Shared Kitchen

Pavlova Perfection – all the tricks revealed!

If you've had problems making a pavlova, pavlova perfection is just a click away (click on the Link at the end of the recipe).

Chocolate Cherry Mince Pies

Chocolate and cherries is a gorgeous combination. Add to fruit mince and you have the most decadent Christmas mince pies imaginable.

These are infinitely better when made with homemade pastry, but if time is short, buy a 400g block of pastry rather than pre-rolled sheets, which are too thin for these pies.

Roast Fillet of Beef Stuffed with Mortadella & Pistachio Nuts

Fillet of beef is a prime piece of meat with a tender, almost buttery texture, but it doesn’t have as much savoury, meaty flavour as, say, sirloin (porterhouse). It’s what you put with it that gives it a flavour boost and turns it into a spectacular dish. It’s not cheap, but it’s a go-to dish for me when I want a knock-your-socks-off impressive dish. Works every time.

Pot Cake

Forgotten to make cake? Make this one. Ta-da ... drum roll, bring on the CAKE!

Buttery New Potatoes & Asparagus

Spuds and asparagus are a must for the Christmas table, but don't be stingy with the salt and butter!

Kumara & Pumpkin Christmas Salad

Here's a tray of the old favourites for Christmas day – pumpkin and sweet potato – roasted, yes, but flavoured with preserved lemon and thyme, cooked ahead, and dressed with a tangy dressing. Gorgeous.

Free up your oven by doing your 'roasties' ahead!

Christmas Labna

Pretty as a picture, a 2-minute wonder food.

Pavlova Paradise

This is the stuff of dreams – a mountain of crisp meringue with a marshmallowy centre, filled with dollops of rich and velvety limoncello cream, dripping with tangy raspberry juice, stuffed with fresh raspberries, then finished with a generous shake of icing sugar and raspberry powder. Yeah! Truly awesome!