Winter brings the promise of rich, hearty food that demands time to cook, time to eat, and time to savour! Whether it's the euphoric explosion of a crackling roast, or the delicate delight of a perfectly raised soufflé, the mood for slowing down over time honoured rituals settles in on us.
In essence, winter is the time to indulge in good food, good wine and good company. What better excuse is there to dress up than a good old fashion European Christmas dinner? Christmas in July, in Australia, is becoming increasingly popular, almost fashionable.
A typical summer Aussie Christmas no doubt has it rewards; frolicking at the beach, spending the day with family swimming, surfing or working on a tan, gorging on fresh seafood and sipping on bubbly or a cold crisp beer. However, a midyear Christmas allows Australian's to mimic a traditional northern hemisphere snow blanketed chrissy, so we can indulge in a mouth-watering feast in the coolest time of year, without sweltering in 37-degree temperatures.
I absolutely love dinner parties; the anticipation in the preparation, the delight of greeting guests as they arrive at the door, the invigorating mix of perfumes and aftershave, the chinking of glasses, the aromas and flavours of cooking wafting throughout the room and the long jovial conversations about everything, and nothing. Unwind in the intoxicating blend of good food, good company and enjoy the house abuzz with the chatter of guests embarking on a hearty dining experience.
So set the table somewhere quaint and unusual such as by the flicker of a fireplace, in the wine cellar or maybe the loft. Dress up the table with your favourite polished cutlery and shining glassware, dim the lights and put on some soft music. Be eccentric! Things don't have to synchronise perfectly, but ensure you use the best you have. Adorn the table with abstract branches or twigs to create a unique table arrangement, and light the candles early, so the soft melting drips contribute to a truly lived in, charming effect.
Now with the enchanting ambience set, its time to lose yourself in the aromas and intoxicate your senses in sumptuous lingering flavours, diverse textures and rich ingredients to temp & tantalise. If summer is all about quick and easy salads, winter is about warming the house with slow, deliberate cooking. What could be more scrumptious than Chestnut Soup; Roast Pork Rack with Fennel & Pickled Quince; or a light and fluffy Chocolate Souffle Cake.
Of course, no discussion about the virtues of winter fare is complete without mentioning the wine. For the red wine enthusiast, it's the best time of year. When was the last time you really savoured a rich and sharp glass of cabernet sauvignon, or the smoothness of a merlot, or the subtlety of a pinot noir? As the lusty thirst for a quenching cold ale or sparkling white diminishes with temperature readings, it's time to appreciate the things that have taken a bit more time to arrive in your glass. Consider consulting a sommelier for the wine you serve. It is worth putting as much effort into drinks as you would the food.
So take your time, sit with some good company, and relish in the cold as the tannins tickle your taste buds.