My Christmas Menu 2021

It’s the Friday before Christmas and I’m coming at you with my Christmas menu for 2021. Over the next week we have 4 parties. 2 we’re attending, 2 we’re hosting.

Call me crazy but apparently I am for wanting to host both Christmas eve and Christmas day at my house. As my friend put it “you are truly doing what you’re meant to be doing if hosting 2 lunches back to back doesn’t phase you”.

It doesn’t phase me, I’m happy I don’t have to go anywhere. But let me remind you, I hate washing/wiping up. Human.

There’s one thing I’ve learnt over the last few years. There’s always too much food.

Last year, I was still in the postpartum baby bubble and made enough salad to feed my suburb. While it is a celebration, the overwhelm of feeling full or having to store so many leftovers can be daunting. I think we’ve cracked the code this year, but we’ll see how we go.

Here’s what’s on my Christmas menu

Party 1

we were a late RSVP, sorry Aunty J. So we’ve been asked to bring whatever to fill the gaps of the menu. I’m making: roasted capsicum dip, mum’s crackers, semi-dried tomatoes (This recipe is in Kitchen Saucery) and goat cheese platter.

Party 2

We’ve been asked to bring a roast chicken with stuffing, plus a fruit platter.
I’ve never made stuffing before for a chicken but from what I know it’s breadcrumbs with lots of herbs and butter. I’m thinking I’ll add some toasted pine nuts, lemon, smoked paprika and toasted fennel seeds. It’ll be a bit similar to this one.

Party 3 (Christmas Eve)

The prawns, oysters and a nibbles platter to start with are under control by our family. We’re cooking:

• Whole fish. We still don’t know what fish we’re getting, it’ll be fresh off the boat from our local monger. Most likely Ocean Perch. We’ll keep it simple with butter, lemon, white wine and garlic and it’ll be cooked over the coals in our Webber with smoking chips.

• Simple greens salad. I have rocket, mixed lettuce and pecorino with toasted pecans.

• Roasted potatoes. Ideally I’ll do them like this but I’m leaving it open to keep it simple roast in the oven or I’ll par boil like the first recipe and they’ll be finished on the webber. So many options!

• Christmas Pudding. The tradition lives on and I’ve already made 2 of my Great Aunty Dot’s Christmas Puddings. If you want to try your hand at pudding (it’s worth it), you can read the recipe or cook Christmas pudding with me.

• Pavola. This one is a curve ball. We don’t usually have a pav and I feel very pav-less watching everyone enjoy theirs so we’re adding it in. I don’t have a recipe, I think I’ll follow the Thermomix one in the Cookidoo app. I’ll top it with nectarines, mango and my rhubarb.

Party 4 (Christmas day)

The prawns, oysters are under control by our family. We’re cooking:

• Epic nibbles platter. It’ll be similar to party 1 but I’ll mix up the dip and I’m making some sheep’s cheese labneh (I teach you this in Kitchen Saucery).

• Rolled pork with herb stuffing plus crackling.

• Tomato salad. With balsamic dressing, fresh basil and garlic croutons.

• Simple greens salad. Charred broccoli and kale.

• Roasted potatoes. Ideally I’ll do them like this but I’m leaving it open to keep it simple roast in the oven or I’ll par boil like the first recipe and they’ll be finished on the webber. So many options!

• Christmas Pudding. The tradition lives on and I’ve already made 2 of my Great Aunty Dot’s Christmas Puddings. If you want to try your hand at pudding (it’s worth it), you can read the recipe or cook Christmas pudding with me.