— Find more inspiration with the Festive Feasts special programming on SBS Food: Friday nights 1,8, 15 and 22 December from 7.30pm, and then Saturday 23 December and Sunday 24 December from 10.30am. Programs will also be streaming after they air at SBS On Demand; . —
From glam drinks to desserts with a dash of something nice (and ideas for leftovers, too), we've gathered fab festive recipes from some of your favourite chefs and cooks.
Sweet small things
Make these as gifts or serve up at a festive gathering. "Chocolate truffles make great holiday gifts; I've put brandy in, but that's optional. Pistachios are especially festive but you can roll these in any kind of nuts," says Spencer Watts, who shares these in Spencer's Big Holiday (airing as part of the Festive Feasts line-up on 24 December).
Credit: Spencer's Big Holiday
“This is a biscuit from my childhood – a very simple cookie that will last … if not all consumed by the kids,” says Karl Firla of this recipe he shares in the 'Take A Plate For Christmas' episode of The Cook Up.
Coconut snow cookies Credit: Kitti Gould
Stream free On Demand
Take A Plate For Christmas
episode • The Cook Up with Adam Liaw • cooking • 25m
G
episode • The Cook Up with Adam Liaw • cooking • 25m
G
Everyone loves gifts like these and the best thing is you can make them in advance. What’s not to love, it caramelised, it’s nutty, it’s chocolate-y!" says Jessica McGovern of this brittle bark, a layer of brittle studded with cashew, pistachio and almond and topped with a layer of chocolate. This is one of several sweet ideas shared by the Irish-Canadian baker in Flour Power Christmas: Edible Gifts, one of three Flour Power specials screening as part of Festive Feasts. (See the Edible Gifts special at 3.30pm on Saturday 23 December and then at SBS On Demand for 30 days.)
Brittle bark. Credit: Flour Power Christmas: Edible Gifts
Starters and snacks
"Soft and delicious haloumi, with a paprika hit" is how Nadiya Hussein describes the cheesy chips, which she makes in her festive special, Nadiya's Party Feast (see it 8.30pm 29 December on SBS Food). These can be made and cooked in advance and then reheated in the oven when it's party time.
Nadiya Hussain with haloumi chips. Credit: Danny Rohrer / Hungry Gap Productions
Courtney Act shares this dip in the 'Christmas Crackers' episode of The Cook Up. It's a great one for a gathering as it's creamy and cheese but dairy-free, and can be served with whatever crispbread, crackers or crudites you like.
Spinach and artichoke dip with crispbread Credit: Kitti Gould
Stream free On Demand
Christmas Crackers
episode • The Cook Up with Adam Liaw • cooking • 25m
G
episode • The Cook Up with Adam Liaw • cooking • 25m
G
This festive recipe from Donal Skehan, a dip and nibbles combination that comes together in less than 15 minutes, gets put to the test in the Dishing it Up Christmas Special (which airs at 12.30pm Sunon day 24 December).
Credit: Donal's Meals in Minutes
Raise a glass
Fruity ice cubes add a colourful touch to this tequila, orange and ginger ale festive drink, another recipe from Spencer's Big Holiday.
Cranberry ginger tequila. Credit: Spencer's Big Holiday
Prefer a creamy cocktail? In this recipe, Spencer shows you how to make your own white chocolate liqueur and then use it in this festive martini (though you could also use a bought chocolate liqueur).
Peppermint white chocolate martini. Credit: Spencer's Big Holiday
A season for sharing
This impressive – and impressively easy – share plate by Adam Liaw, also from the 'Take A Plate' episode of The Cook Up, has just the right balance of salty, briny, lemony flavours on top of sweet cooked fresh prawns.
Prawns with tartare vinaigrette Credit: Kitti Gould
Stream free On Demand
Take A Plate For Christmas
Watch this full episode here
G
Watch this full episode here
G
Cherry coleslaw Credit: Kitti Gould
Watch the episode at SBS On Demand:
Stream free On Demand
Christmas At Mine
episode • The Cook Up with Adam Liaw • cooking • 25m
PG
episode • The Cook Up with Adam Liaw • cooking • 25m
PG
“Christmas in Australia for me is dry and hot and is all about grilled meats, seafood and salads. The horiatiki salata is a salad that represents the time of the year and the place. At this time of year, the tomatoes are amazing and need to be celebrated,” says George Calombaris of this recipe, which he shares in the 'Christmas at Mine' episode of The Cook Up.
