There is always something special about all the little details that go into the festive table layout and togetherness of a sit down meal with family and friends at Christmas.
To help you plan that perfect festive lunch or dinner, the chefs at Capsicum Culinary Studio – South Africa’s largest culinary school with six campuses nationwide – have provided recipes for a couple of side dishes to go with that roast turkey or glazed ham.
They also recommend a festive salad wreath as well as a Pavlova dessert wreath, both of which would make stunning centrepieces for your table.
Hasselback Potatoes
Ingredients
1.5kg potatoes
4 tbsp vegetable oil
4 garlic cloves, minced
Sprigs of rosemary
sea salt flakes
Method
Heat oven to 200ºC. Use a metal skewer and insert through the back of one of the flatter sides of the potato. Place on a chopping board, skewer-side down, and make thin slices through the potato taking care not to cut all the way through on both ends. Remove the skewer and repeat with the remaining potatoes. Put the potatoes cut-side up on a shallow baking tray and drizzle over the oil making sure they are coated well and there is oil between the slices. Toss in the minced garlic, rosemary, and season well. Roast for 50 – 60 or until the potatoes are tender throughout and the tops are golden and crisp. Baste with any oil in the pan halfway through the cooking process to get extra crisp potatoes.
Best Brussels Sprouts
Ingredients
450g Brussels sprouts, cleaned and halved
2 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
125ml balsamic vinegar
2 tbsp honey
1 tbsp Dijon mustard
2 cloves garlic, minced
Salt and pepper
Method
Heat oil in a large pan over medium heat then add the Brussels sprouts, cut side down and cook undisturbed for 3 to 4 minutes until golden on the bottom. Add ¼ cup water and cover. Let Brussels sprouts steam until tender (3 minutes). Remove sprouts and set aside. In the same pan, add the balsamic vinegar, honey, mustard and garlic and whisk to combine. Bring to a simmer and cook until thick and syrupy (6 – 8 minutes). Return sprouts to pan, toss to coat, and heat through for about 2 minutes. Season with salt and pepper and serve immediately.
Festive Salad Wreath
Ingredients
75g walnuts, broken into pieces
130g bag mixed green salad leaves
3 pears, peeled, cored and sliced
250g blue cheese, crumbled
50g pomegranate seeds
For the dressing
3 tbsp white wine vinegar
1 tbsp runny honey
1 tsp wholegrain mustard
2 tbsp olive oil
Method
Heat a large dry frying pan, then add walnut pieces. Toast for 3-5min, shaking pan until the walnuts smell toasted. Tip into a bowl and set aside to cool. In a small serving bowl, whisk the dressing ingredients with some salt and freshly ground black pepper. Set aside.
On a large board or platter, arrange salad leaves in a round wreath shape. Place the slices of pear in and amongst the leaves and scatter over the cheese. Sprinkle the pomegranate seeds and toasted, cooled walnut pieces. Place the bowl of dressing in the centre of the wreath.
Pavlova Wreath
Ingredients
6 egg whites (at room temperature)
2 cups caster sugar
1 tsp white vinegar
2 tsp cornflour
600ml double cream, whipped
Fresh summer berries and mint leaves for garnish
Berry coulis to drizzle
Method
Preheat oven to 110ºC. Place baking paper on an oven tray and using a suitable plate as a guide, draw a 24cm circle in the middle of it and a 12cm circle in the middle of that. This will act as a guide for your wreath. Turn the baking paper over so the drawn circle is underneath but still visible. In a large bowl or in the bowl beat the egg whites on moderate speed until soft peaks form. Continue beating while adding the caster sugar, about a tablespoon at a time. The mixture should become glossier and thicker with each addition. This should take about 10 minutes. Beat in the vinegar and cornflour. Using a large spoon, dollop the mixture onto the baking paper in between the two circles. Slightly level the top so that it creates a flattish surface to add the cream on later. Bake for approximately 90 minutes until dry and crisp and it lifts easily off the baking paper. Turn the oven off and leave the pavlova in the oven for at least an hour before removing. Finish cooling on a wire rack. Once completely cool, place on a serving plate, top with whipped cream and garnish with fresh summer berries. Drizzle over the coulis and then add the mint leaves as a finishing touch.
