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

It’s time to shine in the kitchen with our delicious, make-ahead recipes

Torta salata, or savoury pie, is a mainstay for on-the-go eating in bars in Tuscany and is also served in slices as an aperitivo or as a starter for dinner. I love it as it’s stuffed with aromatic gre

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

We’ve upped the flavour stakes on these by adding a simple seasoning that also brings a bit more crunch. SERVES 6-8 PREP 10 mins COOK 1 hr 30 mins EASY VE ❄ 2kg Maris Piper or King Edwardpotatoes6 tbs

SERVES 4 Ingredients 125g unsalted butter, plus extra for greasing120g dark chocolate, broken into small piecesPinch of sea salt100g Amarena cherries, roughly chopped, plus3 tbsp of the cherry syrup10