Looking for an Indian Party Menus, then look no more! Here are some basics to help you host a great dinner party most efficiently. The tips I will share today are straightforward, simple, and inexpensive. They need a bit of planning, and you are sorted for a well-executed event.
A flawless and fun-filled gathering is easy to host if a few guidelines are followed. And here comes meal planning.
Please read all about Planning a party 101 here
Is it a sit-down party, an informal buffet dinner, or plated? The type of party will further help you decide on the Indian party menu. For instance —
Sports party — At a sports party, people usually stand around the TV screens and prefer to munch on some finger foods. So, plan for a variety of different kinds of finger foods or plan for a potluck.
Help yourself parties — Buffet-style or BBQ parties are the perfect examples here. They have an easy set-up where —
- All the food is displayed, and guests can help themselves with the servings.
- It also saves time since you don’t have to run around removing the dishes after the appetizer is done, to bring out the main course, and so on.
- This layout offers less work than the sit-down formal dinners and gives you much flexibility to enjoy and mingle with friends.
Sit-down parties — Sit down format is more formal and demands more elaborate planning, hence more effort and time.
Please read all about Planning a party 101 here
For a Sit Down party —
1 drink + 2 appetizers + 3 main course (2 curry dishes + 1 dry veg) + 3 R’s + Salad + 1 Dessert
Drinks — I start my dinners with soup for the winter dinner party, and the rest is store-bought soda/ juices besides water.
Appetizers — I usually serve 2 – 3 appetizers along with a dip or a salad.
Accompaniments — They are standard- a green chutney and a tamarind chutney that goes well with almost everything.
Main Course — My choice for the main course includes 3 -4 planned dishes, keeping the color scheme in mind.
The 3 R’s — The 3 R’s are Rice + Roti + Raita. You can opt for naan instead of roti and Dahi Bhalla instead of raita biryani or pulao for plain rice. Indian party menus
Desserts — And since Indian dinners always end on a sweet note and your guests secretly expect you to say- kuch meetha ho jaaye, dessert is not to be missed for sure! I try to keep desserts pretty light because everyone is usually full by the time they are done with an Indian dinner. However, you can always serve ice cream to kids if the weather allows. Indian party menus
Fruit Salad — Adding fruit salad to your menu will be perfect for those who avoid sweets at night. It will be a refreshing and nutritious option.
For a Sports Day Party —
As people will be hanging around the TV at a Sports Day party, it is best to serve some pick-me-up kind of easy food items. A few examples of some lip-smacking delights are —
Small bites —
- Burgers
- Kebab
- Meatball Indian party menus
- Puff pastry snacks
- Pinwheels
- Salsa
- Nachos
- Muffins
- Brownies Indian party menus
Drinks —
- Alcoholic Drinks — wine, beer, or vodka.
- Non-Alcoholic Drinks — Punch, sangrias, or mocktails. Make large pitchers of drinks so that people can help themselves.
Please read all about Planning a party 101 here
For a Potluck dinner —
If you are planning a potluck party, then the following might just be very helpful. After the date and guest list are decided —
- Create a group on your phone
- Add all the invitees
- Publish your menu in the chat
- Allow the guests to pick what they want to get
- Keep the curries and gravy dishes to yourself as they may leak during transport
- Transfer the dishes to the warm oven
- Enjoy your party.
Once the menu is finalized, you may have to see what needs to be stacked up in your pantry.
So, create your comprehensive grocery list to know the stuff that needs to be purchased and also to get an idea about the corresponding stores you may have to visit to buy the stuff.
This is how you should proceed — Indian party menus
The key to hosting a successful dinner party lies in meticulous planning, organization, and attention to detail ndian party menus
A thoughtful preparation in advance can ensure a memorable and enjoyable experience for both you and your guests.
Ruchi: You are an inspiration! Your pragmatic and yet simple approach to cooking, planning along with the delicious recipes make each of your post worth-reading many times. Knowing that you are a busy mom and yet strive to put delicious and healthy food on the table for the family is very inspiring. I look forward to your ‘just do this’ style in your posts. Thank you for all the hard work, time and energy!
