Ubosot Window, Wat Indrawiharn, Bangkok

 

It’s funny that, despite the fact that it is so often very hot here in Australia at Christmas, we still cling to traditions more appropriate to the Northern Winter. Not just cards with reindeer and snowy vistas either, but Mum sweating it out for hours in the kitchen over various roasting beasts, huge platters of cooked vegetables, and steamed puddings (OK, I admit it, I still make pudding, as you know from Day Two).

 

Nevertheless, there is a growing trend, as we realise that we are part of the Asian-Pacific region, towards more ‘appropriate’ methods of celebrating the festive season, saving the Northern Hemisphere culinary classics for “Christmas in July” winter weekends.

 

Summer means seafood; and what better way to celebrate Christmas than paying a flying visit to the fish-markets on Christmas Eve, battling the crowds and scoring some fresh oysters, jumbo prawns and small lobsters. Christmas Day, head down to the beach for an early morning dip, back for your ham’n’eggs, and some serious gift opening.

For lunch, a plate of homemade Thai fishcakes, tod mun pla, Day One’s turkey salad, and your seafood with plenty of lemon & fresh ground pepper, cold ham and salads. Finish off with Summer Pudding (who knows, a recipe may yet appear).

Then there’s some time for a nice lie down and some quality groaning, although perhaps less than would be warranted after the traditional hot feast with all the trimmings.

 

Here’s my new favourite recipe for Thai fish cakes - thanks to Leonie:

 

 

Tod Mun Pla

 

Red Curry Paste (makes about 3-4 tbsp)

 

12 small red chillies, seeds and membranes removed, chopped

3 cloves garlic, finely chopped or crushed

1 stem lemongrass, chopped

1 small onion finely chopped

1 tsp fresh grated ginger

2 tsp chopped coriander leaves and stems

1 large pinch cumin

1 tsp shrimp paste

2 tbsp vegetable oil

 

With a mortar and pestle, or in a mini-processor, pound chillies, garlic, lemongrass and onion until well bruised and juices begin to blend.

Add the remaining ingredients except the oil and process to a paste.

Blend in the oil. Will keep for up to a month in an airtight container in the fridge.

 

Dipping Sauce

 

1 Lebanese cucumber, chopped finely

3 tbsp sweet chilli sauce

2 tbsp rice vinegar

½ tbsp fish sauce

1 tbsp roast unsalted peanuts, chopped

1 tbsp fresh coriander leaves, chopped

 

Mix ingredients together in a bowl.

 

Fish Cakes (Makes 8-10)

 

300g white fish fillets, skinned and chopped

3 tbsp red curry paste

2 tbsp fish sauce

3 tbsp cornflour

1 tbsp fresh coriander (cilantro) leaves, chopped

2 shallots (scallions), finely sliced

3 tbsp green beans, finely sliced

1 egg, beaten

Flour, for dusting

Neutral vegetable oil for frying

 

Add fish, red curry paste, fish sauce, cornflour and coriander to a processor and process until finely minced.

Remove and beat in shallots and beans with enough egg to bind mixture together.

Dust hands with flour and shape into 8-10 small flat rounds.

Chill until required.

Shallow or deep fry for a few minutes on each side until golden brown.

Serve with dipping sauce.

 

 

The Thai have embraced Christmas in a big way. Carols abound, Santas wander in the streets, stalls are piled high with Christmas decorations, people give gifts, children at some schools receive sweets and put on Nativity plays. So what’s that about in a nation which is 95% Buddhist, 4% Muslim and only 0.5% Christian?

As one Thai has asked:

Anyway, is it right we celebrate Christmas when we are not Christian? I think it should be fine because we are not doing anything bad to their religion. We celebrate Christmas respectfully as Christian countries do. Buddhism teaches us to open our hearts widely for people from other religions.

I guess in part this is a reflection of the Thai character. The Thai love to celebrate, and have taken on board a host of ‘foreign’ celebrations, including Halloween, Chinese and Western New Year. But do I also detect the work of an unholy trinity, Western Cultural Imperialism, the Globalisation of Christmas and the dread hand of Capitalism?

We don’t need to buy a ticket to Bangkok to see that for ourselves. There is more than sufficient of that on our own doorstep.

 

If we are Christian, I think it behoves us to treat Christmas as an important religious occasion. If we are not, it should at least be treated as a serious spiritual and social occasion. Serious in the sense of crucial, important or meaningful, not austere, solemn or humourless.

 

As for gifts, the Shorter Oxford English Dictionary tells us, interestingly, that the root of the word gift relates to espousal or payment for a wife:

Ask me never so much dowry and gift, and I will give according as ye shall say unto me: but give me the damsel to wife. Gen. 34:12.

Specific uses of gift include both an offering to God and a faculty, power, or quality miraculously bestowed; a virtue or endowment looked on as an emanation from heaven.

All of these demonstrate the extremely intimate relationship between giver and receiver. I would suggest that the value of the transaction is not to be measured by the gift object, or its monetary value, but rather in the cohesive effect of giving, the growth of relations. The true cost of giving is the effort of selection. To borrow from the Book of Common Prayer, gift giving …therefore is not by any to be enterprised, nor taken in hand, unadvisedly, lightly, or wantonly…but reverently, discreetly, advisedly, soberly, and in the fear of God; duly considering the causes for which [it] was ordained.

 

A beautiful Christmas tradition in Poland, Slovakia and parts of the Baltic is the sharing of oplatek, also known as Anielski Chleb or “Angel Bread”. The name oplatek derives from oblatum, or “holy bread”. Oplatki are thin unleavened wafers, usually stamped with a nativity scene or other religious image. At the Christmas meal everyone is given a piece of oplatek, and each shares with the other a small piece of their bread with words of love and best wishes. If there are any outstanding grievances between two people this is the time for reconciliation and forgiveness.

 

Love and forgiveness, are these two not the greatest gifts and the true meaning of Christmas? Give joyfully, like the Thai, with an open heart.

 

 

Suksan Wan Christmas lae Sawadee Pee Mai!