The Christmas lights are starting to go up, carols are on repeat in every public arena and most importantly – belts are being loosened.
Because we all know the festive season is a write off when it comes to any semblance of healthy eating. No one has Christmas resolutions – save that rubbish for the New Year.
And it’s not just a blow out on Christmas day — it’s the weeks and weeks of lead up. There are the staff parties, the end-of-school-year celebrations, the get-togethers with friends, the neighbourhood street bashes and the festivities with the family you won’t see on the actual day.
There are the advent calendars, the Christmas baking, the party punch, the waiting room candy canes and the mountains and mountains of prawns.
You certainly don’t hear me complaining. The smell of gingerbread baking in the oven, the sound of ham crackling on the Weber and the aesthetic appeal of a perfectly patterned trifle is quite literally my happy place. So, the fact that we get to celebrate this foodie heaven for weeks rather than days is something I am not opposed too.
But it can be hard having to buy or create a variety of different things for each seasonal event. Which is why I’ve done the legwork for you and collected the best dishes to buy/bake/bring for each occasion, all easily found at your local Woolworths.
Pavlova.
I don’t care what the New Zealand haters say, it’s our tradition and it wouldn’t be an Australian Christmas without a pavlova. And thank heavens for that – it’s one of the simplest desserts to either make or throw together. If you’re feeling inspired it’s just egg whites, caster sugar, cornflour and vanilla essence – whipped and baked. Ok that might be a slight simplification. But if you’re short on time (and patience) just pick up a fresh one from Woolworths along with mango, kiwi fruits, cherries and cream. It’s the easiest thing to grab on the way to a barbeque and can be put together in five minutes.
