole
      • see more ...
    • Everyday
      • Batch cooking
      • Cheap eats
      • Freezable
      • Leftovers
      • see more ...
    • Ingredients
      • Fish
      • Fruit
      • Meat
      • Vegetables
      • see more ...
    • Occasions
      • Afternoon tea
      • Dinner party
      • Easy entertaining
      • Sunday lunch
      • see more ...
    • Quick & easy
      • Easy but impressive
      • Quick & healthy
      • Quick cake
      • Under 20 minutes
      • see more ...
    • Seasonal
      • Winter
      • Autumn
      • Summer
      • Spring
      • see more ...
    • Special diets
      • Dairy-free
      • Gluten-free
      • Low-fat
      • Low-GI
      • see more ...
    • Vegetarian
      • Veggie comfort food
      • Vegetarian party
      • Iron-rich
      • Vegan
      • see more ...
    • More recipe ideas
      • Cheap cut
      • Cheap eats
      • Courses
      • Slow cooker
      • see more ...
  • How to

    What's in season?

    Find out what to eat when with our calendar of seasonal produce.

    View our seasonal calendar
    • Guides & techniques
      • Cookery
      • Health & nutrition
      • Occasions & events
      • Family & kids
      • Everyday
      • Videos
    • Tools
      • Roast calculator
      • Cake tin size guide
      • Volume & weight convertors
      • Oven temperature guide
      • Sugar temperature guide
      • Glossary
  • Lifestyle & events

    Family & kids

    Get inspiration and advice for feeding a family.

    Visit our family and kids section
    • Lifestyle
      • Health & nutrition
      • Family & kids
      • Budget & everyday
      • Entertaining
      • Travel
      • Food trends
      • Drinks
      • Equipment reviews
    • Events
      • BBC Good Food Shows
      • Good Food live events
      • Valentine's Day
      • Christmas
      • Pancake Day
      • Halloween
      • Bonfire Night
  • More Good Food

    Subscribe today

    Subscribe to BBC Good Food magazine and get triple-tested recipes delivered to your door, every month.

    Order today and receive your first 5 issues for £5
    • Good Food magazine
    • Subscribe now
    • Subscriber Club
    • Good Food Wine Club
    • Good Food reader offers
    • Competitions
    • Good Food apps
    • Good Food events
    • Contact us
  • Christmas party
  • Festive baking
Subscribe
Don’t get caught out this Christmas!
Advertisement feature

Don’t get caught out this Christmas!

  • By The Co-operative Food
Share:
  • Facebook
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • Google+
  • Email

Though turkey is the star of the show on December 25th, you’ll want to keep a few store cupboard essentials for any last-minute guests or party emergencies. Our experts at Co-operative Food have rounded up the best things to keep stocked up on this Christmas

Don’t get caught out this Christmas!

The classic Christmas table has centred around the nation’s love of poultry and a wide range of colourful-hued condiments for centuries. A succulent turkey, emerald Brussels sprouts, perfectly floured roast potatoes, delectable stuffing, ruby red cranberries and unctuous gravy all combine to deliver the most hotly anticipated meal of the year.

While you may be raring to go with the festive finale, Christmas is more than just a big roast dinner – there are always a few little things that might creep up and surprise you. Don’t be a plum pudding this year: keep your wits about you by grabbing a few little luxuries to ensure the Christmas magic keeps going.
 

Quality is key

According to Co-operative Food’s MINTEL research into Christmas shopping habits in December 2013, the British public is going posh with its party offerings. Buying special premium quality food and drink is important to just over a third (or 33.4%) of seasonal shoppers according to our survey, so reeling out the same stuffed vol au vents just won’t do.

If you want to wow friends and family this year, plate up something from the Co-operative Truly Irresistible range. With Laksa Coconut Skewers, Melting Middle Salmon Fishcakes and a Chicken Satay Party Pack, there’s a cornucopia of fantastic flavours – all ready in moments.

 

Indulge in festive favourites

At this time of year, you’ll want to treat yourself with indulgent, specialist foods no matter what the price. In fact, just under a quarter of shoppers we surveyed (19%) will readily ‘trade up’ and buy better quality food and drink over the Christmas break than they do in their regular weekly shops, so now’s the time to pamper yourself.

