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Getting your coastal kitchen floor plan right
Watch 2:03

Getting your coastal kitchen floor plan right

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Smoked Trout and Pea Quiche

Smoked Trout and Pea Quiche

Top 10 luxe lunch bags to boost your work day wardrobe

Top 10 luxe lunch bags to boost your work day wardrobe

Four delicious wine + chocolate pairings

Four delicious wine + chocolate pairings

How to practice social distancing when you have house guests

How to practice social distancing when you have house guests

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{headline}

Today is National Pizza Day and we're celebrating!

Today is National Pizza Day and we're celebrating!

Chocolate and salted caramel tartlets

Chocolate and salted caramel tartlets

The perfect entry level cocktail

The perfect entry level cocktail

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{headline}

Whole grilled corn, with miso & lime aioli & basil

Whole grilled corn, with miso & lime aioli & basil

Rib eye steaks with herb butter

Rib eye steaks with herb butter

Everything you need to know for the best ever Australia Day BBQ

Everything you need to know for the best ever Australia Day BBQ

Last minute recipes: 11 easy entertaining ideas for New Year’s

Last minute recipes: 11 easy entertaining ideas for New Year’s

The last-minute New Year's Eve party idea all over Pinterest

The last-minute New Year's Eve party idea all over Pinterest

Almond-iced raspberry scones

Almond-iced raspberry scones

Cheddar & thyme cocktail scones

Cheddar & thyme cocktail scones

  1. Home
  2. Entertain

Our top 10 last minute dishes to serve at your Melbourne Cup lunch

Whip up one of these, whack on a fascinator and get yourself off and racing - by Home Beautiful
  • 05 Nov 2019
Our top 10 last minute dishes to serve at your Melbourne Cup lunch
Nicky Ryan

The horses are at the gates and so are you - the school gates, that is… it’s not too late to pick up a few ingredients and pull together a lovely spread. 

These recipes are no fuss, quick and easy to prepare but seriously impressive. Whether you've invited hoards of guests and have run out of time and ideas, or are stuck for an up-to-the-minute cocktail idea, here's help:

Melbourne Cup lunch | Home Beautiful Magazine Australia
Maxwell & Williams

1. Bruschetta with edible flowers

This couldn't be easier - simple and fresh. Pick up edible flowers at your gourmet grocer.

Get the recipe here.

Melbourne Cup lunch | Home Beautiful Magazine Australia
NICKY RYAN

2. Pete Evans' Watermelon & feta salad

This fresh salad looks so pretty in a bowl - simply chop and toss. If you have the time and inclination, place single serves on individual spoons.

Get the recipe here.

Melbourne Cup lunch | Home Beautiful Magazine Australia
Nicky Ryan

3. Tuna & watermelon ceviche tartlets

A very little planning here that goes a long way in the style stakes, and this can be prepared in under 30 minutes.

Get the recipe here.

Melbourne Cup lunch | Home Beautiful Magazine Australia
Nicky Ryan

4. Dressed oysters with radish & cucumber salad

Oysters are an elegant icebreaker when entertaining and your fishmonger will have done most of the work for you. Simply dress and top with salad and micro herbs. 

Get the recipe here.

Melbourne Cup lunch | Home Beautiful Magazine Australia
Cath Muscat

5. Tuna, ginger & herb cakes with yoghurt sauce

Fresh and tasty, these make scrumptious finger food.

Get the recipe here.

Melbourne Cup lunch | Home Beautiful Magazine Australia
Cath Muscat

6. Rainbow Nicoise

A little more substantial, this salad would stand alone for lunch or make a lovely side dish.

Get the recipe here.

Melbourne Cup lunch | Home Beautiful Magazine Australia
Cath Muscat

8. Quinoa warm brunch salad

This wholesome dish presents beautifully laid out on a platter.

Get the recipe here.

Melbourne Cup lunch | Home Beautiful Magazine Australia
NICKY RYAN

9. Gooey chocolate meringues

The ultimate sweet treat, meringues are simple to make, either ahead of time or last minute for a chewy texture.

Get the recipe here.

Melbourne Cup lunch | Home Beautiful Magazine Australia

10. Byron Mess

An easy and eye-catching dessert to feed a band of merry punters - why not lay out the ingredients in a collection of bowls and invite guests to build their own dessert!

Get the recipe here.

Melbourne Cup lunch | Home Beautiful Magazine Australia

Mello' Poppins cocktail

The Grounds

Wondering what to do with the watermelon juice? This quick cocktail will get the party started...

Get the recipe here.

For more ideas click here.

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Getting your coastal kitchen floor plan right
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Today is National Pizza Day and we're celebrating!

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Chocolate and salted caramel tartlets

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The perfect entry level cocktail

The perfect entry level cocktail

{headline}

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Whole grilled corn, with miso & lime aioli & basil

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Rib eye steaks with herb butter

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Everything you need to know for the best ever Australia Day BBQ

Everything you need to know for the best ever Australia Day BBQ

Last minute recipes: 11 easy entertaining ideas for New Year’s

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The last-minute New Year's Eve party idea all over Pinterest

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Almond-iced raspberry scones

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Cheddar & thyme cocktail scones

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