Gujarati kadhi, bhuna gosht boti for Obama working lunch

New Delhi: US President Barack Obama may have been spoilt for choice at a working lunch hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the Hyderabad House here Sunday as he was served an array of vegetarian and non-vegetarian Indian cuisine, including a tangy Gujarati kadhi made from buttermilk and gram flour, and bhuna gosht boti - tender pieces of lamb cooked in tomato and onion masala.

The non-vegetarian menu also included murgh neza kebab - escallops of chicken marinated with gram flour, cream and cooked in a tandoor; shrimp karavalli, stir fried tiger shrimps flavoured with tellicherry black pepper and star anise; and mahi sarson, fish cooked with mustard.

Modi and Obama, who will be the chief guest at India's 66th Republic Day parade here Monday, held summit level talks at Hyderabad House.

Other delicacies on the lavish menu included shatwar ka shorba - asparagus flavoured cream soup served with asparagus tip; nadru ke goolar - kebab made of lotus stem, stuffed with figs and spices; "ananas aur paneer ka soola - chargrilled cottage cheese spiked with pineapple; and paneer lababdar - fresh cottage cheese chunks in onion and tomato masala.

Kela methi nu shaak - unripe banana and fenugreek cooked together and tempered with cumin; mixed vegetable kalonji - vegetables seasoned with onion seeds; matar Pulao - aromatic basmati rice garnished with green peas - along with an assortment of Indian breads were also on the menu.

For dessert, Obama was served gajar ka halwa, a rich, sweet preparation of grated carrots, topped with pistachio; gulab jamun - small cheese dumplings, deep fried and soaked in sugar syrup, and fresh fruits.

South Indian coffee and herbal tea were also on offer.