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Why Make Ahead Appetizers Are a Wonderful Idea?

You Can Get Done with the Preparation Part

Source pantreze.com

The idea of serving make-ahead Indian appetizers for a crowd is closely related to keeping your guests happy and satisfied. Such snacks make it easy to prep and you can also get them done beforehand. Also, it directly helps the guests happy as they settle down into the party mood.

You Save a Lot of Time

Source eternitywebdev.com

Appetizers are truly remarkable and you can truly save a lot of time when you make them ahead. This allows you to manage your time and you can check on other requirements of the party in peace and also get ready with more care.

Gives a Break from Kitchen to Attend Guests

Source www.pronestor.com

Make ahead appetizers are something which can be prepared already and then heated again to serve the guests. When you are making such appetizers which can be prepared beforehand, you are giving yourself time to mingle with your guests. And apparently the key to have a wonderful party is the balance between a fun welcoming atmosphere and great food.

Some Easy Make ahead Indian Appetizers Recipes

Stuffed Samosa Curry Buns

Source sukhis.com

Stuffed Samosa Curry Buns will turn out to be an excellent choices as Indian appetizers for parties. They are great as a snack and also quite wholesome for the starter/appetizer requirements. You can enjoy them with tea.

What You Need

  • 1 can flaky biscuit dough and 2 tsp olive oil
  • Spice mix – curry powder, turmeric powder, red chilli powder, coriander powder, dry mango powder, salt – 1/2tsp each
  • 1/2 cup frozen peas and ½ cup frozen carrots
  • 4 large boiled and mashed potatoes and 1 tsp melted butter
  • 1 whisked egg and 1 tsp chopped cilantro

How to Make It

  • Heat 2 tsp oil in a pan and add frozen carrots and peas and saute for 2 minutes.
  • Add spice mix and saute followed by mashed potatoes. Mix well and leave the filling to cool down.
  • Now, open the biscuit can and slice each one into half making them total 16 half discs.
  • Make balls of each dough then roll into 2 inch thick disc, add 1 tbsp filling in centre and press edges together to seal it.
  • Place stuffed bun into baking pan and bake on 375F for 12 minutes. Take the buns out and apply butter and cilantro mix on them and serve.

Pita Chips

Source www.acouplecooks.com

Made using Pita Bread, Pita Chips can turn out to be a light and wonderful item for appetizers. You can enjoy them with some dip or Hummus until the main course is served. The recipe is quick as well as quite easy to make too.

What You Need

  • Pita Bread and Olive oil
  • garlic powder to taste
  • salt and oregano to taste

How to Make It

  • Take Pita Bread and cut into pie shaped wedges. Split open each wedges into two.
  • Prepare a baking sheet and arrange all the pita wedges on it.
  • Mix garlic powder, oregano and salt into olive oil and brush over each pita wedge.
  • Toast these wedges in toaster oven for 5 minutes and enjoy with some dip.

Spiced Indian Chicken

Source www.rockrecipes.com

It takes quite some time to cook chicken and this is why it would be better to include it in the recipes of make-ahead Indian appetizers for a crowd. This recipe of Spiced chicken takes only 10 minutes but turn out to be a satisfying appetizer for a crowd.

What You Need

  • 245gm natural yoghurt and 25gms tomato puree
  • 2tbsp dried fenugreek leaves and 1 tbsp garam masala
  • Pinch of cayenne pepper and 1tsp cardamom powder
  • 2 chicken thighs and 2 chicken breasts (skin and bone in)
  • 1 clove garlic chopped and 20gms brown sugar
  • pinch of salt and pepper

How to Make It

  • Take a large bowl and combine all the ingredients in it except chicken.
  • After mixing well, place the chicken pieces in shallow plate and marinade with the ingredients. Cover with cling film and let it marinate for 30 minutes.
  • After 30 minutes, preheat the griddle and place the chicken pieces on griddle.
  • Cook the chicken 15-20 minutes each side and it is done.

Indian Cheese Corn Toast

Source www.airfryerbook.com

What if you could twist pizza and turn it into some tasty snack item? Well, now you can and this recipe of Indian cheese corn toast will remind you of corn pizza for sure. Serve it with freshly grated cheese and enjoy it with your friends in appetizers.

What You Need

  • bread slices cut into half (diagonally) and 1 cup corn
  • 1 cup onion, 1 cup bell pepper and capsicum – thinly chopped
  • 1/2 cup tomatoes and 1 jalapeno – thinly chopped
  • 2 tbsp colored bell peppers and ¼ cup cheese shredded
  • 2tbsp all purpose flour and 2tbsp butter
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • salt and black pepper as per taste

How to Make It

  • Preheat oven at 180C and heat 2 tbsp butter in nonstick pan.
  • Melt the butter and add all purpose flour and keep on mixing. After 2 minutes add milk and form a smooth batter.
  • Add salt, pepper, and mentioned veggies and keep on cooking until the batter is thickened.
  • Remove the pan from heat and apply the mixture on each slice of bread and sprinkle lots of cheese on it.
  • Bake for 8 minutes and serve fresh.

