Indian 'Garam Masala' reaches White House; 9-year-old impresses Barack Obama

Washington, July 15: As they say, the way to a man's heart is through his stomach, the same tactics is applicable for all human beings. And a 9-year-old Indian-American girl proved it.

The girl, Shreya Patel, impressed the Obamas with her desi (Indian) tricks. A unique 'garam masala' Quinoa Burger with 'raita' was all to impress US President Barack Obama and the First Lady Michelle Obama.

The Obamas had the burger and invited Shreya to the White House. The special burger helped the 9-year-old to win a chance to dine with the couple at the White House.

Shreya was among 55 young cooks who were given a red carpet welcome at the White House during the fourth annual "Kids' State Dinner" recently.

According to media reports, the competition was to create a recipe for a healthy lunch and the Obamas savoured her dish at the event and praised her effort.

Shreya's garam masala quinoa burger with raita was chosen as the winning recipe from Illinois. She was invited for the lunch with Michelle Obama at a flower-bedecked table in the East Room on July 10.

"I have watched my mom and grandma make all sort of delicious food in the kitchen with an Indian twist since I was born," Shreya was quoted as saying on www.letsmove.gov.

"I have been helping them cook since I was three. I love to mix, measure, chop, and even clean up afterwards," she posted.

"My grandma and I came up with this recipe together because we both love sandwiches. We make this recipe often to take to school for lunch or even on picnics with friends," said Shreya who aims to become a pharmacist like her father.

Her Quinoa Burger dish was enhanced with garam masala, cumin, ginger and grated serrano chillies.

The "Kids' State Dinner" contest was open to children aged eight to 12 and nearly 1,000 recipes were submitted.

The menu featured Mediterranean rockin' roasted vegetables, vegetable confetti spring rolls and a California rainbow taco -- with that famous "Barack-amole" married with "Mic-kale Obama Slaw," the report added.

OneIndia News
(With agency inputs)