Pineapple halwa, to chicken shami kebab for the Obamas

From pineapple halwa, to achari fish tikka, chicken shami kebab and even palak papdi chaat -- it was a mouth-watering repast of Indian delicacies served to US President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama at the grand state banquet hosted by President Pratibha Patil at the Rashtrapati Bhavan here Monday.

From yummy Indian snacks to Patil's favourite sweet dish, pineapple halwa, the Obamas savoured a wide array of dishes served on the spacious Mughal Garden lawns, with lighted diyas and bright lights forming a pretty backdrop. The Obamas, who leave for Indonesia Tuesday morning, were captivated by the decoration - lighted earthen lamps, bright lights and colourful rangolis - at the Rashtrapati Bhavan, specially done up for the US first couple, highly placed sources said.

The dishes at the state banquet were:
Vegetable clear soup,
Achari fish tikka
Chicken shami kebab
Palak papdi chaat
Pishta murg
Sunheri kaliya
Bharva parwal
Makai hara pyaz
Dal
Shahi jeera pulao
Assorted Indian breads, including nan, parantha and roti
Salad
Raita
Pineapple halwa
Chana pai
Herbal tea with south Indian coffee