One time of the year I personally would like to visit Kerala is during Christmas/Onam. My husband always says the real feel of Christmas comes once you step into God's own Country. The moment you almost cross the boundaries of Palaghat, a majority of the population would have decorated their houses at least by hanging a star, some lights and decorations. And especially Cochin seems to be illuminated by the season. These are the days where a festive season is mostly commercialized around the world with huge Christmas Trees and huge strands of lights.
Christmas is celebrated with much excitement at my in-laws home. We start the season by making home-made Wines, loads of Fruit Cakes, Murukku, Diamond/Square Biscuit(Kala Kala) etc - all my MIL's speciality. Then comes - setting up of Christmas Tree, arranging the Nativity scene, decorating the house and hanging the Stars. Followed by the Christmas carols. The smell of freshly baked Cakes, the beauty and feel of the decorations around the house and the sound of Christmas Carols take us into a Festive mood instantly.
There are numerous Christmas recipes from all Around the World that bring a taste unique to the land. Though there are various menus which could be taken as inspiration too. Let me bring you a variety of menu choices that I usually prepare for Christmas at home. In a Malayalee Christian household, Christmas is celebrated with a feast of several courses of dishes with all kind of Non-Vegetarian items(my MIL says anything which doesn't bite you back would be in the menu) and loads of alcohol. Over the time I have tried to capture a lot of those traditional and authentic recipes from my MIL, her Mother and her Sisters, who are all great cooks. Here I have tried to bring out a quick collection of those recipes put together for your Christmas Party Menu Planning. Yet there are more and more of recipes to be added on which I haven't yet posted in my blog. Hopefully, I will add them soon and we will have it as another Christmas Party Menu Idea for next year.
CHRISTMAS PARTY MENU IDEAS :
Let's begin the Party with...
Cake & Wine
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| CAKE AND WINE |
FIRST COURSE :
Appetizers/Starters
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| APPETIZERS/STARTERS |
Serve the First Course with a choice of Starters from the list...
For more recipes on STARTERS/APPETIZERS, Click here...
SECOND COURSE :
APPAM -STEW /MALABAR PAROTTA WITH CURRIES
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| APPAM - STEW/ PAROTTA WITH CURRIES |
or
For more Recipes on Curries/Gravies, Click here...
THIRD COURSE :
GHEE RICE /CHICKEN MANDI WITH SIDE DISHES & RAITHAS
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GHEE RICE /CHICKEN MANDI WITH SIDE DISHES & RAITHAS |
For more Recipes on Flavoured Rice, Click here...
Flavoured Rice :
Side Dishes :
Raithas :
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RICE SERVED WITH FISH / SEAFOOD CURRY
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Christmas Party in a Kerala Style without Rice served with Fish Curry, Fish Fries, Prawns Masala or any Seafood speciality is considered to be totally incomplete. Serve your choice of Steamed Rice - Kerala Rose Matta Rice/Par-boiled Rice/Basmati Rice.
For more Sea Food Recipes, Click here...
Finish off the rice with Moru Curry/Rasam/Curd(Yogurt), which would aid in digestion.
MORU CURRY/RASAM
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| MORU CURRY & RASAM |
Finish of the course of Rice with Moru Curry/Rasam. Serve a cup of Curd(Yogurt)/Buttermilk along with these dishes. No Indian meal is complete without a smidgen of Pickle and crunchy appetizers like Appalam/Pappadam or Vadagam. Moru Curry/Rasam/Curd/Buttermilk is served to complete the meal and also helps in digestion.
For more Rasam Varieties, Click here...
FIFTH COURSE :
Desserts :
PUDDINGS/SWEETS
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| PUDDINGS & SWEETS |
Finish of the Menu with your choice of Pudding/Sweets :
For more recipes on DESSERTS, Click here...
I have tried to round up the best Christmas Menu, specially from my collection. From Home-made Wine & traditional Fruit Cake, Appetizers to the Desserts - treat everyone's palate to the happiest with these special recipes. What's a celebration without good food!
Wishing you all a
MERRY CHRISTMAS & A HAPPY NEW YEAR !!!
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