Recommendations for an Australian Christmas lunch
Our food and gardening columnist has some recommendations for home cooks who are looking to embrace the true nature of Christmas in Australia.
Planning your meal for the festive season? I can only hope that you have moved away from a European styled feast and are able to acknowledge that, yes, December 25 is nearly always hot and humid – and certainly not befitting a roast…
If you have finally seen the light, here is my list of go-to-guides for the big day, depending what kind of feast you’re in the mood for, and almost entirely from Australian chefs, foodies and restaurateurs.
For a seafood feast…
Now this is a food group I can behind on Christmas day. This cookbook is The Ultimate Guide to Australian produce.
- Australian Fish and Seafood Cookbook by John Susman, Anthony Huckstep, Sarah Swan and Stephen Hodges
For a vegetarian or vegan feast…
We all have at least one in our family or friendship circle. Here are some delicious recommendations.
- The Moroccan Soup Bar by Hana Assafiri
- Neighbourhood by Hetty McKinnon
- Smith & Daughters by Shannon Martinez and Mo Wyse (vegan)
For a liquid lunch…
For many of us, Christmas is a time for drinking as much as eating, and I approve.
- A Spot At The Bar by Michael Madrusan and Zara Young
- The Great Australian Beer Guide by James Smith
- Halliday Wine Companion 2017 by James Halliday
For ‘you’ll never convince me, I simply MUST cook a roast’…
If you must, you must… But let me at least recommend you try one of these two wonderful Australian women’s cookbooks for inspiration.
- Maggie’s Christmas by Maggie Beer
- The 12 Days of Christmas by Margaret Fulton
For ‘seriously, I don’t care and I just want a cheese sandwich’…
I’ll admit – he’s not Australian. But for someone who matches your ‘don’t care’ attitude, there’s no better than this hilarious chef.
- Any cookbook by Anthony Bourdain
