Tried & Tested: The Tastiest British Supermarket Cheats To Buy This Christmas

From a bejewelled Boxing Day pie to mini rarebit crumpets: our tasters have hand-picked the most delicious supermarket buys to ensure you have a very delicious Christmas!

THE MAIN EVENT:

Candied Plum & Rosemary Ham Crown, £25

Classic baked ham with a welcome (but not too out there) twist. Sweet candied plums are nicely tangy, while the rosemary adds a lovely aromatic taste. It comes already cooked for added easy, ready to finish at home with a sachet of plum, ginger and honey glaze.

M&S Collection The Perfect Turkey (Serves 12-14), £65

This is the ultimate Christmas dinner cheat; the pack includes a succulent, stock-basted British turkey crown, pork, sage and onion stuffing plus deboned, bacon-wrapped thighs so you don’t miss out on that all-important brown meat. Because everything cooks at the same temperature, the whole bird will cook to perfection.

Booths Chicken Cushion With Stuffing, £20

Perfect for smaller scale meals, this boneless chicken roast generously feeds four and is wonderfully succulent and flavourful. Wrapped in British bacon and stuffed with gluten-free cranberry and pork sausage meat, it’s a proper feast.

M&S Collection The Perfect Turkey Gravy, £4 for 500ml

You never want to run out of gravy, so this is great to have on hand just in case. It’s the real deal too, made with turkey stock and chicken fat for a real homemade taste. Thick and rich.

THE VEGGIE OPTION:

M&S Plant Kitchen Festive Roast (Serves 4), £12 for 872g

A really novel vegan roast that’s absolutely crammed with flavour. The pack also comes with cranberry and chestnut stuffing, vegan gravy and no-pork cocktail ‘sausoyges’ so meat-free guests will be very well catered for.

Morrisons The Best Vegetable Layered Tart £4 for 500g

Buttery and delicate puff pastry with layers of nicely seasoned and spiced beetroot, cranberry and onion chutney, butternut squash, spinach, onion and chestnuts.

Tesco Finest Four Carrot Tarte Tatins £10 for 1kg

These pretty tarts would make a very fine main course for veggies. Sweet, sticky carrots and caramelised onions are layered on a golden flaky puff pastry base, finished with a rich sherry and rosemary glaze..

SWEET TREATS:

M&S Woodland Yule Log, £15

A real show-stopper and a fun visual twist on the classic yule log. Moist sponge with a rich, fudgy buttercream. The flavours are simple but it will please everyone. It’s now sold out to order online but still available in store.

Heston From Waitrose & Partners Fig & Port Cheese Cake, £12

As you’d expect from Heston, this pud isn’t what it seems. Cheese and dessert courses curiously combies in this delectable baked sour cream cheese cake with a tangy fig and port caramel centre. And the ‘cheeseboard’ base is actually buttery lemon shortbread. Inspired!

Morrisons The Best Deep Filled Mince Pies, £2 for 6

Classic mince pies made to perfection: melt-in-the-mouth all-butter shortcrust pastry with a very generous, boozy filling. The rustic appearance make them look nicely homemade too.

Tesco Finest Passionfruit Sleigh, £7 for 550g

Who could resist this beautifully decorated pud? Baked orange cheesecake is layered on a delicate sponge base with a passion fruit glaze and mousse. Light as a feather, you’ll be able to fit in a slice even if you’ve overindulged in turkey and roasties!

SNACKS & PARTY FOOD:

M&S 20 Pulled Ham & Rarebit Crumpets, £14

A delectable spin on cheese on toast; mini crumpets are smothered with rich Cheddar cheese rarebit and beer glazed ham hock. A real taste sensation in one bite - which is exactly what you want in a canape.

ASDA Extra Special Coconut & Lime Butterfly King Prawns, £2.50

Although we weren’t massive fans of the sweet passion fruit sauce that comes in the pack, these crispy, zesty, coconut-infused prawns are utterly addictive.

ASDA Extra Special Jewelled Pork & Turkey Pie, price TBC 840g

Well seasoned meat topped with a tasty ruby port jelly and glistening dried apricots, cranberries and raisins. The star of the show is the deeply savoury and very crisp golden brown pastry.

Booths Oak Smoked Scottish Salmon, £4.90

We were really impressed with the big selection of different types of smoked salmon on offer from Booths, but this was a clear favourite. It has a robust and deeply flavoured smokiness without being overpowering, a nice firm texture and clean finish.