20 mouth-watering dishes to tickle your palate

Mysuru: A two-day ‘Avarekai Food Mela’ organised by ‘Chat Mane’ owned by G. Sandhya of Vidyaranyapuram commenced yesterday at Alamma Convention Hall on Dewan’s road here. This is said to be the first time a Food Mela is organised serving mouth-watering dishes exclusively made from Avarekai. About 20 dishes of Avarekai are available to relish including a few innovative items. The list include Bili Holige, Otthu Shavige, Dosey, Akkirotti, Ragirotti, Biriyani, Masala Idli, Pulav, Pongal, Paddu, Bisibelebath, Payasa, Holige, Chitranna, Uppittu, Hayagriva and Vade, all made from Avarekai or Hithakavare (Avarekayi soaked in water and peeling the skin).

Though Avarekai Mela is being conducted in Bengaluru every year, it is organised in Mysuru for the first time.

Speaking to Star of Mysore, Sandhya expressed happiness over the good response from the foodies. She pointed out that a few people were averse to Avarekai dishes for the special aroma of the Avarekalu.

She however mentioned that the newly-introduced dishes had drawn the attention of that tribe also. Sandhya revealed that she had a bit of apprehension before organising the Mela over the response for an exquisite Avarekai Mela but was happy that her apprehension was wiped off now going by the good response.

The Mela concludes today.