Christmas 2020. The year of the Covid pandemic.The year we went into lockdown first and then had to stay socially distanced from our friends and families even when out of it. Socially distanced, but emotionally attached as Christmas reminded us.
This special Christmas episode of #foodocracykitchens, my show where I talk about the food from across home kitchens of Mumbai, is about all the food that came our way to make our Christmas at home feel special and blessed this year.
From our friends who are like family, mother and daughter duo, Erika and Gia Badami came a kuswar platter with cakes baked by Erika (despite a broken hand), chocolate reindeer cupcakes baked by Gia and the roast chicken from chef Aloysius Dsilva that they ordered for us. They even got us a Christmas cake candle from Auspicious Beginnings.
A ‘covid proof Christmas cake from our neighbours, the Cuntinas. “I have baked it myself. Packed it myself. No-one has touched it except me and you have nothing to worry,” said Mrs C.
A mind-blowing eggless and alcohol free ‘Ootapura” plum cake sent by Marina Balakrishnan AKA @thatthalasserygirl (on insta).
Winter special notun gurer shondesh from Kolkata dropped in by a friend who wants to remain anonymous.
There was the plum cake from Candies that I like and kuswar made by mama Perriera’s friend and more treats from the Perrieras of Candies.Samprita Sinha AKA @paavwali (on insta) sent us an amazing olive sourdough fougasse (like foccacia but crunchier) and young Francisca Murzello of @thedailycutbandra sent kuswar and some epiphanic east Indian pickled pork and fugia (fermented yeast balloon bread).
What is kuswar? The Goan, Mangalorean and EastIndian Catholic term for the treats made at home and given to others during Christmas.
A practise which makes our Christmases in Bandra special and a term which I heard of for the first time this year thanks to Joanna Lobo, Ruth Dsousa and Francisca on social media.
Yes, I am truly, truly lucky and I wish you a very merry Christmas from the bottom of my heart, along with Baby Loaf and little Nimki and Kainaz, who patiently shot this video. May peace, good health, happiness and food that brings joy come your way. Take care! Stay safe! Wear masks! Wash your hands. Maintain distance from each other.
PS: We stepped out with our friend and Shaswati and had breakfast at Suzette. Candies was too crowded but we had a nice time at the end of it all.
