There are certain dishes that are celebratory in nature. They are either made to mark occasions, or are seasonal, as in they are generally made at a particular time of the year for holidays or festivals. These days, in many parts of the world, including in our corner of the globe, you can get many of the holiday and special occasion dishes at eateries any day of the week. Some would argue that the everyday availability of these dishes has caused them to lose some of their symbolism, pride of place and authenticity. My opinion is that it is relative; we are the ones who ascribe value to things making them important to us. This past week, amidst lockdown and the Covid-19 environment, Pepperpot for me became more than my favourite Christmas dish, it provided a sense of comfort and security in these uncertain times.
Apart from a large pot of soup, I have been thinking of one-pot dishes that I can make and put into individual containers, freeze and refrigerate, so that I have ready access to nourishment whilst coping with the demands of teaching online. A little over a week ago, one of my cousins mentioned that he was thinking of making Pepperpot and immediately, I knew what I was going to cook that weekend – Pepperpot!