Christmas is less than a week away and I’m sure you are already planning your Christmas menu. I’ll be travelling abroad this Christmas to visit my siblings and some of my family. We won’t be cooking this Christmas but that doesn’t mean that I can’t bring something to share with everyone. You might be the chef in the family or you might be the one that waits for the food. Whatever is your designated role at Christmas, I’m sure that you have some favourite dishes that you usually gravitate to. I like to try new foods and renditions of classic dishes during this time of the year. In today’s blog post, I’ll be sharing 10 amazing Christmas themed dishes that you may want to try to.
Some of these dishes are a mixture of Nigerian, British, American and Swiss foods that I have grown to love over the years. I have never created my own Christmas menu and I actually want to give it a try one day because I want to create my own traditions. In one of the earlier Blogmas posts, I mentioned that I believe that it is important to create your own traditions especially as you get older. I managed to get my Christmas pyjamas which I’m excited to wear this year. This is another tradition that I want to do, designing and creating my own menu.
Breads
La Tresse is one of my favourite Swiss breads. It is baked in the form of a braid and traditionally eaten in the mornings. Around Christmas time, I like to have this as part of my breakfast with some eggs, sardines and vegetables. It makes the season a bit more special by consuming a different type of bread. I don’t really like eating bread after breakfast but if I did, I would recommend a bread roll of choice for lunch or dinner.
Mains Dishes
Jollof Rice is a rice dish from West Africa. You cook this dish with long-grain rice, tomatoes, onions, spices in a single pot. Different countries in the continent cook it in different ways but the one that I eat is Nigerian Jollof rice, which I believe is the best one. The one that I have over Christmas is the party rice. It has this firewood scent that you can replicate in a stainless steel pot and foil. Everyone has their secret ingredient to make it taste delicious and mine is white pepper!
Nigerian fried rice is one of my favourite dishes to have at Christmas. I don’t actually eat any other time of the year. It is simple yet delicious. You cook this dish with long-grain rice, vegetables and a protein of choice. I prefer adding shrimp, others prefer adding beef liver and what is perfect about this dish is that you choose what vegetables and meat you want
Salmon is my favourite protein of choice. Turkeys and hams are usually the go-to choice during Christmas. I have grown bored of eating both of them, which is why I’m opting for salmon as the alternative. You can dress salmon up with oranges and lemons. You can bake it with honey garlic for that sweet and tangy taste. Adding some pomegranate will dress it up with that festive colour and vibe. Moreover, another benefit of adding salmon is the high protein count and making sure that you are getting your omega 3s in!
Sides
Gizdodo is a popular dish in Nigerian homes and parties. Gizdodo is served with rice dishes. It can also be served as ‘small chops’, a snack or starter at Nigerian parties. This is the side that I usually cook. I enjoy cooking this as I never make it the same twice. It makes the process more exciting because I add new seasonings and new garnishes. Honestly, you don’t need to be Nigerian to try this dish out. However if you aren’t Nigerian, I highly recommend buying it from a Nigerian caterer so you can experience the entirety of its goodness.
Roasted potatoes is a classic, warm and hearty side to have at Christmas. I don’t know what it is but I don’t like to eat potatoes at home but if I go out or someone else is cooking it, I’ll eat it. I think it’s because I had it too often as a child. Potatoes is just one of those foods that can be cooked a variety of ways. If you don’t want it roasted, you can have it baked, au gratin styled, mashed, made into fries. The possibilities are endless.
Desserts Dishes
Mince pies is a tradition British sweet pie filled with mincemeat, sweet fruits, spices and suet. As a child, I learnt how to make it in my home tech class and then I started to make batches and batches of it for two or three Christmases. It reminds me of my time in primary school. You can buy these at any stores and if you have a British section in your local supermarket, you should be able to find it there at Christmas.
What are some of your favourite dishes to eat during Christmas time? I know that this blog post is a day late but another blog post will be gracing your inboxes this evening. Don’t forget to subscribe for the last week of Blogmas and more powerlifting, health & wellness, and style content.
Until next time,
Folakemi
