Christmas recipes: Simple festive share plates

It's officially the silly season and if you've got lots of entertaining and little to no time to cook up a juicy ham, don't worry, we've got your back, mofo. 

Here are five simple and delicious share plates that will help you get into the festive spirit, so you can chill out and get back to the important stuff, like drinking wine and mingling with your mates while singing All I Want For Christmas is You at the top of your lungs.

Ricotta and charred peppers

• Ricotta
• Red peppers (capsicums)
• Lemon 
• Flat leaf parsley
• Thyme 

1. Spoon some quality ricotta into a bowl
2. Top with strips of charred peppers
3. Grate some lemon zest and sprinkle some flat-leaf parsley and thyme leaves on top

Prosciutto, apricots and hazelnuts

• Hazelnuts
• Prosciutto
• Sliced apricot
• Olive oil

1. Toast hazelnuts in a pan, then remove the outer skin and roughly chop
2. Line a plate with prosciutto, and top with slices of apricot and hazelnuts 
3. Drizzle with a top-notch olive oil

Caprese salad 

• Tomatoes 
• Buffalo mozzarella
• Basil
• Olive oil
• Salt and pepper 

1. Add chunks or slices of good quality tomatoes to a bowl, sprinkle with salt and leave for 10 minutes
2. Add pieces of buffalo mozzarella and torn basil leaves, then mix together
3. Top with cracked pepper and olive oil 

Burrata and broad beans

• Broad beans 
• Burrata
• Lemon
• Crusty bread

1. Shell the broad beans, and cook them in boiling water for no more than two minutes
2. Serve with burrata, grated lemon zest and some crusty bread 

Anchovies with a zing 

• Anchovies (the quality stuff!)
• Lemon
• Parsley
• Olive oil

1.   Drape anchovies across a plate (skin side up)
2. Cover with lemon zest, parsley and olive oil

Now here's the fun part... time to eat and don't forget to share your photos with us by mentioning us at @vinomofo on Instagram and #Mofomas.

Recipes by Chef Dave. Follow his food and wine journey on Instagram here.