Christmas

Christmas Hot Smoked Salmon Platter

There’s nothing easier to prepare nor more popular than a platter of hot smoked salmon served with Champagne to kick start the Christmas festivities or as a centerpiece with drinks. I like to slightly warm the salmon, and surround it with a feast of small tastes.

Christmas Mince Tart or Mini Tarts

My mother makes tiny Christmas tarts each year with home-made mincemeat. Here, I offer a large tart that, cut into thin slices, is perfect with after-dinner coffee. This makes enough filling for 2 tarts or about 6 dozen small mince pies. You can store what's left over in a jar in the fridge for several months.

Christmas Scallops with 2 toppings

Scallops are always a treat for me. And the added bonus of this recipe is that the scallops can be prepared ahead, refrigerated and cooked on the barbecue or in a hot oven. If you’re serving Champagne to celebrate the festive season, these will be perfect.

Christmas Seafood Hors D'Oeuvres

A selection of wonderful bites to start a Christmas Feast

Crayfish is always a luxury, so a little can go a long way in this refreshing appetizer.

Marinate the scallops with lime juice and wasabi and place on skewers to grill.

Baby paua are delicacies enjoyed in our export markets but recently have been available in selected fish distributors or can be ordered and delivered fresh or frozen. This is a perfect way to spoil the family at Christmas and a little goes a long way, as they say.

For as long as I can remember we have had fish marinated in lemon...

Christmas Star Tarts

To help you get into the festive spirit, we have a delicious and easy Christmas Mince Tart recipe. And boy, do these look cute bundled up in tissue and tinsel as a homemade Christmas gift.

For more recipes by Trudi Nelson, go to www.freshinthekitchen.co.nz