Melissa D'costa takes a peek into diverse Christmas menus, from a Sweet Hot Pork Curry inside a Mangalorean kitchen to a spicy Sorpotel served at an East Indian home and a Roast Duck spread courtesy a Syrian Christian household; it's all about bonding over food at the table this festive season

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Xmas lunch, served hot

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This is also served with Acchappam that's made with rice, sesame and sugar and a slice of the Christmas Cake. Lunch is an elaborate affair with a variety of dishes including rice, Chicken Curry, Beef Fry, Beef Cutlets and Pork Fry. And while Stuffed Turkey and Stuffed Chicken are the norm for most communities, Syrian Christians generally opt for a Roast Duck, which is a popular dish made during Christmas and Easter.

Mangaloreans feast on Pork Indad
Just like the Goans, Mangaloreans love their pork, and Pork Indad enjoys the distinction of being a Mangalorean and Goan dish. It is a sweet, hot pork curry that is generally prepared for Christmas. Lydia Pinto, a resident of Orlem, Malad (W) says, "Pork Indad, Chicken Curry and Sannas (fluffy, spongy, thicker versions of idlis, prepared using sweet, steamed rice) are three basic dishes that are generally made for Christmas. It's a simple menu but a tasty one."

East Indian's indulge in Vindaloo and Stuffed Chicken
Sorpotel and Vindaloo are two pork dishes that every food-loving Goan swears by. However, what's interesting is that the East Indian community also prepares these two fiery Goan gravries for special occasions. Cora Soares, a resident of Evershine Nagar, Malad (W) says, "The main distinction between the two versions of Sorpotel is that the latter is prepared using the secret East Indian Bottle Masala, which is the essence of this particular dish."

Cora adds, "A lot of love goes into preparing a Christmas meal, which is then shared at the table by the entire family. East Indians generally prepare the Wedding Rice, which is a delicacy within the community. It's prepared using ghee and basmati rice and garnished with fried onions, fried cashew nuts and raisins.

This is served with a spread that includes Tongue Roast, Stuffed Chicken (the stuffing includes cold cuts, green peas, carrots, croutons, cashew nuts and raisins), Mutton Curry, Fugias (a small round bread with a spongy texture), Mutton Stew, Christmas Pudding and Caramel Custard.