What's On Your Christmas Menu?
WORDS : CHYKA KEEBAUGH
PHOTO : LISA ATKINSON
Baked salmon with roast vegetables and salad
When cooking something as large as a whole salmon, be sure to work out how much room you have in your oven so you can accommodate all the roast vegetables too. To make it easy for yourself on Christmas Day, I would make the green salad a day or two beforehand and leave it to sit in the fridge, so all you have to do on Christmas Day is worry about the salmon and the veggies.
HOW TO PERFECTLY ROAST A TURKEY
Don't have a lot of time? Cut in in half! No one said you had to cook the whole turkey.
Get your turkey out of the fridge 30mins before roasting to minimise shrinkage.
Want it super moist and flavoursome? Wedge herbed butter beneath the skin to keep it moist.
For crisper skin, unwrap the turkey a day before roasting and leave uncovered in the fridge overnight. This will dry out the skin slightly and aid in the crisping.
The more you open the oven, the drier the bird! So look through the glass front and be patient.
A BRIGHT SEAFOOD THREE COURSE MEAL
Inspiration can come from anywhere. So, taking some cues from the gorgeous blues, reds and yellows in the David Bromley painting in our office, as well as the sun, surf and seafood culture that many Australians associate with Christmas, my three-course Christmas lunch is a lobster with green and Russian salads, a Summer pudding and a cheese platter to finish. I am seriously in love with all the colours in these dishes; they’re Summery, fresh and vibrant.
MINI POUSSIN & CRANBERRY STUFFING
For an elegant Christmas meal, how about roasting a delicate poussin? Cranberry sauce is a Christmas staple, and it will go perfectly with the poussin. Simple, delicious and a definite meal that brings the WOW FACTOR to bring this meal together, serve on a bed of wild rice and pine nuts.
HOW ABOUT A TRADITIONAL ROAST PORK?
I love this meal, not only does it taste great but it is something I can prepare a day or so earlier, put in the oven and let slowly cook while I potter about doing my own thing. Lunch shouldn’t always be a drama, and with these simple recipes you will love it, the tastes are amazing, yet the preparation work is minimal. Gives you more time to relax, spend time with your family and sneak in sparkling here and there!