25122024-LSTL-01.qxd 12/24/2024 10:47 PM Page 1 c m y b BALDWIN’S RUST CASE OVER The case against Alec Baldwin in the tragic shooting on the sets of Rust is finally over. Nearly six months after a Santa Fe judge dismissed the involuntary criminal charges against him, the Santa Fe District Attorney’s Office announced that the case was closed. For the Santa within Christmas is a time of joy, reflection and togetherness. As the year comes to an end, it’s also a moment to express gratitude, share wishes and reflect on the ‘secret Santas’ in our lives who bring unexpected joy and blessings. Here’s how celebrities mark this magical season in their own special way TRIBUNE Life Spicy treat Deepkamal Kaur It’s the season of wine and when it is spiced like mulled wine, nothing beats the taste! Jalandhar-based hotelier Gautam Kapoor suggests that wine if concocted with spices like star anise, cin- Gautam namon and cloves, Kapoor and blended with maple syrup or brandy, becomes more soothing. It is just like having a regular tea or a masala tea with all the traditional flavours! “For a mulled wine, take an ordinary table wine. Not the Italian or the French wine. And while it is being spiced up, do not let it boil. There should be no bubbling and evaporation. The burner should be put off and the vessel covered or else the small alcohol amount in it will get evaporated,” he says. Kapoor, who has done a course in wine rating from Bordeaux, France, adds, “I have toured across the wineries and vineyards along Garonne river, Loire Valley, Rhone region and Burgundy, and I have tasted a variety of wines. I have seen how in several European countries, wine is a part of their culture and is so very deep-rooted.” At his place in Model Town, he has wine bottles stored at 16 degree centigrade. “That’s the ideal temperature at which the bottles have to be stored,” he says. “Wine bottles are stories in themselves. I write the names of people who have gifted me these and mention the date too. These bottles shall be opened for the same persons whenever we meet next,” he beams. Wines become very expensive over a period of time and a collector is always at an advantage. “The market price of some of the bottles which are with me for the past 10 years would have increased 10 times to 200 times,” he informs. WORK IS WORSHIP Subuhii Joshii Being a DJ, for me, Christmas means a lot because this is our season. I get to do a lot of shows in a lot of different cities. So, I get to see a lot of places. I love Christmas. I love putting up a tree at my house. But this year, I’m not able to do any of it because I have so much work! GOOD DEEDS: Kavitta Verma Year-end definitely means leaving certain things behind and making new memories. I celebrate Christmas in my own way—by going to Mount Mary Church, lighting candles, and praying. I believe everyone has a little bit of Santa in them. Good deeds bring Santa closer to us. SWEET TRADITION<: Shivangi Verma I love how everyone comes together to celebrate and enjoy the festivities. Christmas Eve is such a fun time, especially when you’re surrounded by loved ones, delicious food, and, of course, Christmas songs playing everywhere! As for secret Santa, I think it’s such a sweet tradition! My secret Santa this year? Hmm… someone who knows how much I love surprises! HAPPY TIME: Ekta Tiwari I’ve decided to be my own secret Santa this year, gifting and receiving bundles of happiness, prosperity, success, warmth, understanding, health, wealth, wisdom, and countless awards and rewards for both my personal and professional life! I extend these heartfelt wishes to everyone. CHERISHED MEMORIES: Raviraa Bhardwaj Christmas is a magical time that reminds us the year is coming to a beautiful close. In Mumbai, the festive spirit is unmatched—a true celebration of joy and unity. I believe the best ‘secret Santa’ is life itself, constantly giving us lessons, love and laughter Wrap up Actress Mrunal Thakur has wrapped up the schedule for her upcoming movie Dacoit. She will be seen sharing the screen with Adivi Sesh. The film marks the directorial debut of Shaneil Deo. LUDHIANA | WEDNESDAY | 25 DECEMBER 2024 PHOTO: PRADEEP TEWARI That heady sip! Mona Christmas this year reminds Caroline Rowett, British Deputy High Commissioner in Chandigarh, of home. The rainy weather is just like London and her family joining her this year, she is looking forward to the huge Christmas spread, a movie and time together! Caroline invites us home to share her mulled wine. A huge tree is adorned in her lawn, two more take space inside— each decorated with ornaments picked from different parts of the world. There are pretty little houses from Haiti, a red heart from Switzerland and a super cute Santa siting on an elephant, of course from India! Though Caroline is a vegetarian, that doesn’t stop her from making a huge Christmas meal—turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce, vegetables, minced meat and pudding. “Christmas is about listening to the address by the King, stuffing