THE CHRISTMAS FOOD CHECKLIST
From foodie treats to fill up the cupboards to the best wines to drink with Christmas dinner, discover food editor Heather Taylor’s top picks to make the season extra delicious
Two weeks to go: fill your shelves
Christmas might look a little different this year, but that’s not going to stop me getting into the spirit. Stock up on plenty of tasty goodies to make the season feel special: single-origin coffee, make-your-own gingerbread biscuits, trifle-flavoured granola (yes, really), salted caramel truffles and single-estate honey: M&S Foodhall treats that will keep me going until Boxing Day and beyond.
Pick up a jar of our brandy-spiked Collection mincemeat (I add a spoonful to scone dough before baking for my spiced Christmassy scones) and Collection cherries in kirsch and apricots in amaretto – both taste incredible spooned over vanilla ice-cream.
And our Cook With M&S honey and pumpkin spice glaze is a festive essential – toss carrots in it before roasting, add a dash to mulled wine, or brush over mince pies before you bake them.
One week to go: pick your wine
Choosing a great bottle for Christmas lunch needn’t be daunting. Our Classics range launched this year and features the very best examples of the world’s most iconic grape varieties.
My pick for festive fizz is our Classics crémant. Beautifully crisp and zesty, it’s just bagged a best-value sparkling award from the prestigious IWC, and is great value.
For lunch, our Classics claret is a brilliant all-rounder and a great match for beef and turkey, while our crisp Classics Touraine sauvignon blanc is delicious alongside smoked salmon. For something light and refreshing to serve with canapés and nibbles, the Classics gavi is my go-to, and, when it comes to big, juicy reds, I can’t get enough of our full-bodied Classics malbec.
One day to go: cosy up in style
I’m keeping my fingers crossed that a quieter festive season this year means less of the mad dash to get gifts wrapped and dinner prepped come Christmas Eve. So I’m planning to cosy up in front of a festive film with a boozy salted caramel hot chocolate, using some special treats you can pick up exclusively in our Foodhalls.
To make it, mix up our Collection salted caramel hot chocolate with some warm milk until smooth. Add a dash of our luxury salted caramel brownie cream liqueur (this is also amazing on ice-cream or in a chocolate trifle) and top with our thick salted caramel cream: now that’s what I call Christmas indulgence.
Words: Heather Taylor
