Whether you are hosting a feast for the family or simply need to bring a festive dish, a macadamia inspired salad always adds to the celebration of Christmas.

Salads are a great choice for the Christmas season in Australia when the weather is warm and we like to keep meals light. They are also the original ‘share plates’, easily passed around the table in a way that helps us truly enjoy the conviviality of Christmas feasting.

Perfect for sharing and feasting

As host, having a range of salads to offer allows you to easily cater for a variety of dietary requirements.. It also means there are lighter options available for people trying to eat healthily over the festive season. Bringing a salad as a guest is a simple way to contribute to the meal. It’s also a great choice for all the potluck parties and end-of-year events that tend to multiply at this time of year.

A handful of macadamia nuts can add pizzazz to just about any salad, but sometimes at Christmas we want to go the extra mile and cook something truly special. These three macadamia salads bring the best summer ingredients together with the creamy crunch of macadamias to surprise and delight your friends and family. And you never know, one of these might just become a new tradition for you!

Summer salad with macadamia cheese chive balls

The summer stone fruits add a perfect sweetness to this refreshing salad, contrasting with the  peppery rocket leaves and the creamy macadamia ‘cheese’. Because the macadamia cheese and chive balls are dairy-free, this salad is perfect for people with dairy intolerances. If you are catering for vegans, serve the prosciutto on the side.

Macadamia freekeh salad

This jumble of grains, pulses and seeds is a perennially popular salad that works as well with cold meat spreads as it does with hot meals. Packed with healthy goodness and high in protein, this salad is as fun to make as it is to eat. And the leftovers are so good eaten straight from the fridge the next day! Because you can serve the dressing on the side, this is also great for guests who need a vegan or dairy-free option at the dinner table.

Watermelon and macadamia salad

Watermelon is a classic on fruit platters at Christmas, but did you know it also makes a great base for a savoury salad? The sweet, watery flesh contrasts with the soft, salty feta and creamy, crunch of the macadamias for a truly satisfying mouth feel. This dish is perfect for long, lazy lunches in hot climates where we crave something cool and refreshing.

What’s your favourite summer salad to serve at Christmas? Let us know on our Facebook page!