Just a little message from me to you, to wish you all a very Merry Christmas! I’m enjoying the day with my nearest and dearest and hope you are too. May you all be having a wonderful time, enjoying the magic of the season and doing it in style of course!
Please stay safe, eat your weight in ham and other goodies, and I hope you’re getting to spend the day relaxing and having a great time.
Sending lots of Christmas love your way.
xx
I try and make this time of year as stress free as possible so my summer entertaining usually involves a lot of BBQs, really easy salads, fresh fruit and cheese platters. I’d rather be spending time with my nearest and dearest than hanging out in the kitchen so as much as possible I do lots of my prep beforehand or just pick really simple things to make. Here’s what I do when it comes to managing festive gatherings….
As I said I am a very casual entertainer so I always make sure to have the fridge stocked up with fresh ingredients. I always do a big online shop to get my supplies in order. I usually go on the Harris Farm website and order all my fruit and veg, cheeses and everything I need before the weekend so it’s always on hand in case I unexpectedly have people pop in. I think great produce is always key so you can make really simple, easy things that will still be a hit with guests.
I’m all about a great platter as I think it’s a great shortcut when you’re busy or low on time. Whether it’s pastries or fruit platters in the morning or it’s prosciutto and cheeses or ham for lunch they’re great for being able to lay on a spread quickly.
Whenever I have people over I always have a selection of cheeses, various types of dips and crackers ready to go as I like to make sure people are fed as soon as they walk through the door. And you never know when people are just going to pop in. We live close to the beach so we get lots of people dropping by all the time and platters are something you can put together really quickly if you have everything in the fridge (this is why the first step is so important!).
One of my little tricks is to use the contents of Christmas hampers whenever I’m entertaining. They’re stocked with such a variety of different condiments or nibblies that it’s great for putting together an interesting platter of goodies that are just slightly more special in nature.
As it’s so hot I like having drinks that are really refreshing. I’ll stock up on bottles of champagne, beer for the boys or have the ingredients for a quick cocktail or mocktail ready to go such as peach juice in case I want to make a peach bellini. Aperol spritzes and mojitos are also a favourite during summer as they’re so refreshing. I always make sure to have some sparkling water in the fridge to serve to guests. I think overall the most crucial thing to remember is to keep everything as simple as possible so you can get onto more important things, and that’s spending time with friends and family.
What are some of your favourite Christmas entertaining tips?
What are you wearing on Christmas Day? Whether it’s a family BBQ or a formal sit down lunch if you’ve yet to sort out your outfit and are quickly running out of time then you’re in luck because your ensemble could be sitting in your wardrobe right now. That’s right, with some new outfit inspiration, key pieces in your closet can be reworked and turned into a fresh new look. And the best bit is it doesn’t cost a cent.
This is an easy place to start. If you’ve got a favourite dress in your cupboard that’s feeling a bit tired simply change up the footwear. A pair of sneakers is an easy go-to and looks instantly on trend without much effort at all.
I’m betting you have a handful of neutral pieces in your wardrobe so why not bring them back to life again by opting for a tonal colour palette. Working your outfit within the same colour family results in a chic, considered look and the addition of a bright statement shoe instantly adds an element of interest.
If you have a trusty white singlet and a pair of dressy pants you have this look sorted. You could also swap the pants for a pair of shorts or culottes and it works equally as well. Add a pair of sandals or heels and you’re set.
Given how huge slip dresses have been of late I’m sure there’s a lot of you who may have one sitting in your cupboard right now. The key to refreshing it is in the accessories you pair with it. A scarf tied around your hair is very of the moment and looks bang on trend.
A trusty white tee is a given in most wardrobes so why not pair it with a dressy skirt for a high-low mix that looks instantly stylish. A wrap skirt is a current trend that looks fresh for summer and a pair of slides makes for instant cool.
A striped shirt paired with a denim skirt is the ideal ensemble for a family lunch that may end up turning into an evening event. You could also opt for jeans if a skirt isn’t your thing. The great thing about this look is that most of us already have a striped shirt sitting in our wardrobes so it’s an easy go-to when you feel you have nothing to wear.
