I tried new M&S Christmas lunch range – the pigs in blankets sarnie is a winner

ONE of the best things about Christmas is the grub.

And, as a self-confessed festive nut, when the red and green packaging hits the supermarket fridges and the new seasonal sarnies arrive I am first in line.

This year M&S have an intriguing new line-up of lunch-time lovelies, from a vegan Christmas sandwich to mini sausages with gravynaise – yes, you read that right.

And many of the lunch-time staples have the added benefit of helping charity, with five per cent of profits going to Shetler.

So as chief elf in the Scottish Sun office, I felt it was my duty to test the range – and it didn’t disappoint.

JINGLE BREI-LT

THIS is a buttery brioche take on the traditional BLT sarnie.

Served in a shiny, glazed roll it’s packed with bacon and thick slices of brie cheese with a tomato and cranberry chutney.

The bacon itself is super tasty but – and I can’t believe I’m saying this – there was actually too much cheese for me, so it made it a bit sickly.

This is definitely one for dairy fans.

NAUGHTY AND SPICE CHICKEN WRAP

I HAVE to say, this is the one I was least looking forward to as I’m not a fan of too much heat.

But it was delish.

The wrap is filled with piri piri spiced 100 per cent British chicken, chorizo style stuffing, red cabbage slaw, umami mayo and hot cranberry sauce.

It was spicy but in a really pleasant way and it was also packed full of flavour. This is exceeded expectations.

TURKEY FEAST SANDWICH

IF you’re a fan of Christmas lunch, this is the sandwich for you.

It’s got the works, roast turkey, pork, sage and onion stuffing, onion mayo, cranberry chutney and smoked bacon all served on malted brown bread.

Often festive sarnies are overpowering, with sage the dominant flavour, but this is tasty and subtle. One of the best festive sarnies I’ve had.

PIGS IN BLANKETS

EVERYONE knows the pigs in blankets are the best part of Christmas dinner – and I’ll hear no arguments.

This sarnie takes the trimming and stuffs it in a sandwich. There’s British pork sausages, seasoned mayonnaise, red onion and ruby port chutney and smoked bacon.

It’s a triumph – it’s really moreish and meaty. And it was my winner of all new festive range.

CHRISTMAS CLUB

I LOVED this twist on a traditional club sandwich.

It was packed with succulent roast chicken and maple cured bacon along with seasoned mayo, cranberry chutney, pickled red cabbage and cranberry stuffing.

Again, there’s a risk of these filled sarnies being sickly, but this had a great balance of flavour and certainly didn’t scrimp on the poultry. I’m happy to join this club.

HO HO PEST-HO

THIS is one for the vegans.

In a change from the usual fake turkey festive fillings, it has roasted butternut squash with pickled red cabbage, rocket pesto, pumpkin seed dressing and spinach inside.

I am usually a fan of plant-based options but this wasn’t my favourite. The squash was sweet and tasty while the dressing was delicious but the spinach gave it too much of a bitter aftertaste for my liking.

POSH DOG SAUSAGES

THESE little cocktail sausages are a seriously addictive snack.

The dinky pork bangers are served with gravynaise – a bizarre mix of mayo and gravy. And I am here for it.

The dip is creamy and savoury at the same time, it’s a revelation.