Christmas: Chutneys, Pickles and Preserves

Nothing says cosy British comfort quite like homemade preserves, chutneys, and pickles, and having them ready for Christmas is a real lifesaver when you’re tired of cooking.

There’s simply no better sight than a beautifully arranged platter of cold meats and cheeses, enhanced by a selection of home-made chutneys and pickles. These versatile treats aren’t just for entertaining, they can also liven up a simple Christmas supper of homemade sandwiches while you settle down to binge your favourite box-set. Easy to make, easy to store, and full of flavour, they bring a lovely flourish to every festive meal.

The Delia Online Cookery School: If making preserves puts you in the mood for trying Marmalade you can now watch how to make it in our video. Just press the image to play.

a picture of cranberries in a little silver bowl

Confit of Cranberries

This is my favourite accompaniment to duck or game. It's also fabulous with pork and venison sausages. ...

This is my favourite accompaniment to duck or game. It's also fabulous with pork and venison sausages. The Delia Online Cookery School: Watch how to zest and jui...

1 hour

Christmas Chutney

This is so-named because it is made with dried fruits, which I always associate with Christmas: prunes, dat...

This is so-named because it is made with dried fruits, which I always associate with Christmas: prunes, dates and apricots It's dark, spicy and delicious with cold ...

1 hour 30 minutes

Cranberry and Onion Confit

A confit, as the name suggests, is a kind of sauce reduced to a concentrated, jam-like consistency. This...

A confit, as the name suggests, is a kind of sauce reduced to a concentrated, jam-like consistency. This one is a good accompaniment for all kinds of things at Chri...

1 hour 15 minutes - 1 hour 20 minutes

Vegetarian

Cranberry and Orange Relish

In our family there are those who like bread sauce as the accompaniment to turkey, and there are those who ...

In our family there are those who like bread sauce as the accompaniment to turkey, and there are those who prefer cranberries. For the latter I always make the foll...

Cumberland Sauce

This is, for me, one of the great classic English sauces, provided it's made with a good-quality redcurrant...

This is, for me, one of the great classic English sauces, provided it's made with a good-quality redcurrant jelly with a high fruit content; some of the commercial var...

10 minutes - 15 minutes

Dark Apricot and Almond Conserve

Most fruit conserves are made in summer, so it's good to be able to make this one in the depths of winter w...

Most fruit conserves are made in summer, so it's good to be able to make this one in the depths of winter when it's too cold to go out. Serve it on some warm scones...

English Mustard Pickle (Piccalilli)

This is as English as pork pie and very difficult to buy commercially - I've never found a good bought vers...

This is as English as pork pie and very difficult to buy commercially - I've never found a good bought version except in small delis and farm shops. It's so good at...

Fresh Coriander Chutney

This is the perfect accompaniment for Marinated Chicken Kebabs with Whole Spices or Beef Curry Dopiaza. ...

This is the perfect accompaniment for Marinated Chicken Kebabs with Whole Spices or Beef Curry Dopiaza. The Delia Online Cookery School: Watch how to prepare pepper...

Fresh Date and Apple Chutney

This chutney goes particularly well with Camembert Croquettes. However, it would also partner the Christ...

This chutney goes particularly well with Camembert Croquettes. However, it would also partner the Christmas cold cuts and buffet food extremely well, especially ham...

Giardiniere Pickles

I had a spell of work in Italy when I was 21, and one of my abiding memories of all those Italian meals was...

I had a spell of work in Italy when I was 21, and one of my abiding memories of all those Italian meals was that Sunday lunch always began with a plate of salamis, pro...

Christmas Mincemeat

Once again, over the years we have never found a match for this mincemeat recipe, so if I can persuade you ...

Once again, over the years we have never found a match for this mincemeat recipe, so if I can persuade you to make it, you will never want the bought stuff ever again....

3 hours

Vegetarian

Home-made Christmas Mincemeat with Cranberries

If you've never made mincemeat before, the one thing that will probably surprise you is how dead simple it ...

