Spice up your festive feast at home with this year's slew of takeaway turkeys, many of which are Asian-inspired.
These include tandoori turkey from Shahi Maharani at Raffles City Shopping Centre, lemongrass rendang-spiced turkey from The Fullerton Hotel Singapore and roast turkey with buah keluak sauce from Grand Mercure Singapore Roxy.
Other unusual versions include Turkish-style roast turkey at Royal Plaza On Scotts; roast turkey with risotto and salted egg stuffing from Parkroyal on Beach Road; and Portuguese-style curry turkey from Goodwood Park Hotel.
To ensure that the meat stays tender, the turkeys are marinated at least overnight with a good dose of spices and slow-roasted.
As a result of the good response to its Turkish food promotion in July, Royal Plaza On Scotts' executive chef Darren Ong, 34, chose to launch a roast turkey with Turkish spices - good for halal diners too.
It is served with pita bread, hummus, chicken stuffing, vegetable stew and yogurt garlic dip.
He says: "Unique flavours are gaining more popularity year on year. Guests are getting more experimental and adventurous and they like to have some surprises at the table for their celebrations."
Noting that more people are having festive meals at home, Shahi Maharani not only offers tandoori turkey, but also whole tandoori chicken for smaller families.
On how cooking the bird in a tandoor oven is better than the usual way, the North Indian restaurant's owner Chitra Mirpuri, 39, says: "Our way of doing the turkey is very different as we take the skin off and marinate the flesh with our homemade spiced tandoori marinade, which is rich in yogurt.
"The marinade acts as a tenderiser. Cooking it in a tandoor leaves the meat juicy and it gets a nice smoky flavour."
Not into turkey? Pick from other meat options such as a ribs platter from barbecue restaurant Morganfield's or bring out the chef in you with premium meat cuts from Ryan's Grocery at Binjai Park.
Leave room for dessert too, as Life highlights some show- stopping options that will leave dinner guests in awe.
These include Antoinette's Terrarium cake and a croquembouche tower from SPRMRKT in McCallum Street, along with logcakes and stollen.
From an intimate dinner for two at home to a rowdy Christmas party for a crowd, here are some suggestions for those who do not want to slave over a stove.
Turkey
TANDOORI TURKEY
What: Two types of North Indian tandoori turkey are available at Shahi Maharani.
The Shahi Tandoori Turkey ($110+) is spiced with a traditional yogurt marinade while the Stuffed Tandoori Turkey ($130+) is stuffed with minced meat briyani.
The Christmas menu also features whole tandoori chicken ($50+) and roasted leg of lamb ($140+).
Where: Shahi Maharani, 03-21B Raffles City Shopping Centre, 252 North Bridge Road
When: Until Jan 1, order three days in advance. Last day of order is Dec 31, while stocks last
Info: Call 6235-8840 or e-mail enquiries@shahimaharani.com
PORTUGUESE-STYLE CURRY TURKEY
What: Goodwood Park Hotel's executive chef Foo Jong Kwang's creation is based on his Portuguese curry chicken recipe created at least two decades ago at the request of the hotel's owner - the late Khoo Teck Puat.
The turkey ($218 for 10 to 12 people) is marinated in spices for two days and steam-baked.
It is served with potatoes, carrots and onions and a side of crisp baguette.
Another spin on turkey is the turkey kueh pie tee ($18 for 10 pieces, $32 for 20 pieces), a fun option for the Christmas party.
Where: Deli, Goodwood Park Hotel, 22 Scotts Road
When: Until Dec 26, order three days in advance. Last day of order is Dec 18, noon
Info: Call 6730-1867/68 (10am to 6pm daily) or e-mail festive@goodwoodparkhotel.com. Order online at festivepromotions.goodwoodparkhotel.com
ROAST TURKEY WITH RISOTTO AND SALTED EGG STUFFING
What: Turkeys are not spared the salted egg treatment this Christmas, as executive chef Jackson Goh from Parkroyal on Beach Road uses the "it" ingredient as stuffing for roast turkey with risotto.
The hotel also offers turkey with basmati lamb keema stuffing, traditional Gujurati-style curry made with minced lamb. The turkeys are priced at $108 each.
Where: Plaza Brasserie, Level One, Parkroyal on Beach Road, 7500 Beach Road
When: Dec 12 to 31, order three days in advance. Last day of order is Dec 22 and last day of collection on Dec 31
Info: Call 6505-5710 or e-mail dining.prsin@parkroyalhotels.com
LEMONGRASS RENDANG- SPICED TURKEY
What: The Peranakan-inspired lemongrass rendang spiced turkey ($168) is marinated with ingredients such as ginger, fried grated coconut, dried chilli, gula melaka and lemongrass.
