The Hairy Bikers “knock the stuffing out of any turkey"
“There is something lovely about taking the time to cook for your nearest and dearest at Christmas, but this time we were looking for surprising alternatives to the typical festive menu," says Si King, one half of the Hairy Bikers. Never ones to rest on their laurels with a whole roast turkey, the Bikers have turned out Christmas alternatives in each of their Christmas specials to keep things exciting.
The Hairy Bikers Go North for Christmas is their latest BBC One special to show you how to “knock the stuffing out of any turkey”. If you're after a change, the Bikers' have something for everyone. “Our families will not be expecting some of the food we’ve prepared," says Dave Myers, the other half of the Bikers.
“This very special Christmas dinner is a celebration of our love of the best food produce in the north of England, and of our shared friendship," added Si.
“A corker of a porker”
"We turned our backs on traditional turkey for the main course and took inspiration from northern Europe, where pork is the centrepiece for millions of Christmas dinners." says Dave "And we found an incredible pork supplier in the heart of the north - Lancashire.”
This is “a corker of a porker recipe,” says Dave, describing a French-trimmed roast rack of pork with a sausage, chestnut and prune stuffing. Could you get any more festive?!
“Sausage and chestnuts go together at Christmas like partridges and pear trees,” says Dave. Prunes soaked in calvados, a French apple brandy that is one of Dave’s favourite drinks in the world, are chopped and added to the mix for a fruity flavour. Sandwich the generous amount of stuffing between the loin and the belly to make help keep the meat juicy and flavourful.
Ask your butcher to French-trim your pork loin joint, or switch to the Bikers' herby stuffed porchetta with a spice apple sauce recipe. Alternatively, opt for the boys’ smoky, Spanish-inspired roast pork shoulder with crackling to really shake up the Christmas dinner.
“Showstopping vegetable Wellington”
Beef Wellington has been a spectacular festive centrepiece for many a year but the younger generation are looking for plant-based, vegetarian and vegan Wellington recipes. So the Hairy Bikers’ vegetarian Wellington is uncharacteristically trendy.
Christmas flavours are packed into the filling with nutmeg, mace, allspice, lemon zest, chopped nuts and chestnuts added to the grated root veg, lentil and rice base. It has a nut-roast in pastry vibe. Sherry-soaked prunes take centre stage in the middle of the Wellington, only to be revealed at the dinner table, once the crisp puff pastry has been cut into slices. If prunes don’t take your fancy, flat mushrooms also make a delicious meaty centre.
If this new vegetarian Hairy Bikers recipe is a step too far for Christmas, their pork and white pudding Wellington with apple and sage could be for you. You can make meat or veggie Wellingtons the night before, ready to pop in the oven on Christmas day. Plus, it doesn’t take nearly as long as a turkey to cook!
A turkey what?!
You might be familiar with the turkey crown, but you can also buy juicy and tender turkey thigh meat. As well as delicious turkey stew and turkey soup recipes, the Hairy Bikers have gone one better.
"/[This is]/ one of the most exciting things we’ve ever cooked, it’s a game-changer for Christmas,” says Dave. It’s a turkey thigh doner kebab with middle eastern slaw and hot sauce. “The families won’t be expecting this!” says Dave.
More alternatives from the Hairy Bikers' archive
The Hairy Bikers know that a roast gammon is essential for a Christmas party, Boxing Day buffet or even Christmas dinner. There are many ways to flavour and glaze the joint, and the Hairy Bikers have a few ideas for you!
This Christmas ham from The Hairy Bikers Home for Christmas is made with cherry conserve, whiskey, ginger and cinnamon for a delightful twist on the usual festive spices.
But their classic honey-roasted ham from The Hairy Bikers Christmas Party is one of the most popular recipes on our website. All you need is runny honey and English mustard to slather on the cooked ham before sizzling to perfection. For a spruced-up, orangey version of this beauty, add a few spoonfuls of marmalade to this Honey and marmalade gammon. Hot or cold, in sandwiches or on top of a festive soup, a gammon will always come in handy.
Roast goose was once a top choice at Christmas, but fell out of favour to turkey. If you want delicious goose-fat roast potatoes and lots of rich, gamey leftovers, consider getting in a goose. With a classic sage stuffing, the Hairy Bikers cook their goose with red apples for juicy sweetness. By using the giblets for the gravy, nothing goes to waste.
Pack your Christmas nut roast with flavour in typical Hairy Bikers style. Sherry-soaked fruit, plenty of creamy gravy and fresh cranberry sauce, you're beginning to get the picture.
If Christmas dinner is a little down-sized, consider lavishing your attention on a much-loved roast chicken with sage and onion stuffing. Great for leftovers, easy to cook, and a great companion to your favourite Christmas sides, the Hairy Bikers know that the versatile chicken is worth making a whole series about.
