Christmas month is here, and you must’ve been planning to make this year’s celebration even more special for your loyal customers. Why not make it an unforgettable gastronomic celebration with a South Asian twist?
Indian foods have kept the British intrigued for ages. Hence, it’s quite fair to serve them their traditional Christmas dishes with some spicy and innovative tweaks from Indian, Sri Lankan, or Bengali origins.
In this guide, you’ll find five unmistakable tips for traditional Christmas dishes by adding a South Asian vibe and flavour. Keep reading.
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Appetisers with Chutney or Sauce
Let’s begin with the scrumptious appetisers served traditionally in the UK at Christmas. Enhance the regular taste of appetisers like Smoked Salmon, Cucumber Prawns, or Spinach Puffs by serving it with zesty and spicy chutneys.
For the Smoked Salmon, deliver marinated smoked salmon slices glazed with tamarind while topping it off with some chilli powder and jaggery for a sweet & tangy flavour. Make the dish more palatable by providing coriander-mind chutney and Naan (replacing traditional bread).
If you’re serving Cucumber Prawns, let the cucumber slices drizzle with lemon juice and marinated and spiced prawns. Add mango chutney to the dish to lure the taste buds in.
As for spinach puffs, fill them with paneer and spices like cumin and garam masala. Bake the puffs until golden crispy, coupled with tomato chutney. Let your diners’ taste buds explode with aromatic and spicy flavours.
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Roasted Chicken or Turkey with Spices
Roasted Turkey or Chicken, which have been the cornerstone of Christmas celebrations, can be served this year with a spicy South Asian innovation. All you need is a little inspiration from their culinary staple to make it work for your customers.
The trick lies in the marination to start with. Instead of regular herbs and salt to marinate chicken or turkey, use paprika, turmeric, cumin, yoghurt, etc. To reinvent the grave that goes alongside, serve a creamy masala sauce or cranberry chutney.
The end result will be a more hyped, aromatic, and delicious dish than your customers have tried before— something as a creative culinary approach appreciated mainly by the judges of prestigious restaurant awards.
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Roasted Potatoes with Chilli and Turmeric
After taking care of the mains, you can work with the sides. Let’s say you’ll serve Roasted Potatoes along with Roasted Turkey. How can you tweak the taste with a South Asian twist? Again, spice is the answer.
So, season parboiled potatoes and Brussels sprouts with spices like coriander, paprika, turmeric, and salt. Create an even coat by drizzling olive oil or ghee over them. When it’s time to roast, spread the potatoes and Brussels sprouts on a baking tray to roast them for about twenty minutes.
As they turn golden and crispy, serve them on the dish with a South Asian aromatic tempering (fried mustard seeds, cumin seeds, and red chilli on ghee). You may add freshly chopped cilantro to add a refreshing vibe to the dish.
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Traditional Desserts Tweaked by South Asian Delicacies
Desserts give you the option to explore your creativity and surprise your customers. So, this Christmas, surprise your sweet tooth diners by bringing cultural diversity to traditional festive desserts. Let’s check out how you can satisfy your Christmas diners with some scrumptious desserts with a South Asian twist.
Christmas pudding is a staple dessert for those who love to celebrate this occasion with family and loved ones. Add saffron, nutmeg, and cardamom to make it go the extra mile for a spicier and distinct dessert treat.
Try Mince Pie, as you can tweak it with Indian Kheer (Rice Pudding). Replace the traditional mince fillings with Kheer with the touch of aromatic spices like almonds, pistachios, rose essence, etc.
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Spicy Gist in Festive Drinks
When it comes to serving beverages, you can take it to the next level by adding the South Asian flair. Highlighting such beverages in your Christmas menu can lure in more customers than ever.
Add nutmeg and a slight touch of brandy to the regular version for those who love their Chai Latte a little stronger. For non-alcoholic drinks, bring mocktails to the table, such as Lychee Fizz, rose Fizz, Blood Orange Soda, or Spiced Apple Syrup, with a touch of chat masala, ginger, or cardamon to add depth and spiciness to these sparkling drinks.
Enhance Your South Asian Twist for Christmas
Apart from taking care of the food, let the South Asian vibe work through the following arrangements to enhance the customer experience in your restaurant this Christmas:
- Set up Festive Tables: Use unique South Asian designs and vibrant tableware to decorate your restaurant.
- Bring Music and Ambiance: Play music in your restaurant that blends traditional Christmas songs with Asian instrumental chords, such as tablas or sitaras.
- Put on Festive Attire: Make your staff and chef wear attire inspired by South Asian culture, such as sherwanis, kurtas, or kameez in vibrant colours.
- Add Gift Hampers: Make your diners even happier by sharing colourful gift hampers of spiced nuts, mango chutneys, spiced tea, etc.
- Do Charity Works: Working in association with a charity during the festive time can share a social message about ‘giving back.’
These additional arrangements can make your restaurant shine brighter and help your brand stand out.
Final Thoughts
Blending a South Asian twist with the traditional Christmas dishes isn’t just about impressing your customers. Instead, it’s about staying ahead of the curve in the competitive restaurant business in the UK.
Make sure to be authentic with every innovative dish you serve to your loyal customers to make their every penny worth. Ensuring the highest customer satisfaction will build your reputation and put your name at the top of the list of food industry awards.
