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New Delhi: Planning a dinner party can feel exciting yet overwhelming, especially when you want to impress your guests with food that’s both flavourful and memorable. And when it comes to creating a menu that celebrates warmth, hospitality, and variety, nothing quite matches the charm of Indian cuisine. Known for its rich spices, vibrant colours, and diverse regional influences, Indian food has the power to transform any gathering into an unforgettable culinary experience.

Here are some top recipes that can be a great addition to your party scenes, and know how to make them perfectly at home with Chef’s advice and steps to follow the same and make yourself and your guests a lovely dinner.

Khubani Paneer Tikka

Here is an easy recipe by Naveen Dhaiya, Executive Chef at G3 Kitchen & Bar, to make this easily at home.

Ingredients

For Khubani Paste

• Dried apricots – 12–15 pieces (deseeded)
• Water – ½ cup
• Sugar or honey – 1–2 tsp
• Lemon juice – ½ tsp

For Marinade

• Paneer – 250 g (cut into cubes)
• Hung curd – ½ cup
• Khubani paste – 3–4 tbsp
• Ginger-garlic paste – 1 tsp
• Roasted besan – 1½ tbsp
• Kashmiri red chilli powder – 1 tsp
• Garam masala – ½ tsp
• Kasuri methi – ½ tsp (crushed)
• Mustard oil – 1 tbsp
• Salt – to taste

For Assembling

• Onion & capsicum – cut into cubes
• Tomato – optional
• Skewers, butter/ghee, chaat masala

Method

1. Soak apricots in water 4–5 hrs, cook till soft, blend with sugar & lemon.
2. Whisk hung curd, add khubani paste, spices, besan, mustard oil. Mix smooth.
3. Add paneer, onion, and capsicum. Coat well, rest 1–6 hrs in fridge.
4. Thread on skewers. Cook in oven at 200°C for 12–15 mins (or grill pan till charred). Baste with butter.
5. Sprinkle chaat masala, serve hot with mint chutney.

Kulchey Chole Pockets

Celebrity chef Chef Harpal Singh Sokhi, KARIGARI shares this delicious fusion recipe for your dinner night.

Ingredients

For Chole

• Chickpeas – 1 cup (soaked overnight / canned)
• Onion – 1 (chopped), Tomato puree – 1 cup
• Ginger-garlic paste – 1 tsp
• Green chilli – optional
• Chole masala – 2 tsp, Garam masala – ½ tsp
• Turmeric – ¼ tsp, Salt – to taste
• Cumin seeds – ½ tsp, Bay leaf – 1
• Fresh coriander & lemon juice

For Kulche

• Maida – 2 cups, Yeast – 1 tsp (or baking powder)
• Salt – ½ tsp, Sugar – 1 tsp
• Oil/butter – 1 tbsp, Water – as needed
• Optional – Ajwain/sesame seeds

Garnish – Onion rings, green chutney, tamarind chutney

Method

Step 1: Make Chole

1. Pressure cook the soaked chickpeas till soft.
2. Heat oil, add cumin & bay leaf. Sauté onion, ginger-garlic, chilli.
3. Add tomato puree + spices. Cook till oil separates.
4. Add chickpeas, simmer 15 mins. Finish with lemon & coriander.

Step 2: Make Kulche

1. Knead flour, yeast, salt, sugar, oil & water into soft dough. Rest 1–2 hrs.
2. Divide, roll into discs. Cook on a hot tawa till golden (brush with butter).

Step 3: Assemble

1. Slice the kulcha into a pocket. Fill with chole.
2. Add onion, chutneys, and cucumber. Serve warm.

Laal Maas (Rajasthani Mutton Curry)

Sunil Dhoundiyal, Executive Chef at Curry Crown, is sharing simple steps to make this Indian delicacy at home.

Ingredients

• Mutton – 250 g
• Mustard oil – 150 ml
• Onion – 200 g, Tomato – 200 g
• Hung curd – 50 g
• Ginger-garlic paste – 20 g
• Mathania red chilli paste – 2 tbsp (or Kashmiri chilli paste)
• Whole spices – cloves, black/green cardamom, peppercorns
• Salt – to taste

For Tadka

• Oil – 50 ml, Green chilli – chopped
• Degi mirch – 2 tbsp

Method

1. Mix the mutton with the ginger-garlic paste. Rest 1 hr.
2. Heat oil, splutter whole spices. Add onions, fry until golden.
3. Fry marinated mutton 4–5 mins. Add chilli paste, cook 8–10 mins.
4. Blend curd with coriander, red chilli, cumin powder & a little mustard oil. Stir into the mutton.
5. Cover & cook on low 30–40 mins till tender.
6. Add tadka of oil, green chilli & degi mirch. Garnish with coriander.
7. Hot with bajra roti or steamed rice.

Whether your dinner party is intimate or grand, Indian recipes not only bring flavour to the table but also create a sense of togetherness, reflecting the culture’s tradition of sharing and celebrating over meals. With the right mix of dishes, your dinner party can become more than just a gathering—it can turn into an evening of joy, warmth, and lasting memories.