One of the most anticipated moments of Christmas in Spain is the Christmas Eve dinner. There are many suggestions for such a special occasion and many doubts about what to cook. Turkey again? Pheasant? Chicken? Well, we suggest a more original dinner. A Malaga-style menu for Christmas Eve, ideal to enjoy the exquisite cuisine of the the province.
Appetizers
For starters, you can set up a snack table with various delicacies from the province of Malaga. For example, a wide variety of fried fish from the Costa del Sol, an orange and cod salad, typical from Malaga, a few glasses of porra antequerana or a refreshing tomato cream with tuna, egg and olive oil. And if you like cheese, it would be great to whet the appetite with a local goats cheese. To complete the entrees, we recommend serving the cold meat of the province, such as the salami from Cártama and other sausages from Ronda and Antequera. Did you know that Ronda's chorizo is one of the most recognized in Spain? If you want to provide yourself with these delicacies, stop by the municipality of Benaojan by the beginning of December and purchase products from the Serrania de Ronda at its “Fiesta de la Chacina”.
First course
Nothing better than a “gazpachuelo” as the starter of such a special dinner. If you have not tried it yet, you don’t know what you're missing. The gazpachuelo is one of the most characteristic and original recipes of Malaga’s gastronomy. A hake soup with potatoes thickened by a kind of light mayonnaise and a touch of lemon juice. It may sound strange, but it's a wonderful soup with a unique flavour.
Second course
It’s time for something more filling. We recommend a specialty baked with an exclusive product of the land that can boast of having a guarantee mark: the Malaga suckling goat, a tender and juicy meat with an exquisite taste. You can accompany it for example with raisins of Malaga and pine nuts. Delish!
Dessert
Finally you could opt for the tropical fruits of the Axarquia and for a traditional pastry recipe like the “bienmesabe”. In a tropical fruit bowl mangos and custard apples shouldn’t be forgotten, but you can also add a few pieces of papaya and medlars. It is the paradisiacal climate of the Costa del Sol that allows such exotic varieties to grow, all of an exceptional quality. Places like Nerja, where the famous Balcony of Europe is located, are ideal for the cultivation of these products.
If you want to try a typical cake from Malaga, the “bienmesabe” of Antequera is a wise choice: a sweet made of almonds pumpkin preserve and an unmistakable aroma of cinnamon. Its name therefore is no mere coincidence.
And to accompany this unforgettable dinner, some good wines from Ronda, as legendary as the city that charmed many characters, and a sweet Moscatel wine for dessert.
Bon appetit and Merry Christmas!
