Have you planned your Christmas meal yet? I’ve just looked at the calendar and seen that we have exactly 1 week to go until Christmas Day. Time to get into serious #FestiveFood mode!
We’ve already been thinking about trifle and gammon and mince pies for a few weeks here at Food24 but now we up the ante!
Hopefully you won’t be tasked with cooking the entire Christmas meal on your own. Delegation is key when it comes to preparing a mammoth eat-a-thon so don’t be shy to ask guests or family to take care of respective desserts, starters, sides etc. The less stress, the better! Just be sure they know your plan of action – how many people to prepare for, what the theme is (if you have one), and any possible allergies or food intolerances of which to be aware.
Celebrating Christmas in South Africa means that we don’t get to experience the snow and the sipping of warm mulled wine next to a crackling fireplace – but it does give us a great excuse to make merry in our own way. Prawns on the braai? You bet! Turkey in the Weber? Just do it. Chilled Christmas milkshakes? They’ll bring all the elves to the yard! You could also mix up your menu and have a mish-mash of both traditional and contemporary food.
Here are a few ideas for inspiration:
Drinks and aperitifs
4 Chenin Blancs for Christmas lunch
10 bubblies for warmer weather
Starters and pre-meal nibbles
Sweet melon wedges, prosciutto and goat’s cheese
Exotic mushroom and bacon paté (served with garlic bruschetta)
Sweet potato vichyssoise with crispy smoked snoek and apple
Crumbed biltong and ricotta fritters
Spicy prawns with tomato, baby marrow and mushroom
Watermelon, berry and feta salad
Meat
Roast turkey with stuffing as well as tips for making a great stuffing
Roast gammon with cherry and red wine sauce
Roast chicken with cranberry and walnut stuffing
Whole roasted fish with cherry tomatoes
Cider-glazed gammon with pineapple chutney
Roast garlic, thyme and oregano lamb
Sides and salads
Brussels sprouts with chestnuts and bacon
Top 10 side dishes to go with your roast
3 salads to complete your festive feast
Dessert
Chocolate and orange trifle (as well as 5 tips for the perfect Christmas trifle)
The ultimate Christmas fruitcake
Layered ice cream Christmas cake
Think your tummy has space for more? Of course it does!
Don’t forget to make a batch of soetkoekies and some chocolate and pecan nut marshmallow nougat for post-dessert and finally to complete it all in true SA fashion, these milk tart macarons are sure to result in squeals of delight.
Happy holidays everyone!
Tess