Rooted deeply in heritage, in Mediterranean cultures, this season is a time when families and friends gather around tables filled with Christmas flavors and aromas.
One of the main characteristics of Mediterranean cuisine is its diversity. The flavors of the season vary across regions but share a common thread of togetherness.
It’s within this cultural mosaic that Pita Corner finds its inspiration. So, we invite you to explore how our diverse menu items harmonize with the essence of Mediterranean Christmas feasting, reimagining these traditional flavors and transforming them into festive creations that capture the spirit of Christmas.
Inventive Seasonal Feasts: Reinterpreting Mediterranean Classics
Taking inspiration from time-honored recipes and festive flavors, we’ve created a collection of unique dish ideas that embody the spirit of the season:
For the Meat-Lovers
Shawarma Feast
Infuse the warmth of the holidays into our savory shawarma and create a festive twist by using our tender steak or chicken shawarma as a delectable stuffing for bell peppers. Blending the flavors of baked bell peppers, seasoned meats with rice, hummus, and a hint of spices, you’ll perfectly capture the essence of Mediterranean Christmas.
Alternatively, pile high our shawarma and kafta kabobs onto pita bread. Then, drizzle with creamy tahini sauce and tangy pickled onions. Lastly, add a touch of Christmas cheer with cranberry-infused hummus and roasted Brussels sprouts.
Kabob Platter
You can transform our classic kabob platter to reflect the festive season by seasoning our steak, chicken, and shrimp kabobs with holiday spices—cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Paired with a side of cranberry-infused rice and garnished with pomegranate seeds, this platter is a celebration on a plate.
Gyro-Portobellos
Combine the flavors of our lamb gyro with roasted portobello mushrooms. Wrapped snugly and topped with a tangy cranberry tzatziki sauce and a sprinkle of chopped walnuts, this creation is perfect for the holiday season.
For the Veggies
Falafel Bites
Celebrate the essence of Mediterranean flavors with our crispy falafel bites, crafted from a blend of chickpeas, herbs, and spices. These golden-brown morsels offer a delightful contrast of textures, with a tender interior and a satisfying crunch on the outside. Drizzle with a spiced tahini dressing, top with toasted pine nuts for a festive crunch, and serve alongside a tangy dipping sauce.
Festive Hummus
The velvety smoothness of our signature hummus is the ultimate crowd-pleaser. You can choose classic roasted red pepper or spicy harissa varieties and top them with festive garnishes like chopped pistachios or toasted pine nuts, crumbled goat cheese, or pomegranate arils.
Pair it with warm pita bread and a side of grape leaves stuffed with rice and herbs.
Mediterranean Mezze Christmas Board
Mezze is an assortment of small plates showcasing a variety of savory flavors to be eaten as a light meal or appetizer. So, create a stunning Mediterranean mezze board with a festive medley of dishes that cater to the vegetarian palate.
Picture the creamy richness of baba ganoush, falafel bites paired with cranberry hummus, tangy grape leaves with a filling of aromatic rice and chestnuts, refreshing tabouli salad, and seasonal roasted vegetables adorned with a drizzle of pomegranate glaze—a feast that pays homage to tradition.
Sides and Salads
Christmas Fatoush Salad
This Lebanese salad can easily get a Christmas makeover with the addition of festive elements, such as pomegranate fresh arils, roasted chickpeas, and toasted pine nuts among its fresh vegetables and herbs.
Accompanied by grilled chicken shawarma slices, it’s a superb choice for the holiday table.
Greek Salad with a Twist
Adorn our classic Greek salad with a touch of holiday flair, featuring roasted chestnuts or caramel pecans, Kalamata olives, unsweetened dried cranberries, and crumbled feta cheese.
Serve alongside grilled chicken or shrimp kabobs marinated in a citrusy dressing.
GRK Fries
Do you think fries can’t be festive? Try our crispy GRK fries, seasoned with Greek herbs, topped with feta cheese crumbles, a sprinkle of oregano, and a drizzle of honey.
Sweet Endings
Baklava with Honey and Pistachios
Transform this classic pastry into a Christmas-inspired dessert with the addition of chopped dried cranberries. The flaky pastry layers filled with a generous sprinkling of crushed pistachios, sweet nuts, and honey are the perfect way to end a festive meal.
Loukoumades with Cinnamon and Pomegranate
Experience a burst of sweetness with our Loukoumades, a Greek dessert that’s a perfect festive treat.
Try these fluffy orbs of fried dough drizzled with honey, dusted with cinnamon, and topped with pomegranate arils. The contrasting flavors of sweet and tangy will create a very satisfying way to end your Christmas celebration.
Remember that these are just inspiration, so feel free to mix and match dishes, add your own touches, and create combinations that reflect your unique preferences as well as your festive spirit!
Infusing Mediterranean Flavors into Traditional American Christmas Dishes
You can bring a taste of the Mediterranean into traditional American Christmas dishes as well.
Here are some creative ideas for you to try!
Citrusy Hummus Dip with Vegetable Crudites
Transform the appetizer spread with a citrus-infused hummus. Add a twist to your pre-meal by offering hummus with a burst of citrus—freshly squeezed orange and lemon juice.
Pair it with an array of vegetable crudites like cucumber, peppers, carrots, celery, and cherry tomatoes for a refreshing and light appetizer.
Mezze-Inspired Appetizer Platter with American Twists
A mezze platter can offer a series of Mediterranean side dishes like hummus, baba ganoush, falafel, yogurt, grape leaves, and tabouli salad for a diverse beginning to your feast.
So arrange these flavorful dishes on a large platter and add American elements such as cheeses, cured meats, pickled vegetables, and crackers.
This fusion of Mediterranean and American flavors on a shared platter will invite your guests to explore and enjoy a blend of diverse tastes and a delightful twist on the traditional holiday appetizer.
Mediterranean Herb-Rubbed Roast Turkey
Give the classic roast turkey a Mediterranean twist by using a herb rub infused with oregano, thyme, rosemary, lemon zest, and a touch of smoked paprika. This aromatic blend will infuse the turkey with herby flavors, reminiscent of Mediterranean cuisine.
Serve it with a side of tzatziki or lemon-infused gravy for another Mediterranean touch.
Greek-inspired Cranberry Relish
Add a Greek twist to the traditional cranberry sauce. Combine cranberries with crumbled feta cheese, toasted walnuts, chopped cucumbers, and chopped Kalamata olives. Drizzle with olive oil and balsamic vinegar for an extra layer of depth.
This offers a refreshing contrast to the flavors of the holiday meal.
Mediterranean-Inspired Stuffing
Enhance the traditional stuffing with Mediterranean ingredients by adding diced dried fruits like apricots, figs, cranberries, or dates, alongside toasted pine nuts or almonds.
Also, incorporate aromatic spices such as cinnamon and nutmeg, and fresh herbs like parsley and mint.
By infusing these Mediterranean-inspired elements into traditional American Christmas dishes, you can create a festive feast that merges the familiarity of American traditions with the characteristic flavors of the Mediterranean. The most important thing is experimenting… and have fun!
Crafting Festive Feasts: Blending Mediterranean and Traditional Dishes for Christmas
Now you have a lot of great ideas to transform typical Mediterranean dishes into festive feasts and/or combine your traditional dishes with Mediterranean flavors.
From our table to yours, we extend our warmest wishes for a Christmas filled with love and the exquisite flavors of the Mediterranean.
