It is the time of the year again and we are ready to party with homegrown bistro The Marmalade Pantry’s festive takeaway goodies.

With the pandemic, we won’t be able to have huge parties at home but this doesn’t mean we are going to be deprived of our favourite Christmas food. It has become a norm for our family to host our family at home with The Marmalade Pantry’s roast turkey and their other takeaway goodies, and this year will be no different for us.

Pre-order with MasterCard^® by 30 November 2020 to enjoy 15% off your festive à la carte orders. Place your order online here.

From the classic roast turkey to one of the best stuffings we’ve tried, winter vegetables and garlic mash, The Marmalade Pantry’s Christmas takeaway goodies is a “tradition” for our family and here’s why you should order them for your house parties too!

TRADITIONAL WHOLE ROASTED TURKEY AND STUFFING

What is Christmas without a good turkey? The Marmalade Pantry’s Traditional Whole Roasted Turkey with Fresh Herbs (5kg/ S$128+) is a must-order, you know that. It is the centrepiece for every table at Christmas parties, and The Marmalade Pantry’s rendition is a classic but hearty one.

Rubbed with a house blend of seasonings together with garlic, rosemary and thyme, then slathered in butter, the festive bird is super yummy. Catch a whiff of the aromatic herbs upon cutting the turkey, and the meat is tender and moist. The turkey comes with a serving of homemade gravy and cranberry sauce, but it’s really otherwise good on its own.

But for the best taste, enjoy the turkey with the Traditional Stuffing (0.4kg/ S$24+). This is easily one of the best stuffings we’ve ever tried! With multi-grain bread prepared with fresh carrots and celery and heaps of fresh herbs, enjoy your festive bird with The Marmalade Pantry’s Traditional Stuffing for a total gastronomic delight. The flavours are aromatic and wonderful beyond reproach.

MAPLE AND CLOVE GLAZED GAMMON HAM

Turkey alone isn’t enough, of course. Why stop at one when you can have turkey AND ham?

The Marmalade Pantry’s Maple and Clove Glazed Gammon Ham (3kg/ S$128+) is one flavoursome treat that is a nice blend of savoury and sweet. The boneless Gammon ham is glazed with maple syrup and studded with cloves for an elevated aroma. We had numerous helpings of the ham!

And here’s a tip: cut the ham into cubes, then stir-fry it with a tomato paste and serve it with pasta for a homely treat.

SL0W-ROASTED BEEF RIBEYE

There is also the Slow-Roasted Beef Ribeye (1kg/ S$98+) that is a necessary item on your dining table. Tender ribeye is smothered in rosemary, thyme, black pepper and sea salt. The richness of the beef and the layers of seasoning shone through the tender slab of beef that’s roasted to a beautiful medium.  It is served with a house-made black pepper sauce.

MOROCCAN LAMB RACK

If you are a fan of game meat, go for the Moroccan Lamb Rack (0.6kg/ S$75+). The rack is seasoned with rosemary and what they call The Marmalade Pantry’s Moroccan Rub, which is really a medley of spices such as coriander, cumin, chilli powder, paprika, cinnamon and black pepper. It is an explosion of flavours in your mouth, to say the least. The tender rack is so well seasoned that it musks the typical unpleasant gamey smell.

ROASTED CHICKEN WITH ROSEMARY AND FRESH HERBS

There is also the crowd-pleasing Roasted Chicken with Rosemary and Fresh Herbs (2kg/ S$42+) that is always enjoyed by both old and young in our family. Featuring a whole juicy chicken rubbed with a house blend spice mix, this simple but very delicious poultry is an alternative for those who do not prefer heavy roasts such as beef and lamb. Prepared with lots of garlic, rosemary and thyme, it is healthy and easy on the palate – just what the kids in every Christmas party need.

THE MARMALADE MAC & CHEESE

Need more “fillers” for your dining table? The Marmalade Pantry’s festive menu includes an array of sides such as Roasted Winter Vegetables and Garlic Mash. They are so good, and are as important as the mains!

For one, The Marmalade Mac & Cheese (0.5kg/ S$24+) is such a stellar item that we would eat it as a main on its own. Al dente Macherroni is folded with cream, truffle butter, and three kinds of cheese—cheddar, Parmesan and mozzarella. The end result is a luxurious mix, and we promise this will be one of the best Mac & Cheese you’ve ever eaten.

GARLIC MASH

Something we always order multiple servings of every year is the Garlic Mash (0.5kg/ S$24+). This crowd’s favourite is prepared with creamy potatoes infused with garlic. Creamy and buttery, it is seasoned with sea salt.

