(This article has been republished from The Quint’s archives in the spirit of Christmas! First published on 25 December 2015, but no less delicious two years later.)
Christmas – the season of joy, of embellished Christmas trees, mistletoes and holly, Santas in red and white and gifts for loved ones! If Christmas conjures up images of all this, it also brings back memories of a host of culinary treats. Punctuated by merry making, good food and loads of indulgence, it indeed is the season to be jolly.
As much as you would like your Christmas tree to look exquisite, you would also absolutely love your dinner table to be deliciously studded with Christmas treats.
We bring you some mouthwatering dishes that will make your Christmas even more special!
Sorpotel
This spicy pork recipe is the centre piece of most table conversations and celebrations – especially Christmas.
To prepare, parboil the pork and fry it in a pan. Add ground spices like cloves, cinnamon, peppercorns to this mixture – along with some vinegar. Pour in the stock of boiled meat along with chopped onions and green chillies. Let the sorpotel simmer and serve once the sauce is thick.
This dish has a huge fan base and will make a great Christmas delicacy.
Neurios
An integral part of most Christmas treats, these crescent-shaped sweet puffs are filled with shavings of coconut and semolina, and are hugely popular with children and adults alike.
Light and crisp on the outside and soft and sweet on the inside, they are an absolute melt-in-the-mouth indulgence. Very similar to gujias in the north and karanji in Maharashtra, neurios are a must have on Christmas!
Roast Pork
The crisp crackling of the roast pork is what makes people fight over it. Although it is a little difficult acing that perfect ‘crackling’ of the pork, a little touch of TLC will put you in good stead.
To prepare, roast the pork and score the skin by making deep cuts with a knife. Rub the skin with oil and later, roast the pork at a higher temperature to give it its crackling texture.
This flavourful dish will be more than a hit on Christmas and is in the league of ‘must haves’ on your table!
Kulkuls
This sweet is made during Christmas and is relished especially by kids because of its shape. Prepared by combining flour, semolina, egg yolks, sugar and butter, this mixture is kneaded using coconut milk. Once the dough is ready, tiny balls are made and pressed with a fork to give it its characteristic shape. These balls are then deep fried and served.
Bite sized and crunchy, these golden brown kulkuls will be lapped up by your family members in no time.
Rum Soaked Plum Cake
What is Christmas without the sweet and moist, rum soaked traditional Christmas plum cake? Best enjoyed with red wine, this cake is the perfect finale to your Christmas dinner.
To prepare, soak in some dry fruits in rum overnight. To make the dough, add in the cake mixture of maida, baking powder, nutmeg powder and cinnamon powder. Add the rum soaked fruits and nuts and bake for 30-40 minutes. Let the cake cool down and serve.
See how your family relishes every bite of this mouthwateringly delectable plum cake.
We are sure with a treat like this, your Christmas will be more than special!
(A freelance food and fashion blogger, Pranjali Bhonde Pethe aims at getting people and their favourite food and style closer through her blog moipalate. Email her at pranjali.bhonde@gmail.com and follow her on @moipalate.)
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