Chettinad Samayal @Nook - Aloft, Cessna Business Park, Bengaluru

Chettinad food festival at Aloft gives one a glimpse of the regions cuisine. Chef Murthy has travelled to karaikudi and has researched extensively on the cuisine and culture. Many dishes featured in the menu is prepared for marriages, large gatherings and limited only to homes and cooks from the family.

The Chettiars are well travelled business people from Burma to Singapore, Thailand and Malaysia. The cuisine evolves around many continents and regions. Few staple and main ingredients one can find from this region is chickpeas, curry leaves, fennel seeds, sesame oil and red rice.

Chettiars enjoy spicy meat curries, fried fish, shark, chicken, offals, and tamarind based curries. The cuisine reflects on the regions rich and nutritious produce.  

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All the dishes in chettinad was either cooked in terracotta, copper, iron or brass utensils. Every dish has its own flavor and consistency when cooked in these selected cookware. Chef Murthy says, all the masala's even today are stone ground and prepared according to the dish. There is no bulk masalas prepared and stored in the fridge for convenience. We enjoyed a five course meal. All dishes were prepared and served on a plantain leaf. 

#Seeyam #Suyam : Deep fried rice dumpling with sweet lentil stuffing.

#Kuzhuvathal : Deep Fried Rice Crisps 

#Vazhakkaigolaurundai : Vegan meatballs prepared with plantain and spices. 

#MeenVaruval : Deep Fried Fish 

#Adhirasam : A rice dessert prepared for special occasion...

#ThavalaiVadai : Rice and lentils soaked in copper utensil  ground and deep fried has a unique taste and flavor.

#Thenkuzhal : In english literally translates as tubes filled honey, but its a savoury snack.

#Neipaniyaram : Rice and lentil Takoyaki 

#Vengayamvadagam : Sun Dried Onions which can be deep fried and eaten with rice porridge. 

#Vellayappam : Soft as sponge sweet dish served to the groom

 #Vellayappam and #Kandarappam 

We enjoyed the kandarappam, vellayappam and #keeraivadai with #hotmasalachai...

#Daanger : Chutney served with dumplings

#Coconut and #Coriander #Chutney

#ParuppuKadaisal : Mashed dals with onion and garlic

#kolluellupodi : Horsegram and Sesame with Spices is a condiment for rice or roti.

#Paruppupodi : Spicy Powdered Chickpeas is a Condiment for rice or dosas.

#Ghee #Nei

#Murugakkaisoup : Drumstick Dal Soup

#Muttonuppukari : Salty Meat Stir Fry

#Sambasadam : Jeera Pulao

#Keeraimasayal : Mashed spinach with dals

#Chettinadchicken : Chicken simmered with spicy gravy

#Muttongolakuzhambu : Mutton Meat Ball Curry

#Viralmeenkuzhambu : Fish Steak Curry. This is a tamarind based curry...

#mapilaisambarice: Red Rice

#Chettinadchickenbiryani : Spicy

#Urulaikaruvaduvaruval : Potato Cooked Like Fish

#Vendakkaipachadi : Okra Sweet and Spicy 

#Manathakkalivathalkuzhambu : Sunberry Curry

Dessert

#Kummayam

#Kvuniarisi

#Badamhalwa

#Vidyascooking #Strikingapose

Chefs and Aloft team efforts is undoubtedly the best. Churning heirloom recipes for this festival was the highlight. Many people new to the cuisine enjoyed the spread. It was house full when we dined, I highly recommend booking a table in advance.