Idli-sambhar fascinate Farooq

Idli-sambhar fascinate Farooq
PRESS TRUST OF INDIA

COIMBATORE, JULY 2: The famous South Indian dish `idli-sambhar', had a fascinating customer in Farooq Abdullah, Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, who had a brief halt in Coimbatore on Sunday afternoon enroute to Erode.

When newsmen approached Abdullah and Defence Minister George Fernandes at the airport, Abdullah said ``let me first taste idli and sambhar and also a strong coffee+.

When the district officials were informed about this, to their surprise the officials found that the restaurant at the airport did not have these items. Fernandes raised his eyebrow, when told that airport restaurant had only `Chinese food'.

However, the officials took them to the circuit house, about six km away, and served them idli, dosa, sambhar and curd rice.

When asked how he enjoyed the popular dish, Abdullah quipped ``wonderful idli, wonderful sambhar. I have not eaten such a curd rice for a long time,'' Abdullah said.