buffet recipes

James Martin gives the traditional treacle tart a Christmassy twist

Stem ginger & treacle tart

pack sweet shortcrust pastry

flour

golden syrup

breadcrumbs

lemon

½ tsp ground ginger

eggs

6-8 balls stem ginger

vanilla ice cream

Roll out the pastry on a lightly floured surface until big enough to line a 23cm fluted tart case, about 3cm deep. Line the tin with the pastry and fold the overhang over the sides. Chill for 30 mins.

Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Line the tart with greaseproof paper and baking beans. Bake blind for 20 mins. Remove the beans and paper and bake for 10 mins more until the pastry is pale golden and sandy.

Meanwhile, mix the golden syrup, breadcrumbs, lemon zest and juice, ground ginger and eggs together. Once the pastry is ready, lower the oven to 160C/140C fan/gas 3. Using a small serrated knife, carefully trim the edges, then tip in the treacle mixture and bake for 55 mins-1 hr until the filling is golden and crisp, and feels set to the touch.

When the tart comes out of the oven, arrange the ginger slices over the top. Drizzle with some syrup from the ginger jar, then lift from the tin to a serving plate and serve warm with vanilla ice cream or custard.

James uses the steam-roast method to cook his Christmas ham, so you don't need an enormous pan to boil it in

Sticky treacle-glazed ham

3.5-4kg/7lb 10 ounces-9lb boned rolled piece unsmoked ham

oranges

cinnamon

tbsp English mustard

black treacle

cloves

bay leaves and orange segments, to serve (optional)

If you need to soak the ham, do so the night before. Heat oven to 180C/fan 160C/gas 4. Place the ham, skin-side up, in a deep roasting tin, then add enough water to cover the base of the tin. Scatter the orange wedges and cinnamon stick around. Cover the pan with a tight tent of foil, then cook the ham for about 2½ hrs. (If using a different weight of ham, you want 20 mins per 450g.)

While the ham is cooking, mix the mustard, treacle and orange zest together with enough orange juice to make a mixture loose enough to paint over the ham.

When the ham has had its time, remove the roasting tin from the oven and turn up the heat to 220C/ fan 200C/gas 7. Remove the foil, leave the ham until cool enough to handle, then pour away any liquid in the tin. Using a sharp knife, carefully cut away the skin to leave an even layer of fat. Use the tip of the knife to score the ham fat diagonally at 3cm intervals – first in one direction, then the other, to produce a diamond pattern. Liberally paint the glaze over the fat, then stud with the cloves at the points of the diamond shapes.

Roast the ham for 30 mins until glazed and just beginning to char around the edges. Leave to cool and serve warm or cold, decorated with the bay and orange wedges, if you like, along with my delicious green bean salad and your favourite chutney.

Serve this vividly coloured chutney with cheeses and cold meats - great to give as a gift, too

Spiced beetroot & orange chutney

1½ kg raw beetroot, trimmed, peeled and diced (wear gloves!)

onions, chopped

apples,

tbsp mustard seeds

coriander seed

red wine vinegar

golden granulated sugar

In a preserving pan or your largest saucepan, mix together all the ingredients well. Bring to a gentle simmer, then cook for 1 hr, stirring occasionally, until the chutney is thick and the beetroot tender.

While the chutney is cooking, prepare your jars by running through a short hot wash in your dishwasher. Or wash thoroughly by hand, then put in a hot oven to sterilise for 10-15 mins. Once the chutney is ready, let it settle for 10 mins, then carefully spoon into the jars and seal while still hot. You can eat it straight away but it will be even better after a month. Will keep for up to 6 months in a cool dark place. Once opened, refrigerate and eat within 2 months.

You can't have a buffet without a homemade quiche, and everyone is bound to love this vegetarian classic

Mushroom & baby spinach tart

block all-butter shortcrust pastry

olive oil

button mushrooms

baby spinach leaves, roughly chopped

milk

double cream

mature English cheddar

thyme sprigs, leaves

Heat oven to 190C/fan 170C/gas 5. Roll out the pastry on a lightly floured surface and use it to line a deep 22cm flan tin. Let the edges overhang, don’t trim them yet. Chill in the fridge or freezer for at least 15 mins.

Line the tart case with baking parchment and fill it with baking beans. Place on a baking tray, then bake for 15-20 mins. Remove the beans and parchment, then return to the oven for another 5 mins to cook the base. Remove, then reduce oven temperature to 160C/fan 140C/gas 3.

Heat the oil in a large frying pan, then cook the mushrooms for 1 min. Add the spinach, then cook for 3 mins more or until wilted down. Combine the eggs with the milk and cream in a jug and season well. Build up the tart by sprinkling the cheese onto the base, then scatter over the vegetables and pour over the cream and egg mix. Sprinkle the thyme over the top, then bake for 40-45 mins or until set. Remove from the oven and allow to cool. Trim the pastry edges and serve in slices with the salads, below.

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Stem ginger & treacle tart

Sticky treacle-glazed ham

Spiced beetroot & orange chutney

Mushroom & baby spinach tart

Top 4 buffet recipes recipes from across the web

The most viewed buffet recipes recipes by Recipe Cart users, saved from over 20,000 sites. Or, go to our Recipe Search Engineic_arrow_forward_48px

Top Tags

Stem ginger & treacle tart

Sticky treacle-glazed ham

Spiced beetroot & orange chutney

Mushroom & baby spinach tart

The most viewed buffet recipes recipes by Recipe Cart users, saved from over 20,000 sites. Or, go to our Recipe Search Engine