james martin

Bake this festive fruit cake in advance of Christmas and feed it regularly with rum, brandy or whisky to build the flavour and keep it moist

Make & mature Christmas cake

1kg mixed dried fruit(use a mix of raisins, sultanas, currants, cherries, cranberries, prunes

orange

lemon

milliliters brandy,Sherry, whisky

pack butter,softened

light soft brown sugar

plain flour

ground almond

½ tsp baking powder

tsp mixed spice

cinnamon

¼ tsp ground cloves

flaked almonds

eggs

tsp vanilla extract

Put 1kg mixed dried fruit, the zest and juice of 1 orange and 1 lemon, 150ml brandy or other alcohol, 250g softened butter and 200g light, soft brown sugar in a large <a href="https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/content/five-best-saucepans">pan</a> set over a medium heat.

Bring to the boil, then lower the heat and simmer for 5 mins. Tip the fruit mixture into a large <a href="https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/content/top-five-mixing-bowls">bowl</a> and leave to cool for 30 mins.

Heat oven to 150C/130C fan/gas 2. Line a deep 20cm cake tin with a double layer of <a href="https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/baking-equipment">baking parchment</a>, then wrap a double layer of newspaper around the outside – tie with string to secure.

Add 175g plain flour, 100g ground almonds, ½ tsp baking powder, 2 tsp mixed spice, 1 tsp ground cinnamon, ¼ tsp ground cloves, 100g flaked almonds, 4 large eggs and 1 tsp vanilla extract to the fruit mixture and stir well, making sure there are no pockets of flour.

Tip into your prepared tin, level the top with a <a href="https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/content/test-best-spatulas">spatula</a> and bake in the centre of the oven for 2 hrs.

Remove the cake from the oven, poke holes in it with a skewer and spoon over 2 tbsp of your chosen alcohol. Leave the cake to cool completely in the tin.

To store, peel off the baking parchment, then wrap well in cling film. Feed the cake with 1-2 tbsp alcohol every fortnight, until you ice it.

Don’t feed the cake for the final week to give the surface a chance to dry before icing.

James Martin's step-by-step guide to making homemade preserve - the resulting jars are ideal for gift hampers

Strawberry jam

strawberry

jam sugar

knob of butter(optional)

Prepare the strawberries by wiping them with a piece of damp kitchen paper. (Wiping the strawberries rather than washing them ensures the fruit doesn&rsquo;t absorb lots of water &ndash; too much water and the jam won&rsquo;t set easily.) To hull the fruit, use a knife to cut a cone shape into the strawberry and remove the stem. Cut any large berries in half.

Put the strawberries in a bowl and gently toss through the sugar. Leave uncovered at room temperature for 12 hrs or overnight. This process helps the sugar to dissolve, ensures the fruit doesn&rsquo;t disintegrate too much and helps to keep its vibrant colour.

Before starting the jam, put 2 saucers in the freezer. Tip the strawberry mixture into a preserving pan with the lemon juice. Set over a low heat and cook very gently. If any sugar remains on the sides of the pan, dip a pastry brush in hot water and brush the sugar away.

When you can no longer feel any grains of sugar remaining, turn up the heat to start bubbling the jam and bringing it to the boil. (The sugar must be completely dissolved before increasing the heat, otherwise it will be difficult for the jam to set, and it may contain crystallised lumps of sugar.)

Boil hard for 5-10 mins until the jam has reached 105C on a preserving or digital thermometer, then turn off the heat. If you don&rsquo;t have a thermometer, spoon a little jam onto one of the cold saucers. Leave for 30 secs, then push with your finger; if the jam wrinkles and doesn&rsquo;t flood to fill the gap, it is ready. If not, turn the heat back on and boil for 2 mins more, then turn off the heat and do the wrinkle test again. Repeat until ready.

Use a spoon to skim any scum that has risen to the surface and discard this. Do this only once at the end, rather than constantly during the boiling stage, to reduce wastage.

