CHRISTMAS MENU IDEAS
Published Dec 20, 2016
Updated Sep 26, 2018
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Christmas is in 5 days! Years ago, this is that season when I get new clothes aka “krismos close”. And if I’m lucky, I get some new shoes too. AND it is that time when I cook and eat a lot. I love Christmas menus! I remember the flavour of well-spiced chicken oozing out of my mother’s pot. Ahh! And earth-shattering jollof rice! Cakes! All sorts of foodie goodies! Christmas has always been a time when many try to cook their best meals.
However, thinking and planning about what to cookย is not quite the easiest thing in the world. That’s where I come in! I have put together a list of ideas to help you cook the most delicious meals, avoid slaving in the kitchen on Christmas day (very important) and basically just how to make the best out of that day.
My menu plan includes a suggestion of breakfast ideas. Because, Christmas breakfast in my opinion, has to be special. My list also includes mouth-watering appetisers and main dishes. It includes ideas for salads and of course, desserts! All you need to do is click on the ones that appeal to you so you can see the full recipes and print them out if you like. As the age-old adage says, failing to plan is planning to fail. I’ll urge you not to leave anything to chance. Make a solid plan. It could change but know exactly what you will want to cookย for your own sanity.
Some things you should do before Christmas day
–Three days before, make all marinades. I like making my spice blends which I will use for my meat, fish, chicken or complete meals well ahead of time, about three days before which means you should go make some now. My typical spice blend will include garlic, ginger, celery, parsley, basil and onions. Other things I could throw in include, rosemary, thyme, green onions, white pepper and leeks. It really depends on what I have at home and what I will be cooking. You could store your marinade in a fridge or if that’s not possible for you, pour vegetable oil on top and store in an airtight container, the day before instead of three days before.
–Four days before, make all snacks and cookies. In typical Cameroonian traditionย Chin Chin, (a crunchy snack that tastes like cake) is usually made days before Christmas.
–The day before, marinade all the meat and fish you will use, cover them and store in a fridge. This makes them extra tasty because they get a chance to soak in and absorb all those flavours!
–The day before, make every pastry dough for snacks such as meat or fish pie and store in the fridge. I love making the pies fresh on the day they are eaten so making the dough before really makes things go faster. However, if you do not care for freshly made pies, make them the day before. That’s if you’ll be making any savoury pies (which I think you should!)
–The day before, thaw any frozen meat or fish you want to use. If you are using anything big like a massive turkey, you will need to start thawing it at least three days before.
Now let’s look at a wide range of dishes you could make for Christmas. Remember, all you have to do is click on the ones that appeal to you most and tadaaa you will find the recipes.
Special Christmas Breakfast
Make-Ahead Snacks
Christmas Appetisers
Main Dishes
- Coconut Fried Rice
- Poulet DG (Fried Plantains and Chicken)
- Eru
- Ndole
- Jollof Rice
- Grilled Fish
- Roasted Whole Chicken
- Fried Rice
- Pepper Soup
- Khati Khati (Smoky Spicy Chicken) and Corn Fufu
Desserts
Salads
Drinks
What I will make
I have included my own menu for you so you can have an idea about how to build yours. I plan on waking up very early on the day to finish with cooking so I can spend lots of quality time with my family. I do not want to be caught up with so much cooking that I miss the essence of Christmas. It’s all about Jesus! I urge you to keep it simple. Do not overwork yourself. If you have company coming over, start doing the work now. Also, avoid choosing meals that will take a long time to accomplish.
I hope this list makes the whole Christmas cooking thing easier for you. If you have any questions, ask below and I will gladly answer.
Merry Christmas!
Love that menu! Looks so good. Planning the cooking before a party is so wise. I recently had a small party and doing the prep a few days before saved me from the ‘feeling of impending doom’ I’ll have had if I had not done the work. I still need to make coconut fried rice though
Lol at impending doom.
Planning and prepping ingredients before hand really helps.
Thank you Precious Core, your Christmas menu ideas have been so helpful to me.
You’re most welcome, Marceline.
Yummy ? dishes Precious, that one on fruit salad, nice idea. I wouldn’t only settle for coleslaw on salad tins. And perhaps I’ll do coconut fried rice too for a change. Pls check your Maaaaail. Thanktchu
Thanks dear. Fruit salad is awesome.
I have seen your mail and I’ll respond to it soon.
Hey Pre,
Thanks for the tip.
I’m keeping it simple this year. Work has been crazy and i’m exhausted. My friend had to make chin chin for her home and mind to save me from my kids thinking their mama is not ….
my menu:
Entree
cole slaw
main dishes
fried rice
grilled chicken/dodo/tomatoes sauce with lots of veggies
dessert
coconut cake
fruit salad
Et voila. Man wey no want chop leave am
Happy happy oh Pre
Lol at man wey no chop!
How dem no go chop all dat fine chop so??
I am sooo “langaring” over the coconut cake.
Everything on your menu is on point.
Thank God for your friend!
Hi Precious, I love your strength and passion.Your African delicacies are so yummy.I love cooking and being a Cameroonian we love to eat back home food and I want to learn something new from you.With Baking am not really good at, but I want to take a challenge and bake yogurt cake and make coconut rice which I’ve never done this season cos I learn everyday.Merry Christmas,Permit to call you Preshy cos that’s the name of my best friend.I Will follow your recipes and give you feedback.Stay blessed,Regards Marie.
Your comment warms my heart, Marie.
Please let me know how the yogurt cake and coconut rice turn out.
And yes, you can call me Preshy.
Merry Christmas, dear.
Thanks so much for this Presh, I already bookmarked coconut fried rice and would make coleslaw as well.
You’re most welcome, dear. Coconut fried rice and coleslaw are awesome choices!
Great! I like to try out new recipes, definitely going to try yours,
Please let me know it goes, Hilda.
Cheers
Precious!!!! Precious!!! You just saved me from a christmas mishap. I’d been at a loss at what to cook on xmas day. I’m off to the market with the ingredients list. As we Paysans say: “Mary Christmas..Happy happy”. Hahahahaha. Thanks a lot
Hahahaha happy happy!!
Your comment made me smile a lot.
Enjoy your shopping, dear.
Thanks for the menu ideas Precious and hints and time saving.Will try to apply some but for some of us who work the graveyard shift, it’s gonna be tough.Merry Christmas to you and yours
You’re welcome, Anita!
Hope you are able to get everything together.
Merry Christmas, dear.
Thankyou Precious for the amazing dish choices,tips,tricks and advice.merry christmas in advance to you and your amazing family.much love!!!
Much love back at ya, Dominika.
I love reading from you.
Merry Christmas, dear.