Food, family and festivities! There’s a reason that first item was at the top of our list. South Africans (but actually humans all over the world) have a tendency to gather around food! And the festive season is no different. Just think about it … what is the first thing that comes to mind when we say Christmas? That’s right … food. Well if it isn’t the first thing it’s probably up there with ‘holiday’ and ‘family’.
Santa makes his rounds in the sweltering summer in this neck of the woods. So, how do you go about enjoying a festive feast without feeling sick or bloated for days thereafter? We’ve got a few healthier menu items for your Christmas table that will have you going back for more … without feeling bad afterwards.
- Looking for something light but still yummy to serve before the main course? This spiced sweet potato dip with crispy flatbreads (or chips if you want to save some time and effort) looks divine.
- Why don’t you give the whole roasted chicken or shoulder of something a rest and try these lighter, easy to make Tandoori chicken skewers instead? It’s a great party food and easy to put together.
- You can also switch it up and do the whole festive meal on the braai! Who doesn’t love a lekker braai during the holidays? One of our retailers Woolworths put together a great festive braai menu.
- Ditch the traditional roast potatoes and give this fully loaded healthy potato salad a go.
- Christmas time in South Africa is synonymous with watermelon, so imagine a refreshing take of a watermelon salad in the shape of stars (or any shape you want). So easy to make. And it will sure cool your guests down.
- What is a festive feast without something sweet at the end? This Christmas pavlova is easy on the eye as well as the waistline. It’s easy to make and is a deliciously light option to serve after a heavier main course.
- Another light and refreshing dessert you should consider are fruit tarts. We found this beautiful Mango Coconut tart and we can’t take our eyes off of it.
- If you’d totally like to steer clear of a baked good for dessert, try making your own ice cream, sorbet or this mulled wine granita. It’s a great palate cleanser and a refreshing way to end the meal.
These are just some of our favourites. If we had to list all of our favourite recipes we’d be here well into the New Year. Do you have any festive favourites you swear by? And how do you switch it up with healthier options during the season? We’d love to hear from you!
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