Prepare for a rainy Christmas with these hearty meal ideas
This cold Christmas, you can keep the Christmas spirit alive with affordable and warm meals.
Image: Freepik
With rain and chilly conditions forecast across South Africa this Christmas, festive menus are shifting from cold salads to hearty comfort food.
The persistent wet weather that began in spring is sticking around for the holidays, likely moving the party indoors.
According to South African Weather Services (SAWS) forecaster Lehlohonolo Thobela, families should prepare for a cold and rainy Christmas Day.
“It looks like in the afternoon we might still see a 60% chance of showers and thundershowers, especially in Gauteng, Mpumalanga as well as into KwaZulu Natal.”
Thobela further stressed that even though there is a “medium term likelihood that it will rain on Christmas week, it is better to be prepared for the weather.
A rainy Christmas week just doesn't feel right. We are people of the sun, defined by the smell of a poolside braai, a chilled drink, and the unmistakable soundtracks of a South African festive season.
However, since it has been raining the whole of December, we might as well adjust and accept that we might spend Christmas indoors.
This means we also have to adjust our meal plans and swap some of our favourite salads and drinks.
Meals to consider for a cold Christmas day:
Chicken stew and steamed bread
You can never go wrong with chicken stew and steamed bread (dombolo) with classic and beloved Mzansi salads such as chakalaka or coleslaw.
This warm, hearty and filling meal will certainly not break the bank.
A hearty meal like dumpling with chicken stew will be perfect for the a rainy and cold Christmas day.
Image: Instagram/@cookingwithgaisang
Samp, gravy and meat of your choice
Another affordable yet satisfying meal that you can opt for is definitely samp, wors or chicken paired with gravy.
The satisfying part about this meal is that you don't have to make salads because it is perfectly fine as is.
It is also filling, feels like a warm hug and will keep the Christmas spirit alive!
Creamy samp with wors is also another hearty meal that you can cook for your family this Christmas.
Image: Instagram/@rosesekgala
Malva pudding and custard
We definitely need to swap the cold drinks with either warm drinks or a warm dessert.
Malva pudding with warm custard will put a smile on everyone's dial because there is no better way to finish off a filling meal than with a hearty dessert.
You and your family can enjoy a warm malva pudding dessert after a meal.
Image: Pinterest
Just because the weather is cold outside, it does not mean that the vibe inside has to be to.