Dinner parties are not easy to throw. Figuring out the guest list, coordinating dates, sending out the evite, accomodating requests for change of date- that  is just the pre dinner party circus! If you live in an area, where the social life for most folks is very busy, you’d know exactly what I am talking about!

But the real challenge for me is chalking out the menu and executing the whole plan. Indian or not? Check Indian. Now how many dishes? Check 6 randomly. Appetizers? I usually begin with a sterling list of hot and fancy appetizers which almost always whittles down to dips and chips and some cheese….no harm in that. Dessert? hmmmm- again, I think of creating some masterpiece but two days before the party,  I gratefully accept offers from good friends to bring dessert.

So finally, I only have to create the menu for the actual dinner. How many vegetarian dishes? Can I get by with one? What about the non vegetarians? Mutton, chicken, fish and/or other seafood? I turn to the husband for advice, which is so pointless because his standard response is ” Do the Goan fish curry, mutton pepper fry and perhaps some chicken curry for those who don’t eat fish or mutton”. Hmph!!

The point of this blog is to try to help my fellow hostesses facing similar challenges. (For those of you, who have mastered the art of throwing a dinner party effortlessly, please don’t read any further.) Here, therefore,  is a menu from my last dinner party, which I hope will help ease off some of the dinner party throwing stress! ( Of course, you can always cater the whole thing- I just never think of it then!)

- Mutton pepper (yes, indeed,  with the works: spices, coconut et al)

-A light, lemony chicken with lots of coriander

- Blackeyed peas with mushrooms

-Dry, spicy ‘arbi’ or colocassia

- Simple dal

- Raita and Salad.

Appetizers were the afore said dips and chips, some cheese etc. Dessert courtesy friends: Yummy, yummy home made Creme Brulee and delicious, home made ‘Koneffa”, an Egyptian dessert made with cream and vermicelli!

Happy hosting!