“I have never thought of myself as the sort of cook who makes his own bits and pieces to serve with drinks,” said Nigel Slater, writing about Christmas in the Observer. “When I do, I realise I should have done so all along. Not just because what I’ve made often tastes better than anything I can buy, but because the effort is much more appreciated.”
With that in mind, we bring you simple, delicious recipes to please both guests and cooks throughout the festive season. Make Georgia Levy’s mac ’n’ cheese canapés, build Georgina Hayden’s blinis and try not to eat all of Anja Dunk’s triple-chocolate biscotti in one sitting. Then relax with a glass of Jared Brown and Anistatia Miller’s negroni punch. Happy Christmas from OFM!
The classic Christmas canapé, easily customised with your favourite toppings (pictured above)
Parmesan biscuits. Photograph: Kate Whitaker/The Observer
The ultimate cheesy biscuit, impossible to resist
Speck and parmesan muffins. Photograph: Jonathan Lovekin/The Observer
A little warm savoury muffin to have with a glass of something cold and fizzy
Mac ’n’ cheese canapés. Photograph: Kate Whitaker/The Observer
Comfort food in canapé form – what could be better?
Christmas clove syrup. Photograph: Kate Whitaker/The Observer
Your new festive friend – just add sparkling wine or soda water for instant party drinks
Mushroom paté. Photograph: Kate Whitaker/The Observer
A classic paté to serve on toast or crostini
Curried crabby nachos. Photograph: Robert Billington
Crunchy, spicy, comes together at the last moment – an excellent party snack
Mortadella-wrapped grissini. Photograph: Peden + Munk
The perfect trio – bread sticks, chilli butter, cured meat
Negroni punch. Photograph: Patrice de Villiers/The Observer
Toast the season with a glass of grown-up punch
Cranberry and soy glazed cocktail sausages. Photograph: Kate Whitaker/The Observer
Superior mini sausages on sticks
Jerusalem artichoke fritters with clementine sauce. Photograph: Kate Whitaker/The Observer
Crisp outside and fluffy within, perfect with a tangy citrus sauce
Fennel seed and pancetta popcorn. Photograph: Jonathan Lovekin/The Observer
How do you make popcorn better? Add bacon
Carrot ‘lox’ with ‘cream cheese’, capers and dill canapés. Photograph: Simon Smith
This fresh take on the Christmas classic will please vegans – and everyone else
Black grape pachadi dip with curry leaves and yoghurt. Photograph: Kate Whitaker/The Observer
Fresh, creamy, sweet, pickly – level up your dip game
Rocket and walnut pesto crostini. Photograph: Kate Whitaker/The Observer
As good on toast as it is stirred through pasta
Black forest brownies. Photograph: Jonathan Lovekin
Rich, squidgy and always a crowdpleaser
Gluten-free cheesy garlic dough ball wreath. Photograph: Hannah Hughes
A festive tear-and-share to dip into hot cheese
Lemon and sage roasted almonds. Photograph: Louise Hagger/The Guardian
A snack to savour at any time during the festive season
Mulled cider. Photograph: Lizzie Mayson/The Guardian
Switch wine for cider to improve on a Christmas favourite
Schokoladen biscotti – double chocolate biscotti. Photograph: Anja Dunk
Dip in cocoa for an even more intense chocolatey hit