Christmas in Australia is in summer, therefore the Christmas meal is for some, salads and cold meats, while others of us still have the traditional roast meats, baked vegetables and plum pudding.
The Christmas meal may either be taken in the middle of the day which is the hottest part of the day or in the cooler evening hours. A traditional Xmas dinner can end up feeling very heavy in hot summer weather, and I speak from experience! One unique and excellent Aussie dessert is Pavlova, which is wonderful with strawberries, passion fruit and whipped cream.

My Family and I enjoy making Shortbread, Fruit Mince Pies and Rumballs (I'll add those recipes in time for next year, if you want my recipes sooner, email me).

Plum pudding is a steamed or boiled pudding frequently served at holiday times.These days usually served only at Christmas, and so called exclusively Christmas Pudding. Definition of "plum" in the Oxford English Dictionary ... A dried grape or raisin as used for puddings, cakes, etc. This use probably arose from the substitution of raisins for dried plums or prunes as an ingredient.

Traditionally in England, small silver charms were baked in the plum pudding. A silver coin would bring wealth in the coming year; a tiny wishbone, good luck; a silver thimble, thrift; an anchor, safe harbour. We still have 3d and 6d in our puddings for Christmas.

It is also traditional for every one who lives in the household to simultaneously hold onto the wooden spoon, help stir the batter for the pudding, and make a wish.

White Christmas from Australia
A type of rice crispie square

3 cups rice bubbles
1 cup mixed fruit
1 cup dessicated coconut
1 cup dry powdered milk
3/4 cup of sifted icing
sugar
225 grams copha
vanilla essence

1. Put 3 cups of rice bubbles, 1 cup of mixed fruit, dessicated coconut, dry powdered milk and 3/4 sifted icing sugar in a bowl.
2. Melt 225 grams copha in saucepan. Add copha to dry ingredients in bowl - mix well.
3. Press mixture firmly into a biscuit tray. Set in a refrigerator. Cut into squares.

Pavlova Kiwifruit, strawberries and passionfruit give it Xmas colours! 3 egg whites 1 pinch of salt ¾ cup of castor sugar ¼ cup of white sugar 1 tablespoon of cornflour 1 teaspoon of lemon juice 300 ml / ½ pint of cream kiwifruit or strawberries for garnish

Preheat the oven to 150°C, 300°F or gas mark 2 (the temperature is reduced for baking). Beat the egg whites to a foam, add the salt and beat until soft peaks form which fold over when the beater is removed. Slowly beat in the castor sugar, beating well after each addition. Keep beating until the mixture is stiff and the peaks stand up when the beater is removed. Mix together the white sugar and cornflour. Lightly fold into the meringue with the lemon juice.

Line an oven tray with baking paper. Spread the meringue into a circle and pipe a decoration around the edge or swirl with a spoon if desired. Bake in a cool oven (80°C or 180°F) for 2 to 2½ hours. Turn off the heat and leave in the oven overnight to cool.

Top with whipped cream and decorate with sliced kiwifruit or sliced strawberries just before serving.

Greetings from RaindaeL

An Aussie Christmas

Carols by Candlelight

Aussie Christmas Food

Christmas Song - Six White Boomers

Christmas Song - Aussie Jingle Bells

Jokes and other Interesting Info - not necessarily Australian

Family Photos