If you're scrambling for some last-minute inspiration to elevate your Christmas Day spread, help is at hand. The culinary team from Coles has stepped in with expert advice, focusing on the all-important starter course.
Sunrise Showcase of Festive Flavours
Just in time for the big day, Coles chefs Courtney Roulston and Michael Weldon appeared on Channel Seven's Sunrise program on Christmas Eve. Their mission was to share simple yet impressive hacks designed to add spark to any festive table. Their unanimous top pick for a standout entree? Fresh Australian prawns.
Sesame Prawns with Spicy Lime Mayo
This crispy, flavour-packed starter is surprisingly quick to prepare. With a prep time of just 15 minutes and a cook time of 5 minutes, it serves four as a perfect beginning to your feast.
The method is straightforward. Begin by seasoning 12 XL raw prawns (peeled and cleaned, tails on) with sea salt. Coat them lightly in plain flour, dip in beaten egg, and then roll in white untoasted sesame seeds until evenly covered.
Heat about 1.5 cups of oil to 170 degrees Celsius and fry the prawns in batches for 2-3 minutes until golden and cooked through. Drain on paper towel.
The accompanying dipping sauce is a zesty blend of Kewpie mayonnaise, a teaspoon of chilli crisp oil, and a tablespoon of lime juice. Serve the golden prawns on a platter with baby cucumbers, the spicy lime mayo, fresh mint leaves, and extra lime wedges.
Prawn Cocktail with Avocado Dressing & Pickled Fennel
This recipe offers a modern, vibrant twist on the classic prawn cocktail, designed to serve four.
Start by quickly pickling a head of thinly shaved fennel. Combine 1 cup of vinegar, ½ cup of sugar, a pinch of salt, and ½ cup of water in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, then pour over the fennel and let it cool.
For the creamy avocado dressing, blend one avocado with ½ cup each of mayonnaise and Greek yoghurt. Add capers, dill, chives, lemon juice, optional green chilli sauce, and a pinch of salt. Use a stick blender until smooth, adding a splash of water if too thick.
To assemble, arrange Baby Gem and Butter Leaf lettuce leaves on a platter. Top with sliced radishes, the cooled pickled fennel, and spur dough croutons. Arrange 20 cooked Tiger Prawns over the top, spoon over the dressing, and finish with a garnish of fresh herbs.
These recipes from the Coles experts prove that with a few smart tricks and quality ingredients, creating a memorable Christmas entree doesn't have to be a stressful marathon in the kitchen.
