If it's just the two of you this festive season, we're feeling rather envious. Less obscure relatives, , less noise and definitely fewer dishes to wash up. We are ready for a 'keep calm and bring nothing' festive season.
However, these are the only things that should be 'less' about a festive dinner for two. While numbers may be smaller, eating should be just as large. That's because it's no trouble to put together a feast for two worth celebrating.
Ready your napkins because a meal with all the trimmings is coming right up...
Getting started
Appetisers can be tricky to prepare for just two when recipes tend to cater for the masses. Fortunately, there are many that are easily adapted.
A Vietnamese salad is a celebration all on its own. Source: Luke Nguyen's Railway Vietnam
A caramelised onion, potato and feta tart is just fancy enough without being fussy. Source: Donna Hay: Fast, Fresh, Simple
Give your guest a little surprise with an Aussie spin on this retro classic by adding some lemon aspen, an indigenous local ingredient. Source: Kitti Gould
Main event
When it's dinner pour deux, you don't want to be a slave to the kitchen. Instead, you want dishes you can quickly pull together while you enjoy conversation with your companion.
This recipe makes more cherry sauce than you need but it goes well on duck, pork and even on desserts. If you’re going to go to the effort of de-seeding all these cherries, you may as well have extra in the fridge! Source: Danielle Abou Karam
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Cranberry ginger tequila
Sicilian pesto is made with tomato as well as basil, giving it a festive red colour. Source: Cook like an Italian
A festive dish that's faster than a flying sleigh. Source: Kitti Gould
The actual main event
Everyone knows dessert is the real main course. These showstoppers are worth waiting for and if there happens to be leftovers, well, you get to celebrate all over again tomorrow. Or later that night... we won't judge.
This recipes serves up to 3, but it's a special occasion so larger servings are essential, right? Source: Adam Liaw
Crema di caffè is a very popular summer treat, often served at beach kiosks along the Adriatic coast... which is where we'd rather be! Source: Rob Palmer
Cheesecake in ice cream form. What could be better? Source: Danielle Abou Karam