Chilli Paneer

Source flavouroma.com

One of the most popular Indian party snacks that can be prepared in advance is Chilli Paneer and the best thing about it is that it is loved by everyone. Tasting paneer with a lot of spices is quite heavenly and our quick recipe will help you in preparing the same.

What You Need

  • 300gms paneer cubed and 3tbsp oil
  • 3tbsp soy sauce and 1tbsp white vinegar
  • minced garlic and ginger – 2 tbsp each
  • 1/2 medium onion diced and 2 green chillies sliced
  • 2 dried red chillies chopped and 1 cubed bell pepper
  • 1tbsp chilli sauce and 2 small green onions chopped
  • Paste of 1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2tbsp water

How to Make It

  • Take a bowl and marinate paneer cubes in it with 1 tbsp soy sauce for 10 minutes.
  • Take a pan and heat oil in it and add marinated paneer. Saute it until it turns golden brown from both sides.
  • Take paneer out of the pan and leave excess oil in the pan itself. In the same oil saute chopped red chilli for a few seconds.
  • Add green chillies, ginger and garlic in it and saute again followed by bell peppers and onions and saute for 1 minute.
  • Add white vinegar, chilli sauce and 2 tbsp soy sauce and mix well then add sautéed paneer in it too.
  • Add corn starch paste and mix well and garnish with green onions to serve.

Medu Vada

Source grofers.com

You can’t just stay away from South Indian food recipes especially when it comes to breakfasts and starters. Not only they are super wholesome and satisfactory but also quite healthy as compared to other options. So, this recipe of Medu Vada is a must to try for your party.

What You Need

  • 200gms urad dal (soaked for 6 hours) and 6 tbsp self-raising flour
  • 1 tbsp finely grated fresh coconut and 1tsp minced ginger
  • 5 curry leaves and 1tbsp coriander – finely chopped
  • 100gms finely chopped onions and 1tsp ground black pepper
  • 1tsp cumin powder and 1tsp bicarbonate soda
  • 1 ½ tbsp citric acid crystals and 2 ½ tsp sugar
  • 1tsp salt

How to Make It

  • Make a paste of urad dal and place it in a large bowl. Now add all the mentioned ingredients except onions and coriander.
  • Beat the mixture for 3-4 minutes and then fold in onions and coriander.
  • Heat oil to deep fry. Dip your hands in cold water and take a ball from medu vada mixture and roll to make a ball and then make a hole in it to form a doughnut like shape.
  • Gently release in oil and deep fry on medium heat for 2-3 minutes. Serve them with coconut chutney.

Indian Curry Puff

Source in.pinterest.com

Everyone usually stays away from veggies because they are too boring to have at a party. But you can change things around by trying this superb recipe of vegetable puff. This special Indian curry puff includes all the amazing veggies as well as some amazing spices to increase the flavours inside.

What You Need

  • 1 packet puff pastry sheets and 4tbsp milk
  • 1 tsp melted butter and ¼ cup water
  • 1/2 cup green capsicum and 3 medium boiled potatoes – thinly chopped
  • 1 medium onion and ½ cup green beans – thinly chopped
  • 1 tbsp fresh cilantro and coriander finely chopped
  • 3 tbsp olive oil and ½ cup frozen peas
  • 1/2 cup square chopped carrots and 1 tsp cumin
  • Salt and curry powder – 1tsp each
  • Red chilli powder and mango powder – ½ tsp each

How to Make It

  • For filling, heat oil in pan and add cumin powder and saute onion in it for 2-3 minutes.
  • Add all the vegetables except potatoes and saute for a while then cover the lid and let the veggies cook for 7 minutes on low flame.
  • Finally add boiled potatoes and spices and cook everything for 2 minutes and then set aside.
  • Now, preheat oven at 410F and in a small bowl mix milk and butter.
  • Cut thawed and cold pastry sheets into squares and add 1tbsp filling in them then fold remaining side on it to seal it properly.
  • Brush milk and butter mix on each pastry puff and seal edges with a fork.
  • Bake for 15 minutes and serve with ketchup.

Stuffed Mushroom Appetizer

Source thejewishkitchen.com

If you want to try out something different then this stuffed mushroom appetizer is going to steal the show at the party. It will serve as one of the tastiest make-ahead Indian appetizers for a crowd and the easy to make one-bite recipe is perfect as a quick snack too.

