G20 Summit: At President's dinner, a taste of Indian millets for world leaders

NEW DELHI: President Droupadi Murmu on Saturday hosted a grand dinner for G20 guests at Bharat Mandapam - the venue for the Summit - in New Delhi, with the menu offering dishes made from millets and Kashmiri Kahwa.President Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed G20 leaders and other guests, including US President Joe Biden and UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, before the start of the dinner from the reception dais at the venue."A medley of traditions, customs and climate, Bharat is diverse in many ways. Taste connects us. We celebrate 'Sharad Ritu', the autumn season of abundance in this menu. It showcases the wealth of ingredients across Bharat, expressing our culinary heritage in a modern mosaic dedicated to the spirit of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam," according to the menu paper of the dinner.Paatram 'A breath of fresh air' - foxtail millet leaf crisps topped with a yoghurt sphere and spiced chutney - was part of the starter. For the main course, Vanavarnam 'Strength from the soil' - jackfruit galette served with glazed forest mushrooms, little millet crisp and curry leaf tossed Kerala red rice - was served. Indian breads - 'Mumbai Pao' (onion seed flavoured soft bun) and 'Bakarkhani' (cardamom-flavoured sweet flat bread) were also on the dinner menu.Madhurima 'Pot of gold' (cardamom-scented barnyard millet pudding, fig-peach compote and ambemohar rice crisps) was served for dessert.Other than Kahwa, filter coffee and Darjeeling tea were among the beverages served to guests.