Having celebrated Christmas in both London & Â 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. Â 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, Â Gravy & Champagne…because 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!
What fun! I love how you compared Christmas in both locations. Your food looks great too!
Glad you had a great day! 🙂
I love how you compared the different locations… how awesome! Great food lady, I am glad you had a nice time 🙂
I could dig into the honey mustard chicken right now. Glad you had a lovely day!
wowww that is AWESOME that you spent it at Mumbai!~haha, that makes me think of Mission Impossible (the new one), since I watched it last night 😀 And your honey mustard roast chicken sounds really delicious~!
Was MI4 filmed in Mumbai? I’m pretty sure it was Dubai?
Yum Yum Yum!!! Your feast looks SO delicious. Looks like you had a “best of both worlds” Christmas; with harem pants et al 😉
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 🙂
Hahah google BAU…I have not lost it completely to make up my own abbreviations ;)!
Hope you managed to fill the kebab void on Boxing Day.
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!
So happy to hear how you enjoyed the holiday. The food looks amazing!!!
I’ve never had a chocolate yule log but it sounds great! 🙂
You need to try it ASAP- too delicious for words!
The lentil walnut loaf looks delicious! Bookmarked the recipe to try soon and I can’t wait for the mushroom almond pilaf recipe – sounds right up my alley. Glad you enjoyed your xmas celebrations 🙂
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.
Glad you were here for it..I especially enjoyed our waffle breakfast!
Mmmmm I love feasts 🙂
I would love a Christmas in a tank top! And with any of that food–that pilaf sounds delish, ready for the recipe!
The loaf and pilaf look so delectable. And I’ve always wanted to have a yule log cake!
Wow! What a fantastic array of foods — I need to get me some truffle oil soonish 🙂
Happy New Year my dear friend 🙂
Truffle oil is a remarkable condiment- just a tiny bit can completely transform a dish!
ha, I love this- one year I spent Christmas in Arizona and it felt so strange being in a tank top…but I wasn’t complaining 🙂
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 !
Thanks for ‘stopping by’ and leaving such a kind comment- really appreciate it :)! Happy holidays to you and your family too!