Christmas is approaching and households all over are preparing for their holiday feasts. It’s not surprising the significance of food during the festive period. This is something that is sure to bring people together to merry. There is always plenty to eat and drink.
Nigerian Christmas dishes are one made with a lot of heart, thereby adding that nostalgic element to it. However, there are certain recipe ideas that are yet to be explored to make the festivity more special.
News Round The Clock (NRTC) has curated some yummy Nigerian Christmas recipe ideas that will help you kick off the festive season.
1. Beef Fried Rice
This Beef fried rice is a one-pan dish that tastes great with vegetables like carrots, bell peppers, sweet corn and spring onions. The beef gives it a rich, delicate flavour and it is one popular option during the Christmas season. One could call it the sibling of the famous spicy jollof rice. This meal combines tender beef, cooked rice and mixed vegetables in a savoury sauce. You can add this to your meal plans this festive period.
2. Chicken Stir-fry Sauce
This sauce is a must-try for anyone who wishes to do something different this Christmas. This meal is packed with delicious veggies mixed in a variety of sauces. The chicken adds more depth of flavour and makes it more appetizing. It is so simple to make and tasty too.
3. Yam Gizdodo
This is an improvised version of the popular gizdodo. This meal is a delicious combination of fried yam, fried plantain and gizzard in tomato sauce. Who would have thought that yam could elevate this dish so well. This will go very well as an appetizer before diving into your main course. It is also a good idea to serve your guests because of its quick and easy nature.
4. Abacha (African Salad)
Abacha is one Nigerian cuisine that truly deserves its place in this list. Christmas will be more special when you add this garnished meal from the East to your meal plans. Abacha is made with shredded cassava and served with ring onioms, peppers and utazi leaves. You can serve as an appetizer or a main course. However you choose, it remains a healthy and delicious option.
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5. Ofada Rice and Stew
The Ofada rice is different from your conventional rice, being that some rice bran remains attached to the grain. However, its flavourful signature makes it a must-try for Christmas. Pairing with it is the Ofada stew, made from palm oil, fermented locust beans and bell peppers (optional). This is also not your conventional stew as it is packed with a reviving flavour that will draw you in for more. Try this and thank me later.
6. Plantain Pizza
Talking about Christmas morning recipes, then you should definitely try this Plantain Pizza. This dish is curated by placing fried plantains on top of an egg and tomato sauce mixture. You can choose to add some cheese to give that pizza feeling. You’re in for a treat with this one!
7. Grilled Fish
This easy grilled fish recipe is one that will melt the heart of your spouse or your family members in general. You don’t have to spend so much getting it from outside when you can quickly make it in the comfort of your home.
Using any fish of your choice, just wash thoroughly and marinate with salt and your tomato sauce. After grilling for about 20 minutes, serve with lime slices and plantain bites.
8. Asun Jollof Pasta
Who says you can’t enjoy some pasta on Christmas? Only if you can’t twist it to the MERRY-ment of the season. Thus, I present to you, this Asun Jollof Pasta, made from tasty goat meat pieces and a savoury tomato sauce. You can make it colourful with some red, yellow and green bell peppers because why not? It’s Christmas!!!
9. Efo Riro
There’s something about classic meals like the Efo Riro that makes the festive season more special. This is another dish to add to your Christmas menu. Efo Riro is a traditional vegetable soup, native to the Yoruba people of South West Nigeria. It is usually prepared with green vegetables like pumpkin leaves (ugu), waterleaf or spinach, palm oil, and assorted meats or fish. You can pair it with rice, pounded yam or any swallow of your choice.
10. Pasta Salad
You can also add this healthy but tasty option to your menu. For those of us that don’t like eating jollof rice without anything, you can add this to it as your coleslaw. You can choose to eat it the way it is as well. This recipe is a combination of macroni, veggies (cucumber, sweet corn, cabbage, carrot), onions, and your proteins (chicken) mixed in a salad dressing. Celebrate your Christmas with this nourishing meal.
11. Nigerian Pepper Soup
My fellow chilli lovers should gather here. What is Christmas in Nigeria without the one and only Pepper Soup. This spicy broth is an ocean of flavours, packed with any protein of choice. The ingredients consist of calabash nutmeg, cloves, African pepper and other spices. You can use goat meat, chicken or catfish. If you enjoy peppery foods, then this is for you.
12. Home-made Parfait
You can jolly this Christmas with some home-made parfait. All you need is your yoghurt (Greek prefarably), granola, fruits and nuts. You can use any fruit and nut of your choice. You don’t need too much to make a delicious parfait at home. Sweeten up your home with this addition your menu.
13. Nigerian Jollof Rice
Don’t worry, I didn’t forget about everyone’s all time favourite dish. Just saving best for last. No occassion, most especially Christmas, is complete without some spicy jollof rice on the menu. Popularly known for its vibrant colour and rich flavour, it is cooked in a mix of blended tomatoes, peppers and other aromatics. You can serve it with fried plantain, fried chicken, goat meat or fish and coleslaw. The secret to a delicious jollof rice is the quality of the meat or chicken stock used.
