As 2021 winds down, ramps up, dwindles and roars to a close, I am finding myself looking forward to Christmas Day. I actually wondered if I would ever get to this point because time has not been normal this year – or last year either, for that matter! It’s lurched and dragged and zoomed and behaved altogether erratically. The very fact that Christmas is fast approaching doesn’t seem quite logical or believable. And yet – the calendar keeps asserting that December 25 is creeping ever closer. Like any grumpy grinch, I will eventually put a bit of tinsel in my hair and a bit of ham in my mouth and get into the spirit of the day.
My Christmas table is usually laden with family classics and a new dish or two. We do ham and turkey – at least as much for the leftovers as the big day! I love a bit of seafood to nod to the Australian summer. And there is always ALWAYS a pavlova!
I hope you love these Christmas suggestions and choose some for your celebration table.
- See below for tips on looking after your ham.
- See below for chef Daniel Wilson’s top 3 tips for staying calm over Christmas!
- Want more inspiration for your Christmas Day celebrations? I have more food ideas here.
- I have loads of Christmas entertaining ideas here, including a music playlist!
- Gift crisis? Here are some edible gifts you can make!
WHAT’S ON THE MENU THEN?
Christmas Cocktails
Christmas Starters
Christmas Main Course
There’s a Vietnamese angle to this peanut-loving recipe so add a handful of Vietnamese mint if you want to theme it even more. This salad goes brilliantly with grilled chicken. I love putting chicken ribs on the BBQ and serving them with this salad!
Christmas Dessert
I am about ready to lie on the couch already! I’d love to hear about your Christmas menu. Whatever you do and whatever you eat, I wish you a delicious and happy Christmas.
Christmas Tips & Tricks
Handy ham storage tips, thanks to Otway Pork:
- Make sure the ham is not out of the fridge for more than two hours on Christmas Day (or any spring/summer day you’re entertaining).
- To store, soak a ham bag in a mixture of 2 cups of water and 2 tablespoons of vinegar. Ring out the ham bag and place the ham inside.
- Keep soaking the ham bag every two days in the water and vinegar mix to keep it fresh, tender and succulent.
Chef Daniel Wilson’s Top 3 Christmas Tips
Top chef and Queen Victoria Market ambassador Daniel Wilson has shared his top three tips for staying calm this Christmas.
Accept Help or Delegate!
Christmas is a time for togetherness. Don’t try to be a hero and do everything yourself! If Aunt Norma offers to make something to help you out don’t ‘try to be kind’ by telling her she doesn’t need to but instead gladly accept the help as it will make your job easier and fill her with warm fuzzies by being able to contribute! However, if no-one is offering to help and you’re feeling snowed under, then ask for help! Some family members might not volunteer help because they are trying to be conscious of not stepping on your toes. Take the awkwardness out and just have a conversation about it.
Be Organised & Strategic with Your Shopping
It goes without saying that food shopping for the big day can bring some of the biggest stress! Make sure you write down the menu and make shopping lists and don’t forget that Aunt Mavis is bringing the trifle so that’s one thing you don’t need to think about. One of the major stress points here is if you’re being a lastminutelarry.com, consider buying prawns frozen in a block and keeping in the freezer until the day before and then letting them defrost overnight in the fridge rather than buying them already defrosted on Christmas Eve while jostling with every Tom, Dick & Harry for not only a parking space but a space in the queue.
Use Produce that is in Season
Another no brainer is to use produce that is in season, not only is it more cost-efficient because it is abundant, but it is also at the peak of its flavour. For me, cherries are one such fruit that is synonymous with Christmas. Also, there are plenty of excellent quality mangoes, passionfruit, stone fruit and berries available at the moment. They all sound like the perfect addition to a pav to be remembered! Finally though, please remember that it is a day to be enjoyed so make sure that you have fun and enjoy yourself! Merry Christmas!
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