Horiatiki salata Credit: Kitti Gould
"If you grill oranges, it brings out the most beautiful flavour of the orange, the sugar caramelises," says Spencer Watts of his twist on cranberry sauce – great to serve with his . This one comes from Spencer's Holiday BBQ, a special that airs 10.30 am on Saturyday 23 December.
Credit: Spencer's Holiday BBQ
The topping of marinated onions and cherry tomatoes is simple but adds flavour and colour to this bread by Lidia Bastianich, which she shares in Lidia's Kitchen (season 7 airs weekdays 6.30pm 11 December to 12 January on SBS Food).
Onion and tomato focaccia. Credit: Lidia's Table
Main attractions
Add some sunshine to the festive season with this Caribbean-inspired Christmas ham with tangy and sweet tamarind, ginger and allspice. It's a vibrant dish shared by Ainsley Harriott in Ainsley's Fantastic Flavours, a lively one-hour special airing 7.30pm Friday 1 December.
Tamarind, allspice and ginger glazed ham with pineapple and rum relish. Credit: James Bailey
Maggie Beer shares this in the 'Christmas Savoury' episode of The Cook Up. This will serve 12, so it's perfect for a large Christmas gathering.
Maggie’s corn-fed turkey with cumquat and pistachio stuffing Credit: Kitti Gould
Stream free On Demand
Christmas Savoury
episode • The Cook Up with Adam Liaw • cooking • 25m
G
episode • The Cook Up with Adam Liaw • cooking • 25m
G
Dashing desserts
Once upon a time English mince pies actually contained minced meat. Nowadays the meat has disappeared, and the filling is a complex mixture of dried and fresh fruit and sometimes nuts as well, usually highly spiced and rather alcoholic. This recipe from Stephanie Alexander shared in the 'Christmas Desserts' episode of The Cook Up, is a frozen version of Christmas pudding, ideal for the hot Aussie summer weather.
Frozen mincemeat and iced Christmas pudding Credit: Kitti Gould
Stream free On Demand
Christmas Dessert
episode • The Cook Up with Adam Liaw • cooking • 25m
G
episode • The Cook Up with Adam Liaw • cooking • 25m
G
In Ainsley's Christmas Good Mood Food (airing 8.30pm Friday 22 December), Ainsley Harriott is invoking some festive good mood and cooking up some great food - including a stunning trifle. "Perfect for a Boxing Day treat or as an alternative to Christmas pudding. Spiced rum is typically flavoured with vanilla, nutmeg and cinnamon – spices that are a perfect match for pears and ginger. To make things easier I’m using tinned pears, but you can poach some fresh pears in advance if you prefer," Harriott says.
Ainsley Harriott's festive trifle. Credit: James Bailey
Summer parties call for cool desserts - and ice-cream is always a winner, whether you serve it up in waffle cones, create an ice-cream bar with multiple flavours and topping options or serve something special alongside other desserts. You'll find plenty of options in our , including this festive-looking number from Mary Berg, (which she shares in Mary Makes It Easy, currently screening 5pm weekdays until 20 December).
Credit: Mary Makes It Easy
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Pavlov is a summer essential, and if you can't decide what to top it with, try Adam Liaw's simple answer, also from the 'Christmas Desserts' episode of The Cook Up: pile the centre of your pav with cream and a glorious assortment of summer fruit. (Or to add some native Australian flavours to your dessert, try this from Mark Olive or Seth James' recipe for ).
All-in pavlova Credit: Kitti Gould
Love the leftovers
Wondering what to do with leftover turkey? These fluffy buns with a sweet, sticky and slightly spicy filling are a fun way to do it. The dough takes a little time to make but the buns are easy to make. Nice one Ainsley Harriott!
Ainsley Harriot with hoisin turkey bao buns. Credit: Ainsley's Fantastic Flavours Christmas
Another from Ainsley Harriott, this is an impressive looking dessert that’s a cross between an Italian zuccotto and a baked Alaska. It takes a little time but is simple to make and great for using up leftover Christmas pudding.
Ainsley’s Christmas snow dome. Credit: James Bailey
MORE FESTIVE DELICOUSNESS
Adam, Ainsley, Donna and Rick are here with big wow festive desserts
