A feAstive Christmas

Having celebrated Christmas in both London &  Mumbai in the past, I can vouch for it being a completely different experience:

Christmas in London:

  • Outside is freezing cold & I spend my day huddled around the mini heater at home
  • We exchange token presents because it’s hard not to get into the spirit
  • The whole city more or less shuts down
  • The day involves plenty of time at home watching whatever Christmas movies are on TV and the Queen’s speech
  • I wake up early to help prepare Christmas lunch

Christmas in Mumbai:

  • I spent the day in harem pants & a tank top
  • Christmas eve is just another reason to party
  • Other than a few restaurants offering Christmas specials, it’s B.A.U: business as usual
  • I woke up to the smell of lunch being prepared, thanks to my mom & our cook

However in both places, food is a big deal and Christmas is one big feAstivity.  Although we didn’t have a Marks & Spencer at our disposal this year, I think we fared pretty well with our spread:

  • Honey Mustard Roast Chicken
  • Prawn Cocktail
  • Truffle-Infused Green Beans & Broccoli and Rosemary Roast Potatoes
  • Mushroom & Almond Pilaf (recipe to come)
  • Unpictured Cranberry Sauce,  Gravy & Champagnebecause apparently happy hour starts early on Christmas

And because no meal is complete without dessert:

  • Mince Pies
  • Chocolate Yule Log (one of my all time favorites)
  • Maple Leaf Biscuits

A second similarity is that Christmas in Mumbai & London both involves plenty of family time.  Despite being part of a family of Grinches, Christmas 2011 was definitely one to remember.  It’s not often my immediate family and I are together so we absolutely made the most of it…and probably set a record:

a full day sans any bickering ;)!

Hope you all had a great weekend, whether or not you actually celebrated Christmas!

23 thoughts on “A feAstive Christmas”

  1. BAU…did you invent that Khushboo? Haha…I kind of wish it was BAU here as well- my friend and I were craving kebabs like no other on xmas and not a SINGLE RESTAURANT was open- no middle eastern or indian places which I was shocked at.
    I have to say your xmas feast does look delicious though 🙂

  2. Oh that honey mustard chicken looks delicious! I think it is so cool that you’ve lived and experienced such a big holiday in two awesome countries! I love the comparisons you list…it’s so insightful!

  3. Best Christmas meal ever!! So glad we were able to spend the holidays together. Your pilaf recipe was fab – must have been the best part of the meal near second were the maple cookies.

  4. first time in your space . wow….what a fantastic array of food….I loved the honey mustard roast chicken the most……I’m ur new follower now…do visit my space in your free time 🙂 wishing u n ur family a merry christmas n a new year in advance !

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