Without a doubt one of the best things about Christmas is all the feasting. I love being able to sit down with my family and enjoy loads of delicious food. However, this also means we’re often left with lots of leftovers and there’s only so many ham sandwiches you can consume after December 25! So, over the years I’ve tried to get creative with how we use up everything we have in the fridge post-Christmas lunch.
One of my favourite ways to use up common Christmas ingredients like ham and turkey is to pop it all on a pizza. I often take a gourmet approach, adding everything from garlic oil to a beautiful ricotta mixture to take it to the next level. One of my favourite new additions to my kitchen is the Breville The Smart Oven™ Pizzaiolo which achieves an authentic woodfire pizza result at home. It’s quick and easy to use and definitely achieves a great finish. It’s also one of the best ways I’ve found to put all the delicious Christmas leftovers to good use. This year, why not try my Flavours of Christmas pizza recipe? I guarantee it’s almost as good as sitting down for Christmas lunch all over again…
Prep time: 30 min
Total Time: 35 min (plus 8 hrs rest time)
Serves 2-4
For the dough
3 ¾ cups (560g) bread flour
1 tsp instant dried yeast
2 tsp salt
1 ½ cups (360ml) cold water
semolina, for dusting
For the garlic oil
1 clove garlic, thinly sliced
1/8 tsp salt
2 tbsp olive oil
For the ricotta mixture
½ cup (125g) ricotta cheese
2 tbsp grated parmesan cheese
¼ tsp salt
¼ tsp ground nutmeg
¼ tsp dried oregano
¼ tsp fennel seeds
1/8 tsp dried chilli flakes (optional)
For the pizza
¼ tsp balsamic vinegar
1/8 tsp mixed spice
¼ cup baby rocket
2 tbsp cranberry sauce
85g cooked turkey meat, sliced
1. To make the dough, place the flour, yeast and salt in the bowl of a stand mixer. Using the dough hook attachment, mix to combine. Add the water and knead on low speed for 5-6 minutes or until smooth and elastic. Transfer the dough to a large bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Allow to proof in a warm place for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
2. Once doubled in size, scatter some semolina onto a clean benchtop. Turn the dough out and divide into 4 even portions. Shape each portion into a smooth ball.
3. Lightly sprinkle 2 baking trays with semolina and place 3 dough balls on the trays, leaving 10cm between the balls. Cover each tray with plastic wrap and refrigerate to use another time (up to 5 days).
Tip: Alternatively, you can individually wrap each one in plastic wrap and place in an airtight container in the freezer. Remove dough as required, allowing the dough to come to room temperature before use.
4. Place the remaining dough ball back into the medium bowl and cover. Allow to proof in a warm place for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
5. Meanwhile, make the garlic oil by tossing the garlic and the salt in a small bowl. Heat the oil in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Add the garlic and cook gently for 3 minutes, or until lightly coloured. Pour through a strainer and allow to cool to room temperature. Divide the oil into 3 bowls:
6. Add all the ricotta filling ingredients to the medium bowl with the garlic oil and stir to combine.
7. Add the balsamic and mixed spice to the small bowl with the garlic mixture and stir to combine.
8. Preheat The Smart Oven™ Pizzaiolo by selecting the Wood Fired setting. This can take up to 20 minutes.
9. Meanwhile, use a bench scraper to lift the dough and dip both sides in the semolina to coat. Place onto a clean bench and gently press out the dough with your fingertips, working from the centre outwards into an approximate 22cm round, leaving a 1cm border. Lightly sprinkle the peel (the tool used to put the pizza in the oven) with the semolina. Carefully transfer the dough onto the peel, gently brushing off any excess semolina.
10. Spread the ricotta mixture evenly over the dough, leaving a 1cm border. Brush the edge of the dough with half the garlic oil.
11. Once the The Smart Oven™ Pizzaiolo has preheated, transfer the pizza to the oven and cook for 2 minutes or until the crust is starting to develop brown spots. Turn the pizza and cook for a further 30 seconds. Remove the pizza from the oven, place the turkey on the pizza and return to the oven for the final 30 seconds.
12. Transfer the pizza to a cutting board. Evenly dollop the cranberry sauce over the pizza. Toss the rocket in the dressing, then scatter evenly over the pizza. Brush the edge of the pizza with the remaining garlic oil.
