Delaney Mes: Family, food and festivities (+recipes)

Delaney's Christmas dinner. Asparagus, pea and pancetta salad. Photo / Michael Craig

Get creative in the kitchen for Christmas.

The most wonderful time of the year is upon us. Feasting and festivity with family and friends and delicious food to match. I love Christmas, not least because it's a time to get creative in the kitchen. In the lead-up to Christmas, I try to get into the kitchen for at least a day. I love trying new baking or making edible gifts - a batch of cookies, a Christmas cake or truffles.

On the day, there is plenty of eating and usually a bit of afternoon napping in the sun. In our family, Christmas Day always begins with breakfast and bubbles: croissants (we buy the frozen dough and leave it to prove overnight, then bake it fresh in the morning) and berries and cherries and wood-smoked salmon with toasted ciabatta and a glass or two of bubbles. There's nothing like a champagne breakfast to get things started.

We have a big lunch in the afternoon and there's usually roast lamb. I have fond memories of being a child on my grandparents' farm, wearing Christmas bibs and Christmas cracker hats and having a traditional afternoon roast.

We did have a picnic a few years ago, though, and it's always nice to be away at the beach, too. Ham is often a feature of Christmas and gourmet ham and cheese toasties on Boxing Day is one of my favourite ways to use leftovers.

I've kept things simple for this Christmas menu. You could easily follow it if you were hosting or delegate different parts to different people. It's usually a time for over-eating so I've kept things fresh with a raw beetroot salad - festive colours and a fresh burst of flavour will make a gorgeous cut-through to all the other food. It's a relatively low-stress menu, but one that is delicious and impressive.

Edible flowers go a long way to making things look festive, as do fresh berries. And chocolate is a guaranteed winner. A dessert table at Christmas is always a highlight - if you have a big family gathering, you could put on all the classics: trifle, Christmas pudding, fruit salad, even pavlova if you're that way inclined. Add a chocolate ganache tart and you'll definitely be needing an afternoon nap.

This year I'll be especially grateful to have my family together and I'll be reflecting on a great year full of delicious food.

I hope you have a wonderful day wherever you are and whoever you're with. And when it comes to cooking, don't stress, keep it simple and, most importantly, have fun.

Merry Christmas!

Recipes

Try out Delaney Mes' delicious recipes at bite.co.nz - links below

Photos / Michael Craig

• Broad Bean Bruschetta with Ricotta and Pomegranate

• Festive Peas with Pancetta and Parmesan

• Butterflied Lamb Leg with Rosemary and Garlic

• Festive Raw Beetroot Salad

• Chocolate Ganache Tart with Fresh Strawberries and Cream