Your Diwali Dinner Party Menu Under A Budget

Planning a Diwali dinner party can be quite a daunting task. Especially, if you don’t want to end up burning a humungous hole in your pocket. So, what do you do when you have to feed a house full of hungry guests who expect a decadent feast?

Don’t fret, we have a scrumptious 3-course Diwali dinner party menu that will stay light in your pocket and that your guests won’t stop raving about! The recipes, below, yield 3-4 servings, you can just replicate the measurements depending on the number of guests you expect. This festive season, be the star chef at your party with these Diwali recipes!

1. Curried Tofu Kebabs

Courtesy: makingthymeforhealth.com

These tofu appetizers are the perfect way to kickstart an evening full of fun and festivity! Cook up these succulent and savoury kebabs and watch your friends and family devour them, gleefully.

Ingredients

For marinating:

• 1-inch Ginger, grated (10/-)
• 4 cloves Garlic, minced (18/-)
• 4 tablespoons Lemon juice (12/-)
• 4 tablespoons soy sauce (50/-)
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder (40/-)
• 2 teaspoons garam masala (40/-)
• 1/4 teaspoon red chili flakes (45/-)
• Salt, to taste

• 250 grams Tofu, cut into cubes (90/-)
• 2 green capsicums, cubed (12/-)
• 2 Green zucchinis, thickly sliced (50/-)
• 2 onions, diced into squares (16/-)

Instructions

1. Soak, at least, 8 wooden skewers in water and mix together the ginger, the garlic, lime juice, soya sauce, turmeric, curry powder and the chili flakes in a large bowl.
2. Add the tofu and the vegetables to the marinade and stir well to combine. Cover the bowl and marinate the vegetables for an hour or more. 
3. Skew the tofu and vegetables onto the skewers.
4. Grease and preheat the grill pan with oil; place the tofu and vegetable skewers on the grill and grill until the vegetables and the tofu are cooked and lightly browned. 

2. Spicy Potato Roast

Whether they are baked, fried or mashed, potatoes are everyone’s favourite festive food to dig into! Spice up your Diwali dinner party with this crispy, potato roast that you can cook under a budget.

Ingredients

• 4 Potatoes (9/-) 
• Healthy Alternatives Tamarinds  (125/-)
• 3/4 tsp. red chili powder (50/-)
• Salt to taste

To Temper:

• 1/2 tsp. Healthy Alternatives Black Mustard seeds (36/-)
• 1 tsp.  Healthy Alternatives Urad Dal (118/-)
• 2-3 green chillies, broken (12/-)
• A sprig of curry leaves (12/-)
• 2 tbsp. Healthy Alternatives Pure Olive Oil

1. Soak the tamarinds in hot water for 15-20, remove any seeds and mash the tamarinds with your hands. Filter out the thick pulp. 
2. Dilute 2 tablespoons of the tamarind pulp with water and add the cleaned and washed potatoes and the salt. Pressure cook for 1 whistle. Let the pressure drop and drain the potatoes and let them cool.
3. Peel the skins off, cut them into 8 chunks and keep them aside.
4. Add the mustard seeds in some oil and let them crackle and then add the urad dal,the red chillies and the curry leaves to it.
5. Add the potatoes and fry them in oil, on a high flame, for 2-3 minutes while stirring continously.
6. Once the potatoes have browned, reduce the flame and let them roast over a low flame, for approx. 8-10 minutes, stirring continuously.
7. Add the salt and the red chili powder and stir to coat the potatoes with all the spices.
8. Roast for another 2-3 mins on low flame. Serve them immediately with some hot rice.

Courtesy: Bettycrocker.com

No party can be planned without some sugary, candied desserts, of course! These super easy and quick chocolate-ice cream tacos are a must-make treat for any Diwali dinner party.

Ingredients 

• Flour tortillas (295/-)
• L’Exclusif chocolate chips (302/-)
• 2 tablespoons of oil (Coconut oil, preferably)
• About 6 scoops of any ice cream of your choice
• Candy sprinkles (optional)

1. Heat the oven to 350°F. Line a cookie sheet with some parchment paper. Make 6 foil balls, and fold the tortillas over them to make taco shapes; place them on the cookie sheet. 
2. Bake the tortillas, for about 10 minutes or until they are lightly browned and crisp. Cool. Freeze them for 10 to 15 minutes or until they turn cold.
3. Meanwhile, microwave the chocolate chips and the oil in 30-second increments, stirring in between, until this mixture turns smooth. 
4. Brush the melted chocolate mixture on the inside of each shell. Freeze them for another 10 to 15 minutes or until they are cold and the chocolate has hardened. 
5. Fill each taco shell with the ice cream, carefully. Freeze the ice cream-filled tacos for 1 to 2 hours or until the ice cream is very firm.
6. Reheat the reserved chocolate coating and pour it into a wide container. Remove theice cream tacos and, working quickly, dip each taco into the chocolate coating, being sure to seal in the ice cream completely, and add the candy sprinkles. Freeze the, for another 2 hours or until they turn firm before serving.

Looking for more ideas for the festive season? Check out these Best Diwali Gifts For Every Budget.

(Please note that there may be changes in the prices mentioned above depending on the time and place of purchase.)