Introduction 7 Evergreens 15 The Christmas tree 16 Holly 25 Mistletoe 28 Ivy 31 The Yule log 34 The Glastonbury Thorn 36 Ornamental Christmas plants 39 Christmas wreaths 41 Wassailing 43 The robin 45 Reindeer 48 The ox 52 Snow 55 Frankincense and myrhh 58 The goose 62 The turkey 66 The boar's head 68 Brassicas 71 Christmas pudding 74 Festive spices 77 Cinnamon 79 Cloves 80 Ginger 80 Nutmeg 83 The almond 86 The chestnut 88 Marzipan 91 Christmas fruit cake 93 The cranberry 94 Citrus fruit 96 The pomegranate 99 Sorrel (hibiscus or roselle) 102 Gingerbread 104 Cacao and chocolate 105 RECIPES Stilton and poppyseed coins 112 Spiced sweet potato soup 113 Chestnut soup 114 Crunchy pickled vegetables 116 Beetroot potato pancakes 117 Pomegranate coleslaw 118 Truffled porcini stuffing 119 Cherry walnut Christmas mincemeat 122 Panettone pudding 124 Syllabub ginger trifle 125 Sorrel rum jelly 126 Cranberry marzipan cookies 127 Chocolate orange truffles 128 Recommended reading 130 Image credits and acknowledgements 132 Conversion tables 133 Index 135.