Get practising on chopsticks; it’s that time of year when you can treat yourself to spicy, sweet and tangy tastes of China. The on-going August Moon Festival at Golden Dragon in Taj Krishna has got a host of items on offer. A harvest festival of China, it is considered an epicure’s delight. For starters, dig into the Macadamian nuts with stir fried onions and their mushrooms and water chestnut in barbeque glaze. You wouldn’t go wrong in opting for the soft shell crab in butter chilly garlic or the wok tossed rock lobster chilli coriander. Move over to the soups and you have the appetising spicy mushroom, corn and zucchini broth and the sea-food coriander soup.

The August Moon Festival menu is exciting, with extensive sea-food options like stir fried squids served along with Chinese greens, or their east-coast prawns with sweet peppers and shitake in spicy hoisin sauce. If you’re looking for something simple, opt for the sliced fish in tangy yellow bean sauce. Coming to poultry and meats, try the diced duck in star anise flavoured orange sauce. Chef Ajai Rawat and Chef Hung Fong Ng vouch for the home style tenderloin. Its World Vegetarian Day today, so we askabout what’s in store for vegetarians. Ajai quickly says, “You have to try the crunchy water chestnuts and Tofu in wild pepper sauce.” Those who don’t like Tofu can opt for the wok tossed zucchini and broccoli in tangy plum glaze. Pick the broccoli and egg white fried rice or the spicy chilli bean flat noodles.

The August Moon Festival is nothing without the moon cakes. Chef Ajai reveals that the cakes are baked with fillings. One of the varieties has a red bean (sweetened) pastry roll, which is baked. This cake is best served hot. The white coloured moon cakes are served cold and made with glutinous rice with a sweet stuffing. Besides, one can end the meal on a sweeter note with a pineapple and coconut pancake, which fills your mouth with an exotic taste of sour and sweet.

source: http://www.TheHindu.com / Home> Life & Style> Food / by Vishnupriya Bhandaram / Hyderabad, September 30th, 2012