Since its original publication in 1938, Larousse Gastronomique has withstood the test of time and trend, to remain the world’s most authoritative culinary reference book.

THESE can be made ahead and kept in a tin to serve with cheese or to give as a present with some cheese.

This white Christmas cake, with its layer of crisp frosting, is a delicious alternative for those who do not like the traditional fruit cake. It is best made not more than a week before Christmas.

JUST before the festive season, we make up lots of little packages with sugar, spices and thinly-pared lemon rind so when the pals arrive it’s just a question of opening a bottle of wine and warming it with the spices in a stainless steel saucepan.

Rose Gray and Ruth Rogers new paperback series, the River Café Pocket books, cost around €13. They feature delicious recipes from London’s acclaimed River Café.

From Cook, by Thomasina Miers.

Serves 8-10.

Recipe for Agen Stuffed Prunes with Rosewater Cream.

Join Frank, Annie and Robbie Krawczyk, in cooperation with West Cork Slow Food, for a Gwiazdka, a Polish christmas feast at Summersalt Restaurant, Ballydehob, Co Cork, on Wednesday, December 6 at 7.30pm.