MENU MADE EASY

Planning a menu is so easy and at the same time confusing about what to choose and what not to choose. And if it is a vegetarian menu u will surely need suggestions. As any other cuisine Indian menu also have a starter, main course, side dishes and a dessert. All of these vary from place to place.
                        When it comes to the everyday menu, starter and the dessert are dismissed. Rice is the main dish for south Indians while roti/chapathi is the main dish for North Indians. One or two dry curries, dal, a gravy curry and/or stew form the side dishes. Chutnies, papads, curd etc form the accomplishments.
                        If ur planning a party or special occasion plan in advance and consider the following

• Which way u r serving. If its the buffet type for lunch then go for more of dry curries or else make the gravy thicker so that there will be no spillage. If serving on a dining table (for less number of guests) consider  to accommodate all the dishes on the table or else serve as a thali(all food served at once right from starter to dessert with individual cups).
• If you invite parents or elder people ask them before hand what food they will eat and also the spice ratio. Keep in mind that most of the South Indians eat with hand( the traditional way) and not the spoon and fork.
• For a party the starter should not be heavier. Go for a simple starter. If you have to go for a rich starter consider reducing no of side dishes for main course.
• If the guests are staying for a longer time go for a heavy dessert or 2 desserts.
• Salad at the start and fruits at the end gives a special attraction.
• If the number of guests is confined to below 8 then elaborate your menu with more side dishes and accomplishments. If its a mini party (10-15)then opt for getting some of the items from outside(especially the naan or desserts or the ice cream)
• Pre preparation is a must for any occasion. Sweets and chutnies can be prepared the previous day. Cut all the vegetables and refrigerate.

Now I present simple menu suggestions which make your work easy.

SIMPLE MENU FOR BEGINNERS

MENU1 
Fried rice
Raita
White rice
Potato fry
Any dal
Sambar
Tomato chutney
Gulab jamoon
Papad and salad

MENU2
Tomato rice
Raita
White rice
Capsicum cashew curry
Okra masala
Lauki dal
Sambar
Carrot/cauliflower pickle
Carrot Halwa


TRADITIONAL MENU

MENU 1
Pulihora
White rice
Mango dal
Guttivankaya kura
Sambar/Rasam
Tomato chutney
Vegetable fritters
Godhuma halwa

MENU 2
Ven pongal
Raita
Chakrapongali/samiya kheer and sooji halwa
White rice
Any two curries
Any dal
Bajjilu
Coconut chutney
Sambar

NORTH INDIAN MENU

MENU 1
Tomato / veg soup
Veg manchuria (dry)
Naan/ roti
Paneer butter masala
Dal makhani
Light fried rice/ pulao
Raita
Noodles
Lassi( sweet or salt)
Any two desserts( one hot and one cold)

MENU2
Sweet and sour soup
Vegetable pakore
ButterNaan/ chapathi
Any dal/ Rajma masala
Palak paneer
Capsicum kaju curry
Biryani
Curd/ lassi
Bread halwa/ double ka meetha

MENU3
Spicy dal and veggi soup
Vegetable rolls
Any paratha with curd
Navratan kurma
Mixed veggi stir fry
Carrot and peas pulao/ any rice
Raita
Kulfi
Lassi

SNACKS PARTY/ CHAAT PARTY IN THE EVENINGS
Cut Mirchi bajji with onions
Bhel puri
Samosa ragda
Vada pav/ Dahi vada
Pani puri( optional)
Green chutney
Sweet chutney
Tea/Coffee
Any sweet with cool drinks

CHILDREN'S PARTY
Sandwiches
Dhoklas
Chocolate dipped strawberrys
Badam barfi or gulab jamun
Any milkshake
Mini idlis with mild chutney
                  or
Puri with curry
And ofcourse cake