Christmas 2021 is just around the corner, but the preparations have already started, and we can’t wait for the Christmas holidays to begin. That time of the year has come when the chilly air and festive tidings beckon us to jam around our room heaters, and we can't help but dream about wreaths hung on doors and old-fashioned fireplaces decorated with socks on the occasion of Christmas 2021. Moreover, who doesn’t like a lit Christmas tree with a big pile of gifts under it! Christmas, as we all know, is the Christian festival that celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ on December 25th.

Attending Midnight Mass with friends and family is a special tradition of Christmas where churches are decorated with candles and poinsettia flowers, especially for this important service. Later, there is a feast of different delicacies, which often includes biryani, after which gifts are exchanged.

A lot of exciting events like carol singing competitions, Christmas markets and fairs, etc usually leads to the main day. A number of bakeries and home bakers start stocking up on goodies, including cakes, cookies, and other desserts.

Traditions may change across the country, but at their heart lies food, and in a country as diverse as India, the food too is rich and wide-ranging. After all, who doesn’t like enjoying those delicious traditional Christmas food! The pandemic may dull the gatherings, but the food (and wine) are always there. Therefore, we can’t wait to talk about 6 mouth-watering delicacies that reflect the spirit of Christmas!

1.  Roast potatoes

Ingredients -

Red potatoes, cut into quarters

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

½ teaspoon dried rosemary, crushed

Preparation -

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F (250 degrees C).
• Place potatoes in a large roasting pan and toss with oil, salt, pepper, and rosemary until evenly coated. Spread out potatoes in a single layer.
• Bake in a preheated oven for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Serve immediately.

It’s no surprise that the crispy, crunchy roast potatoes are one of the most favourite special Christmas delicacies! Loved by all, this vegetarian side dish couldn’t be easier to make as the perfect side to your main Christmas special dish.

2. Eggnog

Ingredients -

4 Egg yolks

1/3 cup sugar, plus 1 tablespoon

1 pint whole milk

1 cup heavy cream

3 ounces bourbon

1 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg

4 egg whites

Preparation -

• In a bowl of a stand mixer, beat the egg yolks until they lighten in color. Gradually add the 1/3 cup sugar and continue to beat until it is completely dissolved. Add the milk, cream, bourbon and nutmeg and stir to combine.

• Place the egg whites in the bowl of a stand mixer and beat to soft peaks. With the mixer still running gradually add the 1 tablespoon of sugar and beat until stiff peaks form.
• Whisk the egg whites into the mixture. Chill and serve.

• In a medium saucepan, over high heat, combine the milk, heavy cream and nutmeg and bring just to a boil, stirring occasionally. Remove from the heat and gradually temper the hot mixture into the egg and sugar mixture. Then return everything to the pot and cook until the mixture reaches 160 degrees F. Remove from the heat, stir in the bourbon, pour into a medium mixing bowl, and set in the refrigerator to chill.

Eggnog is a sweetened, chilled, rich, dairy-based beverage. It is traditionally made with milk, sugar, cream, whipped egg whites, and egg yolks. This simple egg and milk punch is enjoyed on Christmas Eve as a chilled drink. Also, people in many countries prefer adding distilled spirits like brandy, rum, whisky and bourbon to eggnog.

3. Plum Cake

Ingredients -

1 cup butter

1 1/2 cup sugar

6 Eggs

125 gms almonds, chopped

2 tsp vanilla essence

2 1/2 cups mixed fruits (sultanas, raisins, candied peels and cherries), chopped

2 cups refined flour

An 8 inch round cake tin, lined with a double layer of grease-proof or brown paper at the bottom and on the sides.

Preparation -

• Mix the chopped fruit and almonds with 2 Tbsp of the maida and keep aside.
• Cream butter, sugar, eggs and vanilla together.
• Fold in the flour and then the fruit mixture.
• Transfer mixture into the prepared tin and bake in a pre-heated oven for 30-40 minutes.

Plum cake, also known as fruit cake, refers to a wide range of cakes that are made with either dried fruit (such as currants, prunes, or raisins) or with fresh fruit. The one that we traditionally prepare during Christmas is made using candied or dried fruits, nuts and also a number of warming spices. You can also try adding dried fruits and nuts to the cake batter after soaking them in spirits like rum.

4. Mulled Wine

Ingredients -

Wine

Brandy

Fresh Oranges

Cinnamon

Mulling Spices

Sweetner

Preparation -

• Combine all ingredients in a saucepan and give them a quick stir.

• Heat until the wine almost reaches a simmer over medium-high heat. (Avoid letting it bubble in any way. Alcohol begins to vaporize at 172°F, so take care to ensure that the wine does not evaporate.) Reduce heat to low, cover completely, and let the wine simmer for at least 15 minutes or up to 3 hours.

• Using a fine mesh strainer, remove and discard the orange slices, cloves, cinnamon sticks, star anise and ginger.

• Give the mulled wine a taste, and stir in your desired amount of extra sweetener if needed.
• Serve warm in heat proof mugs, topped with your favorite garnishes.

Also known as spiced wine, Mulled wine is another delicacy that reflects the spirit of Christmas. It is a traditional drink during winter, especially around Christmas. Mulled Wine is prepared using red wine and a number of mulling spices like cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, star anise, etc. Served hot, this alcoholic beverage helps you tackle the winter chill! However, don’t worry if you are a teetotaller as these days the non-alcoholic versions of the wine are also available for you to enjoy in Christmas 2021.

5. Christmas Fudge

Ingredients -

2 3/4 c. chocolate chips

1 (14-oz.) can sweetened condensed milk

2 tbsp. heavy cream

4 tbsp. butter

1 tsp. pure vanilla extract

1/4 tsp. kosher salt

3 tbsp. Christmas sprinkles

Preparation

• Mix butter, sugar and milk.
• Heat the mixture to the soft-ball stage at 240 °F (115 °C).
• Beating the mixture while it cools is the next step. This is done for it to acquire a smooth, creamy consistency.
• Pour into a pan.
• Top with sprinkles and refrigerate until set, 2 hours. Cut into squares to serve.

On the Christmas dessert table, fudge holds its own next to pies and cakes.

6. Roast Chicken

Ingredients -

1 (3 pound) whole chicken, giblets removed

salt and black pepper to taste

1 tablespoon onion powder, or to taste

½ cup margarine, divided

1 stalk celery, leaves removed

Preparation -

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

• Place chicken in a roasting pan, and season generously inside and out with salt and pepper. Sprinkle inside and out with onion powder. Place 3 tablespoons margarine in the chicken cavity. Arrange dollops of the remaining margarine around the chicken's exterior. Cut the celery into 3 or 4 pieces, and place in the chicken cavity.

• Bake uncovered 1 hour and 15 minutes in the preheated oven, to a minimum internal temperature of 180 degrees F (82 degrees C). Remove from heat, and baste with melted margarine and drippings. Cover with aluminum foil, and allow to rest about 30 minutes before serving.

Moist, juicy on the inside, tasty and packed full of flavours, how can your Christmas dinner table go without a perfectly roasted chicken until the skin turns golden! This roast chicken has to be a sure winner on your table. After all, how can this list of special Christmas dishes and Christmas delicacies be complete without adding a tender roasted chicken onto it!

Did your favourite Christmas food make it to the list? If not, then you try making some of these Christmas delicacies above. You never know, amongst these you may find your favourite!