EDITORS' CHOICEMake Christmas memories

This is the time of year for making memories and getting a little nostalgic about beach barbecues, festive gatherings and family feasts. This year we’re looking at Kiwi classics with an added international flair to celebrate modern New Zealand on a plate.

It’s about feasting with friends and family, sharing plates that are passed around, and putting a spin on our favourite festive food.

Lamb dishes

2 hrs prep |

1 hr 30 mins cook

Roast leg of lamb with honey soy glaze

Beef + Lamb New Zealand

10 mins prep |

20 mins cook

Lamb skewers with fresh nectarine and mint salsa

Beef + Lamb New Zealand

15 mins prep |

50 mins cook

Feta and eggplant lamb meatballs with tzatziki

Beef + Lamb New Zealand

25 mins prep |

15 mins cook

Easy Lamb and Feta Puffs

Beef + Lamb New Zealand

15 mins prep |

15 mins cook

Lamb and Noodle Balls

Beef + Lamb New Zealand

15 mins prep |

20 mins cook

Lamb and Eggplant Rolls

Beef + Lamb New Zealand

30 mins prep |

18 mins cook

Paprika Spiced Cutlets

Kathy Paterson

Beef dishes

15 mins prep |

30 mins cook

Lemongrass beef bao buns

Beef + Lamb New Zealand

3 hrs 40 mins prep |

5 mins cook

Japanese beef tataki with ponzu

Beef + Lamb New Zealand

10 mins prep |

4 hrs 10 mins cook

Chinese-style beef ribs

Beef + Lamb New Zealand

20 mins prep |

1 hr cook

Eye fillet Christmas wreath

Kirsten McCaffrey

25 mins prep |

15 mins cook

Christmas meatball wreath

Kirsten McCaffrey

20 mins prep |

50 mins cook

Perfectly Cooked Eye Fillet and Garlic Bread

Greenlea Butcher Shop

20 mins prep |

1 hr cook

Sunday best eye fillet

Kiwi Mushrooms

Sides and salads

25 mins prep |

40 mins cook

Spiced cherry tomato salad

The 5+ A Day Charitable Trust

10 mins prep |

10 mins cook

Miso-Glazed Sweetcorn

Beef + Lamb New Zealand

10 mins prep |

5 mins cook

Chilli, mango and noodle salad with cucumber

The 5+ A Day Charitable Trust

20 mins prep |

25 mins cook

New Potato, Bean and Blue Cheese Salad

Beef + Lamb New Zealand

10 mins prep |

3 mins cook

Broccolini with Mandarin and Chilli

The 5+ A Day Charitable Trust

10 mins prep |

10 mins cook

Asparagus and Broccoli with Tangy Vinaigrette

The 5+ A Day Charitable Trust

Barbecue

30 mins prep |

15 mins cook

Barbecue platter

Beef + Lamb New Zealand

2 hrs prep |

25 mins cook

Rump steak with cowboy butter

Andrew Clarke

30 mins prep |

25 mins cook

Barbecued eye fillet with carrots, eggplant and Israeli couscous salad

Kathy Paterson

15 mins prep |

45 mins cook

Garlic, red wine and rosemary BBQ lamb shoulder

James Smith "The Tattooed Butcher"

10 mins prep |

20 mins cook

Barbecued tri-tip steak with Italian potato salad

Roz McIntosh

Tips & Tricks

Inspiration

The 10 best lamb leg recipes to cook

Do something a little bit special and cook your loved ones a roasted leg of lamb. A roast lamb is the ultimate Kiwi tradition, and for good reason - New Zealand lamb is the best you can get anywhere in the world. We’ve taken the hassle out of choosing how to go about doing it by selecting some of our favourite recipes.

Inspiration

12 Summery Festive Sides

Have you been asked to bring a plate or a side for the family get-together? Carefully curated, we’ve pulled together 12 festive sides that will pair beautifully with your beef or lamb main!

Tips & Tricks

Cooking Guide: Lamb Temperatures and Cooking Times

This guide should help you navigate the various methods, times, and temperatures to cook your lamb perfectly to your preference - every time.

Inspiration

The ultimate 'Bring a Plate' collection

It's so Kiwi, invite people over for dinner and ask them to bring a plate. A while a fruit plate or a packet of biscuits is always welcome, we've got our best options to truly impress for minimal effort.

Inspiration

Hosting a crowd? Grab an eye fillet to impress

Tis the season to pull out all the stops and we think there are few cuts as impressive as a whole eye fillet. Pricey? Yes but delicious and a treat fit for a special occasion? Absolutely...

Tips & Tricks

Cooking Guide: Beef Temperatures and Cooking Times

For those who are having a large cut of beef this Christmas, cooking it can be a little nerve racking. It is an investment, but it is a lot like cooking lamb. Depending on the cut of beef, you’ll want to either sear it hot and fast, or cook it low and slow. This guide will help you get the very best from your beef, the different cooking methods, times, and temperatures.

Inspiration

Our favourite Midwinter Christmas recipes

Embrace winter and find that inner festive spirit. With mid-winter Christmas parties now firmly established in the Kiwi calendar, these recipes will help you take your celebration to a new level.

Tips & Tricks

How to Choose the Right Beef or Lamb Cuts for a Roast

Kiwis' love of roast beef and lamb, particularly for lunch on the weekend, is nothing new, in fact, it’s part of our national identity and a source of pride for home-cooks and chefs alike. We decided to take a look at some of the best beef and lamb cuts to use for a roast.

Tips & Tricks

Freezing and thawing meat

The freezer can be an extremely useful tool for saving time and money when you find yourself with more than enough meat on your hands. However, freezing your protein of choice should be done carefully. It’s important to follow these guidelines to guarantee your frozen proteins are safe and enjoyable to consume.

Inspiration

10 of our favourite roast recipes

Kiwis love of roast beef and lamb, particularly for lunch on the weekend, is nothing new, in fact, it’s part of our national identity and a source of pride for home-cooks and chefs alike. With NZ Roast Day just around the corner, we decided to take a look at some of our favourite traditional and modern roast options.