13. Slice and serve hot.
Photography: Ashleigh Larden
This post was produced in collaboration with Breville
What a year it has been! While 2021 has no doubt been challenging, it has shone a spotlight on the things we truly value in life—family, friends and shared moments of connection. One of the most important things to me is also this community and connecting with you all. It’s a privilege to be let into people’s lives and I truly appreciate every comment, DM, and like you share, because I don’t ever take for granted what a wonderful thing it is to be able to do something I adore and to be able to share my love of all things fashion with you all. It’s one of the best gifts I’ve ever received.
So, now that we’re speedily heading towards the tail end of this year, I want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas. I hope you’re all able to enjoy the day, whether it’s spent eating copious amounts of food and falling into a food coma or hanging out with friends or enjoying some time to yourself doing all the things you love, I wish you nothing but the best on this day. I also hope the new year brings you all that you want and more—whether it’s work, home, or your personal life, I want 2022 to bring you nothing but good fortune, fun times and every success imaginable.
I can’t wait to share another wonderful fashion-filled year with you all. For now, it’s time to let your hair down, relax and enjoy a wonderful Aussie summer. There’s really nothing better.
Love,
Kate xx
With Christmas just around the corner, our thoughts are quickly turning to the day itself and what we’ll be serving up to our nearest and dearest. While a feast is a delightful prospect, actually getting there is another story. For many of us, it can be a stressful experience trying to decide what to serve, with the daunting prospect of having to decide everything from nibblies to desserts and every morsel in between.
But as with most things, it always helps to have a little expertise on hand to help make it a little easier (and decidedly less scary). Which is where Liz Elton and Lisa Featherby, co-founders of food and entertaining site, Eatable come to the rescue. Both are alumni from Australia’s leading food, wine and travel bible, Gourmet Traveller (creative director and food director, respectively) so it’s no understatement to say they live and breathe all that goes into throwing a successful soiree.
Here, Liz and Lisa share their tips for everything from their go-to Christmas dessert to what drinks you need to have on hand and the must-haves on every table. (And stayed tuned later this week for their top tips on how to dress a festive table that will seriously impress.)
Lisa: Condiments! We’ll be talking about the best condiments right up to the last minute on Eatable before Christmas. As long as you’ve ordered your protein—ham, turkey, seafood or whatever you’ve chosen, you can jazz it up with lots of side condiments for people to pick and choose their own adventure.
Liz: I can’t go past a charcuterie platter. If lunch or dinner is delayed for whatever reason, it will tide everyone over until the main meal is ready. If everything else goes wrong, you can’t lose by keeping everyone’s glasses topped up with a chilled sparkling or Champagne.
Lisa: I’d suggest investing in a big wine bucket that can hold a few bottles at a time, particularly bottles of Champagne. Have a tray of glasses to the side and let people help themselves. This makes drinks easy to pour, but also can become a bit of a feature in itself. A jug of iced water that has some fruit or mint leaves aded with a stack of water glasses to the side can also be a nice touch.
Lisa: Trifle always features in some form for me, as I’m a big fan of summer fruit. Make a jelly, top with a flavoured cream or custard and lots of fruit. Buy a pannetore or pandoro and rip that into pieces into a bowl before scooping in the trifle. The yeasty flavour and spice of pannetore is one of my favourite Christmas flavours.
I love seafood, too. I’m usually keen to see some kind of seafood element over Christmas, and often served cured trout and oysters.
Classic roast pork and crackling is great and I love that with a light shaved fennel salad, or duck fat roasted potatoes if we want to be indulgent.
Lisa: Bubbles are obviously key to get started, and Alexander Kirkwood, who is the head sommelier at Aria, has given Eatable his top picks for sparkling wines that he’s tasted this year.
I’d choose a brut (dry) style to start, or even a good pét-nat (short for pétillant naturel), as these can be quite interesting. Have a good mix of interesting and classic wines ready to go with the main feast, too. Make sure you know the wine weight so you can stagger them out correctly, starting with aromatic whites, then moving into a more textural white like a chardonnay or Chablis, and then if you choose to serve red, try chilling it first if it’s a hot day.
