An unusual platter

Durga Puja is the perfect occasion to pack in a few pounds. This year Spencer’s presents a menu that’s not exactly traditional, claims the chef. “The recipes are extremely easy; You can rustle them up in your kitchen and surprise everybody.”Instead of shukto, daal and alu bhaja, give Greek salad and similar items a try. The rich feta cheese just melts in the mouth and if you are looking for a non-vegetarian option, add a few shreds of boiled chicken or canned tuna. For those who don’t enjoy salads, opt for something spicy like stir-fried fish with spicy black bean Sauce. The bekti fillets, an all-time favourite, coated in an aromatic sauce is an instant hit and even before you know it, the platter will be empty. But then Durga Puja is the time when your heart turns truly Bengali and thus the restaurant is also serving mustard pomfret. End the meal with something sweet, like sewaiya kheer. Feeling hungry?Greek SaladIngredients: Extra virgin olive oil 3 tbsp, lemon juice 1/2 tbsp, garlic clove (minced) 1 piece, dried oregano 1/2 tbsp, salt and pepper, tomato (cut into wedges) 2, onion (sliced into rings) 1, cucumber (sliced) 1, capsicum ½, feta cheese 120 gms, olives 16, lettuce 10 Method: Pour virgin olive oil, lemon juice, add garlic clove, oregano, salt and pepper in a small jar and mix well. Place the ingredients for salad in a large bowl, pour dressing over the salad and gently mix. Garnish with pepper. (Serves two) Stir-fried fish with spicy black bean sauceIngredients: Bekti fillets 350 gm, green bell pepper ½, red bell pepper ½, oil 2 tbsp. For the marinate: Oyster flavoured sauce 1 tbsp, corn starch 1 tbsp. To season: Oyster flavoured sauce 1 tbsp, spicy black bean sauce 2 tbsp Method: Marinate fish fillets and wait for an hour. Stir-fry the fish in oil. Add bell pepper and seasoning mix. Stir for five minutes till fillets are well coated with the sauce. Serve hot.n
Kaninika Mitra