Pavlova, Christmas ham and trifle: Our 12 best Christmas recipes
This pavlova is ready to steal the show at Christmas celebrations. (ABC News: Clementine Day)
Christmas will soon be here, and if you're looking for food inspiration, we're here to help.
From a stunning pavlova topped with red berries to a simple and delicious glazed ham, we've collected all our best Christmas recipes in one place.
The list includes show-stopping main courses, crowd-pleasing desserts, and vegetarian and vegan delights.
And, if you're looking for inspiration for festive summer salads, we've got that covered, too.
Unforgettable Christmas mains
Spiced maple-glazed ham with peach relish
The ham is glazed with maple syrup and spices. (ABC News: Julia Busuttil Nishimura)
Ham is a Christmas classic, and the sweet and spicy glaze for this recipe from Julia Busuttil Nishimura is made with common pantry ingredients.
Served with a delicious peach relish that can be easily prepared while the ham rests, it will be a welcome addition to any Christmas Day spread.
Chicken tray bake with plums, lemon and thyme
Everything is assembled, cooked and served on the one tray which means almost zero washing up. (ABC News: Julia Busuttil Nishimura)
This tray bake from Julia Busuttil Nishimura looks impressive plated-up and only takes 15 minutes to prepare.
To make Christmas Day preparations even easier, you can assemble it the night before, keeping it in the fridge until it's time for the oven.
Matt Moran's slow-roasted lamb shoulder
Chef Matt Moran's slow roasted lamb shoulder is served with roast vegetables and mint salsa. (Supplied: Sam Kroepsch)
When Matt Moran was a guest on Maggie Beer's Big Mission, he shared this recipe, dedicating it to his grandmother.
The slow-roasted lamb shoulder, served with plenty of colourful veggie sides and a refreshing mint salsa, is an impressive meal to take your time over.
Roast butternut pumpkin with hoisin marmalade glaze
A whole butternut is not an obvious choice for your holiday vegetable centrepiece, but that's what makes it so special. (ABC News: Hetty Lui McKinnon)
If you're looking for a vegetarian main for Christmas, Hetty Lui McKinnon's roast butternut pumpkin is as impressive as any meat dish.
The key is a bold and fruity glaze that turns into a gravy for serving.
Hetty pairs hers with roast potatoes and brussels sprouts, but it can also be served with mushrooms, sweet potatoes or root vegetables like parsnips and turnips.
Simple sides
Easy roasted feta with grapes
Easy and impressive, this dish is ready to serve in 30 minutes. (ABC News: Hetty Lui McKinnon)
This simple yet memorable dish will be a great addition to your Christmas spread.
Roasted grapes have a sweeter, wine-like taste which pairs perfectly with creamy and salty feta cheese.
Even better, the dish only takes five minutes to prep and 25 minutes to cook, which is handy if you're looking for a quick, low-stress side.
Smashed cucumbers with garlicky coriander yoghurt
Delicious, no-fuss and ready in 15 minutes, this recipe is perfect for busy Christmas gatherings. (ABC News: Hetty Lui McKinnon)
This summery dip comes together in minutes and takes minimal preparation.
It pairs vibrant, coriander-laced garlicky yoghurt with smashed cucumbers and chilli crisp, a spicy Chinese condiment.
It'll work as part of your spread or for sharing before the mains are served.
Christmas desserts that will impress
Pavlova topped with raspberries and strawberries
Clementine Day's pavlova can be easily adapted with whatever seasonal fruit floats your fancy. (ABC News: Clementine Day)
Pavlova is a timeless Christmas dessert, and Clementine Day's version has a crispy meringue crust and perfectly pillowy marshmallow inside.
Served with red berries and freeze-dried raspberry powder, it's bound to leave an impression.
Easy trifle with poached peaches and ricotta cream
Julia Busuttil Nishimura's fruit trifle is made with peaches, blackberries and ricotta. (ABC News: Eve Wilson)
This is the trifle recipe for warm days in December. Instead of custard and cake, it's made with ricotta cream and pandoro, a sweet Italian Christmas bread.
It's fun, colourful and delicious — perfect for serving after Christmas lunch or dinner.
Raspberry roulade with mascarpone cream
This roulade is quicker and easier than a traditional pavlova. (ABC News: Thalia Ho)
For another stunning summer desert, try Thalia Ho's raspberry ripple meringue roulade.
It's light, sweet and filled with a generous slathering of mascarpone cream, raspberry jam and fresh raspberries.
Raspberry and crème fraîche semifreddo
The semifreddo is served in slices or scoops with a side of fresh fruit. (ABC News: Julia Busuttil Nishimura)
You don't need any special equipment for this incredibly creamy, frozen mousse dessert.
The semifreddo — which translates to "semi-frozen" — is made with basic ingredients like eggs, cream, crème fraîche, sugar and vanilla and served with fresh fruit.
Hetty Lui McKinnon's matcha tiramisu
A fun take on a favourite summer dessert that can be made a few days in advance. (ABC News: Hetty Lui McKinnon)
Tiramisu gets a makeover with this vibrant version from Hetty Lui McKinnon.
It's made with matcha rather than coffee, and sour cream and yoghurt instead of the traditional whipped mascarpone and eggs.
It makes for a deliciously interesting and low-fuss dessert that's perfect for summer — and you can make it in advance, too.
Mango, coconut and ginger trifle
This simple dessert is perfect for vegans, too. (ABC News: Hetty Lui McKinnon)
This take on trifle features the tropical flavours of mango, lime, coconut and ginger.
It's completely vegan, which is helpful if you're looking for a dairy-free dessert for yourself or your guests.
Hetty uses gingernut biscuits as the base, and a coconut-chia pudding instead of traditional cream, jelly and custard.