Christmas is coming, but what will you be cooking? Here are this month's best ingredients.
December is arguably one of the biggest months of the year for food-lovers. And if you're hosting Christmas dinner, it's certainly the biggest cooking challenge. Find inspiration in our pick of December's seasonal produce.
Vegetables
December means greens in the shape of broccoli, cabbage, kale, leeks and sprouts. You can also take your pick of root vegetables such as swedes, beetroots, carrots, parsnips and salsify.
Don't forget potatoes (both normal and sweet) and Jerusalem artichokes.
Try...
Black cherry mulled red cabbage
Comté and Brussels sprouts gratin
Vegan pizza with lemon and Brussels sprouts
Beetroot risotto with Lancashire cheese
Meat
Turkey might be the focus this month, but it's not the only meat to consider. A plump, free-range chicken or rib of beef make excellent Christmas dinner alternatives, while goose, grouse, duck and venison are among the game options.
Try...
Grilled spiced duck skewers with tender kale
Roasted rib eye of beef with cracked black pepper
Jamie Oliver's rib-eye stir-fry with dan dan noodles
Seafood
Expect to see plenty of salmon and smoked salmon on the shelves this month, perfect for light Christmas eve dinners or omelettes on Christmas morning.
If you prefer shellfish then clams, mussels, oysters and scallops are good choices to look out for. Other catches of the month include sea bass, mackerel, dover sole, hake, herring and plaice.
Try...
Cheddar cheese soufflé with smoked salmon
Shellfish and potatoes à la marinière
Grilled herring with walnut and tarragon crust
Whole baked salmon with kale, squash and pomegranate salad
Fruit
It's a quiet month in the calendar for local British produce except for a few varieties of apples and pears. But as it's December we should also give honorary mentions to our imported friends clementines, satsumas and pomegranates.
Don't despair if you've got a sweet tooth, as December means plenty of opportunities for festive baking. You could also try incorporating carrot and beetroot into your desserts.
Try...
Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall's chocolate and beetroot brownies
Bramley apple, ginger and caramel pies
Beetroot, pomegranate and orange smoothie
Mary Berry's carrot and walnut cake with cream cheese icing