With dessert, Moscato di Asti is always a winner – or you can come back to the sparkling, which is perfect with pavlova or trifle to finish – a demi-sec for a little more sweetness, or a saignée or rosé for something pretty. A new trend we’re seeing is low-alcohol wines, so if you want to include some of these, the alcohol volume doesn’t have to be high.
Apart from that, there are a huge amount of great vermouths out there, so a Christmas Spritz could be a nice celebratory drink to start with – you can make these non-alcoholic, too – I love a classic Americano with Campari, Maidenii sweet vermouth and soda, but you could serve vermouth and soda and include some festive aromatics, like a fresh bay leaf or a slice of orange peel. Make sure you have plenty of ice, too, stock up well beforehand so you don’t run out halfway through the day.
Liz: My family doesn’t drink alcohol, so I always make a big jug of non-alcoholic punch. I add fresh wedges of stone-fruit such as peach and basil or mint to a fresh juice and soda water, mixed with a non-alcoholic spirit and lots of ice. Seedlip do some refreshing, non-alcoholic spirits that you can make great non-alcoholic cocktails with as well. I have just discovered NON – a gorgeous non-alcoholic drink that is perfect for summer and special occasions. P&V in [Sydney’s] Newtown have a great selection of non-alcoholic spirits and shrubs.
Lisa: I just love a glazed ham. There’s nothing to it as the work has already been done for you—all you have to do is find the right glaze to finish it. I’m a big fan of pineapple, brown sugar, golden rum and spices. We love curing a side of trout as it’s very easy to do and can be prepped a few days in advance and served cold, which is great for a hot Christmas day. A simple sauce like a classic mignonette for a platter of oysters over lots of ice is so easy to do. And if you want something that requires no time at all, a store-bought pannetore or pandoro can be turned into a stunning dessert just by adding a dollop of ice cream and some peaches roasted with some brown sugar and red wine.
Lisa: A bowl of spiced nuts is always nice. You can buy raw nuts and roast them with some spices and salt. I love to make a pate around Christmas, and this can be done a couple of days ahead and served straight from the terrine mould. Or for something quite easy, you can make a smoked trout pate—simply buy some smoked trout and flake it, then whip it up with some creme fraiche as a quick and easy dip served with crackers.
If you’re the kind of person who likes getting all dressed up on Christmas Day then no doubt you’re on the hunt for a great outfit—that’s if you haven’t secured it already! There’s a lot to consider for a December 25 look: there’s the comfort factor, something that you wouldn’t mind being in the entire day if you’re juggling multiple events; something that will allow you to accomodate a copious amount of Christmas food and lastly something that’s a little bit summery and festive all at the same time.
A dress is easily one of the best things for the day as it’s super comfy plus it’s a no-brainer outfit—all you really have to think about is your shoes and accessories and you’re done. And what better time to update your look with standout pieces than Christmas Day? A beautiful pair of shoes or a knockout bag is the perfect thing to make your festive look just a little more festive and a whole lot more special.
Scroll down to shop your Christmas outfit. And if you’ve been really good you may just find something here under your tree…
One of the things I really enjoy about Christmas is shopping for Sophia and Grace. It’s always the highlight of Christmas to see them so excited and happy when they’re opening their presents and I think party of that joy is trying to track down just the right gifts for them. As any parent will know, kids interests’ and loves will change often, so it can make gift giving a little tricky as they could be into Barbies or The Wiggles one minute and not so much the next. So here are some of the strategies I often use to buy gifts for the girls, but also the other little people in my life.
It can be easy to just buy up a storm during Christmas time but I find that a few great presents that they really, really love is better than buying lots of little things they’re only so-so about. So when it comes to your present budget, I’m always of the frame of mind that you’re better off narrowing it down to their absolute wants, that way they get to appreciate what they’ve been given and really enjoy it.
Continuing on from the above, I think it’s good to opt for gifts that can grow with them. This is from a quality perspective in that it’s better to choose gifts that are designed to last as opposed to anything that might be flimsily made and might not last beyond that Christmas. And also gifts that are able to be used at any age. Think an art easel with paints that they can use over a few years or a collection of books that you can read together as they get older.
