Ruth’s Table – An Anglo Rendezvous
“The greatest dishes are the ones prepared and served at home”
Welcome to ‘Ruth’s Table’ – a place to enjoy a unique dining experience in the heart of my family home. My passion is preparing food and doing it with love, care and attention to detail. What I am offering at ‘Ruth’s Table’ is not only a home-cooked authentic Anglo-Indian meal prepared from much love
d family recipes, but also an opportunity to participate in a slice of the culture of dancing, having fun and playing party games, which is at the heart of Anglo-Indian get-togethers and celebrations. Growing up in a large family my memories are of playful times, sibling rivalry, strict house rules, but most of all the tantalising aroma of my mother’s cooking permeating the house. My love for food and cooking is probably a result of those happy times watching Mum turn out delicious meals. Now I’m married and have kids of my own, I take great delight in doing the same as my mother did – cooking tasty food for family and friends. The positive feedback received from friends and others on the unique flavours of my Anglo-Indian dishes, hitherto unknown to them, encouraged me into creating ‘Ruth’s Table’. It is also my way of bringing awareness and continuity to an almost extinct ‘Anglo-Indian’ cuisine, which is largely due to - on the one hand Anglo-Indians emigrating, whilst on the other, the younger generation being influenced by the western food culture. For those of you wondering what Anglo-Indian cuisine is all about, let me first summarise the origins of the community referred to as Anglo-Indians. The Anglo-Indians are a minority sect descended from European paternal liaisons with Indian citizens during the period of colonisation of India by the French, Portuguese or British going back a few centuries. Anglo-Indian cuisine was developed during the British Raj and has evolved over the years. The khansamas (cooks) of the day adapted dishes from the original pungent spicy flavours of Indian food to milder and more palatable ones suited to the sensitive and delicate tastes of foreigners. Their culinary creations included dishes (curries, lamb chops, roast meat, cutlets, etc.} that became popular favourites with the foreigners and were served at Railway station Dining rooms, Dak Bungalows and Inspection Bungalows across the country. As a ‘Railway’ family - by token of my father’s job, we travelled frequently and extensively by train. What a joyful experience that was! Only the thrill of train journeys that involved eating big time. My mother carried plenty of food, supplemented by the popular railway food (mutton curry, being one) that was delivered to our coach at train stations. Such a feast! I dearly cherish my memories from childhood - the fun times and delicious food. I plan to recreate my favourite recipes and serve them at ‘Ruth’s Table’ - a safe space to feel comfortable, relax, experience the flavours of Anglo-Indian cuisine and it’s culture, have fun and make pleasant memories for you to treasure, too.