ROASTED WINTER VEGETABLES

Don’t forget to also try the Roasted Winter Vegetables (0.5kg/ S$24+). Cubes of butternut squash, purple sweet potatoes and parsnips are lightly charred and seasoned with thyme and honey to bring out the natural sweetness of the vegetables.

CHRISTMAS LOG CAKES

For sweet endings, we’ve got the Truffle Chocolate Log Cake (1kg/ S$65+). Featuring a chocolate sponge roll with a chocolate crème center, this decadent treat is one for the chocolate lovers.

For a locally-inspired pick, go for the well-loved Pandan Gula Melaka Log Cake (1kg/ S$65+). It is a familiar taste of local flavours, with layers of moist pandan sponge cake rolled with light buttercream and topped with gula Melaka-infused coconut flakes.

HOW TO ORDER THE MARMALADE PANTRY’S FESTIVE GOODIES

The Season of Gifting 2020 festive menu is available only online and at The Marmalade Pantry Downtown and Novena outlets.

Spend S$120 nett and above to receive a complimentary jute bag worth S$38 (while stocks last). Also, pre-order with MasterCard^® by 30 November 2020 to enjoy 15% off your festive à la carte orders.

Shop online at delivery.themarmaladepantry.com.sg

NOVENA
#01-02/04, Oasia Hotel Novena
8 Sinaran Drive, Singapore 307470
T: +65 6664 0348
Opening Hours: 11.30am to 10.30pm

TANJONG PAGAR
#01-01, Oasia Hotel Downtown
100 Peck Seah Street, Singapore 079333
T: +65 6385 0741
Opening Hours: 11.30am to 10.30pm

This post was brought to you by The Marmalade Pantry.

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.

Are you hosting a dinner party this year? Well, we have some tips for you if you are working on a budget. Turkeys, hams and other Christmas necessities can be so incredibly pricey, especially during the week before the D-day itself.

One great way to save money is to cook most of the dishes yourself, and only pre-order pre-made items that are really difficult to make, such as log cakes. It is actually really simple to make a Christmas turkey at home, if you have an oven that is big enough.

Here are 5 Simple Tips On How to Plan For A Christmas Dinner On A Budget that will help you save time and money!

1. PLAN BEFOREHAND/DO UP A LIST

Do up a list way before the actual day and do be sure to set your budget then already.

First, make a list of the dishes you want to cook, as well as the list of items you need to order. Then, write out all the individual ingredients you need to buy and the estimated prices.

From there, you can easily sieve out the unnecessary ones to stay within your budget. This will also make your shopping process so much easier.

2. MAKE SURE YOU KNOW WHAT YOUR GUESTS CAN/ CANNOT EAT

Understanding your guests’ preferences and diet restrictions is so vital in menu planning. This may streamline your option, but it saves you from preparing unnecessary dishes and having to throw them all away at the end of the day.

Say you know that the majority of your guests do not take pork, then skip pork completely and focus on another dish instead. If you have a couple of diners that are vegetarian, you can re-portion your meats-to-buy in your shopping list. This will save you a lot of money and time.

3. COOK YOUR OWN DISHES INSTEAD OF PRE-ORDERING

We know that making a turkey sounds really tough, but in actual fact, it is really easy if you have a substantially huge oven. There are many quick and easy recipes you can find online that are super easy to follow.

Making your own turkey is most definitely cheaper and the process is pretty fun, especially if you are in the kitchen with your loved ones. Best part of them all? You get to be all creative with the stuffing!

4. ONLY BUY INGREDIENTS YOU NEED FOR SURE

If you have second thoughts about some of the ingredients, leave it out; you probably won’t need them. This will give you more money to invest on other better quality ingredients.

We often overbuy because grocery shopping can be therapeutic that way; just chuck everything onto your trolley and end up with a bill that will shock you. And more often than not, we do not need half of what we bought; or we only use less than half of them, and the remnants will go to waste.

Be sure to work out your proportions and to shop accordingly to avoid wastage as well as unnecessary spendings altogether.

5. STICK TO YOUR INITIAL BUDGET

No matter what you do, stick to the budget that you had planned in Step #1. This sounds simple, but it will really help to avoid feeling horrible afterwards when you know you have overspent. But of course, if you can afford it and since it is Christmas after all, a little more splurging should be fine!

Happy holidays!

About the writer:
Cheryl is a staff writer for ladyironchef. She loves a good steak and an even better cuppa. She eats just about anything and everything. In her free time, she regularly starts on sci-fi or fantasy movie marathons.