More than just a religious holiday, Christmas is more often thought of as the season of giving and sharing. This is the period of time when people get together and make many fond memories together. For many Singaporeans, the best way to celebrate Christmas is to indulge in a Christmas dinner with their families and close friends.

However, the idea of hosting a Christmas dinner party sounds daunting—so many difficult recipes to master, having to set up the Christmas tree for the festive vibes and not forgetting all the planning that goes into it. Not everyone enjoys the process of planning for a party and we understand that.

Before you start giving up, we would just like to share some tips on how you can Plan To Host A Fuss-Free Christmas Dinner Party and still have lots of fun.

#1 PREPARE EARLY

Ever heard of the quote, “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail”? No matter how simple your Christmas dinner is going to be, it is necessary to make preparations beforehand.

For example, you should be making your sauces and chilling your beverages ahead of time and not on the day of your party because these things take time and you do not want to put yourself under unnecessary stress.

#2 CHOOSE A CONCEPT

Choose your Christmas concept and stick to it. It is not wise to change your theme or dinner menu once you have started making plans, especially when it is nearing to the actual day.

#3 START SMALL WITH SIMPLE RECIPES

First time holding a Christmas dinner? Start small with simple recipes. It is easy to get carried away and start feeling ambitious but you should also be practical about it. Gather recipes that are manageable and skip those that take up too much time.

Which brings us to the next point.

#4 FESTIVE TAKEAWAYS

Those who are running short of time can consider ordering festive takeaways for main dishes such as roasted turkey and baked ham. Don’t worry, nobody will judge you if you do that.

Whatever kind of Christmas gathering you’re looking to throw, you can count on The Marmalade Pantry’s repertoire of festive treats and delicious roasts more than sufficient to fit the merry-making bill.

Our readers can enjoy a 10% Mastercard discount when you quote ‘ladyironchef10’ upon checkout online or when you call to make a booking.

#5 SERVE DISHES IN BUFFET-STYLE

Serve dishes in the middle instead of plating them individually for your guests—this will help you save up some time for more important matters. By doing it buffet-style, your guests will also have more chances to interact with each other as they pass the food around!

#6 ASK YOUR GUESTS TO BRING FOOD TOO

By asking your guests to bring simple sides such as salads and dessert, it helps to lighten your burden as you will have fewer things to worry about. The best part about having a semi-potluck party is that you have more variety on your Christmas dinner table!

#7 DO NOT OVER CATER

Lastly, do not over cater! Every year, we generate lots of waste just simply throwing away all the leftovers from the party. While you can definitely keep your leftovers in the fridge, why not make things easier for yourself by preparing the right amount of food. Not only are you cutting down on food wastage, you are also saving costs!

Promising a seasonal spread of festive meats and treats along with a bevvy of authentic local and Asian delights thrown into the mix, Spice Brasserie at PARKROYAL on Kitchener Road ranks high as one of our top venues of choice to indulge in a full-on feast this festive holiday.

Pulling out all the stops and ready to tantalise the senses (especially our taste buds) on all fronts, the culinary team behind Spice Brasserie impresses with their selection of colossal roasts featuring the likes of the all-new Peranakan-Style Roasted Spice Cured Turkey that wowed us with its succulent meat and its heady aroma of Nonya spices.

As far as drool-inducing food goes, they’ve nailed down their various festive roast meat offerings, but if you’re pining for something to satiate your sweet tooth, then you will not be disappointed with their Sea Salt Caramel Log Cake. But seasonal dishes aside, be sure to tuck into their various Asian and international items as well, not forgetting their selection of crab dishes—a mainstay and what Spice Brasserie is classically known for.

This festive feast will be going on from 17 December 2018 to 1 January 2019 and diners can quote ‘ladyironchef’ upon making reservations to enjoy 20% off both the lunch and dinner festive buffets.

PERANAKAN-STYLE ROASTED SPICE-CURED TURKEY

A brand-new addition to this year’s lineup of festive delights and one that’s worthy of a second round is their Peranakan-Style Roasted Spice-Cured Turkey. Specially created by Malacca-born Baba Chef Jimmy Bong, this unique rendition makes use of simple everyday spices and aromatics such as cinnamon, chilli, lemongrass and more, all working together to give the dish a vibrant appeal.

