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Indian Entertaining
Indian
Festivals and Indian Party Menus
Links on Indian Menus,
Indian Party Planning,
~ Easy Indian
Menu for Entertaining .
~ A Veggie
Table for Thanksgiving ,
~ Eid Mubarak ,
~ Eid Mubarak
Entertaining Recipes ,
~ Festive
Hors d'Oeuvres ,
~ Happy
Diwali - Diwali Entertaining Recipes ,
~ Happy
Raksha Bandhan .
~ Entertaining
Dinner on the Spice Route ,
~ A lovers' meal for
Valentine's Day ,
~ Classical
Indian Entertaining Menu ,
~ Fusion Cooking -
Party Indian Ideas ,
~ Indian Party
Barbecue Menu ,
~ Indian Tandoori
Party Barbecue ,
~ Spring Menu: A New
Beginning ,
~ Thanksgiving
Menu with Eastern Accents
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On my last trip to India I was invited to an Indian
Banquet in Delhi, and the true magnificence of Indian entertaining was brought home to
me......
The party began at twilight in the garden, and as the guests arrived we
were given bracelets made of fresh jasmine we were sprinkled with refreshing rose water.
The entrance floor was covered with rose petals and the gate covered with exquisite white,
orange and red flowers. The garden was illuminated with diyas or oil lamps. Scattered
about were a number of ‘takhats’ (or low wooden platforms for the guests to sit
on), that were covered with dhurries or rugs.
There were ‘qawali singers’ clapping out the rhythms and singing
artful lyrics that could be addressed to God or one’s love. There were the
traditional fruit drinks or ‘sherbets’ - chilled lytchee, mango,
pomegranate, apple juices with a dash of key lime juice added to take the edge off the
sweetness- garnished with rose petals. There were also fruit juices that were flavored
with tamarind, ginger, sugar and salt and garnished with fresh mint leaves. The mouth
watering appetizers - bujiyas, pakodas, samosas, tandoori paneer, spiced nuts and chivda -
were artfully arranged in silver trays.
The dinner was served indoors. This particular family was vegetarian and
the menu consisted of vegetarian biryani, palak paneer, malai kofta, dum alloo, dal and
boondi ka raita with pooris, parantha and tandoori roti.. There was an array of fresh
chutneys and the meal ended with (deserts) kulfi and khir.
Throughout the meal members of the host family stood in attendance, urging
guests to second and third helpings. The scrumptious meal ended with silver covered paans.
After dinner came time for relaxation, informal discussions and then
everyone began to play antakshri (a game where one team sings a song and challenges the
other team to begin singing a song beginning with the last sound in their song).
Before leaving we complimented the host by saying that the evening was
magical and the food was lajawaab (made us speechless). |
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Easy Spice Blends for Cooking for Entertaining
Dal or Lentil Spice Blend - perfect flavor for dal , Dal Lentil Curry Spice Blend - perfect robust flavor for dal , Herbal Dal Spice Blend for Lentils - perfect flavor for dal , Sweet and Sour Dal Spice Blend for Lentils - perfect spicy tangy flavor
for dal , Sambhar Spice Blend and Seasoning - South Indian Lentil Soup Recipe ,
Biryani Rice Meal Spice Blend (Masala) - a restaurant spiced rice favorite
, Tandoori Spice Blend - for the famous Indian BBQ , Tikka Spice Blend and Seasoning for Grilling Boneless Chicken, Fish and
Paneer , Madras Curry Powder - an all purpose spice blend , Chicken Curry Spice Blendand Seasoning or Spice Rub , Meat Curry Spice Blendand Seasoning or Spice Rub , Fish Curry Curry Spice Blendand Seasoning or Spice Rub , Malabar Coconut Spice Blend - for veggies, fish and chicken , Roganjosh Meat Spice Blend , , Meat Curry - blend of Indian spices , Chicken Curry Spice Blend for Indian Chicken Curry , Madras Curry - Indian Curry Spice Blend
Potato Hash Spice Blend and Seasoning for Perfect Roasted Potatoes ,
Potato Hash and Vegetable Spice Blend with Curry Leaves - , Herbal Root Vegetable Spice Blend from the Himalayas , South Indian Vegetable Spice Blend , Rajmah Spice blend for Kidney Bean Curry - an Indian Restaurant Favorite ,
Gobi Aloo Spice blend for Cauliflower Vegetable - an Indian Restaurant
Favorite , Bhindi Masala Spice Blend for Okra Vegetable - an Indian Restaurant
Favorite , Corn, Pizza Garnish Spice Blend , Almond, Cardamom, Saffron Sugar , Spicy Curry Blend for Veggies and Fish. , Goan Vindaloo Spice Blend , Panchpuran- Indian Five Spice Blend - magical flavor for tomatoes, squash,
zucchini, fish , Garam Masala (WholeSpices) Blend , Curry Powder , Coriander-Cumin Blend , Garam Masala Powder , Indian Stir Fry Spice Blend , Raita Mix 1 - Yogurt Seasoning Mix , Vegetable (subzi) Spice Blend - flavor veggies and achieve a tastes of
heaven , Channa /Garbanzo Beans Spice Blend. , Korma Spice Blend , Raita Mix 2 - Must-O-Khiar - Yogurt Herbal Mix , Regal Pilaf - Rice Spices, Dried Fruit and Nut Blend , Indian Chai (Tea) with Aromatic Tea Spices , Ginger-Garlic Paste , Ginger-Garlic Paste Lrg , Garlic Paste , Ginger Paste
Indian Spice Box - Traditional Masala Dubba for Organizing Spices for
Indian Cooking , Indian Spice Box with 7 Single Spices - Traditional Masala Dubba for
Cooking with Indian Spices ,
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©
1990 to 2010 - Kavita Mehta. All Rights Reserved.
Kavita has been giving classes on Indian Cuisine in Minneapolis for the
past 10 years. She now shares her work on her website for all to enjoy. |
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