Christmas Day in Queensland is generally a hot and steamy affair.  As much as I enjoy the traditional Christmas fayre of roast turkey and all the trimmings followed by steamed Christmas pudding, the thought of standing in a hot kitchen in the heat on Christmas Day does not jingle my bells! A cold spread is a much better way to go at this time of the year. And even better, a meal of which the majority can be prepared the day before, leaving you free to enjoy the fun and festivities of Christmas Day.

My Festive Tropical Trifle is the perfect warm weather Christmas Day dessert. The combination of panettone, coconut custard and mango makes this a really celebratory dish. If making this at other times of the year when pannettone is not so easily available, substitute madeira or sponge cake. You could replace the rum with extra pineapple juice to make it kid-friendly. To make a bigger trifle, just double the ingredients and use a large serving bowl. Enjoy!

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When the weather is hot and steamy, as it often is in Noosa  at this time of the year, I sometimes find I don’t have much of an appetite for food. Plus the thought of preparing something to eat in the heat and humidity all seems like too much hard work.  When hunger strikes in these conditions, the perfect solution is a big refreshing drink that not only quenches the thirst but also satisfies the appetite.
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Of all the tropical fruits, mangoes surely must be the most celebrated. Exotic and fragrant, a mango enjoyed on a hot summer’s day is a pleasurable experience indeed.

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This is my favourite summer cocktail, and I particularly enjoy it on Christmas morning. If mangoes are out of season, you can use thawed frozen mangoes, available from most supermarkets. Cheers! [Read more →]

New season mangoes have arrived in abundance, so I thought it only fitting to provide my recipe for Mango Salsa. This simple but delicious accompaniment goes wonderfully with chicken, pork, duck, prawns and all seafood. [Read more →]