Cook books are pretty common fare as Christmas gifts – especially those that have been heavily publicised in the press, on television and so on. If you have received a new book full of different recipes then there is no point in sticking it on the shelf never to be looked at again.

You may as well get acquainted with some of the recipes in your new book even if you don’t intend to try them all. Flick through the book and mark any pages that feature recipes using your favourite ingredients. It is good to enjoy a new take on things you already like and even if a whole book only expands your repertoire by one or two recipes it will have made a positive difference.

Salmon curry is not the most traditional food to have on Christmas Day, but that’s what my uncle brought round for us this year to whet our appetites before the turkey, ham and piles of veggies.

Having Indian parents means my uncle is a dab hand in the kitchen and he always knocks up something pretty special as a starter for Christmas dinner. Salmon seems to be at its very best when it is curried and he first brought round a salmon curry a few years ago. That dish took on legendary status, but it never reappeared until this year when it was very welcome.

Other curried starters on Christmases past have included dishes using quail which is a fantastically delicate way to begin a meal.