It’s not a party without an all-star buffet line-up…

Take the stress out of the proceedings and let your kitchen appliances do all the hard work

WHO SAID DINNER WAS THE MAIN EVENT? CLODAGH MCKENNA’S TWIXMAS BRUNCH IDEAS MIGHT PERSUADE YOU OTHERWISE…

Spare yourself the shopping trip. Who doesn’t love a gift made with love?

SERVES 8-10 PREP 10 mins plus cooling and setting COOK 2 hrs 45 mins EASY V 1kg mixed dried fruit 1 lemon, zested and juiced 150ml sherry, plus 3 tbsp 250g butter 200g light muscovado sugar 150g plain

Ingredients Plain flourSalt and black pepper4 generous slices of beef shinat least 1in thick, on the boneTwo or three good glugsof olive oil1 large onion, diced2 sticks of celery, diced2 carrots, dice