Festive Food

India can literally be called the Land of Festivals. If there is one thing that is synonymous with any festival, it's food. Every festival is identified with the food items that are prepared.

- Anupa Roy

Christmas is an iconic festival. It revolves around food. A Roast Meat is the focal point, Turkey, Chicken and Duck are the common items. The poultry is often stuffed with a stuffing mixture. Pork and Beef in huge hunks are roasted. Gammon/Ham, a whole leg is also a very popular item. Once the main is fixed, it's free for all on the side dishes. Multiple vegetables, Roast Potatoes being de rigueur, carrots, beans, peas, corn, baked cauliflower, fresh salads, gravies and sauces go on the table. Additional meats, like platters of cold cuts, mini pies, meatloaf and pigs in blankets get added to the repertoire. Can't forget the desserts, Christmas pudding, flambéed before serving, mince pies, plum pudding, rich fruit cakes. A shout-out has to be given to the contributions of the Anglo-Indian community who are a unique bunch of people. It's quite common to find roasts sitting beside vindaloo and beef pepper fry, meat croquettes and jhalfrezi with grilled vegetables and Russian salad.