Copy pasted from the original on FB

Each year we gather at my husband’s family home for Christmas lunch. My husband has a very large immediate family (they are seven siblings) and although it has been almost a decade since all 7 were together at the same time, every Christmas has us coming home for lunch. Sometimes we have relatives from abroad.

My MIL’s table is legendary and we all look forward to her cooking. Her Christmas menu today included home-made cake, sweets and OT (a special drink). I get to bring a salad or dessert. The house is always filled with tantalising smells from the kitchen. There are decorations everywhere including family favourites from across the world, little souvenirs each child brought back home to Poona from their travels far away.

This year we had salads, roast potatoes, gravy. My Grand- MIL made her roast chicken. There was salt tongue. Home -made luncheon meat. A beautiful and absolutely delicious family recipe of whole fish stuffed with fragrant chutney ( nothing Parsi about it). Sannas ( rice cakes made with coconut milk and yeast). Signature Pork Vindaloo to dip the sannas in. A deep bowl of fresh green peas. And a Christmas pudding with brandy butter. All homemade. And all delish!

There was champagne and an excellent #jacobscreek Chardonnay.
I have only just recovered from my food coma and we are on the way to another large family gathering for dinner and lots of masti, majja and singing.

Merry Christmas, y’all!!!! PS: the trick is to eat mindfully. Although I totally forgive you if you can’t help yourself this season!!

Today, 2022: things changed and times changed but some memories are worth sharing. No more family feasts but I am still blessed with friends like family and my own brood. Merry Christmas.