A veggie feast

"Apollo endeavours to promote health through food and that is the main focus at Garden café, today," said Upasna Kamineni, while launching the vegan healthy menu in Jubilee Hills on Sunday.

Accompanying Upasana was her husband and Tollywood star, Ram Charan and Deputy Managing Director of Apollo Hospitals, Sangita Reddy, who tasted the healthy menu that was presented by Andrea Flenda and Nimesha Bhagia, renowned holistic practitioners.

The menu incorporated fresh fruits, vegetables, grains, lentils and legumes, nuts, seeds, spices, fermented and preserved foods.

The brunch presented was prepared with salads that are specially made for winter with beets, lentils, pumpkins, apples and walnuts being some of the ingredients used.

Vegan probiotic rich cheese made from fermenting soaked nuts were used to replace dairy cheese. “This is a much healthier option especially for those who are lactose intolerant,” said Andrea Flenda.

The main course had vegan risotto made with beet purée and vegan Parmesan. Mini bean burgers with vegan coleslaw and baked sweet potatoes were also part of the menu, besides Mexican rice and beans, and grilled veggies.

And as for desserts, it was baked apples with a vanilla creme sauce made from coconut milk and macadamia and a warm chocolate fudge.

“Our cooking is simple and wholesome. We believe food is energy and we are what we eat,” said Nimesha Bhagia.

A cake mixing ceremony followed. To aid the children affected by floods in Chennai, Apollo is gifting a meal for every vegan cake bought.