yourself with so much food that you can’t eat anymore and a nice movie,” says Caroline. This year on her mind is a Norwegian romantic comedy Christmas as Usual. To the mulled wine next. One of things she clears first is that one doesn’t need to spend on an expensive wine; any bottle that is open or even a cheap wine would work, since so many spices go into it. Mulled wine isn’t paired with the Christmas meal, but is for a cold morning and evening when one typically ventures out. Caroline’s mulled wine recipe is influenced by her travels—a little from Sweden, France and Germany, and, of course, back home! Caroline Rowett’s mulled wine recipe is influenced by her travels— a little from Sweden, France, Germany and UK INGREDIENTS Red wine Orange/kinnow Cinnamon Nutmeg powder Cloves Star anise Cardamom pods Ginger powder Almonds Raisins Honey Orange juice METHOD ■ Take a big, broad pan, and pour the wine on it. ■ Stick the cloves onto the orange. Pierce through to the fruit so that the juices come out. Put this orange into the wine. ■ Add spices—cinnamon, star anise, cardamom pods, ginger, almonds, raisins, honey and nutmeg powder. ■ Add some honey and orange juice. ■ Switch on the gas and let it simmer, stir occasionally. ■ Taste; adjust sweetness and flavours. ■ Pour into the mugs and serve hot. ■ Tip to make it extra strong—add a dash of brandy/rum SLICE OF HAPPINESS French chef Govinda Maria vouches for the Pain d’épices cake as something that will suit the Indian palate. Here’s the recipe… No pain, only pleasure Mona For Govinda Maria, a French chef from Paris, cooking is like daily meditation. She arrived in Chandigarh a couple of months ago to practise her passion for food with the Alliance Française Chandigarh Café. “I believe you have to taste a culture to understand it and I am so glad to contribute to this mission by sharing the exquisite flavours and culinary traditions of France with people here. Sharing a meal is a profound way to connect people and food is a cornerstone of French heritage,” she says. Govinda shares Pain d’épices (Winter Spices Cake) recipe with us. “The spices used in this Pain d’épices cake are really the symbol of winter, especially Christmas. Once the cake starts baking, the house is filled with the comforting smell of all the spices used and it feels like a celebration of winter. Though it is cold outside, the aroma of the cake in the oven really brings warmth to the heart and soul. In France, we rarely use these spices and it marks the winter festive season when we start making Pain d’épices. Having a bite of it is a moment of joy.” This one her father’s favourite cake and it is a tradition to make it for the festive season. “Pain d’épices is surely a people-pleaser, believes Govinda. “I always thought that Pain d’épices cake is something that would satisfy the Indian taste-buds.” What’s Christmas without cakes? Bakery shops in Ludhiana have come up with a range of mouthwatering plum cakes. At Bellfrance, special cakes are made for the occasion. Christmas cake is a British tradition that began as plum porridge. The traditional Christmas cakes are made with moist zante currants, sultanas (golden raisins) and raisins which have been soaked in brandy, rum, whisky or sherry. The cakes are prepared in the shapes like Christmas tree, Santa Clause, cradle, Christmas socks etc. Cakes are being prepared in many households for which mixing started 2-3 days back. — Shivani Bhakoo MERRY CHRISTMAS A mouthful of rich bite of plum cake, gulped down with a sip of mulled wine is what Christmas is made of, especially for foodies! A Christmas tradition of sorts, plum cake and mulled wine are festive staples, and several bakeries and cafes offer these in Amritsar. Plum cake, traditionally prepared by mixing dry fruits, such as apricots, figs, cashew nuts, raisins and black currants with wine, rum, brandy and whisky, a month before Christmas, is for the taking on the go at Grab N Go, with home delivery right on your doorstep. One can find the best plum cake in city at the Popular Bakery, one of the oldest here, apart from dessert line up at Taj, Hyatt and Le Meridien. For that perfect warm Christmas night drink, Elgin Cafe and The Bagh, two premium bar lounges and restaurants, offer mulled wine. — Neha Saini PAIN D’ÉPICES (WINTER SPICES CAKE) INGREDIENTS 160gm milk, 215gm honey, 75gm butter, 1 teaspoon orange zest, 235gm flour 75gm brown sugar, 2 teaspoons mixed spices, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1.5 teaspoon baking soda, A pinch of salt METHOD ■ Pre-heat the oven at 160 degrees celsius. Butter the cake tin well. ■ In a cooking pot, slowly heat the milk, honey, butter and orange zest together. Just let the butter melt and take it off the heat. a bowl, mix flour, brown sugar, spices powder, vanilla, baking powder and baking soda, then slowly add the milk preparation. ■ Pour into the cake tin and bake for an hour and enjoy the beautiful smell of winter coming from the oven. Let it cool down before cutting it. ■ In c m y b