If you've never made mincemeat before, the one thing that will probably surprise you is how dead simple it is. Here's how to make your own, giving the traditional r...

3 hours

Vegetarian

Mango Chutney

It gets more and more difficult to find mango chutney which has really visible chunks of mango all through ...

It gets more and more difficult to find mango chutney which has really visible chunks of mango all through it. So, since it is very easy to make, here is a recipe w...

3 hours

Pickled Beetroot with Shallots

Beetroot is vastly underestimated, in my opinion. Perhaps that's because the strong malt vinegar of the ...

Beetroot is vastly underestimated, in my opinion. Perhaps that's because the strong malt vinegar of the commercial pickling masks the true flavour of the beetroot, ...

Vegetarian

Pickled Okra

This is one of my most favourite pickles. The recipe was given to me by a very talented artist, Deborah ...

This is one of my most favourite pickles. The recipe was given to me by a very talented artist, Deborah MacMillan, whose paintings (I have three) I am very attracte...

Pickled Peppers and Courgettes

This is adapted from an old Cordon Bleu recipe for pickled cucumber. It's one of the best, in my opinion...

This is adapted from an old Cordon Bleu recipe for pickled cucumber. It's one of the best, in my opinion, for serving with patés, as it provides a bit of crunch and...

Pickled Shallots in Sherry Vinegar

One Christmas tradition in our family is returning from midnight Mass to freshly baked, crisp sausage rolls...

One Christmas tradition in our family is returning from midnight Mass to freshly baked, crisp sausage rolls and equally crisp pickled onions. I have now discovered ...

A picture of a white plate with a bowl of the potted pork, and a glass jar of marmalade and a small plate of both. A little spoon resting on the side and a few pieces of toast in triangles

Potted Pork with Juniper and Thyme

It’s good to bring some forgotten traditional English recipes – like potted meats and terrines – into Chris...

It’s good to bring some forgotten traditional English recipes – like potted meats and terrines – into Christmas. If they’re tucked away in the fridge, there’s alway...

1 hour 30 minutes

Smoky Tomato Chutney

Smoky Tomato Chutney: Bottom image Pimentón – smoked paprika – gives a smoky flavour to this dark, lusci...

Smoky Tomato Chutney: Bottom image Pimentón – smoked paprika – gives a smoky flavour to this dark, luscious, red tomato chutney. Great to serve with hamburgers and ...

3 hours - 3 hours 30 minutes

Spiced Apricot and Orange Chutney

This is a superlative chutney: it makes an elegant accompaniment to the Terrine with Three Cheeses, is exce...

This is a superlative chutney: it makes an elegant accompaniment to the Terrine with Three Cheeses, is excellent with Pheasant Terrine and is the main ingredient for a...

Spiced Cranberry Chutney

This, as you would expect, is a lovely, bright, Christmassy colour, and it's excellent served with cold cut...

This, as you would expect, is a lovely, bright, Christmassy colour, and it's excellent served with cold cuts, as well as sharp, assertive cheeses. Keep in a cool da...

45 minutes

Spiced Cranberry and Claret Jelly

Even if it's not Christmas, it's such a treat to always have some home-made cranberry jelly on standby in y...

Even if it's not Christmas, it's such a treat to always have some home-made cranberry jelly on standby in your cupboard to serve with game or roast chicken or pâté – i...

Spiced Damson Chutney

There are chutneys and chutneys, but this one is simply the best of all. It is something I couldn't live...

There are chutneys and chutneys, but this one is simply the best of all. It is something I couldn't live without, having it permanently on my shelf. I love it with ...

2 hours - 3 hours

a picture of sliced oranges cinnamon sticks and cloves in a glass jar with port

Spiced Oranges in Port

This is a great recipe, especially at Christmas, because you can make it ahead. It keeps well and can be...

This is a great recipe, especially at Christmas, because you can make it ahead. It keeps well and can be used to accompany cold cuts of poultry, game or pork and it...

3 hours