Indian feast planned for British royal couple

Mumbai: Prince William and Kate Middleton, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, who commenced their maiden visit to India from here on Sunday, will get a whiff of 'desi' flavours and aromas as a lavish Indian feast will be laid in front of them for dinner.

The royal couple, who are staying at The Taj Mahal Palace hotel while they are here, will be served a mix of non-vegetarian and vegetarian authentic Indian delicacies. 

In the non-vegetarian menu, they can relish ajwaini macchli (fish chunks marinated with hung yoghurt and bishops weed, charbroiled in tandoor), kundan kalia (boneless lamb cooked with spices and topped with gold varq) and shahi murg ka soyota (chicken morsels cooked in a rich saffron, cashew and corn-based gravy). 

From the vegetarian section, they can also opt for dal langarwali (black urad and channa dal cooked to perfection tempered with pure ghee) and paneer shahi korma (cottage cheese cooked with cashew and evaporated milk -- a lakhnavi delicacy). 

Other vegetarian delicacies are also planned, including subz gandheri kebab (blend of vegetables on a sugarcane stick, a specialty of Hyderabad), khumb makhana mattar (mushrooms, peas and fox nuts, cooked in rich tomato gravy), chhonka palak (spinach tempered with garlic, finished with dried fenugreek leaves). 

As accompaniments, they will be served awadhi gosht biryani, boondi and fresh mint raita, Indian crudités, cone papad, pickle, chutney and kachumber to be complemented with assorted mini Indian breads, Lucknowi vegetarian biryani (basmati rice and vegetables cooked together with panadanus extract). 

With an aim to end the meal on a sweet note, dodha with rabdi, chhenna payesh and sharifa kulfi are planned as dessert. 

The Taj Mahal Palace here is also the venue for a charity reception, which will be attended by the royal couple. 

The event is being held collectively by three charity organisations -- Magic Bus, Doorstep, and India's Childline -- to generate funds to support vulnerable children across India. 

The event is expected to be attended by celebrated names like Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan, Rishi Kapoor and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan.

Taljinder Singh, area director Mumbai and general manager, The Taj Mahal Palace, Mumbai, said he is delighted to play host to the royal couple. 

“The Taj Mahal Palace is delighted to be hosting their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge while they are in Mumbai, and to be delivering this special event. 

"It is an absolute pleasure to be part of the Royal Highnesses' commitment to raise funds for organisations working with children, as well as to introduce them to the veterans of the Indian entertainment industry,” Singh said in a statement. 

Singh added: “The hotel is working towards making their visit to India memorable by offering Taj’s legendary Indian hospitality.”

On their tour, the royal couple will also attend a lunch hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Tuesday, visit Kaziranga National Park in Assam, take a break for a trip to Bhutan, and return to Agra in Uttar Pradesh to view the Taj Mahal.