I turn to my favourite trio of cooks for ideas for the Christmas carrots, and the answer is unanimous: Italian legend Ada Boni’s method of braising them in butter with marsala

Chocolate pavé is family favourite that has never failed to please, says Annalisa Barbieri

Roll up! Two east European-inspired dishes of cabbage leaves stuffed with a rich spiced pork filling, and cream-cheese-stuffed baked pancakes smothered in a sour cherry sauce

A festive collection from our archive of favourite starters, main courses and puddings

If you’re entertaining friends before the big day, make it special but avoid turkey and trimmings

Spiced biscuits, marzipan cake and Flammkuchen – a celebration of festive German baking

Veggie sides, but not as you know them: a spicy-sweet, Mexican-style roast pumpkin with salsa and chipotle oil, an almost-Indonesian marinated beetroot with salty peanut dressing, and charred brussels sprouts in a lime and basil dressing

Ludicrously simple to make, especially if you buy in the pastry, easily customisable and a surefire hit – who doesn’t like puff pastries?

Cheese and chocolate are your friends, but keep them bite-sized. Top chefs share their favourite nibbles …

Orange-and-hazelnut ganache sandwiched in a wheel of delicately crisp choux pastry and topped with a vanilla-orange cream

If you’re still looking for a high-impact sweet centrepiece for the Christmas table, this simple baked dessert is ideal