Christmas Eve recipes

Impress family and friends with our Scandinavian-inspired gratin with salmon, beetroot, potatoes and dill; a comforting bake that's perfect for entertaining

Assemble a seafood cocktail platter for a gathering. Everyone has their own idea of what makes a great prawn cocktail and here guests can create it themselves

Serve our glazed ham warm in thin slices alongside the Christmas turkey. This one has a sticky sweet-and-sour glaze made with pomegranate molasses and orange

Gather together all your favourite nibbles and combine the best of a cheeseboard and charcuterie platter for this indulgent selection of party food

This dish of pastry-wrapped rice and fish is easy but impressive so it works well as a midweek meal or dinner party centrepiece

Treat guests during the festive season to these gorgeous Christmas tree cupcakes. Decorate with sugar balls, sprinkles or chocolate beans to make baubles

Treat guests to this stunning tart for a Christmas dessert. Set in a pastry case and using frozen cherries and raspberries for ease, it brings plenty of festive cheer

Have some leftover parsnips from your Sunday roast? They'll go down a treat in this vegan spiced curry soup. The recipe is made in a slow cooker

Give the popular Italian cocktail Negroni a Christmassy twist with cinnamon, star anise and bay leaves. Serve over ice and drink a toast to the new year

Salads aren't just for summer – this fun festive salad features root vegetables for a delicious seasonal twist

Use up any extra brussels sprouts in your veg box this winter by making this sprout slaw. It will go particularly well with cold cuts on Boxing Day

Prepare this easy lasagne ahead of time and save in the freezer, uncooked, for when you need it during a busy week. Then just bake for an extra 45 mins.

Combine the classic mojito with Christmassy peppermint in this candy-cane-inspired cocktail. To prep for a party you could make some mint syrup in advance

Elevate the cheese straw with these impressive pull-apart filo bites. They're stuffed with feta, dates and sesame seeds, and served with a spicy yogurt dip

Serve these date, blue cheese and pancetta polenta stacks as canapés at a party. Try a veggie twist by using chopped toasted nuts instead of pancetta for crunch

Cook this festive ham up to three days ahead and keep it covered in the fridge (and the crackling, in an airtight container) to save on stress when entertaining

Who says party food can't be healthy? Enjoy this selection of dips – featuring beetroot, butternut squash and caramelised onion – alongside veg crudités and breadsticks

Eat these family-friendly sausage rolls with a chutney or pickle. They make a great snack for a party buffet

Make devilled eggs to serve at a Boxing Day buffet. They're filled with mustard, spring onions, mayo, yogurt and a pinch of cayenne. Top with chives, if you like

Catering for guests with different diets or tastes? These mac ‘n’ cheese bites are ideal party food. From mushrooms to olives, top with whatever you like

Take salmon en croûte to chef standard. Succulent salmon, cream cheese and dill are encased in crisp puff pastry with a pickled cucumber side

The simple and classic combination of orange juice and champagne makes a perfect cocktail for a celebratory brunch or party

Create a dessert centrepiece without spending hours in the kitchen. This sweet grazing wreath is great fun at Christmas, but is perfect for any party