The festive season is all about gathering, sharing, and making magical, lasting memories. And, let’s be honest, nothing brings people together quite like food.
In fact, Paul Meyer, group food and beverage development manager at First Group Hotels and Resorts, says, “For me, the festive season isn’t about gifts.
It’s about being together. Good food brings people around a table, and those moments stay with you long after the dishes are done.”
As a result, he is sharing two of First Group’s delicious, tried-and-tested recipes; perfect for South Africa’s sunny December days.
Summer salad
This crisp salad is a sensory explosion with loads of different flavours and textures.
Serves: 6
Preparation time: 10 Minutes
Ingredients:
- 2 bags mixed baby salad leaves (add microgreens if you have)
- 1 bunch of beetroot, cooked and cleaned
- 300g Parma Ham
- 1 bag ready-made croutons (or make your own crunchy croutons by cutting sliced white bread into 1.5cm cubes and frying them in hot oil until golden brown)
- 100g pine kernels, toasted
Dressing:
- 100ml Olive oil
- 25ml Balsamic Vinegar
- 2 cloves garlic, crushed
Method:
1. Arrange the salad leaves on a large serving platter. Slice the beetroot into ½cm-thick rounds and arrange them over the salad leaves.
2. Arrange the Parma Ham among the other ingredients, then sprinkle the croutons and pine kernels over the top.
3. Dressing: Mix the olive oil with the balsamic vinegar, then add the crushed garlic and mix well.
Low-fat crouton option: Slice white bread into 1.5cm cubes and place in a baking tray. Bake at 180°C until golden brown.
Sweetcorn bake
Nothing beats a family braai over the festive season. Here is a great side dish for the braai that will have people forget to eat the braai meat.
Serves: 4 (double up for more)
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Baking time: 30–40 minutes
Ingredients:
- 1 x 410g creamed sweetcorn
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 200ml grated cheddar cheese (±80g)
- 1 egg, beaten
- 30ml cake flour
- 10ml baking powder
- 3ml cayenne pepper
Method:
1. Place sweetcorn in a mixing bowl and mix with onion, half the cheese (±40g) and the egg.
2. Sift flour, baking powder and cayenne pepper together and add to the sweetcorn mixture.
3. Mix to a runny batter and pour into a greased ovenproof dish. Sprinkle remaining cheese over and bake in a preheated oven at 180°C for 30–40 minutes, or until golden brown.
“These recipes are best served in the company of loved ones, so slow down, spend the time, and celebrate the festivities this December with good food and good cheer,” Meyer concludes.
