Coorg may be the smallest district in Karnataka but it’s undoubtedly BIG on food…
It’s a well-known fact that the Coorgs’ live to eat and take pride in their distinctive cuisine, which is influenced by the geography of the land as well as the history and culture of the inhabitants. The South Indian restaurant at Hotel Park Sheraton, Dakshin is offering an authentic taste of Coorg over a 12-day long Coorg Food Festival at Dakshin.
The Kodavas (inhabitants of Coorg) trace their descent from Alexander the Great and consequently are strictly non-vegetarian. Coorgi fare is high on spices which are grown in the region, with liberal use of pepper, cardamom and cinnamon. Liberal doses of kachampuli, a dark and tart vinegar which adds the authentic touch to the cuisine.
The accompaniments include sannas, puttu, pulao, yellow flavoured rice and egg biryani. Fish / chicken / beef pickle and chutneys add a dash of spice to the meal There’s a variety of rice dishes to choose from but we would highly recommend the nei kool (rice garnished with nuts and raisins, drenched in hot ghee!). Try the Akki Otti which goes best with a variety of curries including crab, meat and pork.
The delicious non-vegetarian options include meat pulao, Kadabu, prawn curry, chicken / fish curry, koli curry (chicken), fried quail, fried chicken coated with sesame seeds, venison, liver masala, menu saaru (fish), pork chops, pandi curry (pork) and parande (gizzard) fry. Cubes of pork in a dark sauce are served with buttery kadambuttus and a squeeze of lime.
The vegetarians can feast on beimbale (bamboo shoot) curry, nehale kumme (wild mushrooms) chekke kuru curry (jackfruit) aale kumme (umbrella mushrooms) bolleri fry (cucumber) bale kaamb (banana stem) curry, maange bajji (mango with coconut) and Mudure Kanni (simmered horse gram).
Go ahead and dine like a true Kodava!
Coorgi Food Festival at Dakshin
Hotel Park Sheraton
TTK Road, Chennai -18
Tel: + 91-44-24994101
Dates: June 19-30, 2012
source: http://www.buzzintown.com / Home> Bangalore – Articles & Reviews / Buzz Bureau / by Radhika Mohan / Chennai, June 26th, 2012
