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"Christmas in
Kathmandu”
(Story)
The last time I spent Christmas with my family in
Nepal was
16 years ago. My mother was still around; she loved Christmas
celebrations as did her father. At that time PK, the brother who is now
settled in India, and his family, and Vidhea and her son Yanik, were all
living in Kathmandu.
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Sister Vidhea and her son Yanik - Christmas
1989 |
Vidhea still carries on the tradition of celebrating Christmas.
The tradition is to purchase a live tree which at the end of the holidays
is planted in someone’s yard; part of the “green” movement. The tree is
usually trimmed with hand-made ornaments made by underprivileged
children. Gifts are small but meaningful.
The Christmas dinner is a combination of ethnic and western
dishes.
The half million Christians in about 3,000 congregations in this
overwhelmingly Hindu nation celebrate Christmas with church services,
choirs and nativity plays.
The spread of Christianity in
Nepal owes
much to Prem Pradhan, a Nepalese army officer who served in the British
Air Force in World War II. He converted to Christianity in India and
returned to Nepal in 1959.
He built Christian schools with the help of a
Mission in
Pennsylvania. In 1972 the first school he started was raided by the State
police. He was imprisoned and sentenced for 54 years, unless he paid a
ransom of Rs. 20,000- a rupee a day, then the equivalent of $2,000. The
story goes that he sent word to the Mission. They raised the ransom and
had it smuggled to Nepal by two teenagers. The ransom was handed to the
authorities and Prem was released.
In 1986 the King of Nepal awarded Prem the Medal of Honor for his
humanitarian and educational work.
Nepal,
once known as a Hindu Kingdom, is now a secular state. Proselytism is
still illegal. However, the Government does not interfere with the
practice of other religious groups, and religious tolerance is broadly
observed.
The secular aspect of Christmas - tree trimming and exchanging
gifts - is now celebrated with enthusiasm by people of many religions.
**********************************************************
"Christmas
in Kathmandu"
(Recipes)
Festive rice in lieu of stuffing or side dish
Serves 8
Ingredients:
4 teaspoons ghee or butter
1 large onion sliced
2 large tomatoes slice
1 red bell pepper, sliced
1 green pepper, sliced
1 teaspoon ginger
12 teaspoons garlic paste
1 teaspoon chili pepper (or to taste)
4 Tablespoons fresh coriander (chopped)
1 large potato, dice
1 ½ teaspoons salt
2/3 cup frozen peas
4 cups rice
6 cups water.
Directions:
1. Heat oil and fry the onions for approximately 5 minutes.
2. Add al the ingredients except rice and stir-fry for an additional five
minutes.
3. Add rice and stir. For approximately one minute.
4. Pour the water into the mixture and bring to boil.
5. Lower to heat to medium. Cover and cook for 15 minutes.
6. Let stand for 5 minutes before serving.
Candied Parsnips and Carrots
Serves 8
Ingredients:
4 medium Parsnips
8 medium carrots
4 cups orange juice
8 teaspoons honey
Directions:
1. Trip off the tops and peel the parsnips and carrots.
2. Cut vertically, into 2” pieces.
3. In a small heavy saucepan combine the orange juice and honey.
4. Bring to a boil over high heat.
5. Stir in the vegetables and bring to boil.
6. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pan and cook for approximately 12
minutes until the vegetable are crisp.
7. Remove the cover, increaser the heat to high and cook until he liquid
is syrupy and reduced to about 6 tablespoons.
8. Serve hot.
Lassi in lieu of Eggnog
Ingredients:
(serves 8)
2 ½ cups plain yogurt
2 granulated sugar
2 ½ cups water
4 Tablespoons pureed fruit
2 Tablespoons ground pistachio nuts
Directions:
1. Place the yogurt and water and whisk for about 2 minutes until frothy.
2. Add the water and pureed fruit and whisk for an additional 2 minutes.
3. Pour the lassi into serving glasses.
4. Chill the lassi.
5. Sprinkle with crushed nuts before serving.
Note: Serve in crystal or fancy mugs
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