Discover the diverse and delightful offerings of Lucknow's Mahindra Sanatkada Festival, showcasing the rich flavors of Awadhi cuisine through traditional home-cooked meals. Indulge in dishes like Yakhni Pulao, Lal Mirch ka Qeema, and Gosht ki Biryani, prepared by talented home cooks with a passion for preserving culinary traditions.
Experience the Flavors of Awadhi Cuisine at Lucknow's Mahindra Sanatkada Festival
( Credit to: Timesofindia )
Lucknow's Mahindra Sanatkada Festival recently showcased a delectable fusion of flavors at its Awadhi home-cooked food fest. Food enthusiasts eagerly lined up to experience the diverse and delightful offerings presented by the talented chefs.
The festival featured over 30 dishes, both traditional and beyond, representing the culinary heritage of Lucknow and beyond. Among the popular dishes were Fazana Shahab's Yakhni Pulao and Noor Khan's Lal Mirch ka Qeema, which quickly sold out due to their enticing flavors.
Noor Khan, a retired principal, drew inspiration from her mother-in-law's cooking. Her expertise in the kitchen was shaped by the memories of observing her mother-in-law and their talented Khansama, Nizamuddin. Farzana Shahab, an artist, brought her passion and creativity to her cooking, creating dishes that she described as "exotic yet sober."
Sheeba Iqbal's Gosht ka Qorma and Gosht ki Biryani also attracted a lot of attention with their tantalizing aroma. Iqbal, a staunch advocate of Lucknowi culture, offered classic dishes that have been passed down through generations.
Other crowd favorites included Saba Hasan and Sufia Kidwai's Galwati Kebab and Raan Musallam. Saba, a teacher, inherited her mother's love for cooking and constantly experiments with new recipes. Sufia Kidwai, a former teacher-turned-home-cook, takes pride in reviving forgotten dishes and preserving culinary traditions.
The festival also showcased Rupali's veg thali, which received high praise from attendees. Together, these home cooks represented the essence of Awadhi cuisine and showcased the rich flavors and techniques passed down through generations.
Despite the rain, the enthusiasm to savor the food remained high, with people patiently waiting in line to taste the Awadhi delicacies. Muzammil Hasan, a festival regular, expressed his anticipation for this event, highlighting the unique home-cooked food that can't be found anywhere else. Avantika, who doesn't usually eat meat, couldn't resist the enticing aroma and tried the Lal Mirch ka Qeema, which she found to be delicious.
The festival menu was comparable to that of a five-star hotel restaurant, according to Anjali Nigam, who sampled various dishes including boti kebab, Galawati Kebab, and Hari Mirch ka Salan. Each time they finished a meal, they found themselves eager to explore more.
Shubhanshu Goswami and his wife Dolly Roy, avid food enthusiasts, indulged in the Gosht Biryani and Punjabi Thali, describing the food as sumptuous. They eagerly await this festival every year for the opportunity to savor the homemade delicacies.
The festival also showcased the savory side of vegetarian Awadhi cuisine, as noted by Mohit Raina, who thoroughly enjoyed the veg thali.
Overall, the Mahindra Sanatkada Lucknow Festival provided a platform for talented home cooks to showcase their culinary skills and share the rich flavors of Awadhi cuisine with food enthusiasts. The event was a testament to the city's vibrant food culture and the enduring legacy of traditional home-cooked meals.