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What would Christmas be without a family fallout around the festive table, or a failed turkey as its centrepiece? If you've suffered either of these festive blues, you're in good company, with the likes of Chevy Chase and Dan Akroyd turning them into comedy gold in some of film's most iconic festive food moments.
Take a look at those iconic scenes and recreate the recipes, without making a scene at home this Christmas:
Famous Christmas movie scenes + recipes
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation - Turkey’s done
Expectations are set high around the Griswold festive table when America's most dedicated dad, Clark Griswold aka Chevy Chase, announces: "If this turkey tastes half as good as it looks, I think we're all in for a very big treat." Naturally, the turkey is a dried out disaster and amidst tears, he offers those comfortless words that no chef ever wants to hear: "It's just a little dry, it's fine."
Here's how to cook a whole turkey and avoid a family scene.
The Santa Clause - Judy the Elf's hot chocolate
When Scott Calvin, actor Tim Allen, has to step in for Santa Claus following a mishap in this Christmas comedy-drama, he ends up visiting the North Pole where Judy the Elf brings him a hot chocolate that's taken 1200 years to perfect: "Not too hot, extra chocolate, shaken not stirred.”
Here's Binging with Babish with his take on the hot chocolate recipe from The Santa Clause, so you don't have to wait around for Judy's.
Trading Places - Santa’s salmon
A dishevelled Santa, Louis (Dan Aykroyd), hits rock bottom as he munches on his Christmas dinner on the bus, a whole salmon that he has hidden inside his jacket.
Salmon doesn't have to be sad at Christmas. Here's how to cook salmon in the hands of Michelin chefs.
Home Alone - Microwave mac'n'cheese
Kevin McCallister (Macaulay Culkin) never gets the chance to feast on his Christmas dinner of microwaveable macaroni and cheese for one before the clock strikes nine.
Learn how to make the ultimate mac'n'cheese and you'll probably never find yourself home alone.
A Christmas Story - Roast turkey at Chop Suey Palace
The Parkers go out to eat Christmas dinner at the Bo' Ling Chop Suey Palace Chinese restaurant in Bob Clark's 1983 film, after the Bumpus Hounds ate their turkey, only to discover that "Chinese Turkey", actually means duck in this case.
Don't let Christmas fly out of the window, here are ten easy recipes to make the most of duck.
Elf - Spaghetti alla maple syrup
"We elves like to stick to the four main food groups: candy, candy canes, candy corns, and syrup" announces Will Ferrell, aka one of Santa's elves, having downed a bottle of coke and drowned his spaghetti in maple syrup to the horror of his hosts.
Learn how to make an authentic spaghetti carbonara, which elves would hate.
Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas - The roast 'beast'
A reformed Grinch returns all of the Whos' presents and food, and is allowed to take part in their Christmas feast and carve the roast beast himself in his cave.
Don't be a grinch, learn how to re-create your very own roast beast, aka turkey, for your friends this Christmas, in the capable hands of Andrew Rea in the clip below:
The Polar Express - Never let it cool
Tom Hanks is in character as the conductor on a train headed for the North Pole in this animated Christmas musical as he and his backup singers, or waiters, arrive serving freshly-made hot chocolate to a rendition of ... 'hot chocolate', reminding the children to 'never let it cool'.
Instead of making a song and dance out of it, take your pick of our hot chocolate recipes, from Mexican and spicy to hot chocolate bombs, instead.
