First cut of menus for Christmas 2023. Work in progress. Main meal only. Vegetarian. Christmas Eve dinner to Boxing Day.

Christmas Eve

Food

  • Sugared, chocolate-coated, gilded, and silvered Brazil nuts and almonds
  • Chickpeas and cannellini beans with hispi cabbage and cavolo nero
  • Frangipane
  • Soft cheeses

Drink

  • Sparkling water (eg, Vichy Célestins)
  • Kir Royale with a twist of hibiscus
  • Sparkling white wine (Maybe a Franciacorta)
  • Sweet wine with the desert (Recioto?)
  • Atlantic coastal brandy with the cheese

Christmas Day

Food

  • Friselle with tomato, oregano, basil and rocket, chilli flakes
  • Creamy risotto with butternut squash and Brussels sprouts, sage, dried Senise peppers
  • Mince pies with brandy cream or brandy butter
  • Hard cheeses and blue cheeses, nuts, dried fruit, charcoal crackers

Drink

  • Sparkling water (eg Ferarelle)
  • Negroni
  • White wine (to be decided - or maybe a Puglian orange wine?)
  • Dryish champagne with the mince pies
  • PX or Port with the cheese

Boxing Day

If the weather is bearable, do this as a picnic.

Food

  • Filo parcels with festive vegetables and smoked tofu
  • Soured red cabbage with winter spices and bitter orange
  • Stollen, brandy butter

Drink

  • Sparkling water (eg S. Pellegrino)
  • Mulled wine
  • Brandy