7 replies to this topic

[aneja_r]

Dear All

Diwali is just couple of months away. I need suggestions about menu for Diwali party. I would be expecting around 60-70 guests and its not a formal dinner. It is more like open house where people can come in the evening at their convenient time. I need to serve plenty of snacks like items which are tradional as well as can kind of substitute for dinner. Would greatly appreciate suggestions.....

[Badiane]

Diwali is primarily about sweets...the more the better, and the sweeter the better! So things like gulab jamun, jalebi, kheer and the like are piled on in grand style. I would recommend that if you live in the vicinity of an Indian sweet shop, you leave it to the experts and just buy a small assortment. Indian sweets can be difficult for the western palate as they are extremely sugary, so you might offer a few more standard western style sweets done up to look a bit indian, such as mehndi decorated cookies and things like that.

For savories, I am always happy to see various chaats, especially chaat papri, and of course samosas, aloo tikki and tandoori chicken...well, anything, really Things that keep well in a warming tray like butter chicken, dahl, etc are always good. And I can highly recommend the baked indian rice recipe at epicurious. Perfect every time.

[teapot]

From your description of the event, I'm thinking finger food would be good. Consider chicken wings -- tandoori or something similar. Kefta kebabs. Prawns with mint/coriander chutney. Samosas. Tons of simple things you can do and many of them can be made in advance and frozen.

[aneja_r]

Thanks for the suggestions. Its going to be pure veg party so no chicken etc!!

[Jenni]

Sweets + snacks + card games + fireworks = perfect diwali

[threestars]

Sweets + snacks + card games + fireworks = perfect diwali

That sounds perfect Jenni! :) I love sweets and fireworks! Specially the Katy Perry song. :)

[nikkib]

Veg samosas,Bhelpuri, pakoras, onion bhajis, spicy chilli chaats... Some nice dips/salsas with store bought naans and mini pappadams. You could do mini tandoori veg skewers with some hard tofu as well. Corn on the cobs with a spicy butter would be good too but i think Jenni has to be the expert when it comes to vegetarian Indian food..........

[Jenni]

but i think Jenni has to be the expert when it comes to vegetarian Indian food..........

Absolutely not, I just have a big mouth

Whatever you end up doing, why not take some photos to share with us here?