The stockings are pinned, the trees are all decked up, the North Pole is going crazy while your kitchens are in a big mess. ‘Tis the season of joy and what better way to celebrate it than enjoy a flawless Insta-awing, palate quenching and the most soulful meal you’ve ever savoured? If you’ve been spending days in the kitchen to woo your loved ones with yummy food on the big day while the onion prices sore skyrocket high, giving you no room for trial and error, then stop worrying and pick up your ladles. It’s time to embark on the journey of exploring the ultimate culinary satisfaction with these specially curated recipes for you! We wish you a Merry Christmas! This year try something different and off beat and sass up your festive quotient!
Feliz Navidad: Christmas Cocktail
Clubbing your classic dinner with a bottle of fancy wine is a bit old fashion. Christmas is all about colours and this drink gives the perfect red vibe with extravagant taste. Giving you a twist of a modern touch to our good old Christmas spirit is what makes this year’s festivities even better.
Ingredients
l50 ml vodka
l30ml triple sec mixed
l20ml fresh lime
lTopped with 90ml cranberry juice and Ice
Method
Add Vodka and triple sec syrup in a cocktail glass.
Add cranberry juice with fresh lime juice and stir it well. Add ice cubes and serve.
—By Ricky Jana
Rum and raisin pannacotta with jaggery
This recipe is perfect for Christmas celebration as it has loads of dry fruits and a hint of rum which is a must for a Christmas treat.
Ingredients
60 gm raisins soaked for at least an hour in 4 spoons of Spiced rum
225 gm of double cream
100 full cream milk
1 vanilla pod split in half seeds removed but retained.
2 tbsp Jaggery
2 tsp of spiced rum
3 sheets of leaf gelatin
Cold water
Edible flora
1 Cinnamon roll
Method
Soften the leaf gelatin in warm water
Heat the milk, jaggery, and vanilla in a small pan till it reaches a simmering point.
Turn off the heat
Take the gelatin out of water and squeeze dry then add to the cream mix and stir in well till it melts
Add the rum
Strain the mixture through a small fine sieve to remove the vanilla
Pour it into a champagne saucer
Put in the fridge to set for 2 hours covering it with cling film
Add the soaked raisins, edible flora and a cinnamon roll
— By Chef Tarun Sibal
Sun Dried Tomato Pesto Bites
It’s time to give rest to the classic good old quiches and tarts. Sun Dried Tomato Pesto Bites are easy to make but look and taste impressive, a combo is perfect for any party appetizer, especially during the holidays.
Ingredients
30 mini Pastry cups
225 gms of reduced fat cream cheese
1/2 cup plain non-fat Greek yogurt
1/2 cup prepared pesto
1/2 cup diced olive-oil
2/3 cup sun dried tomatoes
1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese Chopped fresh basil or parsley, for garnish
Method
In a mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese and Greek yogurt until smooth. Beat in the pesto until evenly combined, then on low speed, add 2/3 of the sun dried tomatoes and Parmesan and beat just until blended.
Pipe or dollop the pesto filling into each pastry Cups, then transfer to a serving plate. Top with the remaining sundried tomatoes and chopped parsley or basil. Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to four hours.
—By Chef Sidharth Sharma
