Alcohol

Give nana's plain bread and butter pudding a European flavour with this Italian version. Panettone is a yeasted cake that is the speciality of Milan and is traditionally served at Christmas. It is however available most of the year round.

This classic cocktail is snazzy and iconic as it is constantly referenced in pop culture. Bring a little of that suave to your next cocktail party, or even for a cozy stay-at-home drink with a friend or partner.

Mixture can be shaped into logs, divide mixture in half, roll each half into 2cm (¾-inch) logs. Wrap in foil or grease proof paper, twisting ends to secure. Refrigerate logs for 2 hours or until firm. We used Grand Marnier but you can use your favourite orange or citrus- flavoured liqueur. Note

A delicious thick-cut dark whisky marmalade from Australian Women's Weekly.

We like to use an underproof rum, but, if you like, use the stronger overproof variety. Note

We used Grand Marnier in this recipe but you could use any citrus-flavoured liqueur you like. Serve warm with lashings of cream, custard or hard sauce.

For a delightful summer dessert, try these stacks of boozy cream, juicy strawberries and crisp brandy snaps drizzled with passionfruit.

When the beer-can chicken is roasting on the barbecue, the beer inside the can becomes steam. This steam keeps the chicken moist on the inside while the skin on the outside becomes lovely and crisp.

You can buy sugar syrup from liquor stores or make your own. Stir 1 cup (220g) caster (superfine) sugar with 1 cup (250ml) water in small saucepan, over low heat, until sugar dissolves. Bring to the boil. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, without stirring, 5 minutes. Remove from heat; cool to room temperature. Store in […]

Drizzled with orange syrup and topped with Greek yoghurt and fresh grapes, this cake is both delicious and stunning.

This is a traditional cake from north-eastern France; you find similar cakes in Germany, Austria and eastern Europe (the names vary slightly: Kugelhopf, Gugelhupf ). You will need an electric mixer fitted with a dough hook for this recipe as the dough is too soft to knead by hand.

Caipiroska is a variation of the “caipirinha”, regarded as Brazil’s national cocktail. The caipirinha is made with cachaça (made from sugarcane that’s fermented and distilled), plus sugar and lime. Caipiroska uses vodka instead of cachaça. Note

When in season, use blood oranges. Note

This dessert is absolutely stunning with a beautiful rustic flare, layered eggnog pavlova could quickly become a family Christmas tradition.

Bring a little bit of Belgium to your kitchen with this classic dish. Serve with some crusty bread to soak up that delicious broth, and be generous with the finger bowls!

The addition of the cream cheese gives this luscious cake an especially moist, rich quality.

These rich, fruity chocolate cherry meringue desserts are like little trifles with their layers of chocolate cake, custard, cherries and meringue.

Store limoncello in the refrigerator or freezer. Note

This spiced walnut cake with a brandy syrup is rich with the fragrance of cloves, cinnamon and orange.

Celebrate summer with this classic cocktail with a tropical twist.

Frangelico adds a nutty depth to this divine vanilla martini. You can use another hazelnut liqueur if you prefer.

This duck liver parfait is actually quite simple, especially if you buy the livers ready trimmed. The red onion jam is so delicious you might want to make double the quantity so there's some left for sandwiches later.

My mum recently handed me a real treasure – an exercise book that was used for recipes by my great-grandmother. I never knew my great-grandmother, but I certainly recognise some of her recipes from my visits to Nan’s house. It has been compiled with patience and love, and gives me an insight into a woman I never met. It is a privilege to now have her cookbook. This cake is from an era where home cooks were incredibly frugal, as everyday ingredients, such as butter, were in short supply.

Delight your guests at your next dinner party with these easy, sophisticated cocktails.

Drizzled in a toffee syrup and plump with fruit and nuts, this cake will be the centrepiece of your Christmas table.

Try these fudgy brownies for an easy, decadent treat.

Apple adds a freshness and crisp, green flavour to a classic martini recipe.

Plump with fruit, this delicious apricot fruit cake is perfect with your morning or afternoon cuppa.

Use a vegetable peeler to thinly slice the cucumber lengthways. Note

This is the perfect recipe to start your Christmas cake baking tradition. It can be made ahead of time easy preparation on any occasion.

You can substitute scotch whiskey for the rye whiskey. Note

These crunchy muffins are delicious served with a slather of apricot butter and a cup of hot coffee.

To make chilli-infused vodka, combine 250ml vodka and 4 fresh red thai chillies in a glass jar, cover; stand for about 5 days or until the vodka is infused with chilli heat. Discard chillies before using. Note

You can use cognac or armagnac in place of the port when making this sophisticated tart for dessert.

These summery coconut and lemongrass rum cocktails will be a hit during the festive season and right through the summer.

