Watch The Cook and the Chef online: Episode 40 Christmas Holidays

It’s almost the holiday season on the Cook & the Chef and Maggie & Simon prepare for Christmas. From fruit mince to turkey burgers this is a culinary treat for all the family. At Christmas time Maggie loves to get as much food preparation as possible out of the way before Christmas day. This year she's managed to enlist the help of her five grandchildren to make a favourite mince tart. The two eldest girls, Zoe and Lilly are both avid cooks, although this year Zoe has her hands full with baby brother Ben who "helps" her to mix the mince. Max takes a very artistic approach to spreading the mince on the tart while little Rory is happy to try any jobs with Nona Maggie's help. The children's excitement about Christmas is infectious and their help means Maggie will have more time on the big day to enjoy everyone's company. In the kitchen Maggie makes her fruit mince, an irresistibly rich mixture of dried fruit, fresh apple, sherry and spices. After simmering for just one hour it’s ready to use, but like us all, it will improve even more with age. Mince pies are traditional at Christmas, but Maggie offers an alternative and spreads her mince onto a par cooked sour dough pastry base, which she finishes with a lattice topping. After ten more minutes in the oven and served hot with vanilla ice-cream it makes a delicious desert, which would compliment any Christmas table. Simon re-visits his childhood and makes white chocolate crackles, with both kids and adults in mind. Using cream and glucose syrup instead of copha, he combines rice bubbles with coconut, pistachio nuts, cranberries and glace cherries to create a Christmas treat that’s guaranteed to bring those memories flooding back. Celebrating Christmas with family and friends is important for many of us, but for some people this isn’t an option. Adelaide’s Hutt St Centre provides support for the homeless and others in need and in the lead up to Christmas, Simon went along to help with lunch, creating quite a stir with his southern fried chicken. Pastoral care worker Sister Gwen talked to Simon about the vital services the centre offers and what people can do to help, especially at this time of year. Christmas turkey burgers are Simons quick and simple alternative to the more elaborate Christmas fare. A slice of turkey breast is gently fried in seasoned flour and breadcrumbs and served with cranberry mayonnaise, rocket leaves and beetroot relish and presented in a burger bun. Add a slice of home-made stuffing and you’ve got the perfect solution for Boxing Day lunch. There’s even a kid friendly version to keep the whole family happy. Breaking with tradition Maggie cooks slow roasted pork with cherry & hazelnut stuffing. It’s a three hour cook, but definitely worth the wait. Once rested and carved, this is a dish that both looks and tastes like Christmas. The stuffing compliments the pork so flawlessly, it almost too good to eat, but hot or cold this a treat that you’ll never forget. From Maggie & Simon & all the Cook & Chef team, have a very happy and safe Christmas and we’ll back in 2009! Recipes: - White Chocolate Crackles - Fruit Mince - Xmas Hamburger - Stuffing - Slow Roasted Pork

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