The meat was tender, robust and paired very coherently with the flavourful curry gravy—in place of the classic giblet sauce—that comes served along with it. Complex, hearty and full of flavour, the curry gravy is crucial for maximum enjoyment.

ROASTED BRINED TURKEY WITH CHESTNUT STUFFING, SNAIL SAUSAGE & PORCINI GIBLET SAUCE (DINNER BUFFET)

Not wanting to be restricted by the common notion of what a classic turkey should have, Chef Jimmy, takes it up a notch with his Roasted Brined Turkey with Chestnut Stuffing, Snail Sausage & Porcini Giblet Sauce, that sees a marriage of flavours and textures coming together to complement one another.

An element of umami is imbued into the sauce through the addition of porcini mushrooms that do well to elevate the overall dish, but unlike the many roast turkeys that we’ve tried, this version was fully capable of tasting delicious sans the sauce.

Boasting a crisp layer of perfectly seasoned skin and tender, succulent meat, this version easily trumps the conventional roast turkey and is something that warrants multiple trips to the live carving station.

HONEY BAKED HAM WITH PINEAPPLE RAISIN SAUCE

A quintessential component of any Yuletide feast is a honey-baked ham. Period.

Studded with whole cloves and given multiple bastes of sweet, sticky honey, the Honey Baked Ham with Pineapple Raisin Sauce hits the spot with its deep smokey, subtly-spiced appeal, coupled with a sweet fruity undertone.

A showstopper in its own right, the ham was easy to gobble down as it was soft, tender and enriched with a sweet, fruity bouquet that balanced out its saltiness well. The pineapple glaze sauce gives the ham sweetness but also a good amount of acidity that gives the dish balance.

AVAILABLE FOR DINNER BUFFET ONLY 

ROAST PORK WITH ROCKET, PINE NUT, FETA STUFFING & APPLE JAM

Charming our palates with its combination of unctuous flavours and textures, the Roast Pork with Rocket, Pine Nut, Feta Stuffing & Apple Jam was easily our favourite of the entire spread.

This mouth-watering Goliath of a pork delight sees an entire belly of pork, stuffed with salty feta cheese, peppery rocket and earthy pine nuts, before undergoing a slow, roast.

The result? Crackling that is literally to-die-for, succulent (and sweet) pork and a medley of flavour sensations that tantalised and teased our taste buds. This, if anything, is something worth shouting about—and don’t even get us started on how heavenly it was when paired with their house-made apple jam.

BAKED CRAYFISH WITH SALTED EGG MAYONNAISE

Grilled over charcoal to develop a charred, smoky taste before being generously slathered with a dollop of their homemade salted egg mayo, we can imagine the Baked Crayfish with Salted Egg Mayonnaise to be a surefire hit among both fans of barbecued seafood and of salted egg alike.

Boasting a heady aroma of curry leaves, accented with its signature savoury-sweet qualities, the salted egg mayo was viscous yet not cloying at all. It did well to enhance the naturally sweet flavours of the crayfish and provided a blanket of creaminess to balance out the bittersweet charred element.

BAKED OYSTER TRIO

This baked oyster trio is anything but simple. Designed to enhance the briny qualities of the oysters using an array of complementary flavour components, you have your choice of either the Oyster Kilpatrick, Oyster with Cheese and Oyster with Mentaiko Sauce—all prepared á la minute, bubbling and begging to be devoured.

The Oyster Kilpatrick comes punctuated with an apparent smokiness that resonates well with the briny oyster and the crunchy bits of crispy bacon and wilted spinach provided a nice texture

Mentaiko Baked Oyster is enriched with a silky smooth cream sauce that is savoury, umami-dense and velvety, making knocking back a dozen or more of these bad boys way too easy. The cheese version is flame-torched prior to serving, allowing a crust to develop and also to give the oyster a charred flavour.

