In My Tropical Kitchen, December 2025

It's  the "Silly Season" for many of us here in Tropical North Queensland, during the lead up to Christmas in the heat of Summer, meaning more fun, more parties, more socialising, more shopping, more air-conditioning, and more cooking including Christmas indulgences, and just the predictable hype involved in the lead up to Christmas. We are very low key about all of this now in our home, with just a couple of Christmas parties and a few lovely catchups with friends. For those working and living in the fast lane, it is probably a very different story though. 

Tuscan Chicken, Cheese and Broccoli Bake (Low carb)

This is comfort food without the extra calories, which my friends is my kind of meal at the moment in the lead up to Christmas. Leftovers are even more delicious the following day for lunch or served for dinner. You could almost think you are eating a lasagna but not missing the pasta because of the extra protein, vegetables, herbs and cheese. It's very tasty.

Lamb chops with crushed minted peas and feta cheese

 

This is the perfect way to showcase tender and succulent Lamb loin chops, cooked to perfection on the outside patio Barbecue, or in your kitchen in the frypan.  Not much adornment, a simple approach, delivering maximum flavours, with just a fresh herb and vegetable side of peas, mint, pine nuts, and feta cheese. 

Ligurian pasta with pesto, new potatoes, and green beans

 

Destination Liguria, in northwestern Italy, where it's Mediterranean coastline is known as the Italian Riviera. Two of Liguria's most famous specialities are pesto and focaccia, which can be served plain, or with tasty variations like onion, olives, sage, and cheese etc. The local's use of fresh herbs and delicious seafood is also well reputed and reflects it's coastal geography.

Italian meatballs in Tomato Sauce

A comforting bowl of Italian meatballs in Tomato Sauce anytime

Tender baked meatballs simmered in a homemade umami flavoured tomato sauce really deliver in flavour. The layering of ingredients, the fusion of flavours into the meatballs and the sauce during the cooking process, and the addition of fresh and dried herbs bring together a meal that has you coming back for more.

Slow Cooker Marinara Sauce

 

This is a classic homemade tomato pasta sauce recipe for the home cook which I find is one of the best sauces to have on standby in my kitchen for a quick and simple meal. Everyone needs quick dinners in their recipe repertoire, and with this sauce most of the work is already done. 

Chicken Marbella, a celebratory dish suitable for Thanksgiving

 "The whole is greater than the sum of the parts."

Aristotle

I am submitting this recipe as part of the Brookford Kitchen Diaries November Cookbook Club where Thanksgiving, or a favourite family recipe with meaning is the theme. It's also originally a favourite American recipe, which ticks another box when choosing a recipe for this linkup. We don't really celebrate Thanksgiving here in Australia, but if we did this is one of the dishes I would definitely bake. It's an all time family favourite, and also generally a safe and very popular baked chicken option to cook for friends and family with various food aversions, needs, and preferences and the cook can stay relaxed. Win, win.