Modi’s gala dinner serves up Indian delicacies for leaders
World leaders on Saturday savoured the world-famous traditional Indian cuisine from all across the country at Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s gala dinner for the BRICS summit dignitaries. The vegetarian dishes ranged from Khandvi Mille-Feuille and Khumb Galouti to Paneer Lababdar,
Millet Pulao and traditional Indian desserts.
The evening featured a specially curated Indian menu showcasing regional flavours and traditional preparations, along with a cultural performance by an ensemble of more than 100 artistes from India and other BRICS member countries.
Presented in both English and Hindi, the menu card incorporated varieties from regional classics to Old Delhi street-food favourites, giving the gala dinner a distinctly Indian touch.
Millets took centre stage at the dinner. A special note in the menu highlighted the significance of “Shree Anna”, describing millets as nutrient-rich grains that require fewer resources and support agricultural sustainability and climate resilience.
The menu incorporated three varieties of millets across the meal: pearl millet in the pulao, sorghum in the Indian bread and barnyard millet in the dessert. The menu also highlighted India’s efforts to promote millets globally, noting that the United Nations had designated 2023 as the International Year of Millets.
The dinner menu opens with Khandvi Mille-Feuille, a steamed gram-flour roll tempered with mustard, coconut and curry leaves, served with Kesar mango, micro-greens and yoghurt dressing. The second starter is khumb galouti, tender pan-grilled mushroom kebabs with mint pearls, served on a bed of sheermal bread.
The main course includes Paneer Lababdar, featuring soft cottage cheese cubes simmered in a rich gravy of shallots and tomato, and Gucchi Marmik, Himalayan morel mushrooms and tender asparagus gently simmered with saffron, raisins and gemara almonds.
The menu also features Carrot Bean Poriyal, a blend of carrots and green beans toasted in aromatic South Indian spices and hand-pressed virgin coconut oil, finished with freshly grated coconut.
Guests were also served Thakkali Belle Saaru, a light lentil broth made with toor dal, tomatoes and curry leaves. The meal was accompanied by Beetroot Raita and assorted Indian breads. Beetroot Raita and assorted Indian breads accompany the main course.
For dessert, the menu includes Old Delhi Fruit Cream with Jalebi, pairing seasonal fruits and lightly whipped cream with a crispy sweet fritter, and Shaohtoot Phirni, a slow-cooked milk and rice pudding topped with sweet mulberries and gold leaf.
A special cultural performance, “Navarasa - The Universe of Shared Emotions”, was presented during the gala dinner. The cultural programme also features the BRICS Symphony — “One Rhythm, Many Cultures”, bringing together musicians from BRICS member and partner countries in a collaborative musical performance. Drawing from diverse musical traditions, the symphony seeks to showcase a shared artistic expression reflecting the cultural richness, diversity and spirit of togetherness of the BRICS family.