Simple, Stress-free & Scrumptious Christmas Meals

Christmas meals are undoubtedly the biggest, most lavish meals of the year. While some enjoy the hustle, others crack under the pressure. We understand that you just don't want to spend too much time cooped up in the kitchen worrying what to cook and rather spend more time enjoying your family this holiday season, which is why we’ve put together some simple, time-saving recipes. 

So, whether you’re a rookie chef or have more experience under your belt, you’re going to love these stress-free Christmas recipes.

Mussels with Tomatoes and Garlic

INGREDIENTS

• 2 tbsp. butter
• 1 finely chopped onion
• 3 minced garlic cloves
• 2 cans diced tomatoes
• ½ cup dry white wine
• ½ bunch of freshly chopped parsley
• Kosher salt
• Ground black pepper
• 1kg scrubbed and debearded mussels
• Grilled bread, for serving

DIRECTIONS

1. Let the butter melt in a pot over medium heat.
2. Add onion and garlic and cook for 5-7 minutes until fragrant and translucent.
3. Add diced tomatoes, wine, and parsley and stir until combined. Top it with seasoning and let it cook for 5 minutes.
4. Add the mussels and simmer until all shells are open. Remove the shells that don’t open up.
5. Garnish with more parsley and serve with grilled bread.

Roasted Sweet Potato, Pear, and Onion

INGREDIENTS

• 2 pears, cored and cut into wedges
• 2 red onions, cut into wedges
• 2 sweet potatoes, cut into thick wedges
• 6 sprigs thyme
• 3 tbsp. olive oil
• Kosher salt
• Paprika
• Pepper 

DIRECTIONS

1. Heat the oven to 220°cup
2. In a large baking tray, toss the pears, onions, sweet potatoes, and thyme with olive oil.
3. Season salt and pepper and sprinkle over paprika.
4. Roast the veggies for up to 30-40 minutes until golden brown and tender.
5. Garnish with some extra thyme if you please.

Turkey Bowtie Primavera

 INGREDIENTS

• 500g bowtie pasta
• 1/2 cup chopped sweet red pepper
• 1 cup sliced baby bella mushrooms
• 1 cup asparagus stalks
• 1/2 cup onions
• 2 minced garlic cloves
• ¾ tsp Italian seasoning
• Salt & black pepper
• 2 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
• 1 cup milk
• 2 cup cooked julienned cooked turkey
• 140 g cream cheese
• ¼ cup grated Parmesan
• Chopped fresh basil, for garnish

 DIRECTIONS

1. Cook pasta according to package directions in a large pot of salted boiling water, until al dente.
2. Drain the pasta and reserve 1-2 cups of pasta water.
3. In a large skillet, heat oil over medium flame. Add the veggies and cook for 5-7 minutes until tender.
4. Add garlic and cook for a minute until fragrant and season.
5. Simultaneously, in another saucepan, stir flour and milk until smooth. Add cream cheese and parmesan, stir until blended.
6. Pour over the pasta water and stir until creamy.
7. Finally, add the cooked bowties, turkey and veggies into the bechamel sauce and stir until combined and saucy.
8. Garnish with basil and sprinkle some extra parm.

Strawberry Cobbler 

(This recipe serves 1, multiply as per the number of guests)

 INGREDIENTS

• ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup instant oats
• 1 tbsp light brown sugar
• ¼ tsp cinnamon
• ¼ tsp baking powder
• 1 tbsp cold cubes of unsalted butter
• 2 tbsp whole milk
• 1⅓ cup chopped strawberries
• ¼ cup confectioners’ sugar
• Whipped cream to serve

 DIRECTIONS

1. Mix the flour, oats, brown sugar, cinnamon and baking powder in a bowl.
2. Add the butter into the flour mixture, followed by milk and stir until the mixture comes together. Set it aside.
3. In a microwave-safe mug or container, mix together the strawberries and sugar.
4. Pour over the oat topping over the berries and microwave the cobbler for 2-4 minutes until it’s set.
5. Leave it to cool slightly and serve warm with whipped cream on top.

Show off your culinary skills this Christmas and share them with us by tagging us on Instagram or Facebook using the hashtags #AlwaysInterflora and #InterfloraAU!