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From the Nizam's table

Savour food redolent of ghee, saffron and everything rich

FROM THE DECCAN At the Residency PHOTO K. ANANTHAN

Mention Hyderabad and the first thing that comes to mind is the scrumptious food of the Nizams. Rich with ghee and spices, each dish from the Nizam's stable was meant to pamper the taste buds.

Now, here's your chance to turn a temporary Nizam. Head for the Hyderabadi food festival at Pavilion, The Residency, for a ticket to culinary heaven.

A royal spread

Thankfully, the vegetarians can go home smiling at this fest. Fourteen dishes will tempt them during dinner every day. The non-vegetarians can partake of six signature dishes from the Deccan.

We start off with chilled gulkhand ka sherbet, a delightful concoction of Rooh Afza, gulkhand, milk and shredded apricot.

The starters come next. It is difficult to resist the bitter gourd stuffed with vegetable paste and braised with mustard paste. What follows is kumbh-makai tikka, where mushroom and corn have been coarsely grounded with spices and toasted.

Dal tamatarwali, the delightfully tart khatti dal, onion-rich lal saag and punjrattni subzi, a combo of mushrooms, broccoli, baby corn and coloured bell peppers, represent the main course. The chef then places the super-soft, warm sheermal on the table. An Indian bread, it is made using yeast, maida, milk, saffron and sesame seeds. Dip this rich bread in dal and it takes on a different flavour altogether. The sweet-sour mango pickle is a must try.

The other breads being offered are the succulent malai paratha, stuffed with spiced cream and cottage cheese and carrot paratha. Three stuffed parathas will be served every day.

In the rice section, go in for the warm and spicy subz Mumtaz biriyani, best with pachadi. If you love mint, flip for the pachakari biriyani, fragrant with mint, coriander and other spices.

In the non-vegetarian section, opt for haleem, minced lamb cooked with broken wheat and lentils, pathar ka gosht and shikampuri kebabs. Two special biriyanis will be served here every day.

Desserts delight

The eight-dish dessert section is a dieter's nightmare. Part of the tempting fare is shahi tukra, muzaffar flavoured with different fruits, khubani ka meetha, badam ka phirni and falooda.

Priced at Rs. 350 for adults and Rs. 200 for children, the fest is open for dinner every day and lunch and dinner on Sunday. On till July 23. Call 0422-2201234 for reservations.

SUBHA J RAO

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