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

Make Christmas cooking a breeze with these prep-ahead recipes!

Make this year’s celebration one to savour with our pick of the best Christmas buys, all highly rated by our expert food team

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

Whether it’s a tasty canapé whizzed up in 10min, or an impressive roast in under an hour, our recipes will ensure you’re not rushed off your feet on the big day!

Do the hard work before the big day for a relaxed Xmas lunch