december
Maple-glazed pork with cranberry and pecan stuffing
This dish is good hot or cold, so it’s great for picnics or the centrepiece for a traditional meal.
Mushroom Wellington
A rich and tasty mushroom filling in golden pastry makes a meat-free celebration meal even ardent meat-lovers will enjoy.
Cherry berry meringue roulade
A meringue roulade works well for festive season entertaining. A hint of liqueur adds a grown-up touch which appeals to all ages.
Coffee cup Christmas puddings
These rich Christmas puddings are baked not steamed, so they are quick and easy to prepare. They also freeze well.
Pistachio and apricot biscotti
These biscotti are perfect as a long-lasting nibble to share with visitors over the festive season.
Mini chicken and cranberry pies
A little taste of Christmas in every bite - these tasty morsels are sure to impress.
Savoury nuts
Small portions are the key with nuts. They do contain healthy fats, but there are just as many kilojoules in healthy fats as bad fats.
Bruschetta with chickpea spread and basil tomatoes
Day-old bread is perfect for bruschetta, and this chickpea spread is a subtle but delicious addition to a canapé favourite.
Cannellini bean and olive dip
Serve with fresh vegetables such as blanched snow peas and asparagus, radish, baby carrots and capsicum sticks.
Beetroot dip
Worth making for its colour alone! With only four ingredients and ready in five minutes, this is sure to become an instant favourite.
Pita crisps
These tasty, delicious morsels are a lot healthier than potato crisps. If you don’t have pita bread at hand, use naan bread.
Blackcurrant yoghurt cakes
For anyone who doesn’t like traditional Christmas fruit cake, these will be a winner.
Gluten-free celebration cakes
These lovely cakes can be enjoyed by everyone, whether they need to avoid gluten or not.
Classic Christmas cake
This is the classic fruitcake topped with ready-rolled icing, but bucks tradition with the added surprise of dark chocolate.
Mix-and-match icing
Not just for Xmas baking, these icing recipes work equally well with fruit and vegetable cakes such as apple or carrot cake.
Thai beef curry
Fish sauce works well with lime and sugar, and you only need a little for an authentic flavour.
Moroccan fish fillets with couscous salad
It’s easy to add a taste of the exotic in this recipe - just add the right seasoning.
Chargrilled polenta with bean, tomato and rocket salad
For a meat-free barbecue dish, this tasty and fibre-rich alternative is sure to please.
Forgotten cookies
This is an old, traditional American Christmas recipe that has been handed down through the generations. They're called 'forgotten' because of the way they're cooked in the turned-off oven overnight.
Low-fat Christmas cupcakes
Super-quick and easy, these cupcakes make a perfect homemade Christmas gift.
Pepper-crusted venison medallions with orange and redcurrant vinaigrette
A light and delicious lunch; succulent venison paired with the zing of summer fruit. [Recipe supplied by Deer Industry New Zealand]