Add a knob of butter, if you like, to the finished jam, and stir in to melt. This will help to dissolve any remaining scum that you haven&rsquo;t managed to spoon off the top. Leave the jam to settle for 15 mins &ndash; this will ensure that the fruit stays suspended in the mixture and doesn&rsquo;t all float to the top of the jam jar. Meanwhile, sterilise your jars.

Ladle into warm jars, filling to just below the rim. Place a wax disc on top of the jam (this prevents mildew forming), then cover with a lid or a cellophane circle and elastic band. Pop on a label (include the date), plus a pretty fabric top, if you like. The jam can be stored for up to 1 year in a cool, dry place. Refrigerate after opening.

Two mighty desserts merge in this seasonal pud made from baked rhubarb, mascarpone laced with almond liqueur and a covering of oat and almond crumble

Rhubarb crumble trifle

rhubarb

caster sugar

pared zest and juice ½ orange

Disaronno

juice 2 oranges (about 150 milliliters)

trifle sponges

mascarpone

pot vanilla custard

pot double cream

butter

demerara sugar

whole almond

jumbo oats

Heat oven to 190C/170C fan/gas 5. Arrange the rhubarb pieces in a large roasting tin. Sprinkle over the sugar, orange zest and juice, grenadine and 150ml water. Cover with foil and bake for 25-30 mins until tender but not mushy. Scoop the rhubarb out of the tin into a sieve and reserve any juices, then leave to cool completely. Tip the rest of the liquid into a saucepan, along with the collected juices, and bring to the boil. Simmer for 15-20 mins or until reduced and syrupy. Leave to cool completely.

To make the crumble topping, rub the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles fine crumbs, then stir through the demerara sugar, almonds and oats. Tip onto a baking tray lined with parchment and bake for 15 mins, shaking the tray every so often, until golden brown, then cool.

Mix the Disaronno and orange juice together in a shallow dish. Dip each sponge into the liquid, leaving it for about 15 secs on each side, then arrange them in the base of a large trifle dish. Tip the mascarpone into a bowl and whisk until soft and smooth, then add the custard, a little at a time, and mix until combined. Arrange half the rhubarb pieces on top of the sponges, discarding the orange zest. Drizzle over 2 tbsp of the rhubarb syrup and top with half the custard mix. Follow with another layer of rhubarb, 1 tbsp of the syrup, and the remaining custard.

Whip the cream and 2 tbsp sugar to soft peaks and dollop over the custard. Drizzle over the remaining rhubarb syrup, along with a scattering of the crumble topping. Tip any extra crumble into a bowl and pass around the table.

This generous dish of melt-in-the-mouth lamb feels extravagant, but is an inexpensive way to feed a crowd

Slow-roast shoulder of lamb with anchovy & rosemary

rosemary sprigs, leaves

garlic

capers

anchovy

olive oil

lemons

lamb

red onions

small glass white wine

Heat oven to 160C/140C fan/gas 3. Finely chop the rosemary, then mix with the garlic, capers, anchovies, olive oil and zest and juice of 1 lemon, reserving the used lemon halves. Make 3-4 slashes across the top of the shoulder, then rub the rosemary mixture all over the lamb.

Scatter the onion into the base of a large roasting tin, cut the remaining lemon in half, squeeze the juices into the tin, and place all the used lemon halves in the tin with the onions. Place the lamb on top and roast for 1 hr. Pour in the wine and roast for a further 3 hrs until the meat is really tender. Leave to rest for 15 mins then serve, pulled into chunks rather than carved, with any pan juices.

