Times have changed and traditional Christmas food needs to go, says food writer Allyson Gofton.
Cooking and serving a multi-dish Christmas meal is too "angst-making" in 2021, she tells Jim Mora. Instead, Gofton recommends creating platters of "lovely, fresh, New Zealand, salady, summer food".
A sample Christmas platter by Wanaka catering company The Platter Share Photo: The Platter Share
- Read: Christmas platter tips from Wanaka's platter queen Rachelle May (December 2021)
Allyson Gofton Photo: supplied
New Zealand is a very different country now than it was 50 years ago, Gofton says, so it makes sense that Christmas food is evolving.
"We've got a very diverse ethnic population now and we've also got a young population and we've got a very busy working population. All of that means that Christmas will change."
The compulsory Christmas roast turkey has had its day, she says.
Whole turkeys take days to defrost, are too often dry and so enormous you're stuck with turkey sandwiches for days.
If you must have turkey, she recommends buying it ready-rolled so you can easily add it to a platter.
Rather than serving a bunch of individual dishes - "baked vegetables, new potatoes, salad, asparagus.. and then you've got to have the gravy, for goodness' sake" - sharing platters will save you stress, Gofton says.
Hers will also include slices of glazed ham, slow-roast fillet of beef and whatever seasonal produce is at her local greengrocer on 24 December.
Gofton will follow the main meal with a sweet platter of Christmas Baklava, shortbread, chocolate, cherries and strawberries.
And, as per tradition, homemade Christmas mince tarts - made with a "decent, decent drop of rum" and puff pastry - will be on the table.
Three Christmas recipes from Allyson Gofton:
Apple-Spice Glazed Ham
Apple syrup and French-style spices give this ham a sensational deep golden colour and highly aromatic glaze.
Apple Spice Glazed Ham Photo: Allyson Gofton
Slow-Roast Fillet of Beef
A fail-safe recipe that can be cooked in advance and reheated.
Slow Roast Fillet of Beef Photo: Allyson Gofton
Christmas Baklava
A fabulous twist on a classic.
Christmas Baklava Photo: Allyson Gofton
Some more recipe ideas for a Christmas platter:
Toasted Sunflower Seed and Garlic Dip
