Christmas dinners from around the world

CHRISTMAS DINNERS AROUND THE WORLD oceania AUSTRALIA With its scorching summer temperatures, many families head outdoors for a Christmas BBQ, or feast on chilled platters of lamb, turkey or seafood. FIJI Taking Christmas lunch to a far fierier place than our trusty roast birds, Fijans cook dishes like garlic and spice filled chicken, along with banana leaf-wrapped fish, and pork cooked in a lovo', a hot stone oven submerged beneath the earth. Europe UNITED KINGDOM After the button-popping turkey dinner feast (sprouts optional), a rich Christmas pudding is the failsafe dessert at British tables, made up of dried fruit and a variety of spices. Traditionally, the pudding is doused in warm brandy and set alight, and if you're lucky, there might be a shiny coin hidden in there somewhere. BULGARIA Due to the Christmas fasting period, Bulgarians tuck into a healthy vegetarian dinner on Christmas Eve, feasting on dishes like stuffed vegetables, spicy vegetable soups and sweet cakes. ITALY In southern Italy, a traditional 'Feast of the seven fishes' takes place on Christmas Eve. A nautical theme prevails, where you can expect the likes of crunchy battered calamari, fresh marinated anchovies, homemade clam linguine, creamy baked eels, and crispy salted cod. FRANCE The French enjoy a luxurious (and nocturnal) 'Le Réveillon' dinner party, usually taking place after midnight, in the early hours of Christmas Day. The spread often includes indulgences like succulent oysters, tender lobster meat, and foie gras. GERMANY Germany is home to many festive culinary favourites enjoyed around the world, including mouthwatering "Gluehwein' (mulled wine), and fruity spiced Stollen' cake. It is supposed that the 'hump' found on Stollen loaves symbolises the camels that carried gifts to Jesus on the first Christmas. SWEDEN In Sweden, it is a Christmas tradition to serve rice pudding with a hidden almond submerged within it. The finder is rewarded with luck in the following year, or a prize. Antarctica ANTARCTICA A traditional turkey dinner is enjoyed, though as those in the Antarctic regions over the Christmas period will more than likely be on a boat (whether it be for work or pleasure), the normal spread is often supplemented with dried, tinned or frozen vegetables. South America ARGENTINA Christmas Eve picnics and BBQS are not uncommon in Argentina, often including dishes of Italian 'vitel toné' (veal coated with creamy tuna-flavoured sauce), roast turkey, succulent pork, stuffed tomatoes and puddings of sweet Pan Dulce and Italian Panettone. BRAZIL Turkey is served on Christmas Eve in Brazil, though rather than the traditional roasties and sprouts, it's dished up with colourful rice, fresh salad, Brazil nuts, and a vibrant selection of fruit. PERU A Christmas dinner of roast turkey is served on Christmas Eve. Expect to enjoy additional indulgences like garlic-seasoned white rice, crunchy roast potatoes and sweetened apple purée. The Americas COSTA RICA For Christmas, Costa Ricans dine on tender pork tamales and baked pork legs, teamed with bean- infused rice and brightly-coloured salads. Many families make use of treasured pork tamales recipes, which are passed down through the generations. CANADA Popular holiday treats in Canada are 'chicken bone candies'. Don't be fooled by the gruesome name, as these pink cinnamon candies are packed with a decadent chocolate filling. GREENLAND Unusual Christmas dishes in Greenland include 'mattak': whale skin complete with fatty blubber, and kiviak': the raw flesh of Arctic auk birds that have been buried in seal skin for months, until completely decomposed. Yum! USA Americans tuck into a traditional turkey Christmas dinner much like the UK. A serving of eggnog often accompanies the festivities: a thick creamy drink made up of egg, sugar and milk topped with seasonal spices and warming liquor. Africa SOUTH AFRICA Making the most of the summer heat, South Africans typically grill turkey and butterflied legs of lamb on the braai' barbeque for an alfresco Christmas lunch. This is often served up with a spread of sweet brandy and coke glazed gammon, roast potatoes and grilled veggies. GHANA A Ghanaian Christmas dinner usually includes a hearty stew, a farm-fresh okra soup, toasted maize porridge, seasoned jollof rice, and a yam or plantain paste called 'fufu'. To SANTA ETHIOPIA A spicy chicken stew called 'doro wat' is usually served at Christmas with sourdough injera flat-bread: this replaces the traditional utensils, and is used to scoop up and eat the meal. EGYPT Christians in Egypt stick to a vegan diet in The Holy Nativity Fasť' 43 days before Christmas. Some dishes include Koshari, which is a blend of rice, macaroni and herby tomato sauce. Asia INDIA Christmas meals in India vary, but often include aromatic Biryani with tender lamb, mutton or chicken, followed with sweet cake or kheer: a milky rice pudding. PHILIPPINES Christmas dinner is held towards midnight on Christmas Eve, and usually involves glazed hamón' leg of pork and crunchy suckling pig. This is served up with creamy 'queso de bola' (a ball of yellow edam cheese coated in red wax). JAPAN Since a ragingly successful marketing campaign in the 1970s, Japanese diners have made Kentucky Fried Chicken their Christmas Day meal of choice. The next best thing to turkey, diners often order their buckets of chicken months in KFC * advance to avoid the queues on December 25th. Brought to you by Bookatable