We’ve put together some of my favourite colourful sides and salads to help you prepare for the holiday season!
These vibrant, wholesome dishes are bursting with flavour and designed to nourish and impress your guests.
Most importantly, they can be prepared in a flash so you can focus on the important task – enjoying your celebrations.
Enjoy,
Jess x
Holiday Grazing Board
A grazing board is the perfect centrepiece for your seasonal gathering. They’re fully customisable to your preference, easy to assemble and are brimming with colour and festive cheer. We love that they so easily encourage guests to gather and mingle.
It’s easy to adapt your grazing board based on what’s in season or locally available. Here’s a list of ingredients we used to inspire your own creation:
- Sliced breadstick
- Heirloom tomatoes
- Burrata
- Mixed olives
- Wild smoked salmon
- Yellow nectarines
- Shaved turkey breast
- Manchego wedges
- Rosemary & sea salt breadsticks
- Basil leaves
- Olive oil, sea salt & cracked black pepper
Layered Hummus Dip
Say goodbye to plain old hummus! This is such a fun and festive way to serve your favourite dip, and gather friends and family around the table. It’s full of colour, crunch, and bursting with fresh flavours – all you need are some delicious crackers or corn chips to serve it with.
Time to cook: 15, Serves: 6, as a side
Ingredients:
- 500g (17oz) hummus
- 10 (100g) cherry tomatoes, quartered
- 1 (100g) cucumber, finely diced
- ⅛ (25g) red onion, finely diced
- ¼ bunch parsley, leaves & stems finely chopped
- ½ cup mixed olives, sliced
- ½ cup pomegranate arils
- 2 tsp lemon zest
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
To serve:
- Crackers of choice, we used pita chips
Method:
Spread the hummus across a serving platter.
Layer the chopped tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, parsley and olives on top. Finish with a sprinkle of pomegranate arils, lemon rind and extra virgin olive oil.
Serve with corn chips or crackers or choice.
Caprese Salad
Looking for a quick and simple entertaining recipe? This classic caprese salad will delight guests and transport you to the shores of southern Italy. Plus, it’s ready on the table in under 10 minutes. The secret is in the simplicity – source the best quality ingredients you have access to and let the flavours shine! Ripe and juicy tomatoes, fresh mozzarella and aromatic basil sing together with a dash of great quality olive oil. Tip: Keep your tomatoes stored in a bowl on the kitchen counter to help them ripen.
Time to cook: 10, Serves: 4-6 as a side
Ingredients:
- 400g (14.1oz) buffalo mozzarella cheese, sliced
- 600g (21oz) truss tomatoes, sliced
- ½ bunch basil, leaves picked
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp balsamic glaze
- Sea salt & black pepper
Method:
Layer the sliced tomatoes and mozzarella slices on a serving platter in a circular shape.
Add the picked basil leaves and drizzle with extra virgin olive oil and balsamic glaze.
Season with sea salt and black pepper. Serve immediately.
