Full recipe menu: Ruth Pretty’s Make-ahead Christmas Feast


With a little planning, a touch of prep and — voilà — a make-ahead Christmas lunch menu that leaves plenty of time for hosts to spend with guests.

Words & Recipes: Ruth Pretty Styling & Photos: Carolyn Robertson

ON THE MENU

Perfumed Punch
Cheese Christmas Trees
Chilli Prawn, Roasted Kumara, Yellow Pepper and Pistachio Salad
New Potatoes with George’s Guacamole
Beetroot Salad with Horseradish Dressing
Honey-Glazed Pork Loin with Guava & Raisins
Lemon Meringue Cake


Cheese Christmas Tree Shortbreads

These are perfect with drinks and easy to make with a Christmas-tree cookie cutter.

READ THE RECIPE HERE


Ruth Pretty’s Chilli Prawn, Roasted Kūmara, Yellow Pepper & Pistachio Salad

This chilli prawn salad makes a magnificent side for a celebration feast but is substantial enough to be a delicious stand-alone main. 

READ THE RECIPE HERE


New Potatoes with George’s Guacamole

Give new potatoes a Caribbean twist with a healthy dollop of zesty Cuban guacamole. 

READ THE RECIPE HERE


 Green Bean Salad with Cranberries

Green beans with a tangy cranberry twist, a delicious side from Ruth Pretty’s make-ahead Christmas lunch menu.

READ THE RECIPE HERE


Recipe: Beetroot Salad with Horseradish Dressing

Horseradish dressing gives this herbaceous beetroot salad the x-factor.

READ THE RECIPE HERE


Honey-Glazed Pork Loin with Guava & Raisins

 

Ask the butcher to leave the belly attached to the loin but to remove the skin, leaving as much fat as possible on the meat. Keep the skin to wrap the loin for great crackling and easy carving.

READ THE RECIPE HERE


 Lemon Meringue Cake

A cake on a grand scale that tastes as good as it looks. Make it from scratch or buy the best sponge cake, meringues and lemon curd you can and proceed to assembly. Use a cardboard cake round if possible. The cake is lovely to eat the day after making.

READ THE RECIPE HERE

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Recipe: Berry frozen yoghurt

Perfumed Punch

A fruity non-alcoholic drink, fit for a festive feast.

READ THE RECIPE HERE

NZ Life and Leisure This article first appeared in NZ Life & Leisure Magazine.

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NZ Life and Leisure    NZ Lifestyle Block
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