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Rice is no longer a luxury food reserved for Christmas celebrations; it has become a staple food in many households. In fact, some people joke that they eat rice so frequently, it’s likely to start growing out of their heads!
Personally, I find fried rice to be a more economical and convenient option than cooking white rice with stew. I often whip up a batch of fried rice on any given day.
Are you, like me, already feeling a bit rice-weary before Christmas even arrives? If so, here are a few delicious alternative dishes you can make to add some excitement to your Christmas celebration.
Spoiler Alert! There’s no swallow or morsel food on this list.
Potato or yam balls
Why not shake things up with a unique dessert idea – sweet potato balls! Ditch the traditional cakes and pies, and opt for a sweet and crispy treat instead as your Christmas dessert.To make these scrumptious bites, simply boil sweet potatoes, mash them, and then coat them with flour and eggs.
You can either fry them for a crunchy exterior or bake them for a softer texture.To take your sweet potato balls to the next level, try boiling the sweet potatoes in chicken stock instead of plain water. This will infuse them with a rich, savory flavor that will perfectly balance their natural sweetness.
Boiled plantain and garden egg sauce with chicken
A culinary call-out to the people of Edo! This beloved dish is a staple in the Edo cuisine and deserves a rating of 10/10. Not only is it packed with nutrients, but it also showcases the richness of local ingredients. This dish can be your main Christmas dish.
At its core, this dish consists of boiled plantains paired with a flavorful garden egg sauce. It’s a must-try that should be on every food enthusiast’s list!
Garden eggs, known by various names across Nigeria’s diverse cultures – “igba” in Yoruba, “anara” in Igbo, and “dawadawa” in Hausa – are typically a vegetable with a naturally savory flavor profile.
However, to create a delicious garden egg sauce, you’ll need to use ripened garden eggs, which are boiled and pounded to bring out their unique flavor.
For the carbohydrate component, unripe plantains take center stage. But the real magic happens when you combine the garden egg sauce with chicken, elevating the dish to a whole new level of flavor and satisfaction.
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Chicken yam porridge
It’s time to think outside the box and repurpose that trusty chicken stock you normally reserve for jollof rice, fried rice, or stew. Why not use it as the foundation for a mouth-watering yam pottage instead?
Imagine the rich flavors of your chicken stock infusing into tender yams as they boil to perfection. Po-po- po- to-to-to
The result is a delectable twist on traditional yam pottage that’s sure to tantalize your taste buds.
To elevate your yam pottage to a whole new level, you’ll be introducing chunks of juicy chicken meat into the mix. Here’s the twist: you’ll add these chicken chunks after you’ve mashed the yam, allowing the flavors to meld together beautifully.
But that’s not all – feel free to get creative with your toppings! Consider adding some vibrant green peas, sliced carrots, or diced green peppers to give your chicken yam pottage a burst of color and added flavor.
Stir-fry spaghetti
A very perfect Christmas meal alternative! Stir-fry spaghetti earns its spot on this list due to its exceptional flavor and nutritional profile. What sets it apart from traditional spaghetti is the vibrant array of vegetables that are incorporated into the dish, adding texture, flavor, and visual appeal.
Unless you’re planning to feed a large crowd with hearty appetites, which might make the cost of pasta prohibitive, there’s no reason not to consider this delightful and satisfying option as one of your Christmas dishes.
To create the perfect stir-fry spaghetti dish, consider investing in a high-quality, durable spaghetti brand that can withstand the stir-frying process.
Take your dish to the next level by adding protein-packed grilled chicken and a colorful medley of vegetables, such as peas, carrots, and green peppers. This will not only add texture and flavor but also provide a nutritious and well-rounded meal.
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