Fiona Lowe

Outback Romance

©Christmas in Australia©

Christmas in Australia is hot and sunny and although we still hold onto many of the traditions of the Northern Hemisphere such as Christmas Plum Pudding, and Roast Turkey, we've added our own touches. Seafood is an increasing menu choice at Christmas. Tiger Prawns, Crayfish, mussels, oysters and often combined with the fruits of the season such as Mangoes and Macadamia nuts.

I cook my turkey outside on the weber BBQ, keeping the house cool. We often swim off the huge lunch with a dip in the pool or a stroll around the neighbourhood. The funniest sight we have ever seen is a cow tethered in the front yard. Apparently he'd come down from the farm to be part of a nativity scene!

In acknowledgment of summer and our unique flora and fauna we have our own Christmas Carol, our own version of Jingle Bells, our own version of the 12 Days of Christmas and of course Santa's sleigh is pulled by six white boomers (Kangaroos!) I adore Mem Fox's Wombat Divine where the nativity scene has a bilby, a wombat, kangaroos and an emu.

Please enjoy an Aussie Christmas recipe, Aussie Jingle Bells and the first verse of the Australian Christmas Carol.

Wishing you all a very happy Christmas and time to enjoy the company of family and friends.

Love Fiona xx

©Aussie Jingle Bells©

Dashing thru the bush

in a rusty holden ute

kicking up the dust

eski in the boot

kelpie by my side

singing christmas songs

it's christmas time and i am in

my singlet, shorts and thongs...

Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way

christmas in australia on a scorching summer day, hey!

Jingle bells, jingle bells

ingle bells, jingle bells

christmas time is beaut oh what fun it is to ride in a rusty holden ute

©Australian Christmas Carol©

The North Wind is tossing the leaves,

The red dust is over the town,

The sparrows are under the eaves,

And the grass in the paddock is brown;

As we lift up our voices and sing

To the Christ-Child the Heavenly King.

The tree-ferns in green gullies sway;

The cool stream flows silently by;

The joy bells are greeting the day,

And the chimes are adrift in the sky,

As we lift up our voices and sing

To the Christ-Child the Heavenly King.

Prawn Salad with Macadamia dressing.

4 medium prawns per person, shelled

1 large mango

175 gms of water cress.....or if unavailable baby spinach leaves

2 medium Nashi or other pears, sliced thinly

1/2 cup Vietnamese mint leaves.....or ordinary mint

1 cup of toasted macadamia nuts, halved and unsalted

ground black pepper

DRESSING

1/2 cup of macadamia oil

1/3 cup strained passion fruit pulp (about 5-6 passionfruit)

2 small fresh chillies, seeded and chopped finely

2 tablespoons of lime juice

1 tablespoon of grated fresh ginger

1 teaspoon of fine sugar

pinch of salt.

The dressing can be made up the day before

Place cress or baby spinach on plate and arrange prawns, pears, macadamia nuts and mango.

Drizzle with dressing.

ENJOY!