Glazed ham, potato salad and trifle: 10 essential Christmas recipes
You can use the same amount of glaze for a smaller ham. (ABC Life: Julia Busuttil Nishimura)
The countdown to Christmas is on and if you're starting to think of the all-important menu, or the dish you offered to bring, we're here to help.
From glazed ham and potato salad to trifle and tiramisu, you'll find 10 Christmas recipes, along with a couple of video tutorials to help you make them.
Some are classic, others have been updated for something delicious and different or to include vegetarians and vegans.
Show-stopping mains
Spiced maple-glazed ham with peach relish
This sweet, spiced glaze is made with a handful of inexpensive ingredients, which helps if you've splashed out on a Christmas ham. By Julia Busuttil Nishimura, this maple-glazed ham is served with a simple yet memorable peach relish that can be whipped up while the ham rests.
Roasted butternut pumpkin with a hoisin marmalade glaze
Scoring and studding the pumpkin adds flavour and festive flair. (ABC Everyday: Hetty McKinnon)
Add some ceremony to a vegetarian main, courtesy of Hetty Lui McKinnon. A scored butternut pumpkin roasts alongside potatoes and Brussels sprouts, with the sweet glaze becoming a gravy when it comes time to serve.
Summer salads and veggie sides
Creamy potato salad with caramelised leeks
This potato salad is something everyone can enjoy, and uses vegan mayonnaise in place of an egg-based one. (ABC Everyday: Hetty McKinnon)
Is it truly Christmas without a potato salad on the table? This is a version to remember — caramelised leeks bring sweetness and mini cornichons add some much-needed crunch. Using a vegan mayonnaise will make it accessible to all. If you prefer something simpler, try our potato salad with chives and an olive-oil dressing.
Chopped tomato and cucumber salad with croutons
This salad will happily sit alongside a variety of dishes at BBQs or potluck gatherings. (ABC Everyday: Heidi Sze)
This merry-looking salad can be made in a flash. Allow your chopped veggies to marinate in a quick dressing while you fry up some croutons (leftover bread is great for this). Just be sure to add the croutons shortly before serving to avoid sogginess.
Rainbow vegetable bake
Alice Zaslavsky designed this bright dish to be 'The Vegetarian Option' and it's one that will appeal to all. Made with tomato, zucchini, sweet potato and squash, there are tips for using a range of different vegetables, as well as an option to include cheese.
Festive desserts
Easy trifle with poached peaches and ricotta cream
Feel free to swap the fruit to whatever suits or is available — other berries or stone fruit is lovely too. (ABC Everyday: Eve Wilson)
Trifle gets a summer makeover from Julia Busuttil Nishimura, who uses ricotta cream in place of custard and pandoro instead of cake. Learn how to make your own jelly for this trifle (it's easier than you think, and fun too), which is alcohol-free.
Raspberry roulade with mascarpone cream
Don't be afraid to make a roulade (a fancy way of saying a rolled meringue). They're quicker and easier than a traditional pavlova. (ABC Everyday: Thalia Ho)
This is a beautiful meringue-based dessert which has a marshmallow-like interior. It's made like a Swiss roll and you can easily customise the filling (it's delicious with lemon curd and mango). Or stick with the recipe that combines cream, jam and fresh raspberries.
Matcha tiramisu
A fun take on a favourite summer dessert that can be made a few days in advance. (ABC Everyday: Hetty Lui McKinnon)
Tiramisu is a great recipe for big summer gatherings — it's easy to make, finished ahead of time and can feed a crowd. Hetty Lui McKinnon swaps coffee for matcha in this delicious and colourful version, and there's tips to make this one vegan and gluten-free if needed.
Cocktails and non-alcoholic drinks
Sherry cobbler cocktail with citrus and mint
This sherry cobbler is a cheap, refreshing and lower-alcohol summer cocktail. (ABC Everyday: Angus Raddon)
Bringing drinks? Consider this refreshing low-alcohol cocktail that's budget-friendly too. It can be made in a jug or as individual drinks. It's garnished with raspberries, and you can easily offer guests a range of seasonal berries to choose from.
Non-alcoholic strawberry and ginger shrub
This recipe can be adapted and made with almost any seasonal fruit, like berries, melons and citrus. (Unsplash: Jens Theess)
Making your own fruit-based sodas is simple. Sealed in a jar and refrigerated, this shrub will last up to a month so it can be prepped ahead of time. Add soda water and ice to serve.