Time is something we could always have more of, and after the hubbub of Christmas, we miraculously get it. If like me, your love language is gift giving (otherwise interpreted as food giving), you're accustomed to spending most of the Christmas period entertaining and feeding your loved ones with whatever is inspiring you at the present moment.
With plenty of time up our sleeves to perfect these all kinds of dishes, we're upping our kitchenware game for a summer filled with comfort eating. From citrusy spreads to pantry staples and delectable desserts, test your culinary skills this Christmas with these adventurous – and delicious – recipes, that don't involve brining a whole bird.
1. Clementine Day's Summer Pav with Balsamic & Pepper Roasted Strawberries
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Is there anything that screams summer and Christmas more than a pavlova? Perhaps this is the year to up the ante from your usual passionfruit-and-mango topped affair and try out something a little more sophisticated. This summer pav from Some Thing I Like To Cook's Clementine Day is the perfect combination of sweet and tangy thanks to the addition of balsamic and pepper.
2. Miriam Al-Noah’s Tuna Crudo with Green Olive and Pistachio
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In our books, there's no better summer meal to dish up than some fresh and zesty crudo – in this case, a tuna crudo with olives and pistachios from Miriam Al-Noah. The perfect entree to serve up to your guests while you rush to get the roast out of the oven, and dust the flour off your party outfit.
3. Sian Redgrave's Focaccia With Leeks, Ricotta and Honey
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We here at RUSSH are big fans of Redgrave's, and while we're not lucky enough to have her cook for us on Chrissy, we're thrilled that the chef shared some of her favourite recipes with Bed Threads for us to incorporate into our culinary adventures. In particular, we're loving her foccacia, featuring fresh ricotta and honey... heavenly.
4. Joel Bennett's Perfect Cheeseburger
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Is there any better hangover cure than a cheeseburger? Well, lucky for us, Joel Bennett shared his recipe for the perfect cheeseburger with RUSSH a little while back, so perhaps this is the perfect time to give it a red hot crack?
5. Ellie Bouhadana’s Cavatelli With Green Sauce, Pangrattato and Burrata
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Melbourne' s Ellie Boudhana has been at the helm of cult dining spot Hope St. Radio for a while now, and we pretty much trust her word as gospel in the kitchen. If you're looking to impress with a pasta dish this season, we'd recommend Boudhana's green-sauced cavatelli, topped – for drama, of course – with a whole burrata.
6. Carter Were's Easter Fruit Loaf
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Yes, yes we know it's not Easter yet – but in our opinion, the humble fruit loaf also has a place in our holiday breakfast spread. This one from Northern Rivers' Carter Were is an exercise in homey, comfort baking. Perfect for a quiet Sunday morning.
