Throw a festive feast for two

Have yourself a merry [little] Christmas.

Two-ingredient chocolate cake. Source: Adam Liaw

If it's just the two of you this festive season, we're feeling rather envious. Less obscure relatives, less waste, less noise and definitely fewer dishes to wash up. We are ready for a 'keep calm and bring nothing' festive season.

However, these are the only things that should be 'less' about a festive dinner for two. While numbers may be smaller, eating should be just as large. That's because it's no trouble to put together a feast for two worth celebrating.

Ready your napkins because a meal with all the trimmings is coming right up...

Getting started

Appetisers can be tricky to prepare for just two when recipes tend to cater for the masses. Fortunately, there are many that are easily adapted.

Fresh beginnings

A Vietnamese salad is a celebration all on its own. Source: Luke Nguyen's Railway Vietnam

This green papaya salad is everything fresh we love about the season. It features buffalo or beef jerky, but you can leave that out if a vegetarian starter is more your thing.

Heart tart

A caramelised onion, potato and feta tart is just fancy enough without being fussy. Source: Donna Hay: Fast, Fresh, Simple

A tart makes a fabulous entrée because you can prepare it well in advance and then slide it into the oven just before you're ready to eat.

Retro revival

Give your guest a little surprise with an Aussie spin on this retro classic by adding some lemon aspen, an indigenous local ingredient. Source: Kitti Gould

There's nothing humble about a humble prawn cocktail to start a meal off right. All the pizazz and ceremony of high-class party and so easy to make it's hardly a bother. This recipe is simple to halve to suit a starter for two.

Main event

When it's dinner pour deux, you don't want to be a slave to the kitchen. Instead, you want dishes you can quickly pull together while you enjoy conversation with your companion.

Duck, duck, cherry

This recipe makes more cherry sauce than you need but it goes well on duck, pork and even on desserts. If you’re going to go to the effort of de-seeding all these cherries, you may as well have extra in the fridge! Source: Danielle Abou Karam

A luxe fresh cherry sauce spooned over duck breasts is the perfect meal for Mr and Mrs Claus. Deseeding the cherries is the most time-consuming part of this recipe, but you can do that while you sip on a cranberry ginger tequila and the time will fly by.

Hey pesto

Sicilian pesto is made with tomato as well as basil, giving it a festive red colour. Source: Cook like an Italian

A red pesto seems right at this time of year, especially when sprinkled with fresh green herbs. Ricotta brings a creamy mouth feel that will leave you both feeling satiated and cared for.

Honey honey

A festive dish that's faster than a flying sleigh. Source: Kitti Gould

If you want to take things super easy, pop this honey mustard salmon in the pan and you'll be eating 10 minutes later. It's full of beautiful flavours that taste really special, plus it's not too heavy so it leaves plenty of room for dessert.

The actual main event

Everyone knows dessert is the real main course. These showstoppers are worth waiting for and if there happens to be leftovers, well, you get to celebrate all over again tomorrow. Or later that night... we won't judge.

Small but mighty

This recipes serves up to 3, but it's a special occasion so larger servings are essential, right? Source: Adam Liaw

A smaller-than-average chocolate cake is perfect for a smaller-than-average feast. Piling fresh berries on top ensures it earns its festive stripes.

Mousse hit

Crema di caffè is a very popular summer treat, often served at beach kiosks along the Adriatic coast... which is where we'd rather be! Source: Rob Palmer

This coffee mousse recipe is easy to halve to make two - but you'll probably want to make the full recipe as seconds will be a given.

Ripple effect

Cheesecake in ice cream form. What could be better? Source: Danielle Abou Karam

Ice cream makes a wonderful dessert for any occasion, but this cheesecake raspberry ripple affair really ups the ante. Ice cream is especially ideal for packing back into the freezer for next time... which is usually around half an hour after you finish dessert...