CHRISTMAS EVE FOR TWO

There’s a pace and rhythm about cooking a menu for two that I really like – you can stagger your jobs so you get all the elements right, and you’re not rushed when it comes to serving. I’ve written this menu with that in mind. The starter is made ahead and the dessert cooked from frozen, leaving you just the therapeutic task of stirring the rich risotto on the day. For me, this menu is all about Christmas Eve, as that’s the first time I get to wind down, but it would work at any other point over the holidays when you want a bit of quality time with just one other person. I’ve gone with the full three courses should you want to go all-out, but the salmon or risotto alone would make easy but equally luxurious one-course suppers. Though my menu isn’t vegetarian, I’ve purposely kept it meat-free, as there’s so much poultry, beef and ham happening during other meals at this time of Tom x