Beef and mushroom make a delicious pair in this herby, slow-cooked stew.

One bite of these delicious mini chocolate tarts and your guests will be begging for the recipe. The orange flavoured liqueur adds the perfect touch of sophistication. Grand Marnier or Cointreau will work beautifully.

Some occasions call for a more sophisticated kind of sweetness, complex flavours rather than pure sugariness. If you're after something memorable, this rich red wine chocolate cake is an elegant, refined confection.

Cooking this cake slowly ensures all of the moisture is maintained; resulting in a moist, fruity, delicious dessert. The ultimate treat.

Slow cooked beef pot roast with root vegetables has the house smelling gorgeous all afternoon.

This is warming comfort food at its best. Don’t let the long cooking time put you off. You’ll spend very little time at the stove before the pan goes in the oven.

Layers of dark chocolate cake and spiked chocolate mousse make this cake a boozy and decadent treat, perfect for a special occasion.

Cool, sweet and fruity, this refreshing mango and hibiscus sorbet is perfect to enjoy on a warm Summer afternoon by the pool. It is only enhanced by a splash of prosecco.

We've foregone the classic version of this drink for a little sweetness. James Bond might frown, but we love it.

Dusted with cocoa, these elegant chocolate soufflés are well worth the effort of making, especially served with a big dollop of spiked mascarpone.

Tia Maria or dark crème de cacao can be substituted for Kahlua. Glass 180ml old-fashioned Note

Only fresh blueberries can be used in this recipe, as frozen berries will tint the sangria. Note

A classic cocktail, this timeless combination of tequila and lime will take you to Mexico with every sip.

The mix of textures, flavours and temperatures combine in the classic king of desserts, the bombe alaska, to create a sensationally sweet dish.

These individual chicken, thyme and brandy pâtés make a great starter for a special dinner. You can use another dessert wine in place of the botrytis semillon if you prefer.

This fruit cake is deliciously moist and looks beautiful decorated with almonds. It can last up to 12 months, but we think you'll polish it off well before then.

Citron vodka is a lemon and lime flavoured vodka that contains small amounts of lemon peel. Limoncello is a popular after-dinner drink in Italy, and is usually served ice cold. It is sweet and lemony, but not sour. Note

To remove pomegranate seeds: cut the pomegranate in half crossways, and using your fingers, scrape the seeds from the flesh while holding the pomegranate upside-down in a bowl of cold water; the seeds will sink and the white pith will float to the surface. Discard the pith, and drain the seeds before using. Note

You need approximately eight limes for this recipe. Note

These preserved citrus fruits are great to use as a base for a whole range of desserts dishes such as pies, puddings, cakes and crumbles.

This golden beef pie is classic comfort food; perfect for a cosy night in by the fire.

Gluten-free and dairy-free, the flavours and textures of this cake will not disappoint.

This delicious creamy cocktail is a good seasonal alternative to egg nog if you like something lighter in texture.

You could use peach slices in place of raspberries and peach liqueur rather than strawberry when making this delightful party drink if you like.

Oh, my goodness. Oh, my very goodness. This homemade Irish creme liqueur makes a wonderful and unique Christmas gift. But be warned, you may not want to give it away.

There's nothing like a cocktail to get a party going, and these frozen mango daiquiri are so yummy they could double as dessert.

These rich and boozy dark chocolate truffles are rudely rich and delicious. They make a perfect after dinner treat, just for when you thought you couldn't eat another bite.

For an elegant Christmas dessert, try this cheat's ice-cream terrine served with fresh berries. For a more layered look, you could use two different flavours of ice-cream.

These adorable wedding cake cookies make great party favours for guests, or as a sweet treat for a wedding shower.

Cointreau would work well for the liqueur in this recipe, although if you want to keep it booze free, orange juice would also do. Either way, for the amount of time involved the result is deceptively fancy.

Give your bubbles a little tropical twist with these delicious mango cocktails. Cheers!

Sweet and spiked with liqueur, you can offer Irish coffee in place of traditional dessert.

This is the trifle to end all trifles, the recipe for the ultimate trifle. Sponge fingers, liqueur, raspberries, strawberries and a liqueur spiked mascarpone cream. Delicious.

This deconstructed Beef Wellington makes for a new take on a genuine classic. A fabulous dish to serve up at a special dinner party.

A fortified wine, like sherry and port, muscat is the result of grapes left to ripen well beyond normal harvesting time, resulting in a concentrated dark, toffee-coloured wine with a rich yet mellow flavour. Note

Long and cool, a jug of ginger fizz is a welcome sight at any party.

Take the soft option with these delicious non-alcoholic drinks perfect for any time of day or night. Note

This sensational tasting bread can be served warm straight from the oven alongside soups or as a snack. Either way, it won't last long when there are hungry mouths to feed.