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Diwali preps are in full swing. And I know most of us are either attending or throwing a Diwali Dinner. When it comes to food for Diwali, I like both- fusion and traditional. And depending on my mood (and also the guests), I sometimes have a fusion menu and sometimes a traditional one. They are both good in their own ways!
When planning a Diwali menu, I like to start with a drink or two, then do 2 to 3 appetizers, 3 to 4 mains out of which one is always a paneer sabzi and then a dessert or two. That’s the usual standard protocol that I follow. Along with that, I will have salad, chutneys and other condiments.
Here are 2 sample menus for your Diwali party. One is the Indian fusion menu and the other one is traditional. Hope you find some inspiration. Happy festivities!
This menu is great for those who want to try something new for the festive season. It’s exciting, fun and definitely one that will be loved by the guests. This menu includes recipes with a modern twist on the classic Indian flavors like paneer lasagna and motichoor ladoo cheesecake jars.
Drinks
Imli Chutney Mocktail
Spicy, sweet and tart, this Spiced Tamarind Mocktail is inspired by the flavors of Imli Chutney! The fennel, ginger add the zing and lime and mint make it super refreshing.
Fresh orange juice, rosemary sugar syrup and spices come together in this colorful drink. This Spicy Orange Rosemary Mocktail is the perfect festive drink for everyone to enjoy!
Cubes of bite size paneer tikka is tossed with sweet corn and spices in this appetizing chaat. Topped with cilantro, sev, this Paneer Tikka Corn Chaat makes a flavorful appetizer for your Diwali party or the Holidays!
Easy puff pastry samosa pinwheels are stuffed with spiced potato, paneer and peas filling. The addition of cashews and raisins make them extra rich and flavorful. They make a crowd pleasing appetizer for potlucks and parties!
An Indian party dip inspired by flavors of chaat, this has layers of pureed chole, salsa, tamarind chutney, cilantro chutney and topped with cilantro, pomegranate, papdi and sev. It's explosion of flavors in every bite!
No-Bake Motichoor Ladoo Cheesecake Jars make a decadent dessert for the festive season! Layers of cheesecake, crumbled boondi ladoo and a parle-g crust make this dessert irresistible!
Coconut Burfi Baklava Cups combines the flavors of Indian coconut burfi with baklava in a fun, bite sized dessert which is perfect to serve at Diwali and other festive parties!
If you like to keep food traditional for Diwali, then this menu is for you. It has the classics like paneer tikka, dal makhani and gajar halwa which are always great for festivities. You can’t go wrong with this menu. I would advise to get naan from outside, it will save you time.
Drinks
Aam Panna
Refreshing Indian summer drink made with raw green mangoes!
Cubes of paneer marinated with cilantro, mint along with yogurt & spices. This Hariyali Paneer Tikka is a great vegetarian option for summer grilling & BBQ parties!
These Tandoori Mushrooms have a cheesy and spicy filling and are baked to golden perfection in the oven. They are then cooked over direct heat until a little charred for that smoky flavor! Makes a great vegetarian appetizer for just about any occasion.
Pan fried Beetroot Tikki make a healthy vegan appetizer or snack. They can also be used as a patty in sandwiches or burgers. Can be easily made gluten-free.
Creamy & buttery Dal Makhani is one of India’s most special and popular dal. Black lentils are cooked with lot of butter and cream making it a special dish. Best enjoyed with naan!
Indian Cottage Cheese and bell peppers are cooked in freshly ground spicy masala! Kadai Paneer is one of the most popular Indian paneer recipes and is best enjoyed with naan or roti!
Boondi Raita is popular Indian yogurt side dish made with yogurt, spices and boondi which are tiny balls made from gram flour. It makes the perfect accompaniment to Indian meals!
Kalakand is an Indian sweet fudge made with milk and flavored with cardamom. This is an easy and delicious sweet to make for special occassions and Indian festivals like Diwali, Raksha Bandhan etc.
Bringing you easy, delicious vegetarian & vegan recipes! Eating veggies can be fun, you just need to get creative in the kitchen with the right set of ingredients!
