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MENU – 1 Winner - G.V.K.Durga Ravi
It has become quite formal to invite my hubby's boss and four of his colleagues along with their families for dinners once in a while. They all are North Indians but have passionate palate for South Indian dishes.
Myself being a South Indian, I would like to serve them our specials along with few of their items too to give their own touch.
Though 8.30pm is the invited time, by the time all turn up it would be 9pm.
I begin with serving coke or two three varieties of fruit juices according to the choice of the lady guests while men are indulged in cocktail party with gossips.
Side by side along with drinks I serve hot Alu Tikki or Palak Tikki, crispy slated pistas in their shelves and Salad as Starters keeping in mind both those on diet and non-dieters.
After an hour to 1 and ½ hours of chatting we begin with main course. Mean while to entertain guests, games will be organized. Or we request one of our guests who is talented person in mimicry, playing piano etc and that's how all the guests are engaged without leaving them to feel bored.
Being a pure vegetarian, Special Vegetarian Thali ‘From the Durga's Corner†is laid on the table for buffet service and of course to keep in line with our traditions, I too take care of them personally checking their needs in between.
The Menu in the main course laid on the table will be Planin rice, Sambar, Rasam, one dry curry and one gravy subji, Togayil, Chapatis, lemon rice, Thair vadas and masala papads and curds.
In a partitioned platter, sugar coated or plain sauf is placed on the table to serve as mouth freshener after the dinner.
On completion of the dinner, after a little gap dessert will be served.
It may be Fruits Salad with Ice Cream or Cake with Ice Cream or Fruit cocktail raita.
After a gap of ½ hour at the conclusion of the party, Tea is served for the guest.
Children who attended the party will be given toffee boxes as gifts as hosts courtesy.
And that's how our party will be concluded around 123.30pm or 12.45pm.
MENU – 2 Winner -Anandhi
Here is the healthy, quick but fabulous menu plan for any special occasion for anyone from any direction (Meaning, south indian,north indian style etc etc)
Apetizers:
Vada (Any dhal vada) Soak the dhal in water for about an hour. Grind along with green chillies and salt. Make the dough in small round circles and deep fry in oil (olive oil prefered)
Pepper papad dry roasted in a tawa/microwave
Coriander /mint chutney (Grind the leaves with amchoor/lemon, green chillies and salt)
Sweet chutney (Chatmasala mixed with sugar and water will also do)
Main course:
Rotis/naan made of wheat flour
Channa masala/chole (Soak channa overnight. cook the channa in pressure cooker. Grate onion and tomatoes. Heat a spoon of oil, add the onion, tomatoes, fry till nicely cooked. add dhania powder, chillie powder and garam masala powder. Add very little water. Add channa in the end and let it boil for a minute. Garnish using coriander leaves)
South indian style sambar using any vegetable (Cook tuar dhal seperately. After seasoning, cook the vegetables and then tamarind juice. Add sambar powder, salt, turmeric and asaefetoda and cook till the raw smell disappears, finally add cooked tuar dhal, boil for few minutes and garnish with curry leaves)
Avial (kerala style) Mix any kind of vegetables. Cook them seperately. Grind coconut and green chilies, add the mixture to vege. Add curd in the end.
Spinach curry (Add little dhal. Fry onions, green chillies and cook the spinach. Mix little dhal at the end. Garnish after seasoning)
Potato curry (Boil potatoes. cut into small cubes. After seasoning fry the cubes in very little oil until its crispy. add chillie powder and salt at the end)
Rasam using garlic and tomatoe
Dessert:
Carrot gheer (Boil and grind carrots seperately. Boil milk and add this mixture with sugar and add almond/cashw powder to taste. serve hot or cool)
Custard/fruit salad. Cut all the fruits and make a delicous custard that's not only yummier but also healthy.
Hope you find this menu interesting... with a combination of north and south indian style.
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