RISE AND SHINE

We talk to Nat and Shirvo from Channel 7’s Sunrise about their fave Christmas traditions and eats, and play Santa by gifting them each a recipe inspired by their answers!

Natalie Barr

Can you share a favourite childhood Christmas memory — food-related or otherwise?
The hot roast Christmas lunch with pavlova to finish. My dad used to say you could have cold meat and salad any day of the year but how often do you have a big roast lunch and make it special? Not enough. So, for him, that was Christmas, and we carry that on 24 years after he’s gone.

How will you be celebrating Christmas this year?
Heading home to the southwest of WA. A beach house we’ve been going to for more than 50 years. It’s a very special place for the family to gather.

Do you have any unbreakable Christmas traditions, or ones that have been passed down through the generations?
Besides the hot lunch, not really. That’s in honour of dad.

Christmas isn’t Christmas without…?
My mother-in-law’s prawn cocktail sauce, Libby Koch’s ham glaze and my Mum’s pavlova.

What’s your favourite Christmas dish… and will you be making it this year?!
I always prefer making the dessert, so I change up the pavlova some years and make it into a wreath — so much easier to cut! And it looks pretty on the plate.

Any traditional Christmas dish that just isn’t for you?
I really don’t like Christmas pudding because I’m not a fan of dried fruit.

Christmas music — yay or nay?
Big yes! Shirvo and I host Carols in the Domain and absolutely love it, singing along backstage (with microphones turned off to save everyone).

Many people have a traditional Christmas movie they always watch — do you have one?
Oh I love Love Actually. And always cry.

What’s your favourite Christmas leftover?
The ham. For days. Probably in sandwiches with lots of butter, a bit of mustard and some crispy lettuce.

Natalie Barr is an absolute legend, having spent 23 years on Channel 7’s Sunrise — enduring 2am starts year after year is not for the faint-hearted! When she does get a chance to relax over the Christmas break, she heads to the southwest of Western Australia to unwind with extended family and friends. We reckon Nat deserves a relaxed and decadent recipe to reward her for all that dedication, so we’ve recreated a French classic to elevate her favourite leftovers. Tap here for the recipe

Matt Shirvington

Can you share a favourite childhood Christmas memory — food-related or otherwise?
I always remember the table overflowing with prawns, ham, turkey but the one thing that pops into my mind is Nan’s small bowls of chocolate-coated almonds. She would put them out before we arrived and they would be gone in a second once we did, reckon I ate a kilo of those things.

How will you be celebrating Christmas this year?
It’ll be all about family. Jess and I love hosting, so we’ll have the kids, extended family, food everywhere, and probably end up in the pool full of people and some soggy cracker crowns!

Do you have any unbreakable Christmas traditions, or ones that have been passed down through the generations?
Dessert! Jess’ mum Maryanne makes homemade profiteroles filled with fresh whipped cream and chocolate sauce, a plum pudding with brandy custard and Jess’ sister Amanda will whip up a pavlova. It’s the best!

Christmas isn’t Christmas without…
Stockings for the kids, filled with little toys, trinkets, lollies, chocolate and some practical things like a toothbrush and undies.

What’s your favourite Christmas dish… and will you be making it this year?!
The ham, glazed and cooked to perfection. That’s the first thing I load onto my plate, and yes, I’ll definitely be making sure I have a mountain of it this year.

Any traditional Christmas dish that just isn’t for you?
Oysters…

Christmas music — yay or nay?
Yay but with a short shelf life! Can’t cop Mariah but love Bublé in December, but once Boxing Day hits that’s it until next year.

Many people have a traditional Christmas movie they always watch — do you have one?
Yippee-ki-yay… Die Hard all the way!

What’s your favourite Christmas leftover?
Cold ham the next morning, on toast with some leftover gravy or mustard. Honestly, sometimes it’s better than on the day.

We loved Shirvo’s memories of arriving at his nan’s house to find chocolate-covered almonds as a special Christmas treat. The cake we created brings the flavour of chocolate and almonds together with a grown-up take on the combination. Tap here for the recipe

Australian friends: Tune into Sunrise with Nat & Shirvo from 5:30am weekdays on Channel 7.