BRICS Summit Dinner: PM Modi Serves Up A Millet-Heavy Indian Feast For Global Leaders

BRICS leaders attending the summit in New Delhi were treated to a distinctly Indian culinary experience at the gala dinner hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday, with the menu showcasing vegetarian delicacies, millets and flavours from across the country.

The carefully curated menu combined traditional Indian dishes with contemporary presentations, beginning with two innovative starters — Khandvi Mille-Feuille and Khumb Galouti.

The Khandvi Mille-Feuille featured steamed gram-flour rolls tempered with mustard, coconut and curry leaves, served with Kesar mango, micro-greens and yoghurt dressing. The Khumb Galouti consisted of tender pan-grilled mushroom kebabs with mint pearls, served on a bed of sheermal bread.

What's In Main Course?

The main course continued the vegetarian theme with Paneer Lababdar, described as soft cottage cheese cubes simmered in a rich shallot-and-tomato gravy, alongside Gucchi Marmik — Himalayan morel mushrooms and asparagus gently cooked with saffron, raisins and mamra almonds.

The spread also featured Carrot Bean Poriyal, a South Indian preparation of carrots and green beans tossed in aromatic spices and virgin coconut oil, and Thakkali Belle Saaru, a light lentil broth made with toor dal, fresh tomatoes and curry leaves.

Keeping the spotlight on India's traditional grains, the menu included Millet Pulao, made with fragrant basmati rice and pearl millet cooked with spices and seasonal aromatics. It was accompanied by Beetroot Raita and assorted Indian breads.

The Dessert Menu

Dessert brought together two distinctly Indian favourites with a contemporary touch. The first was Old Delhi Fruit Cream with Jalebi, pairing seasonal fruits and lightly whipped cream with a crispy sweet fritter.

The final dessert, Shahntoot Phirni, was a slow-cooked milk-and-rice pudding topped with sweet mulberries and gold leaf.

From millets and Himalayan morels to Khandvi, Poriyal, Jalebi and Phirni, the BRICS dinner menu offered the visiting leaders a culinary tour of India's diverse food traditions — while keeping the entire spread vegetarian.