Christmas is the time to celebrate the birth of Lord Jesus Christ. The time to be thankful for everything you have in your life, family, health and of course, food. When it comes to the festival, the one thing you just can’t ignore is the delicious lunch spread — a must in every home that celebrates the festival.
Whether it is the preparation of the rum-plum cakes or just the fact that the entire family is getting to meet each other, Christmas brings with it a lot of expectations and warmth despite the dropping temperatures.
So what makes Chris-tmas lunch one of the important aspects of the festivals? I think it’s about how families get together, cook together, dine together and just be, or at least try to be together for one day in the entire year.
For all Christians, it is usually an elaborate affair for everyone. But the one thing you can’t ignore is the large feast that is put up. From a succulent roast (entire) pig, a huge turkey, chicken to ham or beef. The rule is simple. Go over-board and prepare in large quantities. Why, you ask? It’s simple. Because Chris-tmas is after all, about sharing Sharing with family, friends and just about everyone you know.
When it comes to my family, we try to divide work equally. I’m a Goan Catholic and it’s a rather large spread for us, so we make sure each family member brings a dish to the table.
The lunch is a laid-back calm affair. Since a lot of people go for mid-night masses and dances, the day is welcomed with an easy-going attitude. But ladies often start their cooking as early as 4 am to prepare traditional Christmas delicacies as guests are usually expected for lunch. While you do have your plum cakes and puddings, made of alcohol soaked plums, you also have the eggnog.
The eggnog is a drink made of, you guessed it right, eggs, alcohol and sugar. While it’s mostly an acquired taste, the fact is, it’s a great drink for the festival. Both eggnog and mulled wine generate heat and keep you warm. As does the feeling of being with the family.
Apart from the lunch, traditionally a week before Christmas, households start making sweets. Us Goans have a variety of them, bebinca and dodol. We also make simple goodies like the rose cookies and neureos.
The other items on a regular Christmas lunch depends on geography, us Goans have more of seafood.
Since this is my first Christmas in the city, it’s going to be slightly different. But irrespective of what and where the festival is being celebrated, Chris-tmas will always hold a special place in my heart. Because, apart from all the cheer and festivity it brings, it also reunites me with two of my favourite things: family and food.
Merry Christmas to all of you!
