I got to try Tesco's Christmas range - this is the dish to look out for this year

A friend recently told me that we've officially passed the 100 day countdown to Christmas. Honestly, I won't be revelling in the festive season until after Bonfire Night, at least.

However, supermarkets have firmly welcomed in the Christmas spirit, giving a lucky few an early look at their Christmas wears. Tesco, alongside its clothing brand F&F, and homeware brand F&F home, tried to sprinkle a little bit of joy into our lives in September. Even if we were tackling major transport strikes.

This year there are over 260 new products hitting Tesco's shelves for the festive season, expanding their Tesco Finest and core ranges, with products at all prices to fit every shopping list. What's great to see is the Tesco Finest range bringing a sense - and taste - of luxury to dinner tables without the need to break the bank.

I was fortunate enough to take part in the At Home with Tesco: A Tasting Experience headed up by Tesco's Executive Chef Jamie Robinson to experience Christmas classics like you've never seen before. This year hosting and entertaining is on the menu, and I'm not just talking about the traditional Christmas trimmings.

To make extra bits and leftovers go further, chef Jamie revealed how we can use up all the trimmings and recreate them with an international influence. Leftover turkey? Turkey curry samosas. Not a fan of your mum's red cabbage? Make a miso cabbage tarte tatin. Detest boiled brussels sprouts? Rustle up a sprout sauerkraut to top canapes. It's really that simple.

Christmas is all about sharing and caring with those you love most, even if half the family don't put in the effort. If you're bored of the same old flavours you taste every year, Tesco is encouraging you to step outside of the box.

With both frozen and chilled party food, as well as a wide range of cheese, antipasti and olives, Tesco hopes to help simplify hosting so its customers can spend more of their time celebrating with friends and family.

As a self-professed cheese fiend, you need to watch out for the Tesco Finest Ultimate Cheeseboard Bake (£5) which has a blend of vintage Red Fox, vintage cheddar and a creamy brie. Cheese heaven all rolled into one. A cheese dish I didn't get to try but was silently drooling over was Tesco Finest Chef's Collection Winslade Baking Cheese with Fig & Damsons (price TBC).

One dish I was excited to try were the Tesco Finest 2 Black Garlic & Truffle Camembert Melts (£3.50), made with a mix of potato, black garlic puree and truffle oil, topped with Camembert cheese. Not too dissimilar from a cheese-based fish cake. Personally, I loved the taste, but you have to be prepared for the richness of the garlic, potatoes and pretzel crumb.

The star of Tesco's showcase may surprise a few people. We all know hot honey is having its moment, much like matcha.

So Tesco has taken this trend inspo to release the Tesco Finest Smoked Salmon with a Hot Honey Glaze (£5.75). If you're a smoked salmon lover, this is the perfect balance of smokiness, zinginess from the lime, heat from the chilli, and sweetness of honey. It ticks all the boxes.

Tesco is also spoiling us for choice when it comes to sweet treats. I don't think I've seen so many sugary bites in one place for Christmas.

The supermarket is revitalising traditional Christmas desserts, most notably with its Tesco Finest Gifting Nocciolato Panettone, which comes with a very chic Italian-inspired tin. If you're a fan of sticky toffee pudding, Tesco has fused together the classic British pud with a panettone and Christmas pudding (£8.50) so you can enjoy all the flavours of the season in one bite.

Personally, I'd keep an eye out for the Tesco Finest Free From Honeycomb Bauble and Tesco Finest Chocolate & Honeycomb Choux Wreath.

Tesco is the first step into Christmas (get it?) I had this year. Despite battling grim British weather and a sense of impending doom with the entire Tube network down, it brought a glimmer of hope to September.

The supermarket is providing that luxury can be affordable, especially in these restrictive cost of living times. Christmas is a time to enjoy, not dread. Tesco is revitalising my enthusiasm for the festive period, and I can't wait to try more.

There are a number of launch dates for all of the products across the four brands, with the earliest coming in just two weeks time. Products will launch in-store and online incrementally throughout the next few months.