First, it is hot. Well, it turned out not to be that hot, but usually (according to my family) people eat later in the day to avoid the heat. Some still follow the typical English Christmas dinner menu of hot, heavy food. But a lot of Aussies opt for summer barbeque type food (think shrimp on the barbie), a lot of seafood and ham. And salads.
We had a couple of American friends join us and our menu was delicious thanks to my mother being an absolutely amazing cook. To start, sparkling wine, pate, olives and baby octopus on the barbie. Next salads - mango and snow pea, couscous with cold roasted veggies. Mains - quince glazed ham, red currant beef, chilli prawns on the barbie. And for desert - a buche de noel, a heavenly flourless chocolate cake rolled with chocolate whipped cream.
Christmas for my family isn't necessarily religious, though Mum does go to Mass. Rather, Christmas for me is about being with family, sharing food and home with friends and enjoying those simple yet special elements.
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