Try the Co-op’s exclusive cheese range, encompassing Rich & Creamy Blue Stilton, Baking Camembert with Pancetta and Truly Irresistible Manchego to make an impressive cheeseboard. Serve with Co-op’s award winning Truly Irresistible Biscuits for Cheese: so versatile, you can also use them for quick canapés smothered with your choice of pâté.

Watch the Co-op video guide to cheese
 

Avoid the rush

A stunning 25.6% of festive food shoppers went to a range of different stores during Christmas 2013 to secure the products they really covet, but with the big stores so packed at this time of year, convenience can be handy during the festive season.

With more local stores than any other large supermarket, a quick trip to the Co-op won’t clock up any extra mileage – and it’s great for the little essentials that might slip your mind. Forgotten the AA batteries to make the kids’ toys work on Boxing Day or need some foil to keep the turkey fresh after you’ve finished the feast? Most stores are open every day over the festive season apart from Christmas Day itself. Plus we have late opening hours in many of our stores. Check the Co-op website or your local store for their opening hours.

 

Think outside the box

Some little extras can have a multitude of uses, which is especially handy over Christmas when you’re looking to use up leftovers, or want your goods to go further in the kitchen. Crème fraiche can be used to make a rich and creamy turkey curry, or mix it with brandy for an instant side to share with Christmas pudding.

And why not break with tradition this year and substitute your turkey for the new Loved by Us British Traditional Spiced Honey and Treacle Gammon Joint or the new Truly Irresistible Christmas Spiced Salmon Side with Honey and Maple Glaze.

(All figures from a base of 2,000 internet users aged 16 plus)

Visit Co-op’s website for Christmas food inspiration.

For more insider information and expert tips from the Co-operative Food, visit the hub page. 

Comments, questions and tips

Sign in or create your My Good Food account to join the discussion.
  • Comments (1)
  • Questions (0)
  • Tips (0)
lisaharris7
20th Jan, 2015
It was quite incredibly generous and really fresh posting in this site. Keep sharing imp stuff!! Please Visit Indiana Jones Leather Jacket
Be the first to ask a question about this recipe...Unsure about the cooking time or want to swap an ingredient? Ask us your questions and we’ll try and help you as soon as possible. Or if you want to offer a solution to another user’s question, feel free to get involved...
Sign in or create your My Good Food account to join the discussion.
Be the first to suggest a tip for this recipe...Got your own twist on this recipe? Or do you have suggestions for possible swaps and additions? We’d love to hear your ideas.
Sign in or create your My Good Food account to join the discussion.

Advertisement features

  • mince pies Ad feature

    Christmas dessert trends and tips

    Advertisement feature
  • Christmas tips from Co-op food experts Ad feature

    Christmas tips from our food experts at Co-op

    Advertisement feature

Skills & know how

As well as helping you decide what to cook we can also help you to cook it. From tips on cookery techniques to facts and information about health and nutrition, we’ve a wealth of foodie know how for you to explore.

See our how to section...

About BBC Good Food

We are the UK’s number one food brand. Whether you’re looking for healthy recipes and guides, family projects and meal plans, the latest gadget reviews, foodie travel inspiration or just the perfect recipe for dinner tonight, we’re here to help.

Our recipes

All our recipes are tested thoroughly by us to make sure they’re suitable for your kitchen at home. We know many of you are concerned about healthy eating, so we send them to a qualified nutritionist for thorough analysis too.

Start browsing our recipes now

Tell us what you think…

Love the new look or think we’ve missed the mark? We want to hear your thoughts – good and bad – to make sure we make the new website as useful as possible.

Get in touch

Magazine

Subscribe to BBC Good Food magazine and get triple-tested recipes delivered to your door, every month.

Order today!

Events

Discover a BBC Good Food Show near you.

Book tickets now

On TV

See your favourite chefs on Sky Channel 133, BT 313 and find their recipes at goodfoodchannel.co.uk

Follow us

Join the BBC Good Food community by following us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram and Google Plus.

Find out more here

    • More recipes
    • Get in touch
    • Subscribe to the magazine
    • BBC Good Food events
    • Good Food TV channel
Immediate Media Ltd

This website is published by Immediate Media Company Limited under licence from BBC Studios Distribution.

© Immediate Media Company Limited, 2019

BBC Studios
  • Site terms
  • Privacy policy
  • Manage cookies
  • Cookies policy
  • Complaints
  • Contact us
  • Advertise with us
Want to receive regular food and recipe web notifications from us?