Done right, a prawn cocktail is a beautiful Christmas starter - and John Torode's the man to show you how. Bring a large pan of water to the boil and add a squeeze of lemon and glug of vinegar.

Add the fuzzy melon and dried shrimp (and the shrimp soaking liquid) and cook until the vegetable starts to soften, stirring occasionally. Stir in the meatballs and the glass noodles. Cover the ...