In our Fresh Christmas edition we are using the power of positive thinking with some classic Kiwi summer morsels for your celebratory table, whether it is for a gathering of friends during the next few weeks or Christmas Day itself.
For the big day there is British-based Kiwi Kylee Newton’s glistening marmalade glazed ham and citrus spiked pavlova or Alison Lambert’s prawn cocktail and Swiss roll trifle - it takes me right back to my childhood.
If you need nibbles to hold you over until Christmas dinner or to take to a gathering, Steph Pierce has you covered with her summer grazing recipes, as does Alison with her quick chicken pate.
Now for cake, this year we have gone slightly over the top - we have a delightful gluten-free Christmas cake option for those who miss out on that delicacy at this time of year, an Italian inspired Panettone, and for those not into dried fruit, Joan Bishop’s upside down raspberry and almond cake which just yells summer.
It is berries which really signify Christmas for us if the queues at the Otago Farmers Market are anything to go by and Nadia Lim’s Eton mess and tabouleh salad certainly make the best of strawberries - she is also offering tips for how to grow them.
If you are struggling for some gift ideas, we have scrolled through the Christmas cookbook offerings to find some simple gifts you can make that look and taste amazing.
Whatever your Christmas plans, big or small, lux or simple, enjoy.
Rebecca Fox
Lifestyle editor
