Its all About Feasting

One of the reasons we look forward to Easter celebrations is because it so much about being with family and enjoying and sharing good food, together, after strictly following the lent.However, traditional Easter delicacies vary from region to region. In India itself, while the Keralites celebrate it with Beef Roast, Chicken Stew or fish preparation, back in Hyderabad it is about Biriyani and chicken curry. The dry fruit laden traditional cake is of course a necessity.

Following the tradition of family time and food are the many fine dining restaurants in the city that have planned elaborate Easter brunches along with fun activities like Easter egg hunting, decorating and painting the egg etc., on Sunday April 5. Deccan Pavilion at ITC Kakatiya hotel’s Chef Lakshit has planned an elaborate European menu. “Last year we had a concept of variety of rice preparations, Pastas etc,” shares Suhasini, “This year will be different.” To start with - the small portions of salads are innovatively done and are fresh and appetising.

The carefully crafted menu boasts of traditionally prepared Chicken Roast stuffed with chicken force meat flavoured with herbs that looks deliciously juicy and golden, all ready to dig into. The roast looks rustic and appetising when served along with roasted jacket potatoes, chunky root vegetables and grilled pineapple.Then there is the Spanish Frittata made with chillies, pepper and chillies that make it colourful and flavourful.

The Beef Roast is more like a curry, slow cooked to retain flavours, and there is lamb tenders cooked with root vegetables and peas, poached basa fish delicately flavoured by lemon and dill make the Easter brunch menu appetising enough. And yet there would be the kebabs and other Indian chicken and meat dishes in addition to a handful dishes chosen from oriental, continental and Mediterranean cuisine.

The chef plans to serve cold soups like the watermelon Gezpacho (traditionally tomatoes are used), which he says is ideal for summers. And there is going to be extensive dessert menu that serves the traditional Simnel cake, mildly lemon infused curd and white chocolate, cakes, brownies, and Easter eggs and a lot of Indian sweets, the Turkish Baklawa etc. ‘Square’ at Novotel Hyderabad Convention Centre is hosting Easter brunch that will feature Hot cross buns, Easterturkey, Pashka, Easter eggs, Chocolate bunnies, Easter nest torte et al.

The patisserie ‘Le Café’s menu features some interesting goodies like ‘Bird Coming From Big Egg’, ‘Egg Cat’, ‘Egg Bug’, ‘Egg Humpty Dumpty, ‘Three Wise Monekeys’, ‘Egg Monster’ etc to add to the fun element. Taj Krishna’s ‘Encounters’ restaurant’s brunch includes traditional offerings such as omelettes, waffles, eggs benedict and fresh fruit along with Tenderloin Wellington, French Onion soup, Wild Mushroom Agnolotti,Easter Eggs and more.‘Tre-Forni’ at Park Hyatt on the other hand will be presenting a home-style Italian brunch with traditional Easter specialties a variety of wines and spirits.

Look out for the Whole Roasted lamb, White asparagus salad and fresh Artichoke salad and Seafood soup. ‘Seasonal Tastes’ at Westin Mindspace will have traditional roasts, Easter bunny, savoury pies, cakes and a live band to entertain. ‘Cascade’ restaurant of Radisson Hitec city too is planning an elaborate buffet featuring world cuisines and that includes the Hyderabadi specialities too. In short, shall we say – “Feast like a Nawab’ this Easter!

By:Rajeshwari Kalyanam