Festive Table For Two
Not everyone celebrates the holidays with family members from all corners of the world gathering around a dinner table groaning under mountains of food. For many, especially young couples living abroad and empty nesters, Christmas is a much cosier affair.
The easiest option when it comes to a Christmas dinner for two would be to make a reservation at an acclaimed restaurant like Sydney’s O Bar and Dining, Brisbane’s Bacchus Restaurant and Bar or Melbourne’s Silks at Crown.
If a low-key celebration is more your style, then a gourmet dinner at home might be the answer. But in no way does this equate spending an entire summer’s day sweltering in front of a stove or oven. The whole idea of a quiet celebration means spending more time on eating dinner than on making it.
woman with drive has put rounded up four quick and easy festive dishes that will add elegance to your table for two.
The Salad
Balmy nights call for lighter, fresher salads like Billy Law’s Summer Watermelon, Goat Cheese, Cherry Tomatoes and Candied Walnut Salad. The sharpness of the goat cheese beautifully sets off the sweetness of the watermelon while the salad is a visual delight in itself with the bright white of the cheese and the bronze of the walnuts scattered among the chunks of red.
If you prefer the more conventional bed of leaves for your salad, then Maggie Beer’s Beetroot and Vino Cotto Salad will hit that sweet spot. Peppery rocket flecked with a sweet-sour dressing tumbles in a salad bowl with baby beetroots, walnuts and goats cheese.
The Main
Turkeys can be tedious to baste and roast to a perfect moistness. And regret will set in when you are faced with leftovers until New Year’s Eve. Try something different this year. Like Donna Hay’s Bacon and Rosemary Roasted Lamb.
The streaky bacon and/or pancetta give an ordinary roast that extra dash of flavour and fanciness. If polenta does not make your mouth water then substitute it with a dish of mint jelly or cranberry sauce instead.
The Dessert
There is tiramisu and then there is Sneh Roy’s Gingerbread Tiramisu. Whether you decide to whip up a small slab or make it in individual dessert glasses, one thing is for sure – you will not be able to stop at just one serving. The gingerbread brings festivity to this traditional Italian dessert and its spiciness tones down the sweetness of the liqueur.
Five Tips For A Festive Table Setting
Choose a maximum of three colours to ensure your table looks balanced and not overwhelmed with one strong colour.
Paint holly or magnolia leaves in gold and line them along the middle of your table.
Use coloured glasses for that festive touch and leave enough space on the table for a wine bucket.
Place any lit scented candles away from the table so they do not interfere with the flavour of the food.
Use place mats, table runners and linen to easily lift the table’s aesthetics.
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