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Lip smacking salads
SALADS ARE more popular in the West than in India. Be it breakfast or lunch, there are varieties of non-vegetarian salads to munch.
The scenario is fast changing in India as well. Gone are the days when a salad just meant cut cucumber, carrot, onion and tomato. Now, people are open to experimenting with salads, even making a meal of it.
The salad fest at Pazhamudir's Pure and Natural (P&N) at Nehru Stadium complex, which has been drawing in the crowds, is proof of changing food habits. "The basic idea behind organising the fest is to educate the crowd on the importance of salads in the daily diet," says R. Prabhu, consultant of P&N.
The outlet does not stop with just the regular varieties it offers. During the fest, to be held on weekends till the month-end, 100 salads are to be introduced at the rate of 15 a day.
"We have a lot of salad-eating people coming in here, mostly in the 35-40 age group. Students from surrounding schools and colleges have also taken a liking to tossed-up vegetables, sprouts and fruits."
"The response during the first three weeks was overwhelming, prompting us to add on to the variety," says Prabhu.
Salads can be had as a meal because they are light, easily digestible and suitable for all ages.
"Our salads are made from fruits, vegetables and sprouts and we have around 40 dressings, all worked out by us. There are raw vegetable salads, par-boiled and cooked vegetable and fruit salads besides spicy and sweet ones."
"Our regular customers are Punjabis and the Marwaris, but we want the South Indians to enjoy our plates too, and that's one reason why we have modified our dishes to suit their palate," states Prabhu.
A buffet consisting of 10 to 12 varieties with a complimentary juice is priced at Rs 70. ""As it is economically priced, we have managed to attract new faces. What has surprised us is the number of evening walkers and joggers visiting our counter."
Trained hands prepare the salad dressing. "We keep trying out new combinations and the best is served to our customers," said Prabhu, adding that they chose to hold the fest this month as it was off-season. "Because it is chill, people prefer eats over juices. So, we decided to have salads."
P&N also plans a mocktail buffet in December. "Our mocktails are doing well. We have an imported machine, like a cocktail shaker, for mixing juices. Since there is no question of manual labour, it's hygienic."
RAYAN ROZARIO
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