A taste of Arabia

Source:Prema Manmadhan:The Hindu: Kochi: October 2,2011
Photo :The Hindu: Kochi


A chance to experience the real taste of Arabian cuisine at  Le Meridien- Kochi

The news is that Arab tourists are flocking to see Kerala's lush greenery. In most of the hotels and resorts one comes across tourists from West Asia, smitten by the rain, by the fresh vegetables that they get to eat and experiencing the rich cultural life of our State.

It is only in the scheme of things that Le Méridien come out with a food festival highlighting Arabian food.

‘Aroma of Arabia', that's the name given to

 the festival which began on October 1 and will run till October 9,

 at the Treasure Trove Restaurant there. It's on from 7 to 11 pm.

MANY SPECIALITIES

The Arabian cuisine you find here at the festival includes specialities from Egypt, Lebanon, Morocco, Algeria, and Syria too. The interactive kitchens are alive with the rich aroma of lamb and chicken, says Soman Thapasimuthu, Executive Chef, Le Méridien Kochi. Chef Rehman, who is specially trained in Arabian cuisine has seen to it that Kochiites have a real taste of Arabia.

The décor is also very Arabian. It's not all non vegetarian as you would imagine. There are veggies too.

We had Dajaj Makloube, which is chicken and rice and has the looks of a biriyani. It's not as spicy as our own kind, but the rich topping of cashew, onions, potatoes and the chicken fried yet soft deep inside, will appeal to the Kerala tastebuds. If you want something totally different from Kerala cuisine, go in for Mansif Jordan lamb stew.

It's not a stew only, but a meal by itself, with lamb and traditional Arabic rice cooked in pure milk (not coconut, mind you) and yoghurt. Dried fruits like apricot, strawberries are also added.

No, the Arabic world hardly ever uses chillies, says Rehman, a chef who has worked in Saudi Arabia for many years. “They use only seven spices, and not ginger and other spices we use here,” he says.

The mixed vegetable lasagne of the Arabs is hardly different from the more popular Italian version. The fillings consist of the usual vegetables like carrot, broccoli and zucchini. It is sandwiched between two thick layers of cheese.

Salads, Soups, chicken shawarma, Moroccan hammer roast and staples like Beef Moussaka, Okra Saloona and Arabic desserts like Umm – Ali, Baklava, Jibilya, Mohallabiya and Kiwi Jelly.

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