Caroline Velik
Writer
Caroline Velik is a columnist.
Christmas Day SOS: How to fix soggy spuds, dry turkey, rubbery crackling and more common cooking fails
Rest your turkey before serving, par-boil your potatoes, blast your pork with a hair dryer if you have to – just don’t panic, Christmas dinner help is at hand.
- Caroline Velik
Pork and noodle stir-fry
Use fresh flat rice noodles for their delicate texture and tamarind puree for a lovely sour taste.
- < 30 mins
- Caroline Velik
Hummingbird cake
Tropical fruits and a good whack of nuts give this cake a real summer feel.
- 1-2 hrs
- Caroline Velik
Arancini
These rice balls are best served hot and are delicious with a tomato dipping sauce. You can also make them with leftover risotto. If you can't find small bocconcini, use cubes of mozzarella instead. Make sure you season the mix well. Add some fresh herbs for extra flavour. You can freeze or refrigerate them, uncooked or cooked and reheat in the oven.
- < 30 mins
- Caroline Velik
White beans and spicy chipotle tomatoes on toast
A quick supper with a spicy Mexican kick from chipotle chilli. Use a spicy chorizo if you like it hot, or leave it out for a vegetarian option. Chipotle chillies in adobo are available at specialty stores and some supermarkets. They are a pantry staple if you like real Mexican food.
- < 30 mins
- Caroline Velik
Potato soup with celeriac, chickpeas and cabbage
A warm and comforting soup for mid-winter. Cavolo nero is the dark-leaf Tuscan kale. Substitute cabbage if this is not available.
- 30 mins - 1 hr
- Caroline Velik
Upside down caramel pear cake
This cake is easy to make and looks divine. The sticky brown caramel glazes the pears and seeps into the cake, making it moist and delicious. Serve warm from the oven with vanilla ice-cream for a decadent dessert.
- 1-2 hrs
- Caroline Velik
Potato and leek soup with parmesan
The parmesan gives this soup a creamy, cheesy flavour. You'll never throw out the end bits of cheese again.
- 30 mins - 1 hr
- Caroline Velik
Quinoa, red rice and black lentil salad with spicy cauliflower
A striking and substantial main course salad.
- 1-2 hrs
- Caroline Velik
Spicy prawn laksa
A hot, spicy, soupy, noodle dish is perfect for this time of the year. Laksas are a great way to enjoy lots of different seafood. Use any combination you like. I usually use thin hokkien noodles for this dish but you can experiment. Add some makrut lime leaves and sliced chilli for extra zing.
- < 30 mins
- Caroline Velik
Original URL: https://www.theage.com.au/goodfood/by/caroline-velik-hve3e