Christmas

Entertaining with Dani Valent Christmas

Christmas is supposed to be a time of joy so here are some tips for ditching the stress and ensuring that cooks and hosts can be merry too!

Christmas! For many cooks, it’s the biggest day of the year. My menu includes traditional turkey, ham and prawns (traditional in Australia, mates!) but they’re given a tasty, fresh spin. I’ve also included lots of make-ahead dishes so that the big day is smooth and simple. Enjoy the luxe touches and the bright, sunny flavours.

Jingle Bells and then some

You need Christmas music to really know it’s Christmas so here’s a playlist to fill your house with seasonal joy. We always start Christmas morning with James Brown so he’s definitely here, along with plenty of pop stars who’ve released the obligatory Christmas album. Hope Yule love these tunes as much as we do.

Hosting tips

A Joyous Christmas is all about being organised so that you can go with the flow and let the day unfold in glorious, gluttonous flow. Have as much cooking as possible done beforehand so you’re not in a flurry on the day. If that means asking people to bring something then do it – they’ll most likely be delighted to contribute. We tend to have dishes on a bench or in the centre of the table for people to help themselves: I love the look of a laden table and I love the performative hubbub of carving the ham and passing the potatoes.

Styling your table can be really simple. I’ve gathered together some inspiration here.

Make sure there’s plenty of ice. Have extra glassware on hand. Keep your guests hydrated – Christmas can turn a little ‘tired and emotional’ especially if people are drinking more than they’re used to or if the day is warm.

I think Christmas is a day to say ‘yes’ as much as possible. If visiting kids need to unwrap their presents NOW then that’s probably fine. When Uncle Ken decides to have a nap before dessert then you’ll work with that. And, of course, you can say ‘yes’ too. If you someone asks if they can help with the dishes and the clear-up, definitely let them!

Christmas tipple

I love starting my Christmas with a glass of sparkling Rosé – the touch of pink is so festive. The delicate seafood and rich avocado at the beginning of the meal is nice paired with a Chardonnay or Pinot Gris, then I’d move to Rosé or Pinot Noir for the turkey and ham. Many people like a nip of whisky to finish their Christmas feast but why not mix it up a little and serve a dry Spanish sherry, served chilled if you’re doing a hot, summery Christmas.

More recipes

So many ideas! I definitely think Frosé is a great addition to Christmas day. It’s festively pink and the flavours are enlivening! Albert Adria’s Lettuce sauce and Oysters are an easy seafood starter. It’s always good to have a classy dip on hand: Anthony Femia’s Cervelle de Canut is best made the day before: bonus! My Beetroot Salad is bursting with colour and it’s extremely easy to throw together. If you’re wondering about beef as part of your spread, have a look at this easy and elegant Boeuf a la Ficelle: you can probably leave out the vegetables if it’s part of a larger menu.

I could go on! Here are all the recipes subscribers have access to and this is how much they love the site.

Readers’ pics

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danivalent

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Jan 7

Open

This is me, before the bushfires, before the pandemic, in East Gippsland, where I've been camping every summer for 18 years.

I'm heading off again today - so long as noone has a last minute scratchy throat. Covid contingencies permitting, I'll be there for two weeks, more or less off grid - phone reception is limited.

Last time I turned my phone off for two weeks, there was an insurrection at the Capitol. Who knows what will happen this time.

I feel bad bailing on you all - though I'll probably be back, shivering in my bed, in a couple of days. I am not counting on anything these days!

But I also really, really cannot wait to stick my head in the ocean, watch some birds, write some poems, make some epic paella.

Stay strong, be kind, look after one another, big love.

Here's a poem too.

Threatwreck

i have a heart-braking
sense of foreboding
little crumples of feeling
throat - chest - belly - top of my head -
my chakras i guess

oh this is enlightenment
i didn’t know it would be so scary
i thought knowing would be calm
but it’s frantic

a squall
wind whipping
the threat of a wreck

as i said: don’t worry about me
i won’t make anything hard
you can trust me - people do
but

i didn’t know
lockdown would unpick
me in this way
and those old promises
sound stupid
what kind of hubris
to think about forever
when we can’t even book a restaurant
for tonight

danivalent

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Jan 6

Open

Vic, from 11.59pm tonight, January 6:

- density 1 person / 2 sq m for indoor hospitality & entertainment (cinema & theatre exempted)

- outdoor no limit

- seated service recommended

- positive RAT results will be called a 'probable case' & and these people will have the same rights & obligations as people who are PCR positive. They must isolate immediately & must report result to Dept of Health via online form or phone. Will be able to access financial support eg. Pandemic Leave payment, subject to eligibility requirements.

- while RATs are in short supply, symptomatic and close contacts can still get PCR tests but when RATs are more available, don't clog the system unless you get an unexpected RAT positive. 44 million RATs on way to Vic.

- lockdown ruled out

- fyi these orders will be signed in by health minister at 11.59pm on Pandemic Order Register - our new legal framework - and can then confirm details eg small venue exception is one thing I'm wondering...

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Table setting inspo

I’ve made a little Pinterest board with some easy table setting ideas. I don’t much like buying decorations but I am happy to make things if they’re simple, and I love using natural materials.