However, if your Christmas table is traditionally loaded with roast lamb and duck fat potatoes, well, good on you, but if food-paralysis has left you befuddled and tightened its grip on good cheer.

Party season shouldn’t have to mean slaving over a hot stove or ditching your healthy intentions entirely. So, for Christmas 2023, rather than attempting to come up with gastronomically challenging creations, stick to fuss-free, seasonal food that taste as impressively good as it is healthy.

We’ve come up with a Christmas menu that suits (and can easily be tweaked for) all dietary requirements. It’s indulgent and delicious, but requires minimal prep. Brilliant, right?

For starters? What could be better than silky, diced fresh trout, seasoned with zesty lime, sesame oil, spring onions, and a hint of chilies? Or light up a raging fire and thread prawn onto bamboo skewers and cook on the braai and serve with a spicy mayo. A cold gazpacho is also perfect for this time of the year. This fresh, cold Spanish soup is packed with roasted tomatoes and peppers, cucumber, garlic and onion. Season, and blitz together. Voila, starters done!

A healthy, festive main could include a beef tagliata with beautiful, sweet tomatoes. Again, fire up the braai and prepare a spiced rack of lamb, or a pepper crusted fillet.

A clemengold and couscous salad could be the perfect side to your protein. You’ll need couscous, clemengolds (peeled and segmented), pomegranate seeds, mint, parsley, a red onion, and feta cheese. Drizzle with olive oil, clemengold juice, lemon juice, honey, salt and pepper. Or try your hand at fresh figs with mozzarella and prosciutto. Simply arrange rocket on a serving plate, add figs and drape the prosciutto and mozzarella across the top. Season with black peeper and serve with olive oil and balsamic vinegar on the side. A spicy sambal with cucumber, jalapeno, tomato, red onion and coriander could be just perfect, easy and delicious!

If you want a good desert without all the labor, serve a pavlova topped with sweet seasonal berries, add a little Greek yogurt and lemon zest for flavor, or make an oh-so-easy gingerbread Christmas trifle. All you need is a tea loaf of good gingerbread cut into thick slices (you could make it a little boozy by adding a little brandy), cream whipped to a soft peak, and vanilla custard. Layer all of the above and dust with a little ground cinnamon before serving. The good news is that this is best made the day before which will give you more time to enjoy a delicious cocktail with family and friends.

So with the feast covered, take a deep breath and capture the essence of family and friendship during this magical time. Isn’t that what Christmas is really all about?

Bon Appetit!

Source: citizen.co.za, foodformzanzi.co.za, gardenandhome.co.za, laughingchefs.co.za, iol.co.za, bibbyskitchenat36.com, womenshealthsa.co.za, woolworths.co.za

DISCLAIMER: The information on this website is for educational purposes only, and is not intended as medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. If you are experiencing symptoms or need health advice, please consult a healthcare professional.