Christmas is nearing, and meal planning for the annual lunch is underway.
With so many options and choices, it can be overwhelming deciding what to serve – but have no fear, Curtis Stone is here!
Speaking to nine.com.au, the celebrity chef revealed some of the underrated food items you can serve this holiday season.
Curtis Stone is here to take the stress out of your Christmas lunch. (Getty Images for Coles)
First up on the menu: the most underrated vegetable, cauliflower, has the potential to be the star of the table.
“[We’ve got] a cauliflower, which comes in a box… you can either steam it really quickly, it takes about 10 minutes, or you can pop it in the microwave for four or five,” Stone said of one of the items in Coles’ Christmas range.
“Then in that box, we give you a dukkah spice so you just sprinkle that over the top once it’s been steamed and then you finish it in the oven and roast it.
“We’ve also got in the box a whipped feta, which is the sauce component. We also put pepitas and dried cranberries… it’s like a whole complete dish put together for you.
Cauliflower has the potential to be the star of the table. (Getty)
“We’ve also got some duck fat potatoes this year that you can throw into an air fryer, and they’re done in 20 minutes.”
Stone said side dishes and salads can be just as showstopping as the meat.
”I’ve got a bunch of delicious salads that I actually made this year that are all very quick and simple to throw together,” he said.
“I did one with peaches, cause peaches are great this time of year.
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A fresh summer salad can also shine. (Getty Images/iStockphoto)
Stone recommends oysters for a fresh and delicious starter course on Christmas Day. (Getty Images/iStockphoto)
“You can just cut the peaches into wedges and then add some mozzarella, then you can garnish it with some mint, oregano and basil and a really simple dressing.”
For some show-stopping entrees, Stone says you can’t go wrong with seafood.
For a bit of a fancy twist, he recommends oysters for a fresh and delicious starter course on Christmas Day.
”That’s a beautiful way to sort of kick off the festive season, with some oysters,” he added.
“You can even get some crab or lobster, make individual crab cakes.”
He also recommends taking inspiration from the different cultures that make up Australia to add some different flavours to the day.
“There are lots of different cultures in Australia and we all cook slightly differently, which is awesome,” Stone said.
“I actually made prawns this year with kimchi and mayonnaise, which was really tasty.
When it comes to dessert, Stone says you can’t go wrong with a classic DIY pavlova. (Getty)
“You can also serve prawns in other ways, you can grill them, or throw them on the barbecue, serve them chilled or over rice.
“Then you just make a nice dressing … even a delicious prawn cocktail is really good.”
When it comes to dessert, Stone says you can’t go wrong with a classic DIY pavlova.
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“Get some lemon curd, berries and cherries, which are fantastic this time of year,” he said.
“Add some passionfruit and some fresh cream, just top a pavlova base with some of that stuff and away you go.”
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Dining and Cooking