Use lighter rice noodles in this fragrant Malaysian soup with spiced chicken, coconut broth, coriander and mint

Chicken laksa

chicken

coriander seed

ginger

lemongrass stalks, crushed

lime

tbsp fish sauce

tbsp low-salt soy sauce

light coconut milk

red chillies

coriander

spring onions

cooked rice noodle

mint leaves, chopped

tbsp sesame oil (optional)

Put the chicken in a large saucepan with the coriander seeds, ginger, lemongrass, lime zest and a little salt. Add enough cold water to cover, slowly bring to the boil, then reduce to a simmer, gently poaching the chicken for 40 mins until it starts to fall away from the bone.

Carefully lift the chicken onto a plate and cover with foil. Leave the stock to stand for 10 mins, skim off any excess fat and strain into a clean saucepan. Pull the chicken from the bones and tear into chunks.

Bring the stock back to the boil, then add the fish sauce, soy, coconut milk, garlic, chillies and coriander stalks. Simmer for 2 mins, return the chicken to the pan and cook for a further 5 mins until warm. Add the spring onions and lime juice to taste.

Divide the noodles between 6 bowls, then use a slotted spoon to lift the chicken and veg into each. Season the stock and pour over. Scatter with coriander and mint leaves, and serve with a drizzle of sesame oil, if you like.

This incredibly easy and healthy side dish makes a delicious addition to a barbecue feast, with plenty of smoky flavour

Charred spring onions

spring onions (about 20)

If your barbecue hasn&rsquo;t already been heated, light and heat until the ashes turn grey, or heat a griddle pan. Wash the spring onions and pat dry. Trim off the ends, then place the onions directly on the barbecue or in a hot griddle pan.

When the spring onions have softened and blackened, take off the heat and move to a hot spot on the barbecue top to keep warm before serving.

These tender miniature new potatoes with a charred barbecue flavour make a deliciously simple side dish

Foil-wrapped baby potatoes

miniature new potatoes

If your barbecue hasn&rsquo;t already been heated, light and heat until the ashes turn grey. Put the potatoes in a large saucepan of cold water and bring to the boil. Once boiling, cook for 5 mins until slightly tender.

Drain and leave to steam-dry for 2 mins. Transfer to a large sheet of foil, coat in the olive oil and season well. Make sure the potatoes are sitting flat against the foil so each one gets charred when grilled. Wrap in the foil like a parcel, and wrap again to ensure the potatoes are completely covered. Cook on the barbecue for 10 mins.

Check they are cooked by inserting a skewer into one of the potatoes. Carefully remove from the foil and serve in a dish.

Cheesecake meets banoffee pie in this creamy soft-set caramel dessert, guaranteed to impress at a dinner party or occasion

Banoffee cheesecake

digestive biscuits

bananas

milliliters double cream

icing sugar

maple syrup

dulce de leche

milliliters double cream (keep chilled, it whips faster)

banana

For the base, mix the digestives with the melted butter in a bowl. Spoon the mixture into a 23cm springform cake tin and press firmly over the base with the back of a spoon. Chill in the fridge.

Heat a frying pan until hot and add a knob of butter and the bananas, frying for 2-3 mins until golden brown. Remove from the pan using a slotted spoon and set aside to cool.

Arrange the cooled bananas on top of the biscuit base. For the cheesecake, whisk the double cream using an electric whisk until softly whipped. Put the cream cheese and icing sugar in another large bowl and whisk until smooth. Make sure you don&#39;t over whisk the mixture as it will loosen and stop the cheesecake achieving a soft-set. Add the whipped cream to the cream cheese, as well as the maple syrup and the dulce de leche.

Spoon the sweet cream cheese filling into the cake tin, covering the bananas, and use the back of a spoon or palette knife to spread evenly. Place in the fridge for at least 4 hrs (preferably overnight) to set.

For the topping, whip the cream, put into a piping bag with a medium star-shaped nozzle and set aside. Melt the dulce de leche over a low heat in a small saucepan with a splash of water until it can be drizzled (dulce de leche varies, so you may need to add more water). Place in a second piping bag (or plastic bag) and snip the very end off it, to leave a tiny hole.

