The most wonderful time of the year is upon us. Feasting and festivity with family and friends and delicious food to match. I love Christmas, not least because it's a time to get creative in the kitchen. In the lead-up to Christmas, I try to get into the kitchen for at least a day. I love trying new baking or making edible gifts - a batch of cookies, a Christmas cake or truffles.
On the day, there is plenty of eating and usually a bit of afternoon napping in the sun. In our family, Christmas Day always begins with breakfast and bubbles: croissants (we buy the frozen dough and leave it to prove overnight, then bake it fresh in the morning) and berries and cherries and wood-smoked salmon with toasted ciabatta and a glass or two of bubbles. There's nothing like a champagne breakfast to get things started.
We have a big lunch in the afternoon and there's usually roast lamb. I have fond memories of being a child on my grandparents' farm, wearing Christmas bibs and Christmas cracker hats and having a traditional afternoon roast.
We did have a picnic a few years ago, though, and it's always nice to be away at the beach, too. Ham is often a feature of Christmas and gourmet ham and cheese toasties on Boxing Day is one of my favourite ways to use leftovers.
