Julie Goodwin shares her tips for Christmas cooking

Masterchef winner and the queen of quick and easy home cooking, Julie Goodwin, has revealed her tips for an impressive Christmas feast. 

Speaking to FEMAIL, the mother-of-three and author said Christmas was a big family affair – but surprisingly the cooking wasn’t just left up to the celebrity chef.

‘At our place, everyone brings something to share so we don’t leave it up to one person,’ she said. 

‘It makes Christmas much easier and no one is left stressing.’

Masterchef winner and the queen of quick and easy home cooking, Julie Goodwin (pictured), has revealed her tips for an impressive Christmas feast

However, Julie revealed that she does like to take control of the dessert each year and prepare a ”show-stopper” for her family.

‘It might be a Christmas wreath croquembouche or a beautiful pavlova,’ she explained.

She also loves to make her famous Grandma’s Christmas Cake, which was inspired by her husband’s grandmother.

The celebrity chef said glazing was key to making a succulent ham on Christmas Day (stock image) 

The celebrity chef said glazing was key to making a succulent ham on Christmas Day (stock image) 

‘She used to make it every single year. It has different fruits, cherries and brand, but the best part is that it’s covered in blanched almonds,’ Julie said.

Although Julie loves spending Christmas Day by the pool with her family, food is at the heart of festive day for the winner of the inaugural season of MasterChef Australia.

Julie Goodwin has shared more than 300 recipes in her new book

Julie Goodwin has shared more than 300 recipes in her new book

‘I love Christmas Eve on the back deck and having a big roast then on Christmas Day, having the lovely prawns and ham,’ she said.

But what’s the secret to a delicious and succulent ham?

‘The glaze,’ Julie replied.

‘Glaze it every few minutes and don’t cut too far into the fat.’

And as you’d expect, the busy mum ensures there’s no waste following the festive day.

‘Leftovers get a good run in our household – we don’t waste anything.’

‘We make all kinds of things – quiches and sandwiches,’ she explained. 

Banoffee pavlova roulade 

Serves 10-­12   Prep time: 20 minutes Cooking time: 30 minutes

INGREDIENTS:

 8 egg whites

2 cups caster sugar

1 tablespoon cornflour

1 tablespoon white vinegar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

600ml thickened cream, whipped 4 ripe bananas, sliced ½ cm thick For the caramel sauce

 

 125g butter

½ cup brown sugar

½ cup thickened cream

For the candied macadamias

½ cup macadamia nut pieces

¼ cup icing sugar

 

METHOD: 

Preheat oven to 160*C. Grease and line a 26cm x 34cm baking tray with baking paper.

Julie's Banoffee pavlova roulade

Julie’s Banoffee pavlova roulade

In the bowl of an electric mixer, whip the egg whites until soft peaks form. Add the sugar a little bit at a time, whipping continually, until the sugar is dissolved and stiff peaks have formed.

Sprinkle over the cornflour, vinegar and vanilla and gently fold through the egg whites until combined. Do this very gently so as not to knock the air out of the mixture.

Spread the mixture into the baking dish and bake for 20 minutes or until just firm.

When the meringue comes out of the oven, allow to cool for 5 minutes. Sprinkle a fresh sheet of baking paper with cornflour and lay over the top of the meringue. Lay a clean tea towel on the bench, and carefully invert the baking dish so that the meringue comes out on top of the baking paper and on top of the tea towel. Carefully remove the baking paper from the bottom of the meringue. 

Julie Goodwin’s Essential Cookbook by Julie Goodwin is published by Hachette Australia, $39.99. 

Outside of the kitchen, Julie is helping bring joy to many underprivileged families this Christmas too.

As an ambassador for ChildFund Australia, the much-loved home cook is asking Australians to help contribute ‘gifts for good’. 

‘Long before I became an ambassador, my husband and I sponsored a child,’ she said. 

Julie on the iconic Australian Postie Bike, motorcycles used by ChildFund staff and community workers, to deliver water filters to communities without access to a safe water source; reading kits to schools and vaccines for immunisations

Julie on the iconic Australian Postie Bike, motorcycles used by ChildFund staff and community workers, to deliver water filters to communities without access to a safe water source; reading kits to schools and vaccines for immunisations

‘Then we were taken to Uganda to meet a child we sponsored. 

‘It’s humbling to see how much a small amount of money can achieve.’ 

‘There are so many pockets of people in remote areas and these gifts help communities become self-sufficient.’



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