Food Trip via Grand Trunk Road
The Grand Trunk Food Festival
‘People don’t take trips. Trips take People.’ 🙂
And one such “Food” oriented trip happened too soon. Seeing so many shows on TV, I’ve always wanted a road trip to GT road to learn and explore not just about food but, about places and their culture too. Well, that never happened but, look at the destiny. I get to taste and experience the food from GT road in Bhopal itself and how?! 😀
The Jehan Numa Retreat, Club & Spa, is set to take the food lovers of Bhopal to an exotic culinary trail with The Grand Trunk Road food festival which begins from 18th May 2017.
I was privileged enough to be invited to experience and have a glimpse of the food from Grand Trunk road, and that was something that brought sheer curiosity in me to learn more about it. The food festival celebrates cuisines from across the NH1 (Grand Trunk Road), bringing to you mouth-watering dishes from various cities that come along the way.
“The Grand Trunk Road” or “GT” road as they say, is one of the Asia’s oldest and longest highway, spanning over an impressive length of 2500 Kms, running through parts of Afghanistan, Pakistan, India and Bangladesh. The route spanning the Grand Trunk road, existed during the reign of Chandragupta Maurya, extending from the mouth of the Ganges to the north-western frontier of the Empire. It was then rebuilt by Sher Shah Suri, who renovated and extended the ancient Mauryan route in the 16th century and then was upgraded by the British, between 1833 and 1860. It now covers three countries and cuts across seven states which is nothing less than an experience. The culture along this route, and by extension the food, evolved by absorbing all the influences that travellers came to bear on it. The Grand Trunk Road Culinary Trail packs quite a palatable hit. It is long, varied and twisting, like the road itself, with pit-stops of prominent food hubs along the way.
It was 42 degrees outside and therefore, I was greeted with a welcome drink which is, Jehan Numa Retreat’s signature drink named, “Mint lemonade” which was made up of Lemon, Mint; that is grown at chef’s garden just outside and had some amazing freshness that is not felt in regular mint that we get in the market, soda fizz and ice. Easy, but very refreshing for the summers.
Mint Lemonade
After a quick tour and my never ending picture clicking session of the displayed food, I finally started my hogging session.
Litti Chokha
This particular dish is the signature dish of Bihar and Biharis. If you have a Bihari friend, you must’ve tried Litti Chokha at least once in your life time. It is baked from wheat flour dough that is stuffed with a mixture of roasted gram flour or sattu, spices and lemon juice, and is served with chokha(sabzi). Chokha is made out of potato, brinjal and tomato and mixed with spices and onion.
One thing to add over here, Litti is often confused with Baati from Rajasthan but, it is a completely different dish in terms of taste, texture and preparation.
The ghee soaked Littis were warm and soft, just baked right in a Chulha. One small bite into the litti, and the roasted flour covering and the sattu (gram flour) based stuffing melted in the mouth, leaving me longing for more. I genuinely loved the mixed Chokha made of Potatoes and Brinjals, laced with tomatoes. The Litti tasted even better with the spicy Chokha and pieces of raw onion, adding a distinct character to the staple meal originating from Bihar.
Sunheri Paneer Tikka
The focus of any authentic tandoori preparation, is the marination, and Jehan Numa Retreat does that right almost every time. Yoghurt and saffron marinated cottage cheese cooked in the tandoor. Melt in the mouth cottage cheese comes with parcels of comfort which is delicious, brightened by a smear of green chutney made with some love and coriander along the side of the platter.
Multani Broccoli
Philadelphia cream cheese and kasundi mustard enhanced broccoli cooked in clay oven. The multani broccoli comes on the plate along with the aroma that tingles your inner greed. The robust flavours of this dish in particular made it win my heart!! An absolute stunner. Do Not Miss!!
Sarso Ka Saag
One of the most famous dish from north, which is made with a combination of spinach and mustard leaves. Mustard leaves have a unique flavour that is mildly bitter but, very pleasing to the palate. The mustard leaves are boiled with spinach before blending and sautéed with tomatoes and onions. A dash of spice powders add more punch, making it a treat for the taste buds.
Gajrela & Matka Kulfi
Gajrela is an amazing pudding made with carrot and rice. A flavoursome and delicious carrot and rice dessert, which hails from Pakistan. Matka Kulfi is rich and dense Indian ice cream, served traditionally in an earthenware pot. The rich flavour and unique texture of condensed milk along with the aroma is sure to blow your mind.
Well, that’s not all! The Grand Trunk Road Food Festival offers some of the most authentic dishes from the region of Kabul, Amritsar, Delhi and Kolkata, get transported to the rustic farms of Amritsar as you gulp down a glass of lassi with Amritsar’s famous Crystal Chowk ka Murg Tikka. From Kabul’s barbecued temptation to the sumptuous secrets of the imperial Dastarkhans of Delhi and Agra. Shammi Kebab, Chaapli Kebab and Nalli Roganjosh to name a few. From Bengal’s famous delicacies like like Macher Jhol, Radhuni diya masoor dal to Litti Chhokha and Banarasi chat from Bihar. From Kabul to Chittagong. It’s all here at one place!
Punabi Vadi
Vadi Diya Aloo
Vadi Diya Aloo
Seek Kebabs
Crystal Chowk Ka Murg Tikka
Nalli Rogan Josh
Since it was a preview launch therefore, I had limited options to eat. But, I’m thinking to actually go and dine during the food festival (if time permits) to explore and experience more about The Grand Trunk Road.
If you want to taste the Authentic and delicious fare from the stretches of Grand Trunk road, Jehan Numa Retreat, Club & Spa is the place to be. This festival does manage to encapsulate the soul of the GT Road. I recommend every Bhopali to take this culinary journey through Grand Trunk road, that is beautifully and conveniently put up by Jehan Numa Retreat.
Till then, Happy Hogging!
Thank you, Mr. Vincent Marques, Chef Siddharth and team for such a wonderful experience.
P.S. The author was invited and the reviews are personal.
Tastes are subjective and may differ from person to person.
The Grand Trunk Food Festival
Restaurant: Under the Jamun Tree, Jehan Numa Retreat, Club & Spa
Address: Dr. Salim Ali Road, Near Van Vihar, Prempura, Bhopal
Date: 18th May to 21st May, 2017
Timing: 7 pm to 11 pm
For Reservations Call: +91-755-6606600
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