What You Need

  • 220gms baby portabella mushrooms and 2 tsp olive oil
  • Goat cheese and cream cheese – 50gms each
  • Salt and black pepper powder to taste
  • bread crumbs as needed and red chilli flakes to taste
  • 2-3 garlic cloves finely chopped and 1/2tsp Italian seasoning

How to Make It

  • Preheat the oven to 400F, wash mushrooms, remove their stems and set aside.
  • Prepare a baking dish and place mushrooms (Cavity side down) inside the baking dish and bake for 10 minutes.
  • Chop mushrooms stems finely and set aside. Take a bowl and mix both cheese, salt, red chilli flakes and black pepper in it.
  • Once mushrooms are done, flip them over and sprinkle salt and let them cool.
  • Heat olive oil in a skillet and add garlic, chopped mushroom stems and Italian seasoning then cook until mushroom stems caramelize a bit.
  • Let it cool and then add mushroom stems to cheese mix.
  • Once mushrooms are cooled down, drain all their moisture in a bowl. Now, fill the cheese mixture gently into the cavity of the mushrooms.
  • Turn the mushrooms upside down and press into bread crumbs and place in baking dish again. Bake for 5 minutes and serve with red chilli flakes on top.

Spinach and Onion Pakoras

Source www.bigapplecurry.com

Fritters or Pakoras are like the ultimate snack item in Indian households. So, no matter whether it is a small get together or a big house party, you have to try out this appetizer for your loved ones. And the best thing about it is that it goes so well with all sorts of Chutneys and Ketchup.

What You Need

  • 2 cups chickpea flour and 1 cup yoghurt
  • 1 cup chopped spinach leaves and 1 large onion sliced thinly
  • Ground cumin and ground coriander – 1 tbsp each
  • 1tbsp crushed dried fenugreek leaves and 2 cups vegetable oil

How to Make It

  • Take a bowl and add chickpea flour, spinach, ½ cup water, cumin, coriander, fenugreek, yoghurt and onions in it.
  • Season it with salt and mix well .
  • Take oil in a pot for deep frying and heat it well. Now carefully start dropping tablespoons of batter and fry in batches.
  • Place the fried pakoras on paper towels so that the oil can be absorbed. Sprinkle some salt and serve with chutney.

Indian Veg Kebabs

Source www.youtube.com

If you want an option of healthy Indian appetizers for potluck then these vegetable Kebabs are the perfect choice to make. These ones here are vegan and gluten free and furthermore the baked version keeps you away from consuming too much of oil.

What You Need

  • 3 medium boiled potatoes peeled and cubed and 1 cup cooked lentil of your choice
  • 1 cup cauliflower florets and ½ cup peas
  • 3 tbsp cilantro leaves chopped and 1 medium onion
  • 1/2 tsp ginger garlic paste and 5tbsp gram flour
  • 3 tbsp water and 2 bread slices
  • 1/2 cup olive oil and cooking spray
  • Red chilli powder, cumin powder and garam masala – 1 tsp each
  • 1/4 tsp turmeric and salt as per taste

How to Make It

  • Add all the vegetables, cooked lentil and spices in a mixer and mince it all.
  • Now add 2 bread slices and water and make a smooth paste.
  • Divide the mix into equal parts and form a desired shape out of it. Keep them in fridge for 15 minutes to set.
  • Preheat oven at 190C and line the kebabs on a baking dish.
  • Spray cooking oil on each kebab and bake for 10 minutes then flip them and bake again for 10 minutes. Once cooked, serve with chutney.

Tips for Creating a Perfect Indian Dinner Party Menu

Pick Instant and Easy Snacks/Appetizers Recipes

Source meaningfuleats.com

While choosing the make ahead Indian appetizers for a crowd, you should look for recipes that are tasty but will remain good to have even after reheating. They should also be relatively easy to reheat - you would not want to spend too much time in kitchen while all your guests are there in the living room.

Try to Include Both Wet and Dry Recipes

Source www.cooksillustrated.com

Make you menu multi-faceted with a variety of flavours and looks. Try to include both wet and dry recipes into the menu so that it can look wholesome as well as satisfying to someone.

Never Skip Rice and Raita

Source ratlamee.com

Apart from choosing easy and quick to make ahead Indian appetizers for a crowd, you should also focus on cooking rice and raita too. These two are quite like the inseparable part of an Indian menu whether it is for lunch or for dinner. Also, they complete the menu and make it more digestive.

Go All Fancy for the Sweet Dish

Source www.cakengifts.in

When it comes to Indian parties, you dare not to skip on sweet dish and some dessert. In fact, we would suggest you to go all out on the sweet dish as this is something that every guest is going to remember the most. Also, don’t forget to make plenty of it as people often repeat their sweet dish.

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Taste as You Go

Whether you are experimenting with food or following a recipe to the T, you need to taste as often as possible. Learn to taste and adjust the seasonings to make the food you are making have the right balance of flavours. If you don’t taste it, you won’t know.