A festive food survival guide

Whether you're a traditionalist or an experimentalist, this is the Christmas menu for you.  A collection of seasonal recipes from Phaidon cookbooks, including I Know How to Cook and What to Cook and How to Cook It.  

Try a twist to the well-loved prawn cocktail with large prawns and shellfish presented in individual glasses, or a fruity melon fizz as a refreshing palate cleanser. With roast turkey and stuffing as centrepiece add some sweet maple roast vegetables to complete the dish.

With the leftovers, why not try your hand at a turkey or chicken and pepper empanada? The pastry and tomato sauce can be prepared before, piled together and cooked with ease.

Impress those unexpected visitors with some traditional Christmas biscuits, perfect with eggnog and coffee or as a late night snack - if it's possible you're still peckish.

After all, it is Christmas.