Christmas in July menu

Well, if you love the idea of a cold weather Christmas, then for us Southern Hemisphere dwellers, July is the season to be merry. Take a look at the recipes suggested for a three course ‘Christmas in July’ meal below.

To drink: glühwein

Image sourced from www.jamieoliver.com

Glühwein, also known as mulled wine, is a warm, traditional German drink that is enjoyed at Christmas Markets or after skiing sessions.
The secret to delicious Glühwein is the correct mixture and ratio of red wine, cinnamon sticks, sugar, oranges and cloves. Check out Jamie Oliver’s mulled wine Christmas in a glass recipe.

For starters: thick, creamy soup

A thick and creamy butternut soup (with a hint of chilli) is easy to make and freeze ahead of time, which takes some pressure off in the kitchen on the day. Butternut soup with a pinch of cumin is particularly fantastic, as the root vegetable and cumin prepare your palate for the roast to come. For extra flavour, try roasting your vegetables in honey before blitzing them into this silky smooth soup. Sprinkle your soup with croutons or even pumpkin seeds for some added crunch.

For mains: classic roast beef

Image sourced from www.marthastewart.com

Time to move on to the main: a good old-fashioned, tender beef roast. When selecting your cut, prime rib, standing rib roast and beef tenderloin are great for special occasions. They only need a simple seasoning rub to add to their already existing flavours.

For golden brown, crispy roast potatoes, add some parboiled potatoes to your roasting tray. These will soak up all the delicious pan juices for extra tastiness.
You may choose to use Martha Stewart’s recipe for prime rib and oven roasted potatoes with sage and bay leaves.

The Piece de Resistance: Warm, Chocolate Pudding

Image sourced from www.bbcgoodfood.com

End off your Christmas in July with the chocolate fondant. This is a rich, chocolatey pudding with a crunchy top and gooey, soft interior. It’s recommended with ice cream. But cooking timing is key here. Too short and your pudding will be more like a soup, too long and you’re left with a dry cake. Be warned and be careful.

If all this sounds like far too much work, effort and stress, you may decide to visit a nearby restaurant. Below are a few suggestions:

• In Cape Town, head to Eden on the Bay which overlooks Table Mountain and try out Cup ‘n Cake’s butternut soup.

• In Wilderness along the garden Route, check out Zucchini Restaurant, which offers the gravy-covered beef with Yorkshire pudding.

• In the Winelands, try out Stables Bistro Restaurant at the Vergelegen Vineyard for the gooiest chocolate fondant and award-winning wines while viewing the Hottentots Holland mountain range. The restaurant also displays the work of the local artists on its walls.

So, whether you’re dining at home or at a restaurant, grab your family, friends and Christmas jersey (so you don’t offend Aunty Beatrice) and make the most of this holiday season.