For me, December is all about the lead up to Christmas and that means it’s filled with seasonal flavours and smells like cinnamon, ginger, citrus and …. well, sprouts.

Now is the time that I do my present shopping – mainly online because frankly it’s so much less stressful. I do however treat myself to an annual trip to the Christmas Market in Nottingham and it never fails to fill me with Christmas spirit (thanks only in part to the obligatory mulled wine stop).  The smells of German sausage, roasting chestnuts, mulling spices and gingerbread waft across the square and can’t help but give you a rush of excitement for the coming festive season.

As far as seasonal food goes, the Christmas theme continues.  It could be said that December pickings are rather slim in comparison with other months but honestly, who could really claim that the month which gives us mince pies, sweet roast chestnuts and Christmas dinner is anything but bounteous?

Fruit & Veg

Brussels Sprouts

Bramley Apples

Grapefruit

Parsnips

Ok, let’s talk about sprouts.  As a wise reader of Eat Drink Cook, I don’t think I need to convince you of their merits do I?  I mean, you already know right? Right?! Ok. Good.  Let’s move on…

On to parsnips.  Much like dogs, parsnips are not just for Christmas.  Yes, the little maple glazed beauties are one of the stars of the festive table, but don’t be afraid to explore other options.  Spicy Parsnip & Apple Soup, Parsnip Fries or just chucked into a hearty stew.

Meat & Fish

Turkey

I’m going to leave it at that.  Someone tweeted me the other day to ask if I have any turkey recipes (shout out to you Andy Hose!)  I’m embarrassed to say that this will be my first EVER year of actually cooking Christmas dinner.  We have always spent previous years at my parents’ home where my main responsibilities were veg chopping (always a team game it must be said) and writing the all-important (or so my Mum told me..) Christmas dinner timetable.

This year, I’m sticking with Nigella.  Her books are the most used of my large and ever-growing cook book collection and she has never let me down yet.