It is that time of the year again when the words vrat ka khana fill up our senses and the menus of restaurants around us. With people meticulously avoiding anything remotely ‘meaty’ and instead opting for saada khana, makes sense for even the star properties, who have all the ‘meat’ from around the world at their disposal to cash in on the Navratri bash and churn out from the kitchens some truly tasty dishes.
However, for all those of you who could do with a change of taste and give Indian vegetarian food a miss, I quite liked what ITC Maurya thought out. Their Navratri promotion takes you on a culinary tour of the world, with a Bento Box and a Continental thali.
The portions are huge. Each thali is a complete set — with starters, main courses and desserts all being served on one large plate. All of this has been prepared with special ingredients for Navratra.
The Indian section has Kuttu pakodi with khajjoor sonth, Baingan chila chaat, some delicious Paneer adraki Bhujjia, lip-smacking Amrud ki Subzi and Samak alu Khichdi for those who love their rice. Sweeten these with some Sago kheer and Kumre zeera Halwa. This thali is difficult to finish alone, so take help of friends/family as you wolf it down.
A lot of thought has obviously gone behind the Continental thali and I am certain the chefs had to tear their hair to make a primarily non-vegetarian cuisine ‘vrat friendly’. What finally emerged was Butternut squash ginger soup, Marinated Eggplant and fennel salad, Buckwheat pizetta [try it at home with the recipe], Fried open pumpkin ravioli of buck wheat tossed in sage butter and, hold your breath, Samak rice risotto among others.
I quite liked the way ingredients have been swapped but even then the taste has been retained, and in some cases, enhanced.
And yes, for those who can’t do without ‘Chinese’, there is also an Oriental Bento Box.
Rush, we say!
DETAIL
At: Pavilion, ITC Maurya, Sardar Patel Marg
On Till: 25 October
Cost: Rs 1,250 + taxes
However, for all those of you who could do with a change of taste and give Indian vegetarian food a miss, I quite liked what ITC Maurya thought out. Their Navratri promotion takes you on a culinary tour of the world, with a Bento Box and a Continental thali.
The portions are huge. Each thali is a complete set — with starters, main courses and desserts all being served on one large plate. All of this has been prepared with special ingredients for Navratra.
The Indian section has Kuttu pakodi with khajjoor sonth, Baingan chila chaat, some delicious Paneer adraki Bhujjia, lip-smacking Amrud ki Subzi and Samak alu Khichdi for those who love their rice. Sweeten these with some Sago kheer and Kumre zeera Halwa. This thali is difficult to finish alone, so take help of friends/family as you wolf it down.
A lot of thought has obviously gone behind the Continental thali and I am certain the chefs had to tear their hair to make a primarily non-vegetarian cuisine ‘vrat friendly’. What finally emerged was Butternut squash ginger soup, Marinated Eggplant and fennel salad, Buckwheat pizetta [try it at home with the recipe], Fried open pumpkin ravioli of buck wheat tossed in sage butter and, hold your breath, Samak rice risotto among others.
I quite liked the way ingredients have been swapped but even then the taste has been retained, and in some cases, enhanced.
And yes, for those who can’t do without ‘Chinese’, there is also an Oriental Bento Box.
Rush, we say!
DETAIL
At: Pavilion, ITC Maurya, Sardar Patel Marg
On Till: 25 October
Cost: Rs 1,250 + taxes