It’s not always easy to be able to create a menu that welcomes both vegetarians and non-vegetarians and yet still make vegetarian dishes the center of the table, but difficult does not mean impossible. You can still create an exciting menu that is scrumptious for vegetarian Indian food for groups and still be enjoyable. It takes careful planning and selection of different dishes that are exciting and well balanced. Vegetarian food can be cooked in different textures, flavours, and ingredients whilst also making sure that they are satisfying and rich in nutrients.
If you are planning for an occasion and wondering how you can make vegetarian dishes the centre of attention, this blog has some tips as vegetarian Indian food for a group guide that can help you out.
Let’s get started!
- Start with the occasion, not the recipes.
Before you start creating a menu, you have to define and describe the occasion, be it a family gathering, a party or a wedding, and how you envision it to be. These are important to determine when considering the kind of dishes you would like to have for the occasion. This helps you imagine the requirements for the menu so that it all aligns with the occasion.
For example: If you are having a family gathering, you would have to consider the number of guests who are vegetarians and the number of guests who are non-vegetarians. You can also add in the classic favourites that are inviting for all.
- You can have a vegetarian curry such as chickpea masala or beans
- Incorporate some seasonal vegetables as side dishes or some salads
- Then you can have an optional non-veg dish.
Preparation tip: In order to make the preparation process less hectic, you can incorporate ingredients that can be prepared ahead of time so that you can reheat them whenever it’s time to serve.
- Build the menu around substantial vegetarian main dishes.
Your dishes need a healthy balance of side dishes and main courses. Relying on side dishes may not be satisfying in the end. Therefore, to ensure that you have a balance in your dishes, make sure to have both side dishes, like salads, as well as incorporate substantial dishes that are cooked differently to add distinct flavours and textures. There are dishes you can incorporate;
- Rajma masala
- Dal tadka
- Malai kofta
- Dal makhani
These various dishes have different ingredients, flavours, and most importantly, they are satisfying.
- Create a menu that feels naturally balanced.
As you create a menu that is wholesome and exciting to the taste buds, ensure that the dishes sum up to a well-balanced diet. Your selection of dishes should incorporate a rainbow of nutrients so that, as the guests savour the dishes, they are also filled with the required nutrients, especially if you have guests with dietary needs.
- Is the meat really needed on the table?
With satisfying vegetarian dishes, you would not necessarily require non-veg dishes, but nevertheless, if you have guests who love non-veg dishes, you can still make them as optional dishes. The decision on adding non-veg dishes should be dependent on your guests, the occasion, the budget, as well as the type of meals you want to serve.
A practical tip: Prioritize working around different vegetarian dishes for your menu and add meat when it is genuinely needed to complement the dishes or for the sake of some guests.
- Set an appealing display to make it inviting and easy to navigate.
In the same way that preparation of food matters, the display of the dishes is important. It’s not just about placing food on the table for easy access, but it also brings excitement, allures the guest to try the food, and makes serving food easy. Since our main focus is vegetarian dishes, here are a few things you can do;
- Make vegetarian food the centre of attention; that means the food should have an appealing look and be well decorated.
- In case it’s a shared table, include a platter of roasted vegetables, substantial beans or lentils.
- Have some fresh salads
- You can use labels to indicate if the dish is vegetarian, vegan or dairy-free.
Common mistakes to avoid
Preparing too many dishes
Having a long menu can create a lot of problems; it consumes a lot of time to prepare food, has a lot of costs and can lead to food wastage. Instead, have a selection of scrumptious classics with a balance of side dishes.
Selecting dishes that are similar
Similar dishes can become boring to eat, which can lead to food wastage. You can work around different textures, ingredients and flavours so that you can have a balance.
Assuming that every vegetarian eats dairy and eggs
Avoid assuming that all guests can have some animal-derived ingredients; you would have to confirm and ensure you label the dishes. There are some people who are strictly vegan.
Conclusion
These tips are provided to give you an idea of how you can make vegetarian Indian food for groups in Windang at the centre of the table, allowing guests to have a variety of vegetarian dishes to try from. A well-planned menu can bring both vegetarians and non-vegetarians together to savour the dishes you select. Before anything else, take time to understand your guests’ dietary preferences so that you can select dishes that are within their interests. The best strategy is to work with professional caterers–Crown Indian Cuisine Windang, led by Mr Sandeep- who can assist with coming up with an exciting menu and ensuring they offer an appealing display.
FAQ’s
How do I ensure that guests have enough iron and protein?
You can incorporate high-protein staples such as chickpeas, beans, tofu, as well as soy chunks, and you can have legumes, seeds, greens and grains for iron.
What are the best dishes for vegans?
The most recommended dishes would be rajma, chana masala, aloo gobi and dal tadka.
What can I do to replace animal-derived ingredients in the dish?
You can achieve this by replacing the meats that provide the protein with other plant-based, protein-rich options and by replacing milk with plant-based milk, plant-based butter or nutritional yeast.
What are the best Indian non-dairy desserts?
There are coconut barfi, dates and nuts laddu, as well as vegan kheer