Fibres are essential, says chef Damodaran

CHENNAI: Increase in intake of fibre-rich food will help the diabetic, says chef Damodaran. He adds, “Awareness on the use of millets, which are rich in fibre, in our diets must be created.” Such healthy options are available as part of the special menu created for the ongoing food festival, at Royal Indiana (a specialty restaurant in the hotel), Accord Metropolitan, he informs. The festival focuses on age-old lost recipes from the states of South India. “I recovered the recipes from books that are over 500 years old,” said the chef. Some of the dishes that are part of the special menu include Ponnamaravathy Nalli Elumbu Rasam (an extract from lamb bone), Thakkali Rasam, Pandu Mirapakaya Panneer Vepudu (cottage cheese sautéed with fresh chilies and spices from Andhra), Puthupatty fish curry, Tomato Paruppu Koora (a combination of Tur dal and tomatoes). Ada Pradaman, sweet Paniyaram, among other sweets, figures in the dessert menu. “The Mandi Biryani is a must try in this festival. The specialty of the biryani is that the water used to soak the rice is used again in the cooking process, as well. And it is usually made with chicken or mutton,” says Damodaran. “There will be many options for vegetarians, as well. We are using mushrooms, onions and cauliflower,” he adds, as the smell of freshly spiced mushroom wafted in the room. The spices used as part of the festival come with numerous health benefits, he informed.  The food festival is on till March 4 at Royal Indiana, Accord Metropolitan, GN Chetty Road, T Nagar.