Kadhi, trout, sondesh on Prez banquet menu for Obama

Fresh Trout fish from Shimla and sondesh made of jaggery will be some of the delicacies to be offered to US President Barack Obama during his visit.

Fresh Trout fish from Shimla and sondesh made of jaggery will be some of the delicacies to be offered to US President Barack Obama during his visit.

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President Pranab Mukherjee will throw a gala banquet on January 25 evening for Obama and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Vice-president Hamid Ansari, Congress president Sonia Gandhi and several other prominent guests have been invited.

For the first time, the President’s official dinner will be held at the newly-built Ceremonial Hall instead of the banquet hall of the Rashtrapati Bhavan. “Different regions and states of India will be represented in the menu,” said an official.

“The banquet will have both non-vegetarian and vegetarian fare,” said a source. Kadhi (fried dumplings in yoghurt-based gravy) of Gujarat and a sabzi from Rajasthan feature on the menu as do Awadh’s all-time hit Galauti kebab made from minced meat, a Chettinad delicacy and some Punjabi dishes.

A Goan curry is also being considered and special Banarasi paan may be served at the end of the dinner.

Sources told HT that apart from the Rashtrapati Bhavan kitchen staff, led by head chef Machindra Kasture, professional chefs from top hotels may also be roped in.