Need some Christmas brunch inspiration?

Whether you’re planning a large family lunch for Christmas or a small brunch with friends, we’ve got a few alternatives to traditional Christmas dishes.

ALSO READ: South African Christmas dinner traditions

Vegetarian:
Starter: Cheesy quesadillas with guacamole (you can load it with chillies, spinach or other veg), mini spinach quiches or a platter with cheese, fruits and crackers.

Main: Nut roast – a hearty dish filled with fruits, vegetables and herbs. Try these recipes https://pennysrecipes.com/12365/nut-roast-lentils and https://www.jamieoliver.com/recipes/vegetables-recipes/incredible-nut-roast/.

For sides: whole roasted cauliflower, Beetroot and Feta salad and grated butternut and pineapple salad.

Dessert: Chocolate brownies, mini no-bake cheesecakes, fresh fruit salad or pancakes with chocolate or orange syrup. (All accompanied by ice cream or fresh cream)

Load-shedding:
Main: Variety of cold meats, cheeses and quiches with coleslaw, pumpkin fritters in syrup, potato salad, canned peaches mixed with piccalilli, beetroot and watermelon salad.

Dessert: A variety of chocolate truffels, Peppermint crisp tart or dessert in a glass (place layers of fruit, crushed cookies, chocolate, caramel, cream or any other favourite ingredients in a glass).

Braai:
Starter: Button mushrooms on a skewer, cherries wrapped with bacon or mini-sosaties.

Main: Braai pie with your choice of filling (steak and mushroom, creamy chicken or bacon, mince and chilli), sticky chicken wings, Steak with a cheese, wine or pepper sauce, foil parcels with carrots, potatoes and butternut, paptert with bacon and cheese.

Dessert: Malvapudding in a potjie, marshmallows and chocolate on sticks or Jan Braai’s Chocolate risotto (https://braai.com/recipes/chocolaterisotto/).