It is Diwali season again! Here are four easy no-stress Diwali dinner ideas to choose from for your home party’s food menu, with recipes! These food menus cater to different diet restrictions like vegetarian, vegan and even gluten-free so that none of you guests feel left out. Now you don’t need to worry about dinner ideas and just focus on being the perfect hostess!
Diwali traditions at home
Diwali is an Indian festival of lights celebrated over 5 days. This year Diwali is from 17th October to 21st October’2017. While each day has a religious significance, for me, each day is a reason to be with family and friends and celebrate.
The whole environment changes around Diwali. People are generally in a happy holiday-ish mood. Gifts are lovingly exchanged. Soon the house parties will start and for the next 10 days you will either be hosting or be hosted at friends and families.
Diwali dinner food menu
One of my stress points when hosting a dinner party is deciding the menu. How many dishes? What are all the dishes? Are there any special constraints like vegetarian, gluten-free, vegan or no onion-no garlic? When deciding on a menu for a lunch or dinner gathering, I follow two principles:
- I must take care of everyone’s special needs. All the dinner recipes may not satisfy guests with special needs, but there has to be something for everyone.
- The recipes should be such that I can do enough pre-preparation. After all, I want to be with my guests at the time of the dinner party and not run in and out of the kitchen all the time.
Keeping these in mind, I have prepared these 4 Diwali dinner menus or dinner ideas that you can use on any occasion. Each of the menus has starters, mains, accompaniments and desserts. Since diet restrictions such as vegan and gluten-free are fairly common these days, I have included dishes catering to all. You can choose any of the dinner menus as is or you can mix and match between the menus to make your menu!
Diwali Dinner Idea 1 – Vegetarian and Vegan Dinner Menu
Starters:
Chawal Ke Pakore/ Rice Crispies
Baingan Bhaja
Mains:
Dhabey waali Dal/ Mixed Dal
Potato Curry with Coconut Milk
Accompaniments
Plain Paratha
Plain Basmati Rice
Cucumber and Lime Raita
Dessert
Moong dal Halwa
Diwali Dinner Idea 2 – Non-vegetarian and Vegetarian friendly dinner Menu
Starters
Hara Bhara Kebab
Chicken Shami Kebab
Mains
South Indian Style Chicken Curry
Kala Chana Curry/ Black Chickpea Curry
Accompaniments
Plain Paratha
Spiced Basmati Rice
Plain Yogurt
Dessert
Phirni
Diwali Dinner Idea 3 – Rajasthani Special dinner Menu with vegan and gluten free options
Starters
Dahi Bade
Chatpate Aloo
Mains
Gatte Ki Sabzi
Rajasthani Papad ki Sabzi
Accompaniments
Bajre ki Roti
Plain Basmati Rice
Chilli Garlic chutney
Dessert
Lapsi (Broken Wheat Pudding)
Diwali Dinner Menu 4 – Chaat Party Menu (Vegetarian)
Starters
Sprouts Salad
Aloo Samosa
Mains
Dal Pakwaan
Dabeli
Accompaniments
Coriander and mint chutney
Carrot and Chilli fresh pickle
Dessert
Dry Fruits Kulfi
Connect with me
If you like these menus; if you have any questions regarding these menus or if you would like help with planning your Indian dinner party food menu, I would love to be of help.
Update (November,2023)
Here is one more Diwali dinner food menu that is inspired by local and seasonal produce in Udaipur (where we are currently living in). We are hosting a Farm-to-Table dinner at our farm for friends. As a farmer now, I am always looking for meal ideas that make the best of fresh produce available locally.
Happy Hosting!
Wish you a Safe and Prosperous Diwali!
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