Wow.. I am speechless! Thanks dear for such kind words. That’s very encouraging and glad to hear that you liked the blog and my recipes. 🙂
Hi ruchi. Thanku for this post I have been looking for something like this. I always have last minute stress as i want to serve everything hot due to this im always late. I had a question. If i fry the potato balls and keep them in warm oven 2 hours before the party they stay crisp? Same goes for pakoras as well? Wont they get dark color?
Thanks Huma!
Yes you can keep the fried potato balls and pakoda in a warm oven. By warm I mean, a temperature of 200 degree F. This way they will stay warm and crisp. Make sure the tray is not overcrowded, spread them evenly.
P.S. Every oven is different, so keep an eye on the food. If the fried food start to sizzle then turn off the oven for a while and reheat it again closer to the time your guests starts to arrive.
Thanks:)
Can you kindly help in planning quantity along with menus you are giving while cooking for the crowd.
Next time for sure.
Thanks!
Hi,I am planning to host party for 100 people.I have already set the menu.To cook for 100 people my kitchen staff is 4 .my menu includes day Nalani,chapati and rice.I just want to know the quantity of dal,rice and flour I should need to cook for 100 persons.thanks
Sridhar,
For 100 people you need-
25 cups of rice that's appx. 4 kilos ( 1 cup = 180 grams). A 10lb (4.54 kilo) bag should be good.
24 cups of dal that's appx. 5 kilos ( 1 cup = 200 grams). A 12 lb (5.448 kilo) bag should be good.
Regarding rotis -
take an estimate of 2-3 rotis per person and that should come to 200- 250 rotis. Hope that helps.
Feel free to email me if you need any other info.
Can you please suggest menu for 30 people…..let me know if I am planning for snacks cocktail samosa and paneer tikka…then is it fine and in main course kadaii paneer, Dal makhani….please do suggest what else I can make in main course….and how much quantity required for 30 people
Shipra, do you need a meal plan for your party or quantity for the above mentioned snacks?
Hello Mam
I want to plan my 6 yr old kids bday evening party .about 55 people.
Please suggest what to serve.
I shall be thankful.
Saumya, what kind of a menu are you looking for – just snacks, main course or both ?
Hi, I wanted to know how much paneer would be required to make paneer korma for 40 people?
Thank you.
You would need somewhere between 2.5 kg-3 kg of paneer.
Ruchi, this is perfect for an upcoming lunch at my house.
Please add more posts like this.
Thanks again for all your awesomeness!
Pleasure is all mine. Glad you found the post helpful. Will surely add more. 🙂
hi this was too good. i searched to find more such menu’s and step by step on what to do but could not find. I see you mentioned more menus coming so please send me the link. thanks
Sim, I haven’t started working on any new menu.
Will keep this on file and try to work on it soon.
Thanks!
Hi ruchi
I saw ur menu and cooking time
It’s so good u r a great planner
And ur recipes r awesome
I m planning to cook for my daughters bday party which has a crowd of 32 adults and 24 kids
So I m planning for
Pav bhajji
Roti
Panner subzi
Puloa
Veg kurma
Curd semiya
Gulab jamun
I just need a help from you
Can you tell me how much rice for puloa I should use and how much roti to make
Thanks for your kind words Sindhoori.
That’s an awesome menu plan for your darling daughter’s birthday.
Sindhoori, if kids are under the age of 10 than I will go with the below-suggested quantity. But if they are older than 10, adjust the quantity. Considering they are under 10, I will plan meal plan for 45 people (as kids under 10 eat less, they focus more on snacks and other munchies).
Now coming onto your query –
I usually keep a measurement of 1/2 cup (uncooked) rice per person. That equals 16 cups of rice for 32 adults. With added veggies or protein the total quantity of pulao will come to 18-20 cups of Pulao. That should be enough for 45-50 people - considering you have pav/bhaji and rotis too on the menu.
You will be serving bhaji with pavs, right? If yes, then go with 1 roti/per person. A total of 50-60 rotis.
