Merry Christmas Eve! I write today from my family home where I have just baked these festive shortbread biscuits. The smell of clementine zest is heavy in the kitchen and the heat from the still-warm oven is a delightful change from the biting winter weather outside.

I wondered what to make this Christmas. Usually, I make gingerbread or a festive chutney of sorts, or once a St Clements curd. The problem is, at this time of year, we are all so overwhelmed by the array of foods on offer that we feel we should be eating. The cupboards are gluttonous with snacks, beverages, ingredients for “the big day.” There is just so much we want to consume, that it is easy to forget that actually there are no rules. We can eat as much or as little of what we desire. These shortbread biscuits are simple, but combine flavours that really speak of Christmas to me; spice, raisins, clementine and the rich indulgence of butter shortbread. I will be enjoying these with a glass of baileys this evening. So cheers everyone, and I hope you have a wonderful festive period! x