To truly understand Irish food you need to cook with what’s around you in the hedgerows, gardens, fields and ocean. Irish cooking is rooted in simplicity, shaped by the land and sea, and passed down t

SERVES 6-8 Ingredients 2kg unsmoked bonelessgammon joint, tied2 onions, halved4 bay leaves10 black peppercorns2 litres cola For the glaze 1 handful of cloves 4 tbsp runny honey 4 tbsp English mustard

INGREDIENTS 3 litres of water200g sea salt100g brown sugar6 bay leavesHandful of thyme sprigs10 peppercorns1 orange (unpeeled and quartered)1 onion (unpeeled and quartered)5.5kg turkey75g goose fat50g

Alternative main courses for your Christmas spread

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

Look to the Highlands for Hogmanay inspiration – these recipes are perfect for a New Year’s Eve celebration, or as a hangover cure buffet the following day