It is served with turmeric rice and achar salad.
Where: , The Fullerton Shop (Lobby Level), The Fullerton Hotel Singapore, 1 Fullerton Square
When: Until Dec 21 (last day of order), order three days in advance. Last day of collection is on Christmas Day
Info: Call 6877-8943 or e-mail fullertonshop@fullertonhotel.com
BUAH KELUAK TURKEY
What: The popular roasted turkey with the chef's signature buah keluak sauce ($98) returns for a second year at Grand Mercure Singapore Roxy. It is also marinated in a paste made with buah keluak and other spices.
Where: Wave Cafe, Lobby, Grand Mercure Singapore Roxy, 50 East Coast Road
When: Until Jan 3, order one day in advance
Info: Call 6340-5882
ROASTED TURKEY IN TURKISH SPICES
What: Royal Plaza On Scotts is offering a Turkish-style bird this year.
The turkey ($155) is marinated in spices such as cumin and paprika and roasted in a special rotisserie oven from France, which keeps the meat moist.
It is served with pita bread, hummus, vegetable stew and yogurt dip.
Where: Royal Plaza On Scotts, 25 Scotts Road
When: Until Christmas Day, order three days in advance
Info: Call 6589-7788 or e-mail gourmet@royalplaza.com.sg
SMOKED TURKEY
What: Instead of the usual roasted turkey, try smoked turkey ($160, for eight to 12 people) served with potato salad, apple apricot mostarda and Alabama red sauce.
Smaller groups of four to six can opt for the smoked sakura chicken ($80) instead, also served with the same sides dishes.
Where: Morsels, 35 Mayo Street
When: Until Dec 16, collection from Dec 21 to 24, closed on Christmas Day
Info: Call 6396-6302
CHIPOTLE TURKEY
What: For a Mexican-inspired Yuletide feast, check out Lower East Side Taqueria's party combos, which start at $18 a person.
The Drunken Trio menu ($44 a person, minimum three people) features dishes such as oven- roasted chipotle turkey breast with pineapple and cranberry sauce; crispy roast pork with apple- jalapeno chutney; ribeye char-grilled with chipotle salsa, chicken drummettes marinated with homemade spicy sauce and chorizo stew burrito with habanero chillies.
Where: Lower East Side Taqueria, 9 East Coast Road
When: Until Dec 31, 4pm to 2am (weekday), noon to 2am (Saturday), noon to 11pm (Sunday)
Info: Call 6348-1302 or e-mail admin@spathe.com.sg
Other meats
FUSION HAM
What: Part of Bakerzin's range of savoury items is Fusion Ham ($90) which is simmered and coated in a marinade of ginger flower, kumquat, Dijon mustard, ginger ale, marmalade and dark brown sugar before roasting. It comes with a kumquat ginger flower sauce.
Where: All seven Bakerzin outlets including Jurong Point, VivoCity and United Square
When: Last day for orders on Dec 22 (by 2pm for online order), order three days in advance. Last day for delivery (no delivery on public holiday) and self-collection on Jan 2
Info: Order online at www.baker zin.com
GRASS-FED BLACK ANGUS BEEF
What: Ryan's Grocery is the exclusive retailer for organic grass-fed black Angus beef ($160 for 2kg) from Blackwood Valley Beef in Western Australia. It is also part of the Christmas roast set A ($298 for 10 to 12 people), which also includes turkey and honey-baked ham.
Where: Ryan's Grocery, 29 Binjai Park
When: Last order on Dec 18, order five days in advance. Last day for collection on Jan 4
Info: Call 6463-3933 or go to www.ryansgrocery.com
CRANBERRY STICKY RIBS
What: For a finger-licking feast, order Morganfield's Christmas Feast ($149.90+) which includes a half-slab each of Christmas hazelnut and Christmas cranberry sticky bones ribs, crackling pork roast (400g), 200g each of gammon ham and turkey breast ham, as well as sausages and assorted side dishes.
Where: 02-23 The Star Vista, 1 Vista Exchange Green; 01-645 Suntec City, 3 Temasek Boulevard
When: Until Dec 31, order three days in advance, delivery charge $25 a location
Info: Call 8552-5478 or order online at www.morganfields. com.sg/xmas-order and get 10 per cent off
SEAFOOD PLATTERS
What: Tired of turkey and ham? Order the seafood and sushi platters from Oceans of Seafood.
The Festive Japanese Platter ($198, $248 with sake, for 10 to 12 people) features Boston lobster, salmon, ama-ebi and yellow fin tuna, as well as sushi such as California roll and spicy tuna roll.
For the Celebrations Platter ($135, for five to six people), items include white shrimp, Brussels sprouts, crayfish and herb-baked mussels. Oyster platters are also available.
