Here’s a round-up of delicious monsoon treats you can gorge on this rainy season
Piping hot pakodas and a steaming cup of chai are a perfect monsoon food combo. And if you think it can’t get better than that, think again! From Mangalorean-style Arbi, Sambhar Cappuccino with dosa to Chesse Cheddar Pakora, here’s the lowdown of monsoon fare, you can try in the capital.
Fried preparation of Arbi leaves Mangalorean-style
Fresh arbi leaves wrapped and marinated with freshly ground masala, then steamed for 20 minutes are then pan-fried. Chef Sukesh Kanchan recommends this dish for the monsoon season and says, “It’s known to have many health benefits.”
COST: Rs 350, plus taxes
AT: Sanadige, Chanakyapuri
Cheese Cheddar Pakoda
Bread pakoda gets indulgent with a stuffing of cheese that lends softness and crispiness to it, and at in the end it’s tossed in masalas to give you a perfect dish. Chef Ram Dutt feels that this season and chaat go hand in hand. He adds, “This dish satisfies that craving for something chatpata.”
COST: Rs 175
AT: Nukkad Cafe, SDA, South Delhi
Sambhar cappuccino
A different take on the classic sambhar dosa. This dish is presented like a soup course. A south Indian dish, which a north Indian mother is more likely to prepare.
COST: Rs 149, plus taxes
Litchi tikka
This is a fruit tikka. Litchi is stuffed with nuts and khoya and then marinated in a light cream and saffron marination and finished in a tandoor. Chef Harangad Singh says, “Both Litchi tikka and sambhar cappuccino are contemporary innovations, which are light and flavoursome with the perfect balance of spices, tanginess and ingredients.”
COST: Rs 275, plus taxes
AT: Prankster, Sector 29, Gurugram
Palak chaat
Palak Patta chaat has some interesting elements like mayo, pomegranate seeds, jaggery sauce, etc, making it a wholesome experience even as an appetiser. While the tandoori broccoli is also a hit.
COST: Rs 295, plus taxes
AT: Junkyard cafe, Connaught Place
Wasabi Peas Aloo Tikki
Wasabi peas aloo tikki is a fusion of traditional Indian aloo tikki mixed with peas, served with a wasabi dip. What you get is a crispy aloo tikki with peas, which add a soft texture, while wasabi dip leaves a not-so-strong flavour on the palate. Umang Tewari, founder of Junkyard Cafe, says, “Monsoons are made for pakodas, tikkis etc. This fusion of traditional tikki with wasabi goes perfectly together.”
COST: Rs 325, plus taxes
Broccoli stuffed tandoori momos
Tandoori momos are a fusion version of traditional steamed momo. To make the dish the perfect monsoon accompaniment and to enhance its flavours, here they marinade it with select Indian spices and cook it in a traditional tandoor setup. Chef Sumalya Sarkar says, “Balanced spices always play an important role in food during the monsoon. Flavourful, hot tandoori momos are the perfect snack to lift one’s mood during lazy rainy afternoons or during drizzling evenings.”
COST: Rs 500, plus taxes
AT : The Gateway Resort Damdama Lake, Gurgaon
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