Do it sweet and healthy at the mela

“Trial and error,” said KS Geetha Shivkumar, is the secret behind her innovative Avarekayi recipes. She has over 30 recipes of Avarekayi to her credit that are a huge hit among most Bangaloreans. Geetha, owner of Sri Vasavi Condiments in Basavanagudi, is the host of the annual ‘Avarebele Mela’.

“Avarebele has a shelf life of at least one year after it is fried, which also helps retain its taste and flavour,” said Geetha.

Owning a condiment store has also helped her pander to the palate of her customers. From the commonly prepared household item like hithkavare bele saaru, to the Congress mix, and mouth watering hithkabele jamoon and hithkabele payasa the mela is just drowned in these aromas. The platter is so large that many Bangaloreans are left wide-eyed. “Forget about preparing them, I never even thought of such items,” said Rekha H.

Geetha has also given an Avarekayi twist to some bakery items this year. Her innovations include hithkabele sone cake, hithkabele puff and hithkabele bun to name a few. Ekta Raj, a visitor at the mela, was quite impressed with the array of dishes.

“A lot of effort has been put into finding appealing and appropriate names to these new dishes,” she said. “We have received a tremendous response this year, with over 2,000 customers visiting us every day,” said Geetha.