Toys are great but one of the best gifts I think you can give to kids is an experience. It’s so much more memorable as they get to do something fun. Depending on what your kids are into, you could do something like a day at the zoo, tickets to a show or concert or promise them a day out doing their favourite things whether it’s going to the beach or an excursion to the movies (complete with yummy snacks!).
Photography by Sophia Athas, Hatrik
Shop the Look:
Shop the Look:
Produced in collaboration with Seed
Shopping for kids can be both stressful and fun—on one hand there’s no shortage of adorable things to buy, on the other their interests can be so short-lived that it can be daunting to choose a gift that will engage them longer than it takes to rip the wrapping off. I’ve been on the hunt for gifts to give my girls and nieces and nephew along with friends’ kids so I’ve scoured high and low for just the right thing to bring a smile to a little one’s face.
I’m a huge fan of Tutu du Monde for Sophia and Grace and can attest to how gorgeous their pieces are. And what will bring a smile to a little girl’s face more than a gorgeous little tutu of their very own?
For a special occasion, I can’t go past this adorable little skirt.
A splash of colour for the little girl who loves all things bold and bright.
It’s a splurge item but it’s hard to resist things in mini-size…
A casual number for any little girl on the go.
For those times when you want something classic and timeless, this dress would be perfect for an important event.
Anything that serves a dual purpose gets my vote.
For the superhero obsessed, these shorts are ideal for wearing throughout summer.
A cute collection of stuffed toys that aren’t run-of-the-mill.
If my girls are anything to go by you can’t really go wrong with a doll, especially one as cute as this.
I’m all for giving books at Christmas and also love to receive them. This one is great for any child who’s just learning to master counting.
The little accessories that come with this doll will mean hours of entertainment.
A great little game that helps kids learn about money.
Have fun dressing up any little boy in your life with this cute shirt.
Earn some brownie points this Christmas with this compact scooter.
Heading on a trip? This suitcase is great for travelling and getting kids from A to B in an airport terminal.
David Jones have partnered with the Australian Literacy and Numeracy Foundation and made available a series of kids books that you can buy and donate to kids in refugee, indigenous and marginalised communities. Buy one on behalf of your child and remind them of the true meaning of Christmas.
A classic doll with hair that can be styled for kids who love a little game of hairdresser.
A quintessential summer staple with a great print.
This time of year can be quite challenging in that coming up with present ideas for friends and family all at the same time can be quite an arduous task. Thinking of the ideal gift for one person is tough let alone a lengthy list of loved ones. We all want to select a present that the recipient will actually really love and enjoy but it will involve being a little strategic. So how can you become great at choosing gifts for others? Here are some tips to remember.
Tempting as it may be to leave everything to Christmas Eve it’s probably not going to result in finding great presents for everyone. It could also end up quite an expensive retail excursion as you start to panic that time is running out and just end up buying whatever gift you think will do. The best thing to do is start as early as you can.
What someone chooses to spend their own money on is a great indication of what they’re into and thus a great insight into what kind of gift they’d appreciate. Pay attention to the things they’re passionate about and that should point you in the right direction.
Generally people post on their social channels the things that they’re into so it’s often a great clue provider for the ideal gift. Whether they’re constantly posting about books they’ve read, or pictures of dishes they’ve cooked or restaurants they’ve eaten at, what people reveal about themselves online is often a good insight into the things they love.
Usually people will reveal to those closet to them what they’ve been wanting or needing so if you can, hit that inner circle up for some clues. A quick enquiry will often yield plenty of ideas and will avoid you doubling up on something they’ve already got.
Often experiences are a lovely choice for a Christmas gift. Think of what the person likes doing in their spare time and try and gift them an experience that ties into it. If for example your bestie’s been going through a crazy home renovation, consider giving them a massage to ease stress. If your dad loves to cook, why not give him a voucher to a cooking class of a type of cuisine he really likes.
Take a moment to really think about the person you’re buying a gift for. Do they always chat about their fave bands? Have they spoken about how much they’d really like to learn to garden? These are little clues that can often provide great insight into what will make for the perfect gift for them.