SERVES 4-6 PREP 20 mins plus cooling COOK 50 mins EASY 1 medium pumpkin or butternutsquash2 tbsp olive or rapeseed oilpinch of Aleppo chilli flakes, plusextra to serve (optional)3 tbsp maple syrup100g

This impressive plan-ahead Christmas lunch from Flora Shedden is a mouthwatering mix of traditional recipes and deliciously unexpected flavours

Roast chicken with butternut, pomegranate, almonds and saffron ...

This take on the festive favourite will ensure you never boil a sprout again. The whipped tofu is based on a classic French vinaigrette and should be quite loose in texture. It carries a real mustard

■ Serves 6 ■ Prep 15 mins ■ No cook 1 cucumber, halved, seededand finely diced35ml extra virgin olive oil2 tbsp chopped dill2 ripe but firm avocados, peeled,stoned and finely diced1 lemon, zested and

This inspired menu takes comforting rustic flavours and transforms them into celebratory festive dishes to savour and share