Pineapple halwa, to chicken shami kebab for the Obamas

NEW DELHI - From pineapple halwa, to achari fish tikka, chicken shami kebab and even palak papdi chaat — it was a mouth-watering repast of Indian delicacies served to US President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama at the grand state banquet hosted by President Pratibha Patil at the Rashtrapati Bhavan here Monday.

From yummy Indian snacks to Patil’s favourite sweet dish, pineapple halwa, the Obamas savoured a wide array of dishes served on the spacious Mughal Garden lawns, with lighted diyas and bright lights forming a pretty backdrop.

The Obamas, who leave for Indonesia Tuesday morning, were captivated by the decoration - lighted earthen lamps, bright lights and colourful rangolis - at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, specially done up for the US first couple, highly placed sources said.

The dishes at the state banquet were:

Vegetable clear soup,

Achari fish tikka

Chicken shami kebab

Palak papdi chaat

Pishta murg

Sunheri kaliya

Bharva parwal

Makai hara pyaz

Dal

Shahi jeera pulao

Assorted Indian breads, including nan, parantha and roti

Salad

Raita

Pineapple halwa

Chana pai

Herbal tea with south Indian coffee