Photo of Qaqamba Falithenjwa

Alternative Christmas dishes to try out

Now before you come for me on this one hear me out, I understand that tradition is tradition and nothing can ever replace our favourite Christmas dishes. However, would it hurt to shake things up a bit, to bring fresh flavours and excitement to your table?

Trying out new things is always exciting, and alternative Christmas dishes are the perfect way to make this season memorable, because tradition is great, but a little twist can make it unforgettable.

According to the Stork publication, the Baked Lemon Meringue Sago Pudding is a unique twist on traditional Christmas pudding, featuring coconut milk, sago, crushed biscuits, and freshly squeezed lemon. It is believed to be a light, fluffy, soft, and moist dessert that’s sure to impress your guests.

The above source also claims that Cinnamon Sugar Doughnuts stuffed with Isinji are a popular South African recipe featuring butternut and mielie pap in the centre. “The cinnamon sugar doughnuts stuffed with isinji recipe, however, is a delightful doughnut combined with butternut and mielie pap in the centre. Other delicious condiments include honey, Stork Bake, ground cinnamon and brown sugar.”

When it comes to South Africa’s most traditional Christmas salads, there can never be anything else to replace them, I’m taking chakalaka, coleslaw, green salad and potato salad. The only way to spice up things up during your Christmas dinner is if you revamp the recipes and hr process of preparing these famous salads.

The Woolworth Taste publication suggests the Festive Christmas Salad, which somehow gives off the vibes of the coleslaw salad, but instead better and fancier.

This salad is made with red cabbage, beetroot spaghetti, baby herb leaves, red spring onions, rainbow radishes, micro vegetables, kohirabi, sea salt, edible gold glitter, and Saint André cream cheese. The dressing is made with extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper. The salad is then served with cream cheese.

And what is Christmas dinner without dessert, the above source suggests trifle but not the normal kind you would get at Grandma’s house in the Eastern Cape. This Pavlova trifle is a lighter version of a traditional trifle, featuring meringues, berries, and stone fruit instead of boozy cake and jelly, states the above source.

The recipe is said to include 6 egg whites, 350g caster sugar, 1x360g punnet blueberries, 3T maple syrup, 2T lemon juice, ¼ cup brandy, 4 nectarines, 160g raspberries, 2 cups cream, and icing sugar for dusting. To make, Woolworths Taste instructs that you preheat the oven, beat egg whites, bake, and cook blueberries, maple syrup, lemon juice, and brandy.

Also see: 5 Ways to enjoy Christmas if you are not going home

Navigating family burnout and boundary setting during the holidays

While the festive season is traditionally framed as a time of joy, connection, and celebration, it frequently brings an undercurrent of intense emotional fatigue and family burnout. Also see: The importance of recognising mental health struggles that often go unnoticed Juggling back-to-back social obligations, financial pressures, and deeply ingrained family dynamics can quickly turn a […]

Read more...

How to make your groceries last longer

With the rising cost of everyday essentials, making groceries last longer is a practical way to save money, reduce food waste and get more value from your shopping budget. Also see: How to Save Money on Groceries in South Africa From storing fresh produce correctly to planning meals and freezing leftovers, a few simple habits […]

Read more...

Poolside reads to add to your ‘to-be-read’ list

As the summer heat rolls in, spending time by the pool or at the beach becomes even more tempting. So, why not pair your relaxing day in the sun with a good, refreshing book as you unwind? Here are a few book recommendations to add to your ‘to-be-read’ list this summer. Also see: How audiobooks and […]

Read more...