By IANS
New Delhi : Representing the diversity that is India and Indian cuisine, it should be a meal to satisfy the most discerning gourmand. But there was one request from British Prime Minister Gordon Brown for the state banquet here Monday night – some decaffeinated coffee and sparkling water please.
“We were not given any restrictions or requests on what the British prime minister will eat. Only that there should be decaffeinated coffee and sparkling water within his reach,” said an official.
The feast hosted by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at the Hyderabad House for the dignitary, who is on a two-day visit to India, will begin with tomato soup delicately flavoured with sweet basil. This will be followed by a smorgasbord of delights.
“The idea is to represent the best of Indian cuisine from all over the country, as well the seasonal vegetables,” said the official.
So, rogan josh from Jammu and Kashmir will vie with Awadh’s gobhi mussalam and dudhiya kofta from Maharashtra for attention on the high table. Besides, there will be boti burra and mahi kaliya. And for dessert, the chefs have rustled up gajar ka kheer.