For Amanda and her family, Christmas is the cherished moment when all the children return home. A day filled with laughter, connection, and the beloved Ferrari family recipes that make the day just so damn delicious!!!
Here’s three of Amanda’s favourite Christmas recipes:
Macadamia & Citrus Glazed Ham:
/ Mix & cook over medium heat 250g lime marmalade; 1/3 cup brown sugar; 2 tablespoons sweet chilli until brown sugar dissolved.
/ Remove skin from full leg of ham and score fat in diamond pattern.
/ Cover ham in glaze, and macadamias and bake on low for 1.5 hours – either in oven or hooded bbq.
/ Serve with Pineapple pork jam.
Tiramisu – this is a traditional Italian recipe from Recipe Tin Eats:
Ingredients:
3 eggs , yolks and whites separated
1/2 cup (110g) caster sugar (superfine sugar)
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
8 oz / 250g mascarpone , good brand
1 1/4 cups black coffee , hot and strong!
2 tbsp (or more!) Frangelico or Kahlua , or other liquor of choice (skip for alcohol free)
6.5 oz / 200g (24 – 30) lady fingers, pavesini or savoiardi biscuits
Cocoa , for dusting
Instructions:
/ Beat yolks and sugar in stand mixer or electric beater on speed 6 to 7 for 10 minutes or until it changes from yellow to pale yellow (almost white), and is thick.
/ Add vanilla and mascarpone, beat until just combined and smooth. Transfer mixture to a bowl, set aside.
/ Clean bowl and whisk. Add egg whites and beat until it’s stiff (3 minutes on speed 7, should be all white foam)
/ Add 1/2 the cream mixture into the egg whites. Gently fold through. When most incorporated, add the remaining cream mixture and fold through until just combined – don’t bash out all the air in the egg whites!
/ Mix coffee and liquor together. Quickly dip biscuits in and line the bottom of a 8”/20cm square dish or a beautiful lasagne dish.
/ Spread over half the cream, then top with another layer of coffee dipped biscuits.
/ Spread with remaining cream.
/ Cover, refrigerate for at least 4 – 5 hours, preferably overnight
/ Dust with cocoa powder just before serving – either before you cut or after placing onto serving plates.
Smoked Salmon ’nibble’ for Christmas Platters:
Ingredients:
250gr good quality smoked salmon cut into small pieces
1/3 cup good quality small capers
One bunch fresh dill cut into bowl
1/2 large Spanish onion chopped finely
Juice of one lemon
Generous glugs of good quality olive oil
Instructions:
/ Mix all ingredients into a gorgeous bowl and serve with sliced baguette, melba toasts or whatever plain savoury biscuits you have on hand.
At the heart of these recipes is what Christmas really means to Amanda — family all under one roof, plates passed across the table, and food made with love rather than fuss. These are the dishes that bring everyone back for seconds, spark long lunch conversations, and turn a simple meal into a memory.
Whether you’re glazing a ham, layering a tiramisu the night before, or throwing together a last-minute platter, we hope these favourites find a place on your Christmas table and become part of your own festive traditions.
From Amanda and all of us — Merry Christmas, and may your day be full, your table generous, and your heart even more so.