The silly season is almost upon us. Each year seems to fly by so quickly, with the months blurring together. Before you know it, it’s Christmas time, and the busiest time of the year. There’s so much to do at this time of year. You need to buy presents for your friends, family and colleagues. Then you need to plan your Christmas day event. Some people will need to choose Christmas party venues in Sydney. And, with most people working right up until Christmas eve, it makes planning the big day difficult.
One stressful task for Christmas is planning the menu for lunch or dinner. This helpful article will take some of the stress out of the process, by sharing how you can create the ultimate Australian Christmas menu. You’ll read about some classic favourites, and a modern twist for dessert. Read on to discover more.
Aussie Christmas Starters
The first thing to plan is your starters. These need to be tasty, but not so filling that people don’t leave enough room for the main courses.
Garlic Prawns
Garlic prawns are an excellent Christmas starter, and a southern hemisphere dish that’s perfect and light for a hot summer’s day. Don’t use frozen prawns, head to a nearby market or fish shop and pick up some delicious fresh prawns a day or two before Christmas.
Cheese and Crackers
You can also place out some crackers, cheese and dip for your guests and yourself to snack on while you get the main courses ready. Try a few different cheeses, perhaps one or two soft and a couple of hard cheeses. For dips stick with the classics – French onion, hummus, garlic or beetroot will go down a treat.Arancini Rice Balls
Another tasty starter you can prepare are some arancini balls stuffed with rice. You can prepare one with meat for the carnivores, and one filled with gooey mozzarella for the vegetarians. These are a warm starter that will tide people over until the delicious main courses are served.
Moving on to the Mains
Now let’s jump into the delectable main courses. This is where you’ll bring out all the classic Aussie Christmas meals that will have your guests’ mouth’s watering.
Glazed and Baked Ham
It wouldn’t be a Christmas meal without the baked ham. You can glaze it to add a delicious pop to the juicy meat. Some glaze options include pineapple juice, a brown sugar mustard glaze, maple syrup or a honey mustard glaze are all great options.
Roast Turkey
Another Christmas staple, a roast turkey should definitely be on the cards this year. You can make it a touch fancy too – try a cherry barbeque sauce for instance, or a brie, walnut and cranberry stuffed turkey.
Roast Potatoes
You can’t have your roast meat without a side of spuds. Roast potatoes are a simple yet delicious dish that are easy to prepare and cook. Give them a liberal smothering in olive oil, a sprinkle of salt, and choose your herbs. Rosemary is a traditional and delicious option, as is thyme.A spicy twist on roast potatoes is sprinkling them with a BBQ rub or Cajun style seasoning, that will give them a kick and pair deliciously with the soft, fluffy insides.
Honey Glazed Steamed Beans and Carrots
For the veggie side, steam some beans and carrots, and prepare a warm honey glaze to brush them with once you take them out of the steamer. These are a sweet, delicious treat.
A Tangy Gravy
Finally, to top off your mains you need to make some gravy. Use the fat and juices from your ham or turkey for this. And, don’t forget a dollop of tomato sauce, for sweetness and that extra tang, a cooking tip courtesy of the great Paul Kelly.
Your Dessert Menu
After the main courses, it’s time for sweets. Give it an hour or so in between courses, to allow everyone to digest and relax. We’ll discuss some classic Aussie favourites and a modern one as well.
The Classic – Pavlova
Nothing says Aussie Christmas more than the beloved Pav. That crisp, sweet merengue bliss, topped with freshly whipped cream and an assortment of berries and kiwi fruit. This is a staple dessert that would be sacrilegious to shun.
Christmas Plum Pudding
Another traditional Christmas staple, a warm plum pudding topped with brandy sauce is a must have on Christmas day.
A No Bake Rocky Road Cheesecake
Finally, our modern dessert for your Christmas menu is an indulgent and decadent no bake rocky road cheesecake. Check out this recipe and prepare for a sugar coma afterward.
A Christmas Celebration Conclusion
This helpful article has taught you how to create the ultimate Australian Christmas menu. Now there’s one less thing for you to worry about, so crack a beer, put your feet up and enjoy your warm Aussie Christmas.
Leave a Reply