December 17, 2024 | Awake & Dreaming

Christmas cakes, alternatively referred to as plum cakes, boast a storied history that adds to their festive allure. The decadent fruit cakes commonly linked with Christmas have their origins in Twelfth Cakes, traditionally consumed on Twelfth Night, marking the culmination of the 12 Days of Christmas on January 5th in the UK. However, the preparation of Christmas cake has evolved worldwide and is now approached in various ways. India, too, has its unique historical connection to Christmas treats.

The roots of the plum cake can be traced back to England, where in the weeks leading up to Christmas, it was customary to observe fasting and refrain from various indulgences. Chef Jose Varkey, the corporate mentor chef at CGH Earth, drew inspiration from the royal wedding cake of Prince Charles and Diana. He introduced an innovative double-maturing process, which he proudly dubs “The Living Cake.” This technique represents an evolution of flavors that are carefully nurtured over time. The aromatic spices and handpicked currants used in this process are sourced from the spice market of Mattanchery, offering a culinary homage to the renowned spice market in Kochi.

The Pandhal Cafe in Kochi infused this delightful creation, giving it the name “Mattanchère Spice Cake,” also recognized as the matured plum cake. From being a regular fruit cake to what we now proudly call as ‘Double Matured Spice Plum Cake’ is a journey that started from the CGH Earth Hotel’s kitchen and is now part of the Pandhal cake shop is one of the most favorite nostalgic Christmas delicacy. In Kochi, the Pandhal Cafe’s 40-year legacy, Mattanchere Spice Plum Cake, is a sought-after Christmas delight and is available for delivery nationwide via Amazon. Priced at Rs 1595.

It’s 11pm. You just got home after a long, stressful day. You have a $60 UberEats gift card. What are you ordering?

Well, there have been a few nights when I was hungry and craving something to eat at the end of a work shift. This was when I was still working the previous process and I would usually do a 5:30 pm to a 2:30 am shift or a 6:30 pm to a 3:30 am shift. Dinner was usually at 9 pm and on days where it as not substantial or the cafeteria food was bland and not tasty, I would get some cravings at around this time. Infact a lot of my colleagues would buy food either on their way home or order in or have some food waiting for them – cooked or ordered in.

So I would check for what food can be ordered on (since we don’t have UberEats) Swiggy or Zomato. Usually it’s a handful of cafes that stay open late and then 3 fried chicken places – Chicking, KFC & AFC. No KFC and Chicking will close by 3 am but AFC works 24/7 so usually that is the one I used to order from. I’d come down to the building lobby after shutting down for the day, book my cab via Uber or Yatri and while I wait for the car to arrive, I would order the food to be delivered to my apartment. Usually by the time I reach home, the food delivery would be 5 minutes away or would have just reached.

I collect the food – usually a chicken sandwich, a Coke/Pepsi and a piece of chicken – then go to my room and change. After that I sit on my bed, eat the food while I watch some tv. This is a melancholic but still an enjoyable time of the day. I have since changed my shift timings and now work mostly from home.

Prompt from Journaling Prompts from The Coffee Monterz Co . Com