Feel free to email me if you have any other query. Chalk out your day and plan ahead!
Have fun,
Ruchi
hi….I am planning for a party..for 100 people…I have many maincouse ITEMS like mixveg…daal….chole….shahi paneer….tawa.masala….chilli paneer…..This I will b making……apart from this ….stall of pav bhaji…..stall of dosa….and a stall of chinese will also b there as live counters…..I am now confused how many kg of chole should I make and how many kg of shahi paneer will b used…….please help
Aisha, are they all adults? Considering they are all adults you will need –
appx. 6.0 - 7.0 kg of raw chole + the added masala and gravy.
For Paneer are you going to add some veggies too? If so, then you will need
appx. 7-8 kg of raw paneer for 100 adults + the veggies and gravy.
Hope this helps!
Hi Ruchi,
Thanks for your wonderful recipe. I am planning for b day party of my 2 year old daughter this month for 15 guests. I just came up with a very simple menu – jeera rice, chappathie, dhal fry or chenna masala, paneer gravy, onion / cucumber raita, carrot halwa, dhokla/rava idly, green chutney, salad, ice cream. I need ur kind help in the measurements n also planning like what n all can be done the previous day. Can u pls tell me the quantity for the various items i have to prepare. Thanks for ur help
Harini below is the measurement list for 15 adults.
1. Jeera Rice –
you will need 7 cups of raw rice
2. Chapati-
Consider 2 chapati per head that equals 30-35 chapatis
3. Dal fry/Dal Tadka -
4 cups uncooked dal boiled in 9 cups of water. It will require a tadka of 4 medium onions, 6-7 medium tomatoes, 4-5 garlic and 2 teaspoons of ginger.
4. Paneer Gravy -
950 grams of paneer and 6 small capsicums. For the gravy you will need - 7 medium onions, 500 grams of tomato puree, 2 tablespoon ginger paste and 2 tablespoon garlic paste and dry spices. Add 3 cups of water to make a thick gravy. Adjust gravy according to taste.
Onion-cucumber Raita -
6 cucumbers chopped, 3 onions chopped. 8-9 cups of beaten curd.
Carrot Halwa -
22 carrots shredded boiled in 9.5 cups of milk, 9 cups of ghee, dry nuts and appx. 1 3/4 cup of sugar.
Dhokla-
1 dhokla serves 5. So, you need 3-4 dhoklas.
Chutney - Use 2 bunch of cilantro + 2 bunch of mint to make chutney.
Ice Cream- For icecream please follow this link - http://www.ruchiskitchen.com/recipe/no-cook-homemade-pistachio-icecream/
Double the quantity from 8 to 16 and it will calculate ingredients for you.
Planning - I would start 3 days in advance. Let's say the party is on Saturday.
Wednesday - Grocery shopping
Thursday - Prep-work
1. Thursday - make carrot halwa and Ice cream.
2. Friday -
a) Boil dal
b) Make gravy for paneer
c) Steam dhokla - Wrap each dhokla in-between a paper towel and store individually in plastic bags.
d) Make chutney
e) Knead dough for chapati
f) Chop tomatoes for dal tadka
Party day - Saturday Morning work -
a) Start by chopping onions for dal tadka. Prepare tadka. Boil dal and add tadka to it.
b) Chop onions and cucumber for Raita. Add to curd and set in the fridge. Do not add salt or extra milk to dilute raita as cucumber will release its juices.
c) Assemble paneer in gravy. Bring it to boil and set aside.
d) Cut dhokla in cubes and prepare its tadka. Add tadka, sprinkle some water and set aside.
e) Time to prepare chapatis.
You are pretty much all set.
1 hour before guest arrival -
a) Make rice
b) Heat your Main course.
c) Warm dhokla
d) Set up your counters
e) Clean kitchen
f) Final check-up of your menu
Get dressed as it's time to impress your guests!
I guess I have covered everything you have asked for. Let me know if you need any additional help.
Have fun and enjoy your princess birthday party!!
Harini will get back to you by Monday.
Please clarify – all 15 guests are adults or do it involve kids too?