Starting from the edge of the cake, swirl the dulce de leche sauce in a circular motion around the cake. Pipe 10-12 medium-sized swirls of whipped cream around the edge of the cheesecake and rest a fresh banana slice on each. Serve immediately.

James Martin gives the traditional treacle tart a Christmassy twist

Stem ginger & treacle tart

pack sweet shortcrust pastry

flour

golden syrup

breadcrumbs

½ tsp ground ginger

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

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.

This easy yet impressive recipe makes a stylish main course for a special occasion

Roasted duck breast with plum sauce

duck breasts

thyme

star anise

shallot, finely chopped

dark red plums, halved, stoned and cut into small wedges

red wine

beef stock

For the sauce, fry the shallot in the oil for 5 mins or until softened but not coloured. Add the plums and sugar, stirring for a few mins until the sugar has dissolved. Add the red wine and stock, then simmer for about 15 mins, stirring occasionally, until softened and slightly thickened. Keep warm or leave at room temperature for up to a day before reheating to serve.

Meanwhile, heat the oven to 180C/ 160C fan/gas 4. Score the skin of the duck breasts with a sharp knife and season well with salt and pepper. Heat a non-stick frying pan and place the duck breasts in, skin-side down. Fry for 6-7 mins, then turn and add the thyme, star anise and butter. Allow this to melt, basting the duck with the juices, then transfer everything to a small roasting tin and finish in the oven for 5-6 mins for pink or 10-12 mins for well done.

When the duck is ready, baste again with the juices, then rest for 5 mins while you finish everything else.

To serve, thinly slice each duck breast on a chopping board. Arrange on each plate along with a spoon of the Creamed potatoes, some of the plum sauce and the Buttered spinach.

Rich, dark and spicy - prepare enough mixture for two basins, one for Christmas day and the other to give as a gift

Guinness, treacle & ginger pudding

mixed dried fruit

stoned date

stem ginger

Guinness

suet

apples

dark muscovado sugar

tbsp black treacle

self-raising flour

soft white breadcrumb

tbsp mixed spice

½ tsp ground cloves

brandy (optional)

Mix together the dried fruit, ginger, orange zest and juice, and Guinness in a bowl. Cover and leave to soak overnight.

Grease 2 x 1.2-litre pudding basins. Boil a kettle of water. To prepare your steamers, put a snug-fitting upturned bowl or plate in the base of 2 large, deep saucepans, big enough to hold your pudding basins. Add the remaining ingredients (except brandy) to the fruit mixture and stir well, making sure there are no pockets of flour. Divide between your prepared basins and cover with buttered baking parchment and a foil lid. Tie with string to secure and make a handle for easy lifting.

Stand the puddings on the upturned bowls or plates in your saucepans. Pour in enough boiling water to come halfway up the sides of the basins, cover with a tight-fitting lid and steam for 6 hrs, topping up with water if necessary. If your lids start to rattle as the puddings cook, place a couple of heavy cans on top to hold them down. Once cooked, the puddings can mature for up to 1 year in a cool dark place, so if you only eat one this year, that’s fine.

To serve, reheat in a steamer for 1 hr until piping hot all the way through. Flame with brandy, if you like, as you bring it to the table.

James Martin's Asian soup combines a fragrant broth with fish, seafood and light noodles, topped with strong herbs

Hot & sour fish soup

coriander seeds

chicken stock

rice noodles

raw, tail-on tiger prawns

200 grams/7 ounces skinless salmon fillet

coriander leaves

mint leaves

limes

Put the coriander seeds and galangal or ginger in a saucepan. Pour in the stock, bring to the boil, then simmer gently for 5 mins. Leave to stand for 10 mins.

Meanwhile, cook the noodles following pack instructions. Drain and keep warm. Return stock to the boil. Add the fish sauce, chillies and garlic, reduce the heat and simmer for 2 mins. Add the prawns and salmon, return to a simmer and cook gently for about 5 mins until both are firm and cooked. Add the spring onions, herbs and lime juice, to taste.

