Every year my friend Seena throws an Indian Independence Day party. I feel so lucky to be invited, as it is in my opinion the best party of the year. Seena goes all out, asking everyone to wear Indian dress, giving bindis to all of the women, having a henna artist give tattoos throughout the party, stocking a photo booth full of Indian props, projecting a Bollywood movie, and of course serving a multitude of fabulous Indian food. Ahhh the food!
Appetizer
What better way to start an Indian party than with a giant tray of samosas! I love these pastries filled with potatoes and peas, and always have to stop myself from filling up on these little fried pockets of heaven, since I know there’s so much more to come. The typical dipping sauces are tamarind and cilantro mint chutney – I like to mix them together to get a nice combo of sweet and spicy.
Dinner
As Seena would have it no other way, her fabulous catering crew brought a tandoor oven and cooked Naan during the party. It was dinner and a show, and the wonderful smell enticed people to start forming a food line as soon as they were allowed.
The tray of Naan was continually refilled with fresh pieces hot out of the tandoor oven.
Also cooked in the tandoor were these Tandoori Chicken drumsticks. I love the bright color and grilled flavor.
The Lamb Mint Masala had chunks of tender lamb and a spice mixture sauce that was great spooned over the rice.
Pilau rice is basmati rice with peas and saffron. It was tasty on its own or with the masala sauces.
Channa masala is garbanzo beans in a gingery spice mixture sauce. Like I said, great on the rice.
Saag paneer is chunks of cheese cooked in spinach and cream. This might sound weird if you’ve never had it, but trust me, if you ever get the chance to try it you should.
That bright red stuff is Mango Pickle. If you can’t read the fine print on the sign, it says “eat at your own risk (spicy)”. There were many gasps of shock at its spiciness, but it was right up my alley. And right nearby was Raita, a mixture of yogurt and cucumber to cool you down if you couldn’t take the heat of the Mango Pickle.
Last but certainly not least was the Pappadoms. I could have eaten the whole platter of these lentil chips all by myself. They are so crisp, light, and flavorful. I joke that I drive all the way to San Diego for the party every year just to gorge myself on Pappadoms.
Dessert
After eating all of that spice-ful food, it’s a good idea to palette cleanse with some Mukhwas. As the sign notes, the literal meaning is “mouth smell”, as these candy-coated fennel seeds are used as a breath freshener.
These beauties made to look like mini watermelons are Barfi – a milk-based confectionary with coconut and cashews.
Seena is the hostess with the mostest, and even sent me home with doggy bags of leftovers. I was so bummed when I got home to realize I’d forgotten my dessert package. I guess I’ll just have to wait in anticipation for next year’s party.