Classic Christmas food and leftover recipe ideas that really sparkle
To help you ring the changes this Christmas, whilst still enjoying the classic dishes, here is our guide to some gourmet Christmas foods you can treat yourself to, as well as some inventive ways you can add a little seasonal sparkle to those leftovers.
Make it easy on yourself

Our gourmet, UK wide, food delivery service is the ideal way to take the stress out of Christmas cooking this year. For starters (and mains and desserts!) we offer our complete Christmas menu deals for a traditional Christmas dinner without the customary blood, sweat and tears. Our selection of complete menu deals includes:
- A traditional classic Christmas feast starting with London Cure smoked Scottish Salmon, followed by free range bronze turkey served with dauphinoise potatoes and brussels laced with bacon and chestnuts. Our luxury Christmas pudding is complemented by a bottle of fine sparkling wine and a box of Paul Wayne Gregory Real Champagne truffles.
- A modern Christmas Day gastronomic masterpiece that marries the best of British with an innovative splash of French and Italian. This daring Christmas dinner menu starts with a confit duck, chicken and pistachio terrine and showcases a succulent traditional porchetta with creamy herb mash and spiced red cabbage. A refreshingly light panettone and butter pudding rounds off the meal, with delicate fresh macaroons just waiting to be savoured over coffee.
- Our pescatarian Christmas meal is a fish lover’s dream, offering a wonderfully light alternative to the traditional roast. We’ve taken delicious fish dishes perfected in Forman’s Restaurant, added a world-class English white and a box of fine chocolates.
Add a touch of sparkle
We also offer a wide selection of ready prepared, gourmet meals, starters and sweets to add a little sparkle to your own Christmas dinner menu. Here are some tempting gourmet Christmas food ideas to help get your party started:
- Salmon and Tuna Tataki ─ seared loins rolled in spices and served with a wasabi dipping sauce. A mouth-wateringly unusual starter.
- Wild partridge is a refreshing change to turkey. It’s plump, tasty and juicy, and not too gamey. Try roasting it topped with butter and bacon or braise it slowly with pulses.
- From delicious Christmas cake to delicate petits fours, we can ensure your sweets and treats are delivered this year so all you have to do is enjoy them.

Get inventive with your leftovers
No matter how carefully we plan our menus, and order food online, the Christmas leftovers are as traditional as the big meal itself. Here are some creative Boxing Day menu ideas to help you use up those leftovers, with flair.
If you want to find out what leftover chicken recipes or leftover beef recipes top chefs suggest, have a look at Angela Hartnett, get inspiration from Jamie Oliver or take advice from Marcus Wareing. You can also have a look through the BBC’s Good Food or get deliciously creative with Taste. Here are our three favourite ways to make a meal out of leftovers, without resorting to a turkey sandwich.
Christmas kedgeree
If you have any salmon left over, this simple dish is a quick and easy brunch or supper. Fry onion and garlic in plenty of butter then add some basmati rice, garam masala and stock. Mix in some petit pois as the liquid is absorbed and, when the rice is tender, stir through some crème fraîche. Finally, add the salmon, some parsley and dress with quartered, lightly boiled eggs.
Turkey Singapore noodles
Noodle dishes offer a fresh take on turkey and chicken leftover recipes. Get creative with the spices and ingredients you use. Alternatively, try this tasty suggestion: cook your noodles and add some sesame oil. Make an omelette and shred it. Fry garlic, ginger and chilli in a wok and then add leftover vegetables, turkey and ham. Mix in the noodles with some curry powder, turmeric, soy, leftover sherry, sugar and your shredded omelette. Serve and garnish with fresh coriander.
Delicious desserts
With a little imagination and some Grand Marnier soaked oranges, custard, cream and leftover Christmas pudding, you can make a truly festive trifle with a difference.
Our top tip, however, is for that bottle of Baileys that often sits forlornly on the shelf after Christmas. Bailey’s Chocolate Pudding is a deliciously decadent dessert: a simple and wonderfully sinful treat.
Have a relaxing, indulgent, stress-free and leftover-free Christmas!