Some memories are as special as your favourite food served by a beloved person. These memories would nourish your emotions and add more flavour to your life. Cinema - serial artist Anu Joseph is thrilled to share some amazing memories about food and her favourite Christmas dishes.

Flavours from memory

When Anu thinks about her favourite food memory, she can’t help but go back to her childhood. One day, when she was returning after her dance class in Thaliparamba in Kannur, a hartal was abruptly announced at the Kasargod – Kannur border. Her dance teacher had sent her on a bus and had promised to inform her father. However, her father couldn’t reach the bus stop on time due to the hartal. Anu reached her stop at around 12 noon and began waiting for her father to come pick her up. “I was famished. I hadn’t had breakfast either. So, I was really hungry and didn’t know what to do. A man from the locality and his wife who saw me sitting alone at the bus stop came near me. They welcomed me to their home as they saw that I had been waiting there since a long time. From their house, I could see the road. So, I thought that I would be able to know if someone comes looking for me. I went along with them to their house. I asked for some water and they gave it to me. They then said that kanji (rice gruel) was ready and offered me some. So, for the first time in my life, I asked someone for food. I told them I would be happy to have it. I still remember the taste of the food that the lady in the house had served me. After some time, my father came and picked me up,” recalls Anu.

Anu says that after that endearing incident, she never felt as if she is alone in life. She was humbled by how a stranger had approached her and offered her help when she was helpless and vulnerable. For her, the memories of the couple taking her to the safety of their house and serving her food are really special. She, however, never got a chance to meet them again. Anu hopes that everyone would have a heart that is big enough to offer food to those who are hungry, just like the couple whom she had met in her childhood.

Christmas memories

Besides Christmas, Anu has one more reason to celebrate in the month of December. Her birthday falls on December 23 and the family often clubs it with the Christmas celebration two days later. She enjoys the cool nights and the festive moods of the month. Anu also likes waiting eagerly to welcome the New Year in style. “Colourful stars and illuminations adorning the facades of the houses are a joyous sight. I have lots of amazing memories of Christmas. I love celebrating Christmas with my family. However, there have been times when I was busy with programs and missed being with family for the festival. As I don’t have any programs this year due to the pandemic, I would be celebrating Christmas at home with my family,” says Anu.

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Cooking vlogs

“I am someone who began cooking quite unexpectedly. You could say that lockdown has taught me how to cook. I was someone who could cook only if it was very necessary. Like everyone, I too had turned to YouTube videos to try out dishes. Now, those who have tasted my food say that I can cook alright. I am not a foodie but I enjoy eating my favourite dishes. I don’t over eat. However, I am game to try out new and unique dishes. I always try various cuisines whenever I visit foreign countries as part of programs,” says Anu.

Anu shares an interesting recipe of ‘heavenly fish curry’ which has pineapple-based gravy. Check out the recipe.