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The holiday season is a time for cherishing traditions, and in Africa, food and culture are inextricably intertwined. So I put together some African traditional Christmas day breakfast ideas you could try out.
As families across the world gather to celebrate, the dishes on the table brings back amazing memories, tells stories, and connect them to generations past and future. This Christmas morning, you can honor African food heritage by preparing one of these 11 tasty Christmas day breakfast ideas.
The possibilities for a celebratory African breakfast are as diverse as the continent itself. This Christmas season is an opportunity to try new dishes. South Africa boasts Cape Malay curry and koeksisters dessert, while the north of the continent offers Moroccan couscous salad and Egyptian fava beans.
No matter your preference for spicy, sweet, or savory, you’ll find a dish to delight your taste buds this Christmas season. As you cook and share these foods, remember the rich backgrounds from which they come from.
African Christmas Day Breakfast Ideas
South African Cape Malay Curry
With Indonesian and Dutch influences, the Cape Malay community in South Africa has created a unique culture reflected in this mild, fragrant curry. Made with meat or fish, creamy coconut milk, and spices like turmeric, cardamom, and chili, it gets a touch of sweetness from golden raisins.
You can scoop Cape Malay Curry over fluffy white rice or enjoy with fresh naan bread for a filling Christmas morning meal.
Doro Wat (Ethiopian Spiced Chicken)
This stewed chicken dish is a favorite for holidays and special occasions. Doro wat is chicken simmered with berbere spice mix, onion, garlic, and ginger root for intense flavor. Hard boiled eggs also go into the sauce, absorbing the complex blend of seasonings.
Doro wat is served family-style atop injera flatbread for scooping up those last bites of sauce. It’s commonly eaten at breakfast after attending Christmas church services.
Algerian Kefta (Meatballs)
In Algeria, these seasoned meatballs are a regular feature for holiday meals. Kefta ground beef and lamb get mixed with onion, parsley, cilantro, cumin, coriander, salt and pepper before rolling into walnut-sized balls then drop them into a simmering tomato sauce and let them finish cooking. For Christmas morning, put kefta meatballs inside mini pitas with a sprinkling of parsley.
Pepper Soup (Nigerian Flavored Soup)
This spicy, flavorful Nigerian soup that contains chunks of meat or fish in a broth flavored with peppers and spices. Slowly simmered for hours and topped with leafy greens like pumpkin leaves, it packs some heat!
Say Merry Christmas the Nigerian way by starting your day with a hearty bowl of steaming pepper soup served with rice or your desired sides that can easily go with the dish.
Shakshuka
Although shakshuka has roots in Tunisia and Algeria, it has become a staple dish across North and South Africa. To make it, peppers, onions, and spices sauté in a skillet before tomato sauce and eggs get added in to poach.
The runny egg yolks mix with the vegetable base and tomatoes for a satisfying meal in one pan. Serve shakshuka with fresh pita or challah bread on Christmas morning one of the perfect Christmas day breakfast ideas.
Foul Medammes – Egyptian Slow-Cooked Fava Beans
As a peasantry food turned national dish, ful medammes connects Egyptians families together. Fun fact: this hearty breakfast stew of fava beans simmered with garlic, lemon, cumin and olive oil is how Egyptians break their fast after attending Christmas mass. Drizzle with tahini, chili, and parsley, and pair with pita for soaking up the sauce.
Koeksisters with Spiced Syrup
These sweet koeksisters are dough braids and are known among Cape Malay and Dutch settlers in South Africa.
Formed by twisting plaits of yeasted dough before deep frying, they get dipped in spiced syrup of cinnamon, cardamom, ginger and cloves. Enjoy these crispy, sugary treats on Christmas morning with a cup of rooibos tea.
Ghanaian Avocado Cornbread
Cornmeal breads with avocado are popular breakfast foods in Ghana. This hearty cornbread balances sweet honey and savory cheddar for a satisfying start to the day. Enjoy slices with creamy avocado spread on top along with a Christmas morning fruit platter.
Moroccan Couscous Salad
In Morocco, couscous gets transformed into salads by pairing it with an array of vegetables, nuts, and dried fruits. It’s then drizzled with olive oil, lemon juice, garlic and regional spices. For Christmas breakfast, this savory-sweet combination adds unique flavor and texture to the morning table. Serve family-style for sharing between bites of omelets or puddings.
Cameroonian Sese Plantains
In parts of West Africa, quick-fried plantain rounds are a beloved breakfast dish called sese plantains. Ripe sweet plantains get sliced, battered in spiced water, and pan fried until caramelized.
For delicious Christmas day breakfast ideas, dust with a shake of powdered sugar and they’re ready to enjoy on Christmas morning with an assortment of juices.
As you gather for the holiday, let these meals stir fond memories and create new food traditions for future generations. Most importantly, prepare them with love and pride for the places they come from. The Christmas day breakfast ideas above reveal Africa’s cultural diversity through centuries of cuisine influenced by different community and history. The spicy stews and syrupy sweets, embrace food heritage this season by cooking up an African breakfast on Christmas morning.
