Christmas brings family and friends together to celebrate traditions and spread good cheer. It also bring lots of opportunities for socializing, eating, and drinking. Even the most disciplined people struggle with temptation during the holiday season.

Instead of a heavy meal that you may regret to have, try this super-healthy, super-easy and irresistibly delicious menu on Christmas Day!

Menu for 10

Starter

Prawns & asparagus with basil aioli

Barbecued prawns are a healthy favourite for an Aussie Chrissy lunch, and taste great when topped with a zesty creamy dressing.

Prep time: 30min

• 1.5kg (about 40) medium green prawns, peeled leaving tails intact, deveined
• 5 bunches asparagus, woody ends trimmed
• 2 lemons, rind finely grated, juiced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• Olive oil spray
• Small basil leaves, to serve

• 170g (2/3 cup) 97 per cent fat-free mayonnaise
• 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil

Method

1. Place the prawns and asparagus in separate shallow glass or ceramic dishes. Whisk together the lemon rind, lemon juice and oil in a jug. Season with pepper. Divide among the dishes. Toss to coat. Cover and place in the fridge for 1-4 hours to marinate.

2. Meanwhile, to make the basil aioli, combine the mayonnaise, lemon juice, garlic and basil in a bowl. Season with pepper. For a thinner consistency, if desired, gradually add 1-2 tablespoons cold water, whisking until smooth and well combined.

3. Drain the prawns. Thread, tail-end first, onto the skewers.

4. Drain the asparagus. Preheat a chargrill or barbecue grill on high. Spray the prawns and asparagus with olive oil spray to lightly grease. Cook the prawns and asparagus on grill, turning once, for 5-6 minutes or until the prawns change colour and the asparagus is bright green and tender crisp.

5. Divide the asparagus and prawn skewers among serving plates. Season with pepper. Drizzle over the basil aioli and top with the basil leaves to serve.

Tips

Time plan tip: Prepare to the end of step 2 up to 4 hours ahead. Cover the aioli and store in the fridge. Continue from step 3, 10 minutes before serving. Allow 4 hours marinating time.

Main

Roasted Chicken with Lemons and Thyme

Cooking Light’s Roasted Chicken with Lemons and Thyme is a classic Christmas dish that will delight your dinner guests. 

Prep time: 1h 45min

Ingredients 

• 1 (6-pound) roasting chicken
• 2 teaspoons Hungarian paprika
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme, divided
• 1 teaspoon salt, divided
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, divided
• 2 lemons, divided
• Cooking spray
• 1 teaspoon olive oil
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• ½ cup dry white wine (such as sauvignon blanc)
• 1 cup fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• Lemon slices (optional)
• Thyme sprigs (optional)

Method

Preparation:

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.

2. Remove and discard giblets and neck from chicken.

3. Trim excess fat. Starting at neck cavity, loosen skin from breast and drumsticks by inserting fingers, gently pushing between skin and meat.

4. Combine the paprika, 1 tablespoon thyme, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper; rub under loosened skin.

5. Thinly slice 1 lemon; arrange slices under loosened skin.

6. Cut remaining lemon into quarters. Place lemon quarters inside chicken cavity. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon thyme to chicken cavity.

Cooking:

1. Place chicken on the rack of a broiler pan or roasting pan coated with cooking spray. Brush oil over skin. Cover chicken with aluminum foil. Bake at 425 degrees for 30 minutes. Uncover and bake 50 minutes or until an instant-read thermometer inserted into thigh registers 165 degrees.

2. Transfer chicken to a cutting board; cover with foil, and let stand 15 minutes before carving.

3. Place a zip-top plastic bag in a 2-cup glass measure. Pour drippings into bag; let stand 10 minutes. Seal bag; carefully snip off one bottom corner of bag.

