Each Christmas is a performance, which everyone in the family will compare with every other Christmas and if you are the cook, you are the person most responsible for its success. In order not to disintegrate completely under the pressure, here is a book that will give you all the confidence you need to manage not just Christmas Day, but Boxing Day and the duration of the festive holiday too. Rather than a prescriptive 'day by day countdown' the author sensibly suggests you sit down with a pad and pencil, and plan each meal 'down to the last Brussels sprout'. It may be an effort, but it will be the only way to relax, enjoy and survive the coming onslaught. Over 50 mouth-watering recipes are given, including classics that the author's following still makes today: feather-light cheese biscuits, red velvet casserole of beef, and turkey au gratin with almonds. The turkey stuffings here are superlatively good - particularly the veal, lemon and parsley - and the orange pastry for mince pies is the best and crumbliest you will ever make. Ideas for leftovers, cold cuts, salads and what wine to drink with what are also included.