I am humbled and amazed by all there is to be thankful for in my life. My little boy, whom neither my doctors nor I was ever confident that my body would allow me to have; my husband who supports and puts up with me; a family and circle of friends that were so supportive of us going on this adventure; our new friends that we have bonded fast and deeply with; my brand-new tiny "business" that appears to have great support and a lot of excitement around it; the Himalayas that we get to gaze upon daily. How did I ever become so fortunate? I am truly, deeply, thankful.
Now...onto the FOOD!
India is lacking many foods that we have in the states (just as in the states you are lacking many of the foods found here), this week the focus was on the lack of turkeys. I read with a growling stomach your emails detailing your Thanksgiving menus. I salivated, my mouth anticipating all the delicious flavors you would enjoy. I would scour our cabinets looking for something to curb the cravings for sweet potato souffle, roasted turkey, brandied cranberries and my mom's desserts. Potato chips, dark chocolate and pears did not seem to help (though I certainly tried!). You can find sweet potatoes here (they taste the same but are white inside) and white potatoes as well. Cranberries? Nope. Green beans? Yes. Stuffing? Make it yourself (which, is better anyways). You can order a turkey from Delhi for a small fortune if you must. The lovely Inn at the top of our mountain was serving "American Thanksgiving" for quite a large sum. Since Andy doesn't eat turkey and I don't eat pumpkin pie (well, I had a couple bites this year!) or stuffing we didn't feel like paying tons of money for something called "American Peas and Corn". Luckily, we didn't have to. Our friend, Noel, hosted a potluck. She gathered all the Americans under 40 and one French woman at her house. Everyone brought a couple of dishes to share.
They ranged from traditional: green bean casserole, homemade rolls (which looked delicious, but if I am risking a gluten response it is going to be for pie, not rolls) and pumpkin pie. To the not-so-traditional: pumpkin momos (dumplings), curried chicken and hazelnut cake. We feasted. It all felt so wonderfully thrown together and comforting. We had each other, and we were thankful. Except for Oliver taking a nose-dive onto the coir matting, made of cocount...very very rough, the evening was a complete delight.
So much so that we are having Thanksgiving part deux tonight! We all have traditionally spent the weekend surrounded by family and enjoying leftovers so we thought, have it twice! This time it's at Fabi's house. The menu will change a bit but the intention is still the same: we have each other, we are so thankful. When you are away from those you love the most it is so helpful to be around all the new people you have come to love (and aren't I lucky to have found them?). It isn't freezing cold outside, I didn't get to eat all my "favorites" and I really miss seeing my family. So it certainly doesn't feel like any Thanksgiving I have had before, but it does feel like Thanksgiving. And I am so thankful.
Now...onto the FOOD!
India is lacking many foods that we have in the states (just as in the states you are lacking many of the foods found here), this week the focus was on the lack of turkeys. I read with a growling stomach your emails detailing your Thanksgiving menus. I salivated, my mouth anticipating all the delicious flavors you would enjoy. I would scour our cabinets looking for something to curb the cravings for sweet potato souffle, roasted turkey, brandied cranberries and my mom's desserts. Potato chips, dark chocolate and pears did not seem to help (though I certainly tried!). You can find sweet potatoes here (they taste the same but are white inside) and white potatoes as well. Cranberries? Nope. Green beans? Yes. Stuffing? Make it yourself (which, is better anyways). You can order a turkey from Delhi for a small fortune if you must. The lovely Inn at the top of our mountain was serving "American Thanksgiving" for quite a large sum. Since Andy doesn't eat turkey and I don't eat pumpkin pie (well, I had a couple bites this year!) or stuffing we didn't feel like paying tons of money for something called "American Peas and Corn". Luckily, we didn't have to. Our friend, Noel, hosted a potluck. She gathered all the Americans under 40 and one French woman at her house. Everyone brought a couple of dishes to share.
They ranged from traditional: green bean casserole, homemade rolls (which looked delicious, but if I am risking a gluten response it is going to be for pie, not rolls) and pumpkin pie. To the not-so-traditional: pumpkin momos (dumplings), curried chicken and hazelnut cake. We feasted. It all felt so wonderfully thrown together and comforting. We had each other, and we were thankful. Except for Oliver taking a nose-dive onto the coir matting, made of cocount...very very rough, the evening was a complete delight.
So much so that we are having Thanksgiving part deux tonight! We all have traditionally spent the weekend surrounded by family and enjoying leftovers so we thought, have it twice! This time it's at Fabi's house. The menu will change a bit but the intention is still the same: we have each other, we are so thankful. When you are away from those you love the most it is so helpful to be around all the new people you have come to love (and aren't I lucky to have found them?). It isn't freezing cold outside, I didn't get to eat all my "favorites" and I really miss seeing my family. So it certainly doesn't feel like any Thanksgiving I have had before, but it does feel like Thanksgiving. And I am so thankful.
I second that! I smiled knowing pie would tempt you into gluten territory but buns would not! I'm curious if chick pea flour will work as well for a crust--I should think so since the butter holds everything together.
ReplyDelete