What's the point of enduring Delhi's scorching heat if you cannot sample the delicious mangoes that India produces. So usher in the mango season with Chef Veena Arora’s new menu- ‘Mumma’s Mango Collection’ at The Spice Route, The Imperial New Delhi. We  got to sample the magic of this king of fruits curated in various dishes recently.

Interestingly, this year Chef Arora created an all new menu, mostly featuring curries from Kerala. It was chef's take showcasing a confluence of succulent textures and alluring southern flavours to offer a playful dosage of raw and ripe mangoes, bringing in some of the finest summer recipes, all through the season.

“This year the menu features most of my new creations and is dedicated to me- Mumma of the spice route", she laughs. Most definitely Chef Veena is a cult figure at the hotel having been with it for more than a decade. She runs the restaurants kitchen as loving Mumma, while serving the guests lovingly with her trademark cap.

"I have been doing summer collection menu for years as a celebration of the season off course. However, this year I seek to bring in curries from Kerala and craft my own version of the recipes, with raw and ripe mango.  They are complemented by meats, veggies and exotic spices. I have tried to blend Thai cuisine with mangoes in my earlier menus, the favourite summer fruit. But since I am deeply fond of Kerala spices and the exquisite southern flavours its cuisine has, my menu this year brings in delish curries keeping mango central to the palate, layered and balanced with other flavours.”

So what did we taste? there was the Pacha Mangai Irachi- crispy lamb slices wok fried with ripe and raw mango Kerala style, with Pacha Mangai Rassan- Kerala style spicy broth of lentils and fresh mango juice tempered with exotic spices and garnished with ripe mangoes, Attirachi Pacha Mangai Curry CURRY- mutton simmered in Kerala curry tempered with coriander and fennel seeds and diced  raw mango.

For vegetarians there was the eggplant and raw mango simmered in Kerala curry. She also included some of the popular favourites in the menu like Amba curry - Chef’s Special Sri Lankan raw mango and assorted vegetable curry and in Ga Xao Hot Dieu-Stir-fried Chicken with fresh mangoes and cashew nuts Vietnamese Style, Pla-E-Saan-crispy fillets of sole served with spicy palm sugar and shredded raw mango sauce, garnished with fresh green mint, amongst other delectable recipes. All of these were relished with rice cooked with mango while keeping some space for the delectable and the popular dessert mango with coconut cream and sticky rice.

The menu is going to be a feast for mango lovers and will be available at The Spice Route at The Imperial, all through the season from 15^th May to 30^th June 2022.

Timings: Lunch 12:30pm to 2:45pm and Dinner: 7pm to 11:45pm

Price: INR 6000 + taxes for two people without alcohol

For Table Reservations: Call 41116605/34