South Indian Christmas Feast Tonight

Today, I am mostly just drinking water, in preparation for my departmental Christmas meal tonight. We are going to our local vegetarian Indian restaurant and having a seventeen dish meal.

Although I've eaten there before, even I don't know what all the dishes are - so it'll be a new taste sensation for me too.

I'll post some pictures tomorrow, if I stay sober enough to work the camera!

Starter Platter
Udina Vade
Vegetable Samosa
Gulla Podi
Aloo Tikki

Main Course
Aloogadde Soppu
Vegetable Korma
Dal Fry
Aloo Gobi
Beetroot Sasimi
Dahi Vade

Rice
Boiled Rice
Pulav Rice

Bread
Poori
Soft Dosa

Dessert
Beetroot Halwa
Ice Cream

Aww...I am jealous! y'know my Dad makes killer pooris.

Is that the proper kulfi icecream?

I have no idea, I'll let you know tomorrow :yum:

:drool: Sounds amazing. I am south indian, by genetics at least, and that looks wonderful. Can't say I've seen too much beetroot in Andhra, but it's all good. Careful with the pickle. :angry:
Most of the indian restaurants in America are north indian, and that's not the same thing at all. :headshake

damn, too bad they stopped the Concorde... I coulda made it on time.

... but then the runway started to move under the plane and we couldn't take-off. :(

LoL

A very good night last night.

My favourites were the Uddina Vade (lentil doughnut) and Mosar Vade (same but soaked in yoghurt).

The Beetroot Sasimi (beetroot cooked in yoghurt with green chillies, curry leaves and mustard seed) was enjoyed by those who like beetroot. I don't and thought it tasted horrible. Pie - I asked the waiter and apparently it's an authentic Udipi Brahmin dish. That might mean more to you than me.

The big surprise came at the end of the meal. Attached a picture below which should explain why I didn't really enjoy my dessert. Our ice cream wasn't Kulfi, but they do serve it on the normal menu.

Great crackers, freebie posh promotional pens (important when you have a stationery purchasing freeze) and a really good quality house wine. Good times all round.

Sweetie? what is that purple stuff?

You sound scared.
You're right to be scared.

I'll give you a clue:
it grows underground.

What's with the hats?

They're from the Christmas crackers.
This was officially our Christmas do as no-one could make it nearer Christmas.

Don't you wear hats on Christmas Day?

Sundae Girl wrote:

it grows underground.

SG eats to the beets...

and 'crackers' are what we call 'party favors' only these explode.:eek:

Sundae Girl wrote:

Don't you wear hats on Christmas Day?

Nope, but down in the south we don't really do the popping "cracker" things either.

Sorry, didn't think that the name might be different. Yes the hats were from the party favors.

I delicately disposed of my mouthful of dessert in a napkin, after the inital taste of sugar and almond parted to reveal a shriek of beetroot underneath.

Brianna wrote:

Sweetie? what is that purple stuff?

Beetroot Halwa. I'm dubious about it, too.
I've had carrot halwa, and that's really good though, so don't think that all "underground" items can't be good. Think carrot cake. (Carrot halwa: finely grated carrot sauteed in lotsa ghee, with cardamom, cinnamon, raisins, cashews and sugar. Very tasty!)
Udipi Brahmin means brahmin vegetarian, I believe. I could be wrong; I only play indian on TV. :right:

Pie wrote:

I only play indian on TV. :right:

you killed Custer!:yeldead: