Seven recipe ideas for the holidays, if roast turkey’s not your thing

When I plan dinner parties, I rarely cook for more than eight. I make exceptions for the holidays, when I tend to invite “orphans” - friends who have nowhere else to go to celebrate. Sometimes these friends ask if they can bring other friends. The table may be crowded, but we have a great time. A 10kg beef rib-eye roast feeds about 25; if you’re cooking for fewer, cut the roast into the amount you’ll need and freeze the rest. See my recipe for slow-cooked bone-in beef rib-eye roast.

On the other hand, while the Norman Rockwell version of a holiday celebration is gathering with a large group of friends and family for a feast, many people prefer something more intimate. A smaller celebration means you can be more extravagant. See my recipes for roast guinea fowl, and for cornbread, porcini and chestnut stuffing.

Whatever you decide to roast, there’s always going to be room for dessert. The Yule log, or buche de Noel, is a French cake that represents the log burned in the hearth over Christmas. Pastry chefs can get very creative with these, but this one is more home-style, and it’s something children can help make.