Christmas Day menu ideas

If you are still undecided about the menu for your family Christmas celebration, we thought we could lend a helping hand. We all have our Christmas culinary traditions, with many a family member or friend having permanent ownership over certain dishes, which over the years have become their ‘claim to fame’. We like to avoid too much stress in the kitchen on the day so a mixture of hot and cold dishes, including those that can be prepared ahead of time, works extremely well for our gatherings.

Seafood often has a place on many a Christmas menu and Julie Le Clerc has created a recipe for smoked salmon with caper, olive and walnut salsa that is divine. This simple and delicious platter dish, would be a great starter. Best enjoyed with a glass of Gimonnet Blanc de Blanc Champagne NV or Alba De Vetus Albariño or Chablis Domaine Moutard. The hero of this dish is the whole side of Akaroa hot smoked salmon, accompanied by a fabulously flavoured salsa. If you would like to order a whole side of salmon for Christmas (fresh or hot smoked), please contact our retail store before the cut-off of 9 December.

Another firm favourite for many New Zealand families on Christmas Day is a lovely, succulent leg of lamb and we asked Julie to create a wonderful recipe for us to share. This rolled stuffed leg of lamb is just stunning with its tasty stuffing, finished with a rich gravy and served with balsamic roast crushed potatoes with porcini. We recommend a full-bodied red wine to accompany these dishes – choose from Orben Rioja, Tezza Valpolicella Ripasso or Au Bon Climat Pinot Noir.

A luxurious and totally decadent dessert to finish? You can’t beat a slice of Julie’s chocolate cream crumble tart, showcasing Valrhona Manjari chocolate fèves, Valrhona cocoa powder and Valrhona dark crunchy pearls for the ultimate in chocolate intensity and finish. This tart can be made ahead of time and whipped out of the refrigerator to much acclaim. A glass of Sichel Sauternes is a stunning accompaniment and a fitting finale to what we hope is such a memorable Christmas Day.