SEA SALT CARAMEL LOG CAKE

A quirky yet unsurprising twist on the traditional Christmas log cake, Spice Brasserie’s version features ingredients that play on the balance of salty and sweet with a creamy, crispy feature—courtesy of the hazelnut crunch—that worked incredibly well.

The decadent mocha sponge, accompanied by the sea salt caramel mousse and caramel core gives the cake a profound savouriness that makes reaching in for seconds (or even thirds) impossible to resist.

This festive feast will be going on from 17 December 2018 to 1 January 2019 and diners can quote ‘ladyironchef’ upon making reservations to enjoy 20% off both the lunch and dinner festive buffets.

Festive Buffet Lunch
17 to 21 December 2018
26 to 30 December 2018
Adult: S$42++, Child: S$21++

22, 23, 25 & 31 December 2018
Adult: S$54++, Child: S$27++

24 December 2018
Adult S$68++, S$34++

1 January 2018
Adult: S$42++, Child: S$21++

Festive Buffet Dinner
17 to 21 December 2018
26 to 30 December 2018
Adult: S$50++, Child: S$25++

22, 23, 25 & 31 December 2018
Adult: S$70++, Child: S$35++

24 December 2018
Adult S$88++, S$44++

1 January 2018
Adult: S$50++, Child: S$25++

Terms and Conditions:

• Menu items are subject to changes at the chef’s discretion.
• All prices are subject to service charge and Goods and Services Tax (GST).
• Child prices are valid for children between 6 to 11 years old.

Spice Brasserie
181 Kitchener Road
PARKROYAL on Kitchener Road
Singapore 208533
Tel: +65 6428 3160
Reservations: spicebrasserie.prskt@parkroyalhotels.com
Daily: 6am – 10.30am, 12pm – 2.30pm, 6pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Farrer Park

This post was brought to you by PARKROYAL on Kitchener Road. 

In Sunny Singapore, you might not get snow or reindeers (not real ones anyway), but Christmas in Singapore is as big as any other celebration during the year and it is one that foodies like us look forward to the most.

With the multitude of Christmas spreads and Yuletide menus popping up at restaurants or even at house gatherings across the island, there is no doubt that turkey and honey-baked ham will be among the top of many people’s list. But let’s face it, a feast would still be a feast even without the fancy centerpieces and pimped-up wines.

At its heart, Christmas is still a time for reunion and indulgence, and in multi-cultural Singapore, there are many local delights that you can include in your dinner spread for that Asian-style Christmas dinner.

R Photo Credit: Luncheon Meat

CHRISTMAS HAM SLICES VS LUNCHEON MEAT

Who needs a mammoth hunk of baked Christmas ham (that hardly anyone finishes) when you can get unbelievably crispy spam for a margin of the price?

L Photo Credit: Eggnog

EGGNOG VS BUBBLE MILK TEA

While eggnogs might encapsulate Christmas time comfort with its frothy head and brandy-based kick, you could probably do just the same with any bubble milk tea. Besides, if you ever find it lacking flair, a shot of brandy probably wouldn’t hurt too.

FESTIVE SNACKS VS NYONYA KUEH

Festive cookies and cakes might look pretty on plates, but nothing spells homely comfort better than the Nyonya snacks we grew up with.

FRENCH ONION SOUP VS LOCAL DOUBLE BOILED SOUP

On Christmas, French onion soup may scream traditional but hey, we Asians loves our soul-boosting, piping hot bowl of double boiled soup just as much!

L Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

FRUIT CAKE VS KUEH LAPIS

Fans of Kueh Lapis unite! This classic layered cake is the best reflection of our Singapore food culture and it never disappoints with its bouncy texture and buttery taste.

R Photo Credit: Polar Puffs & Cakes

LOG CAKE VS PANDAN CHIFFON ROLL

Yes, log cakes are decadent and all pretty. But who else loves Pandan Chiffon Roll too? They are found in most bakeries in Singapore, even those under your HDB blocks. If you are not into Pandan, there are many other creative renditions out there too.