Where: Oceans of Seafood, Pasarbella At The Grandstand, 200 Turf Club Road, 02-06 (02-K2 to 02-K11)
When: 10am to 9pm (Monday to Thursday), 10am to 10pm (Friday to Sunday), last day of order on Dec 22, order two days in advance. Last day of collection on Jan 2.
Info: Call 6466-1005
Desserts
TERRARIUM CAKE
What: The perfect centrepiece for the Christmas dessert table. This Instagram-worthy Terrarium dessert by Antoinette's chef-owner Pang Kok Keong, is served in a sphere and is an edible garden of butterflies, mushrooms, pebbles, flowers and plants.
The "cake" is made with layers of dark chocolate mousse, passionfruit parfait, caramelised banana flambe with dark rum, light cocoa sponge cake with dark rum and smoked almond nougatine.
The "garden" part is decorated with white chocolate butterflies, chocolate ladybird, chocolate-tree branch, white chocolate coated raisin "pebbles", meringue mushrooms, matcha moss, herbs and edible flowers. It is priced at $20 (small) or $120 (large).
Where: All three Antoinette outlets including Penhas Road, Mandarin Gallery and Sofitel So Singapore
When: Ongoing while stocks last, order one day in advance
Info: www.antoinette.com.sg
LA BUCHE BANANE CHOCOLAT
What: Go luxe at celebrity chef Joel Robuchon's patisserie.
This year's signature creation, La Buche Banane Chocolat ($90+), is made with cacao shortbread, chocolate and caramelised bananas.
Where: Joel Robuchon Patisserie, Hotel Michael, Level 1, Resorts World Sentosa
When: Until Christmas Day, order three days in advance
Info: Call 6577-7888 or e-mail Robuchon@rwsentosa.com
CROQUEMBOUCHE TOWER
What: Don't want the usual cake? Get a croquembouche tower ($58 for four to six people) from SPRMRKT, with profiteroles stuffed with Second Helpings beenut butter cream, dipped in chocolate ganache and topped with chopped peanuts and sugar holly.
Where: SPRMRKT, 2 McCallum Street
When: Until Christmas Day, order three days in advance by Dec 21, 6pm
Info: Call 6221-2105
CHEMPEDAK LOGCAKE
What: For an Asian twist on the usual logcake, check out the chempedak logcake from Grand Mecure Singapore Roxy, made with fresh chempedak from Malaysia.
Where: Wave Cafe, Lobby, Grand Mercure Singapore Roxy, 50 East Coast Road
When: Until Jan 3, order one day in advance
Info: Call 6340-5882
ONDEH ONDEH LOGCAKE
What: Here is another logcake with a local spin. The cake ($68.80) has gula melaka wrapped in pandan sponge cake and topped with grated coconut and macarons.
Where: Neo Garden
When: Until Jan 3
Info: Call 6896-7757 or order online at www.neogarden.com.sg/Menu
STOLLEN
What: Good as a foodie gift or eaten on its own, The Bread Table's Golden Chocolate Walnuts Stollen ($15 or $49.50) includes liquored cherries, silver almonds and is topped with salted caramel. Best kept in the refrigerator. It can also be frozen for up to two weeks.
Where: The Bread Table, 1010 Upper Serangoon Road
When: Until Dec 21, order three days in advance. Closed at 3pm on Christmas Eve and closed on Christmas Day and Dec 26
Info: Call 6282-3546 or order online at www.thebreadtable.com
MAPLE BOURBON PECAN PIE
What: Complete your festive feasting with pies from Clinton St. Baking Company and Restaurant.
The maple bourbon pecan pie ($10.50 a slice, $64 for 1kg) has sweet shortcrust pastry, Canadian maple syrup, bourbon and chopped pecans.
It is topped with whole pecans.
Another option is the pumpkin butterscotch pie ($9.50 a slice, $60 for 1kg) with pumpkin puree, butterscotch, ginger, vanilla, cinnamon and all-spice.
Where: Clinton St. Baking Company and Restaurant, 31 Purvis Street
When: Until Dec 30, order one day in advance
Info: Call 6684-4845 or e-mail orders@clintonstreetbaking.com. sg
APPLE CRUMBLE TART
What: Get a gift box ($88 nett) of gourmet treats at Tarte by Cheryl Koh, pastry chef of the Les Amis Group.
It includes an apple crumble tart baked in a limited-edition Le Creuset dish; stollen with rum-soaked raisin; sable Breton; and jams.
Where: Tarte by Cheryl Koh, 01-12 Shaw Centre, 1 Scotts Road
When: Until Christmas Day, while stocks last. Order three days in advance
Info: Call 6235-3225
