So when planning a menu what is important to consider?

Lifestyle Parenting, Household Affairs and Cuisine corner
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So my anniversary is around the corner and inshallah after that so is my birthday :halo:. So I thought, hey invite the family around for dinner and celebrate with loved ones.

I’m thinking of a desi menu. Other half is from Sindh so thought of making Sindhi Biryani as I’m sure he misses it. So here is what I have so far:

Starters:

Keema rolls

Shish kebabs

alloo tikkis

not so spicy chicken wings (kinda like southern fried) for the young’uns

tandoori chicken (which will double up for mains-see note below)

Chutneys-tomato one, chilli and coriander one and one imli one

Mains:

Sindhi Biryani

Raita

Salad (you know the desi one…sorry can’t think of the name)

One handi-thinking lamb palak…

Of course roti’s-can’t expect guests to eat just lamb palak…

(My uncle seriously doesn’t get on with rice, and my cousin is the same so I thought one handi and the starters would be enough).

Sweets:

Erm, we ain’t too keen on desi sweets as a family so I’m thinking chocolate fudge cake and possibly lemon drizzle cake.

Usually what happens at our dinners is everyone fills up on starters so to not cater for their desire of loads of starts is unheard of :hoonh: I did think about only having two starters but then thought about the kids-they generally do not eat much rice or roti and rely on starters (and dessert) too.

Any ideas, suggestions greatly welcome. Also, does anyone have any tried and loved Sindhi Biryani recipes? I usually use a masala box and adjust salt and spice levels?

The dinner will be in the evening and I think I’ve covered all the needs of the guests but what else should you consider when cooking for a group of people? I usually have a standard set menu and I’ve noticed that as time goes on guests can sometimes expect new stuff or something out of the norm.

I’ve considered:
what we like to eat
how much time and space we have to store food in the fridge…
how much spice the kids can handle…
the elderly members of the family…tough chewy meat isn’t an option…

What else should I consider?

:wink: Princess

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Re: So when planning a menu what is important to consider?

If your family love their starters, if you want something different, go for a med / middle-eastern mezze spread.

Things like:

Hummous
Tzaziki (cucumber, garlic, lemon juice, yogurt, mint dip)
Sun-blush tomatoes marinated in herb, garlic, oil
Chicken kebab skewers
Lamb chops
Roasted Aubergine salad with dressing
Mixed Olives with feta cheese n dressing

All served with small pieces of bread / Pitta

100% guaranteed to go down well!

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See I'd love to serve that but it maybe on the verge of too adventureous for my great-aunts who are use to their meat and 2 veg.

Thank you for the suggestion though-I'm thinking of using it for when I have a meal with just friends :)

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Re: So when planning a menu what is important to consider?

i've tried the Sindhi biryani from Shaan masala, i love it. I just usually take out the big black stuff and sticks cz we dont like em, but it tastes/smells wonderful

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Re: So when planning a menu what is important to consider?

Your menu looks good actually...you are doing one main dish? Maybe a veggie dish would be nice but its upto you. :)

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Re: So when planning a menu what is important to consider?

^ PS has a good point. Consider another veggie dish for the main course. You can make sindhi biryani, lamb palak and perhaps cholay (chick peas) or eggplant or a mixed vegetable dish?

And in my opinion, consider moving the chicken tikka to the main course, because it's a more filling and heavier dish....commonly served for meals (lunch or dinner). If you don't want to do that....then instead of making chicken tikka for starter dish...do smaller pieces of chicken such as chicken wings. Chicken wings marinated in masala will be a better pick for a starter course because they're smaller in size. Otherwise people will get so full from the starter course that they won't have room for the main course.

Overall, you have a great menu. Conratulations on your anniversary and happy b-day in advance. Best wishes with the cooking :)

Timepass - March 2013
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Re: So when planning a menu what is important to consider?

I agree with the veggie dish as well. A good/easy one is to do gobi/aloo/carrots/and peas in one. Just steam them and add chaat masala and fried onions, its not too spicy and kids love it too. Or you can prep it desi style with frying onions first and then adding in all of the veggies but thats a bit too greasy for my taste. Also add a pinch or two of dried mint for a wonderful smell and flavor