Divide the noodles between soup bowls. Using a slotted spoon, lift out the prawns and fish, and place on the noodles. Season the hot stock, pour into the bowls and serve with Spring rolls on the side.

James Martin shares his recipe for this French patisserie classic. It involves some ambitious pastry work, but the end results are worth it

Croissants

strong white flour,

½ tsp salt

sugar

sachets fast-action dried yeast

oil,

butter,

egg, beaten

Put the flour, salt and sugar in a mixing bowl. Measure 300ml cold water into a jug, add the yeast and stir. Make a well in the flour and pour in the liquid. Mix, then knead on your work surface for 10 mins. Shape into a ball, put in a lightly oiled bowl, cover and chill for at least 2 hrs.

Put the butter between 2 sheets of baking parchment. Using a rolling pin, bash and roll it into a rectangle about 20 x 15cm. Leave wrapped in the baking parchment and chill.

Transfer the chilled dough to a floured surface and roll into a 40 x 20cm rectangle. Place the unwrapped slab of butter in the centre of the dough, so that it covers the middle third.

Fold one side of the dough up and halfway over the butter.

Top 35 james martin recipes from across the web

The most viewed james martin recipes by Recipe Cart users, saved from over 6,000 sites. Or, go to our Recipe Search Engine

Top Tags

Make & mature Christmas cake

Strawberry jam

Rhubarb crumble trifle

Slow-roast shoulder of lamb with an...

Chicken laksa

Charred spring onions

Foil-wrapped baby potatoes

Banoffee cheesecake

Stem ginger & treacle tart

Sticky treacle-glazed ham

Roasted duck breast with plum sauce

Guinness, treacle & ginger pudding

Hot & sour fish soup

Croissants

Chicken & chorizo rice pot

Slow-roast pork shoulder

Spiced hot cross buns

James Martin's Yorkshire puds

Cock-a-leekie soup

Salmon & watercress quiche

Lancashire hotpot

James Martin's Yorkshire puds

Venison wellington

Red cabbage with apples

Hash browns with gruyère & pancetta

Herb-crusted leg of lamb with red w...

Steamed mussels with cider, spring ...

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Apple & blueberry Danishes

Traditional mincemeat

Broccoli with garlic & lemon

Sticky slow-roast belly of pork

Crispy layered thyme potatoes

Eggs benedict with smoked salmon & ...

Easy roast beef

Top 35 james martin recipes from across the web

The most viewed james martin recipes by Recipe Cart users, saved from over 6,000 sites. Or, go to our Recipe Search Engineic_arrow_forward_48px

Top Tags

Make & mature Christmas cake

Strawberry jam

Rhubarb crumble trifle

Slow-roast shoulder of lamb with an...

Chicken laksa

Charred spring onions

Foil-wrapped baby potatoes

Banoffee cheesecake

Stem ginger & treacle tart

Sticky treacle-glazed ham

Roasted duck breast with plum sauce

Guinness, treacle & ginger pudding

Hot & sour fish soup

Croissants

Chicken & chorizo rice pot

Slow-roast pork shoulder

Spiced hot cross buns

James Martin's Yorkshire puds

Cock-a-leekie soup

Salmon & watercress quiche

Lancashire hotpot

James Martin's Yorkshire puds

Venison wellington

Red cabbage with apples

Hash browns with gruyère & pancetta

Herb-crusted leg of lamb with red w...

Steamed mussels with cider, spring ...

Mini pork pies

Apple & blueberry Danishes

Traditional mincemeat

Broccoli with garlic & lemon

Sticky slow-roast belly of pork

Crispy layered thyme potatoes

Eggs benedict with smoked salmon & ...

Easy roast beef

The most viewed james martin recipes by Recipe Cart users, saved from over 6,000 sites. Or, go to our Recipe Search Engine