The ultimate solo summer Christmas lunch — fresh, fancy, and fabulously fuss-free.
🌊 A Christmas Feast Without the Heat
Not every Christmas needs to smell like roasted turkey and baked ham. In Australia, “festive” can mean sitting in the backyard with your feet in an esky, a cold drink in hand, and a plate piled with ocean-fresh goodness.
This Seafood & Sparkle Platter for One celebrates exactly that — bright, breezy, and beautiful without needing to cook a single thing (unless you count boiling an egg or toasting some sourdough). It’s perfect for solo Christmas lunches, beach picnics, or as your contribution to the big family feast that looks like it came straight from a magazine spread.
🍤 The Plan4One Vibe
Fresh. Simple. No stress.
This platter is all about treating yourself — or sharing with one other lucky person — without spending half the day in the kitchen. It’s the kind of “lazy luxury” that fits perfectly into Plan4One’s philosophy: healthy, single-serve, and zero waste.
🐟 What You’ll Need (Serves 1–2)
🦐 Seafood (pick your favourites)
- 4–6 cooked prawns, tails on
- 2–3 slices of cold-smoked salmon or trout
- A few fresh oysters (natural or with lemon wedges)
- Optional: a small piece of chilled cooked lobster or crab claw if you’re feeling fancy
🥗 Fresh Sides
- ½ small avocado, sliced
- A handful of cherry tomatoes, halved
- ¼ cucumber, sliced thin
- A few baby cos lettuce leaves or mixed salad greens
- 1 boiled egg, halved (optional but adds protein)
🍋 Dips & Sauces
- 2 tbsp seafood cocktail sauce (or mix mayo + ketchup + lemon juice + dash of Tabasco)
- 1 tbsp lemon wedges
- 1 tbsp aioli or herbed yoghurt dip
🍞 Crunch & Extras
- 2 slices of crusty sourdough or mini baguette, toasted lightly
- A few crackers for dipping
- A sprinkle of sea salt and cracked pepper
- Optional: a few olives or capers for zing
🥂 For the “Sparkle”
- A chilled glass of sparkling water, prosecco, or even a mocktail with soda, lime, and mint
🌤️ How to Assemble Your Platter
- Start with the greens. Lay out your lettuce or salad mix as a base — it’ll make the plate look lush and inviting.
- Add the seafood. Place prawns, salmon, and oysters in small clusters for that abundant “feast” look.
- Tuck in the sides. Add avocado slices, tomatoes, cucumber, and egg halves. The colours should pop — think coral pinks, greens, and sunny yellows.
- Add dips and sauces. Use small ramekins or shot glasses for your dips — it makes everything look intentional (and keeps your bread from getting soggy).
- Finish with crunch and sparkle. Add your toast, crackers, and drink — then a final sprinkle of sea salt and a squeeze of lemon over the top.
🧊 Make-Ahead & Storage Tips
- Prep ahead: You can slice veggies, toast bread, and make dips the night before. Store seafood in the fridge in an airtight container until serving.
- Serving tip: Keep seafood chilled until the very last minute — place your platter over a tray of ice if it’s a hot day.
- Leftovers: Prawns and salmon are best eaten the same day. Leftover salad and bread can go into a wrap for dinner.
🎁 Plan4One Gifting Tip
Hosting Christmas lunch? Turn this into a Seafood Gift Box by arranging prawns, smoked salmon, and a mini lemon in a small cooler bag with a ribbon on top. Perfect for seafood lovers, or anyone who forgot to bring a plate (we all know one).
💡 Plan4One Tip: Balance Your Plate
Seafood platters are naturally high in protein and omega-3s, but a little fibre from the veggies and wholegrain crackers helps balance the meal. You’ll feel satisfied without the afternoon food coma — meaning you can still say yes to dessert later.
🎅 Final Thought
This is the Aussie Christmas classic, downsized perfectly for one. It’s beachy, light, and every bit as indulgent as a big roast — without the heat, hassle, or washing up. You deserve to enjoy the holidays your way — and this platter is proof that a table for one can still sparkle.
👉 Your Turn!
What’s your Christmas Day vibe — seafood feast or baked dinner traditionalist? Drop your thoughts in the comments, or tag #Plan4One to show off your summer platter setup.
Next up in the series: “Festive Cheese & Fruit Wreath Platter” — a showstopping (and ridiculously easy) edible wreath you can make in under 15 minutes.
