Treat the family to an ‘eggciting’ Christmas in July feast

Hands up, who loves Christmas? Hands up, who hates waiting six months to put up the tree, bring out the gifts and indulge in a delicious family feast?

Good thing then that we have Christmas in July, a fun little tradition of celebrating the silliness of the season in the middle of the year when all those hot meals (and festive egg favourites) make sense to us in the southern hemisphere.

The origins of Christmas in July are disputed. But whatever its roots, the idea of a mid-year festive holiday has taken hold in many countries, where celebrated on July 12 or 25.

In South Africa, in the throes of winter, it is the ideal time to enjoy all those Christmas staples that would not find a place on our December holiday table.

Let’s be honest, we have inherited many global customs woven into the tapestry of our rainbow nation, but they are not always appropriate for our climate.

That includes festive dishes like roasted turkey, beef or gammon, stuffing, beef Wellington, Yorkshire puddings, roast potatoes, rice and gravy, and the veggies Brussels sprouts, broccoli and carrots, finished off with Christmas pud and brandy butter or custard for dessert, and a little eggnog on the side.

In many of these dishes, eggs are the star of the show. Yorkshire puddings, hot custard and eggnog are nothing without egg.

That deliciously brown Wellington crust needs an egg wash. And the secret ingredient in the best stuffing ever is an egg.

Eggs are affordable and make perfect Christmas Day treats for any time of the day (or year) and any meal.

Breakfast, brunch, lunch, supper, dessert and warm drinks are perfectly at home with eggs.

The best of British and Mzansi combined into some truly colourful dishes for a Christmas in July menu.

First is a Yorkshire pudding with boerewors and tomato. This is an egg and boerie traybake, but the base is made in the traditional Yorkshire pud way for a festive touch.

The second dish is potato and cabbage hash cakes with fried egg, like the customary Boxing Day bubble and squeak dishes, which can be made with leftover vegetables.

If you’re home for the holidays, surprise the children with a Christmas in July spread. Don’t forget to add all the trimmings (and affordable eggs).

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Egg and boerewors traybake

Serves 4 – 6

Preparation time: 10 minutes

Cooking time: 30 – 40 minutes

Total time: 50 minutes

Ingredients

For the batter

• 140g plain flour

• 4 large eggs, beaten

• 200ml full cream milk

• Salt and pepper, to taste

For the filling

• 6 thin boerewors sausages

• 15-30ml (1-2 tbsp) olive oil for drizzling

• 200g colourful cocktail tomatoes or cherry tomatoes on the vine

• Salt and pepper, to taste

• 200g baby button mushrooms

• 2 fresh rosemary sprigs, finely chopped

• 2-4 eggs

• 100g Feta cheese crumbled

• 15g flat-leaf parsley, chopped

Pesto to garnish (optional)

Method

1. Start by making the batter. Whisk the flour and 4 beaten eggs in a bowl until smooth. Gradually add the milk, whisking until smooth. Season with salt and pepper and set aside.

2. Heat the oven to 200°C. Place the sausages in a deep roasting pan, drizzle over them some olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Roast for 15 minutes to colour lightly. Add the tomatoes and mushrooms to the pan, sprinkle over the chopped rosemary and season again to taste.

3. Increase the oven to 220°C. Return the pan to the oven for 10 minutes, remove and carefully pour in the batter. Take care as the fat could splatter. Put the pan back into the oven for 25-30 minutes, until the batter is puffed up and golden brown.

4. Crack the remaining eggs into low spots in the Yorkshire pudding and return the pan to the oven for 6-8 minutes or until the egg whites are set, but the yolks are still runny. Remove and sprinkle over the crumbled feta and garnish with flat-leaf parsley. Drizzle over the pesto and serve immediately while hot.

Potato and cabbage hash cakes with a fried egg

Use any leftover vegetables and potatoes to make this dish. Roast veggies and smashed sweet potato make a delicious combo! Diced ham or cooked bacon can also be added. This recipe makes a quick and economical dinner that is satisfying and tasty.

Serves 4

Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 20 minutes
Total time: 30 minutes

Ingredients

• 3 cooked medium potatoes or boiled baby potatoes (about 325g)

• 325g cooked cabbage (or any leftover veggies)

• 2 eggs, beaten

• 15-30ml (1 -2 tbsp) curry powder

• Olive oil for frying

• 2-4 fresh eggs

To serve

• Cucumber riata (optional – plain yoghurt with chopped cucumber)

• Chilli oil (optional)

• Atchar

• Fresh coriander

Method

1. Place the cooked potatoes on a chopping board and roughly cut them up. Add the other cooked vegetables and roughly chop them up. Place all into a bowl, add the eggs and curry and mix well. Divide the mixture into 4 and roughly shape into 4 patty-shaped cakes.

2. Heat a splash of oil in a frying pan and fry the cakes for about 8-10 minutes, turning once, until golden and crispy. Set aside.

3. Fry the eggs in the pan according to your liking. Serve fried eggs on top of the hash cakes, with a dollop of raita and drizzled with chilli oil and achar. Garnish with coriander.