Everything you need for Christmas cooking: recipes, tips and tricks

Christmas is coming and it's time to start planning your Christmas menu. If you're still scratching around for ideas and looking for tips and tricks from the world's best chefs, Fine Dining Lovers has you covered with everything to make Christmas dinner a roaring success. 

Christmas leftovers: 5 delicious recipes from top chefs 

We all know the best part about Christmas dinner is the leftovers. There is nothing better than a turkey and stuffing sandwich, but you do better. Try these recipes to elevate your Christmas leftovers by some of the world’s leading chefs to add new and interesting twists that evoke flavours from world cuisine in the days after Christmas. From Santiago Lastra’s golden tacos to Mauro Colagreco’s recovery risotto, Pía León’s powerful Peruvian soup to Vasco Coelho Santos’ rabanada, the Portuguese answer to French toast, there is something for everyone.  

We wish you a starred Christmas... with chef Colagreco 

Knock your Christmas cooking out of the park with these recipes from one of the world's best chefs, Mauro Colagreco. These may take time and a certain amount of skill to get on the table on Christmas Day, but they will be worth it. Finish all Christmas arguments about how best to cook with Colagreco's winter root vegetables, grana padano and melanosporum; boar consommé, red cabbage ravioli and foie gras; and salt-crusted beetroot with caviar cream. Delectable, indulgent and with the clean finesse that has made Colagreco one of the best chefs in the world, this is Christmas at a whole different level. 

Michelin chefs cook Christmas 

Move away from the traditional staples and try something different this year with these Christmas recipes by chefs from Michelin-starred restaurants. From Marcello Tully's slow-cooked Scotch lamb shoulder to Robert Ortiz’s Peruvian alternative these are recipes that will excite the palate this year while keeping the comforting, Christmassy vibe that we all love. 

5 of the most challenging Christmas dishes from around the world 

For those who like to flex their culinary muscles at Christmas we have a roundup of five of the most challenging Christmas recipes from around the world. From classic French croquembouche, Gordon Ramsay's favourite beef wellington and the duck-inside-a-turkey Turducken from the US, there's plenty to challenge those who want to roll up their sleeves and cook to impress this year.   

10 of the best Christmas baking recipes to try 

So, you've got the family arriving from all over and you are facing the prospect of cooking for more people that you do all year, but you're stuck for ideas? For sweets and pastries, we've got you covered with this list of 10 Christmas recipes. With varying degrees of difficulty, you can find the traditional Christmas crowd-pleasers that will make your holiday season for all the family.   

Happy umami Christmas: pack flavour into your dinner 

Pack extra flavour into your Christmas dinner with these chefs' favourite umami bombs. These ingredients will lift any Christmas dish with more delicious flavour. Banish the bland this year and go for optimum taste with these simple ingredients that will take your Christmas cooking to a higher, more delicious level. 

How to make Michelin-star Christmas gravy 

Don't forget the gravy this year – the likes of Gordon Ramsay have the tips and tricks to make the perfect turkey gravy to accompany your roast bird. Gravy shouldn't be an afterthought and with these recipes for exemplary gravy, the family will be fighting over the gravy boat at the table. 

Happy gourmet Christmas! Celebrate in style with these tips

These chef tips and tricks for Christmas begin with the basics, including ideas for drinks like eggnog, before moving on to gourmet favourites like goose liver pate and succulent glazed ham, not forgetting the perfect brown gravy for drizzling over mashed potatoes. Discover all you need to nail down Christmas dinner, whether you're a novice cook or old hand in the kitchen.