These special recipes bring joy to the table for a summer Christmas, whether you are having a family party or gathering with friends. Designed to capture the essence of an Australian summer Christmas, they feature fresh, seasonal ingredients and a burst of colours that will brighten up your celebration. Get ready to impress your guests with these delightful and festive Christmas food recipes!
Top 7 Colourful Christmas Party Recipes
1. Red Cabbage, Apple, and Nuts Salad
A refreshing and vibrant start to your festive meal, this salad combines crunchy red cabbage, sweet apples, and a medley of nuts for a delightful contrast of flavours and textures.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups shredded red cabbage
- 2 apples, cored and thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup mixed nuts (walnuts, almonds, pecans), roughly chopped
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- In a large bowl, combine the shredded red cabbage, sliced apples, mixed nuts, and dried cranberries.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, apple cider vinegar, honey, salt, and pepper.
- Pour the dressing over the salad and toss to coat evenly.
- Let the salad sit for at least 10 minutes before serving to allow the flavours to meld.
Caprese Salad
A classic Italian dish, the Caprese Salad is the perfect addition to your summer Christmas party menu. With its vibrant red, green, and white colours, it’s not only a feast for the eyes but also a delightful combination of fresh flavours.
Ingredients:
- 4 large ripe tomatoes, sliced
- 250g fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced
- 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon balsamic glaze
- Salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste
Instructions:
- On a large serving platter, arrange the tomato slices and mozzarella in alternating layers.
- Tuck fresh basil leaves in between the tomato and cheese slices.
- Drizzle olive oil and balsamic glaze over the salad.
- Season with salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste.
- Serve immediately or chill for 10-15 minutes before serving to allow the flavours to meld.
2. Sushi Cake
A visually stunning and delicious centrepiece, this layered sushi cake brings together creamy avocado, seasoned rice, succulent salmon, fluffy scrambled eggs, and a burst of ikura.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups sushi rice
- 2 1/2 cups water
- 1/4 cup rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 avocado, thinly sliced
- 200g salmon sashimi, thinly sliced
- 4 eggs, scrambled
- 1/4 cup ikura (salmon roe)
- 1 sheet of nori, cut into thin strips (optional)
Instructions:
- Rinse the sushi rice under cold water until the water runs clear. Cook the rice with 2 1/2 cups of water in a rice cooker or on the stovetop.
- In a small bowl, mix the rice vinegar, sugar, and salt until dissolved. Pour over the cooked rice and mix gently to combine. Let the rice cool to room temperature.
- In a springform pan, press half of the sushi rice into an even layer.
- Layer half of the avocado slices, half of the salmon, and half of the scrambled eggs on top of the rice.
- Repeat with the remaining rice, avocado, salmon, and scrambled eggs, pressing each layer gently.
- Top the sushi cake with ikura and nori strips (if using). Remove the springform pan before serving.
3. Stuffed Mushrooms with Chopped Colourful Capsicum
These bite-sized stuffed mushrooms add a pop of colour and flavour to your appetiser spread, filled with a medley of chopped colourful capsicums and creamy cheese.
Ingredients:
- 12 large button mushrooms, stems removed
- 1 red capsicum, finely chopped
- 1 yellow capsicum, finely chopped
- 1 green capsicum, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoons breadcrumbs
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 190°C (375°F). Line a baking tray with baking paper.
- In a bowl, mix the chopped capsicums, cream cheese, Parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, minced garlic, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
- Spoon the mixture into the mushroom caps, pressing down gently.
- Place the stuffed mushrooms on the prepared baking tray and bake for 20 minutes or until the mushrooms are tender and the filling is golden brown.
4. Prawn and Mango Salad
A light and refreshing salad that combines succulent prawns, sweet mango, and a tangy lime dressing—perfect for summer Christmas party food.
Ingredients:
- 12 cooked prawns, peeled and deveined
- 1 ripe mango, diced
- 2 cups mixed salad greens
- 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup fresh coriander leaves
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- In a large bowl, combine the prawns, mango, salad greens, red onion, and coriander.
- Drizzle with olive oil and lime juice, and season with salt and pepper.
- Toss gently and serve chilled.
5. Grilled Vegetables with Feta and Balsamic Glaze
Another delicious Christmas food idea is grilled vegetables with feta and balsamic glaze. A colourful platter of grilled vegetables, topped with crumbled feta and drizzled with balsamic glaze. This dish adds a burst of colour and flavour to your Christmas spread.
Ingredients:
- 1 red bell pepper, sliced
- 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
- 1 zucchini, sliced
- 1 eggplant, sliced
- 100g feta cheese, crumbled
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon balsamic glaze
- Fresh basil for garnish
Instructions:
- Preheat the grill or BBQ. Brush the vegetables with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
- Grill the vegetables for 5-7 minutes, turning occasionally, until tender and slightly charred.
- Arrange the grilled vegetables on a platter, sprinkle with feta, and drizzle with balsamic glaze.
- Garnish with fresh basil and serve warm.
6. Lime and Pistachio Cream Cheese Mousse Pie
Finish your summer Christmas party with this refreshing and indulgent mousse pie. The zesty lime and crunchy pistachios create a perfect balance of flavours and textures in a creamy, delightful dessert.
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups digestive biscuit crumbs
- 1/4 cup melted butter
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 package (225g) cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup icing sugar
- 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
- 1 teaspoon lime zest
- 1 cup thickened cream
- 1/4 cup shelled pistachios, chopped
Instructions:
- In a bowl, mix the digestive biscuit crumbs, melted butter, and sugar. Press the mixture into the bottom of a 23cm pie dish to form the crust.
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese and icing sugar until smooth. Add the lime juice and zest, and beat until combined.
- In a separate bowl, whip the thickened cream until stiff peaks form. Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture.
- Pour the filling into the prepared crust and smooth the top. Sprinkle with chopped pistachios.
- Refrigerate the pie for at least 4 hours or until set before serving.
7. Pavlova with Summer Fruits
A classic Australian dessert, pavlova topped with fresh, colourful summer fruits like kiwi, strawberries, and passionfruit makes for a show-stopping end to your Christmas feast.
Ingredients:
- 4 egg whites
- 1 cup caster sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon vinegar
- 1 tablespoon cornflour
- 1 cup whipped cream
- 1/2 cup fresh strawberries, halved
- 1 kiwi, sliced
- 1 passionfruit, seeds scooped out
- Fresh mint for garnish
Instructions:
- Preheat the oven to 150°C (300°F). Line a baking tray with parchment paper.
- Beat the egg whites until stiff peaks form. Gradually add sugar, beating until glossy. Add vanilla, vinegar, and cornflour.
- Spoon the meringue onto the baking tray, shaping it into a round nest.
- Bake for 1 hour, then turn off the oven and allow to cool completely in the oven.
- Once cooled, top with whipped cream, fresh strawberries, kiwi, passionfruit, and mint leaves.
- Serve chilled and enjoy!
Make a Summer Christmas So Special!
Gathering around the table with family and friends to enjoy these colourful and delicious dishes is what makes a summer Christmas party so special. The vibrant hues and fresh, flavourful ingredients of these recipes not only make for an eye-catching spread but also bring a sense of joy and festivity to your meal. From the refreshing Red Cabbage, Apple, and Nuts Salad to the stunning Sushi Cake, the flavour-packed Stuffed Mushrooms, and the indulgent Lime and Pistachio Cream Cheese Mousse Pie, these dishes will delight your taste buds and create lasting memories. Enjoy the laughter, the conversations, and the warmth of being together as you celebrate with these delightful recipes.
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