A Fresh Take on Gogo’s Traditions Without the Stress
This Christmas, blend cherished traditions with bold, modern flavors to create a memorable feast with a local twist. Wayne Blake, Cluster General Manager at ANEW Hotels and Resorts, shares how to elevate classic festive dishes into show-stopping meals that are easy to prepare, budget-friendly, and undeniably delicious.
The Sweet Heat of Hot Honey
Hot honey, the culinary trend of the season, adds a “sweet heat” to almost anything. Infuse honey with chili flakes and freshly ground black pepper to create a versatile glaze. Drizzle it over glazed gammon, baked Camembert, roasted veggies, or even use it as a dip for phyllo pastry parcels. Want more? It’s divine poured over crispy chicken wings for a festive starter.
Starters to Get the Party Going
Chakalaka Hummus
Add a proudly South African twist to hummus by blending chakalaka with chickpeas. Serve this spicy, vibrant dip with pita chips and fresh veggies for a colorful and refreshing appetizer.
Pap Cakes with Spicy Tomato Chutney
Transform leftover pap into crispy pap cakes with a tangy tomato-chili chutney filling.
How to Make It:
- Shape cooled stywe pap into muffin tray molds, leaving a hollow center for the chutney.
- For the chutney, simmer onions, tomatoes, chili flakes, ginger powder, crushed pineapple, sugar, and red wine vinegar for 45 minutes.
- Fill the pap cups and bake until warmed through.
These crispy bites are perfect for snacking!
Festive Mains with a Twist
Grilled Fish with Citrus Chilli Caramel
Skip the gammon and opt for grilled fish, ideal for the South African summer. Drizzle with a citrus chili caramel sauce made from golden caramel, lime juice, chili flakes, and lime zest. This dish is light, refreshing, and full of flavor.
Cape Bobotie Ravioli
Reimagine South Africa’s beloved bobotie as a ravioli filling paired with a creamy coconut curry sauce. This fusion dish combines the comforting spices of bobotie with an Italian twist, delivering a unique festive treat.
Gammon with Pineapple Chilli Salsa
For traditionalists, gammon gets an upgrade with pineapple chili salsa. Caramelized pineapple chunks, red onion, coriander, and red chili come together in a vibrant salsa that adds a tropical kick to your centerpiece.
Desserts That Dazzle
Pumpkin Spice Milk Tart
Take the beloved milk tart up a notch with warm pumpkin spice. Infuse the milk with cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, and allspice for a festive, aromatic dessert.
Trifle with a Tropical Twist
Swap canned fruit cocktail for fresh mango and passion fruit. Use crushed coconut or vanilla biscuits as the base and layer with whipped cream folded with melted white chocolate. Add toasted coconut flakes for crunch and a sprinkle of ginger or chili flakes for an unexpected zing.
Fried Lamington & Koe’sister Donuts with Hot Honey Sauce
Turn traditional koe’sisters into lamington-inspired donuts, deep-fried and rolled in coconut. Drizzle them with hot honey sauce for a sticky, sweet treat.
Hot Honey Sauce Recipe:
Combine honey, chili flakes, and apple cider vinegar. Warm gently to combine flavors before drizzling over the freshly fried donuts.
This Christmas, transform your festive menu with these exciting ideas, keeping the essence of Gogo’s traditions while wowing your guests. With these simple, gourmet tweaks, you can enjoy a stress-free and upscale celebration that’s both nostalgic and novel.