 L Photo Credit: Channel 4, R Photo Credit: sickchirpse

MINCE PIE VS CHINESE BBQ PORK PUFF PASTRY

Sure, the Chinese BBQ Pork Puff Pastry may be extremely sinful, but who can resist munching on this crispy sweet bun? Move aside, mince pie!

L Photo Credit: Gimme Some Oven, R Photo Credit: The Cambelles

MULLED WINE VS RIBENA

Sweet, refreshing and that oh-so-familiar taste—what is there not to love about Ribena? It is an everyday drink for most Singaporeans and… what’s mulled wine again?

PIGS IN A BLANKET VS TAIWAN SAUSAGE

Pigs in a blanket are small sausages wrapped in croissant rolls. But you know what? Give us our Taiwan sausages.

ROAST BEEF VS CHAR SIEW + ROASTED PORK

Calling all meat lovers! Char Siew and Sio Bak for you? Slightly charred and succulent Char Siew drenched in slightly sweet yet savoury sauce to tantalize your taste buds.

ROAST TURKEY VS ROASTED CHICKEN

This is what they say, ‘same same but different.’ Roast Turkeys may be wholesome and all but we still love our Hainanese roasted chicken with glistening skin and chicken rice chilli.

YORKSHIRE PUDDING VS EGG TART

Forget conventional Yorkshire Pudding, because you can never go wrong with freshly baked egg tarts. Nothing beats a soft fluffy egg custard with a buttery tart crust.

Read: How to host a great Christmas dinner without breaking the bank.

In this day and age, we are accustomed to believing that Christmas dinners have to be over the top, or at the very least, presentable for the guests. However, those who understand the true meaning of this festive season would know that it is simply just a dinner that brings your loved ones together. Yes, Christmas dinners do not have to be extravagant.

Living in Singapore is not exactly a cheap affair and most of us have other financial responsibilities to bear. Going for a fancy dinner on a festive occasion may be out of the budget for some of us but that does not mean we cannot have a delightful Christmas party at home!

In this guide, we share with you 6 Tips On How To Host A Great Christmas Dinner Without Breaking The Bank.

#1 SHOP AT GROCERY STORES

Most grocery stores have cheaper alternatives compared to big hotel brands. Do your grocery shopping at NTUC, Giant or any other big supermarket brands in Singapore—they usually offer Christmas food products as well.

#2 BAKE YOUR OWN DESSERTS

Instead of purchasing festive goodies, learn how to bake your own desserts for snacks instead. There are tons of recipes to be found in cookbooks and on the internet but be sure to choose those that fit your level of expertise.

If you are looking for some recommendations, why not try this easy no-bake Strawberry Jelly Hearts Cheesecake recipe? Fans of matcha will enjoy these simple matcha recipes.

#3 SWAP TURKEY FOR CHICKEN

Who says you must have turkey for Christmas? Choose to swap that for a roasted chicken as the table’s centrepiece to cut down on cost. You can easily purchase chicken meat from supermarkets and wet markets at an affordable price.

To further reduce your expenditure, do your own stuffing at home instead of purchasing ready-made ingredients.

Photo Credit: Party Pieces

#4 BAKE YOUR OWN CAKE

Log cakes are beautiful to look at and they never fail to impress the crowd. Appealing as they may be, log cakes are usually on the higher end of the price scale because it takes effort and time to craft them out.

Since that is the case, why not try baking your own cake instead? A simple sponge cake with whipped cream and toppings is manageable by almost anyone—even if you only have limited baking experience.

#5 PURCHASE AFFORDABLE ALCOHOL FROM SUPERMARKETS

There is a decent range of wine, beer and hard liquor to be found at our local supermarkets with prices that will not burn a hole in your wallet.

For something lighter, you can also make ‘Shandy’ beer at home by mixing beer and 7 Up. That way, you can offer three different kinds of beverages at your dinner party!

#6 SHOP FOR CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS AT DAISO

To add some festive vibes at the venue, get your Christmas decorations such as table placements, ornaments and even Christmas trees from Daiso, supermarkets or online websites before the big day hits. Some wholesale party suppliers are also able to offer cheap disposable cutleries and plates.