Diwali Dinner Menu with game plan !

 Diwali comes unannounced in US. Most of us are working .  That gives little time for prepration.  Some of us want to throw a diwali party but we are afriad to do it due to the time constraints. This menu and game plan will take away your anxiety. This is an informal diwali dinner plan  I will be cooking  for my family. You may add more dishes and appetizers if you want to have a party in large scale.

   Diwali  Dinner Menu

Appetizers

1. Moong Dal Vada ( Moong lentils fritters)
2. Paneer Tikka( Big chunks of  Indian cottage cheese marinated in spices and grilled)
3. Mixed Masala Nuts

Main Course

1. Dal Makhani ( Creamy black beans lentils with kidney beans)
2. Malai Kofta( Indian cottage cheese dumplings in rich creamy sauce)
3. Bhindi Masala( Spicy Okra)

Sides

1. Cucumber Raita( Plain yogurt with grated cucumber)
2. Navratan Rice( basmati Rice with Fried nuts
3. Poori ( Fried puffed bread)
4. Papad( roasted lentil wafers)
5. Coriander Mint  Chutney( Salsa)
6. Mixed Pickle

Dessert

1. Gulab Jamun( Sweet friend milk balls dumplings is sugar syrup)
2. Phirni( Rice and milk pudding with coarsely ground rice)

 Game Plan

1. Make  gulab jamuns , phirni  4 days before diwali and refrigerate them.
2.  Make paneer , masala nuts , corianter mint chutney and  koftas  3 days before diwali. Also soak moong dal and chana dal for vadas . Boil the milk and make dahi at night.
3. Two  days before diwali  , make gravy for kofta and tempering( tadka) for dal and grind dals for moong dal vadas and make vadas. Make dal in slowcooker overnight. Chop onions, ginger and green chillies  for okra. 
4.  One day before diwali  set the table, and decide which item will go where on the table. Put a post it note. This way you will not forget any item.
5. Day of diwali , you make cucumber raita, okra and make dough for poori  and mix dal with tadka and let it cook in slowcooker with butter and cream. 
6.  Warm the gravy and put the koftas in it.  Turn the oven to 200 degrees celsius  and keep the food for keeping it warm 2 hours before the party.Toast the papads and lay the table.
7. Make  10-15 pooris before you call everyone to table. Make pooris alfresco.