by Krishnan Nayar NEW DELHI, (Pakistan Point News - 03rd Mar, 2019) Emirati cuisine was a star attraction at a week-long International Food and Fashion Festival which opened Friday.
Fifteen countries, supported by their embassies in New Delhi, are taking part in the festival which has been fully booked from Saturday at a local hotel with Delhiites fascinated by the variety of the cuisines ranging from the UAE and France to Tunisia and Japan.
Emirati Chef Khulood Atiq presented four of her favourite dishes on the opening night. Indian gourmands and foreign diplomats who attended the opening night were seen enquiring about the ingredients and method of preparation of these Emirati dishes, some of which were making their debut in the Indian capital.
Chef Khulood explained that some of Emirati cooking is similar, yet different, from dishes in the Indian sub-continent. The similarities come from the use of Indian spices widely prevalent in cooking in the Gulf, but a key difference is lesser use of chillies.
For the ongoing food festival, Khulood is attempting fusion between Emirati and Indian cooking. For example, last night she made Vegetable Marguga, a stew popular in the UAE as a local dish, with Indian Rumali Roti as the bread in it. The UAE component at the 15-nation International Food and Fashion Festival will feature during the first four days.
Fashion designer Shamsa Almheiri from the UAE showcased the latest Emirati designs at a fashion show which drew enthusiastic cheers and standing ovation on the opening night. Arab countries taking part in the festival include Tunisia and Palestine, in addition to the UAE.