 Gravy:

1. Drain drippings into measuring cup, stopping before fat layer reaches opening; discard fat.

2. Place pan on stove top over medium heat. Sprinkle flour into pan.

3. Add wine; bring to a boil, stirring constantly with a whisk. Add drippings, broth, juice, sugar, remaining ¾ teaspoon pepper, and remaining ½ teaspoon salt to pan, stirring constantly with a whisk until slightly thickened.

4. Remove from heat. Remove skin and lemon slices from chicken, and remove lemon wedges from cavity; discard.

5. Carve chicken, and arrange on a serving platter.

6. Serve with gravy. Garnish with additional lemon slices and thyme sprigs, if desired.

Chickpea fattoush

Add a Middle Eastern touch with this refreshing salad jam-packed with bright vegies, fibre-full chickpeas and crunchy bread crisps.

Prep time: 30min

Ingredients

• 2 pieces wholemeal Lebanese bread
• Olive oil spray
• 1 tablespoon sumac
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 x 400g can chickpeas, rinsed, drained
• 2 x 250g punnets grape tomatoes, halved
• 2 Lebanese cucumbers, quartered lengthways, thickly sliced
• 2 small red capsicums, deseeded, coarsely chopped
• 6 shallots, ends trimmed, thinly sliced
• 1 cup chopped fresh continental parsley
• 1 cup fresh mint leaves

Method

1. Preheat oven to 200°C. Line a large baking tray with non-stick baking paper. Spray the bread with olive oil spray and place on the lined tray. Sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon sumac. Bake in oven, turning once, for 10-12 minutes or until crisp and light golden. Set aside on the tray to cool completely. Break into bite-sized pieces.

2. Whisk together the lemon juice and oil in a jug.

3. Combine the chickpeas, tomato, cucumber, capsicum, shallot, parsley, mint and remaining sumac in a large bowl.

4. Add the dressing to the salad and toss to combine. Season with pepper. Add the bread and toss to combine. Serve.

Tips

Time plan tip: Prepare this recipe to the end of step 1 up to 1 day ahead. Store the bread in an airtight container. Continue to the end of step 3 up to 4 hours ahead. Store the dressing and salad in separate airtight containers in the fridge. Continue from step 4 just before serving.

Dessert

Christmas berry trifle

Sorted out your Christmas dessert yet? You can't go past this berry nice trifle.

 Prepare time: 25min

Ingredients

• 200g (about 16) savoiardi (sponge finger biscuits)
• 2 x 9g pkts Aeroplane JellyLite raspberry-flavoured low-joule jelly crystals
• 1 teaspoon rosewater essence
• 80g unsalted pistachio kernels
• 4 x 150g ctns Fruche Vanilla Creme 99 per cent fat-free fromage frais
• 500g fresh or thawed frozen mixed summer fruit (such as strawberries, raspberries, blueberries or cherries)
• 2 teaspoons icing sugar mixture

Method

1. Break the biscuits into large pieces. Arrange over the base of a 2L (8-cup) capacity serving dish.

2. Prepare the jelly following packet directions. Stir in the rosewater essence. Carefully pour the jelly mixture over the biscuits. Cover with plastic wrap and place in the fridge for 4 hours or until the jelly is set.

3. Meanwhile, place the pistachios in a frying pan over medium heat. Cook, stirring, for 3-5 minutes or until lightly toasted. Set aside to cool slightly. Coarsely chop.

4. Spoon the fromage frais over the jelly. Top with the mixed summer fruit.

5. Sprinkle with pistachios and dust with icing sugar to serve.

Tips

Time plan tip: Prepare to the end of step 3 up to 1 day ahead. Place the pistachios in an airtight container. Continue to the end of step 4 up to 4 hours ahead. Cover and place in the fridge. Continue from step 5, just before serving. Tip: Rosewater essence, which is used extensively in Middle Eastern and Indian desserts, is available from the baking section of Woolworths - you'll find it near the vanilla essence.

Drink

Strawberry apple punch

Nothing says a party quite like punch. So, mix a few simple ingredients and add some non-alcoholic fruity fizz to the festivities.

 Prepare time: 15min