What do you serve to guests when they come to visit? I need ideas which are quick and easy and don’t require me to be in the kitchen when guests are here.
I’ve just had a baby so we have lots of visitors and MIL insists on a full spread for each guest…samosas, kebabs, channe… It’s just too much! I have a newborn to look after and spend the whole time guests are here in the kitchen then there is so much washing to do after
Re: what to serve guests??
I don’t think any new mum needs to a full spread, and nor should anyone expect it. Biscuits, cakes and chevda are more than enough. If you want to make it more substantial (though I don’t think you need to), I’d add frozen pre-made kebabs that can be heated from frozen in the microwave. I always keep pre-made patties in the freezer and put them in the oven with egg wash for about 20 minutes. Easier than frying I think. Also you could just add humous and pitta. But honestly I think biscuits is more than enough. Xx
Re: what to serve guests??
Ps congratulations 
Re: what to serve guests??
Seriously expecting a new mom to put out a spread and then clean up is so unfair. Tea, cookies, Mithai, pre made kababs should be more than enough.
Re: what to serve guests??
Buy some food from outside. Hopefully guests are only going to be served tea and not an actual lunch or dinner.
Chana chaat is super easy to make. If you have left over keema or chicken, you can buy pastry sheets and make patties. You can buy cookies and cake and mithai. Or in place of mithai, you or MIL can make a quick suji ka halwa. And that should be sufficient.
Re: what to serve guests??
i suggest you go with ready to cook packaged stuff like kebabs,nuggets etc.
add some nimko,cookies and sweets and that should be sufficient.
if you cant get the ready to cook food then make bite size rolls,samosas,kebabs, in large quantity that should last for 5-6 sets of guests, and freeze them. whenever guests come you just need to fry it so you don’t have to remain in the kitchen and put yourself into hassle every time guests come.
Re: what to serve guests??
Just go with chair/juice, cookies/pound cake, nimko, chips and store bought dips. It is very unreasonable to expect a new mom to do a lavish tea every time someone comes over.
Re: what to serve guests??
Ugh, MILs!
Don’t worry about doing too much. Putting mithai out is a must if they’re coming to see the new baby… along with that you can buy frozen kebabs that you just need to defrost in the microwave for 30 seconds. Put different kinds of dips out for that, along with nimko, dried channay are nice, and maybe some nuts like cashews or something. I wouldn’t do more than that.
Re: what to serve guests??
agree to the posts above. do quick, no cooking needed items like:
cookies/biscuits
nimko
chips/dips
cut up fruit
juice
dry fruit/nuts
store bought cake/pastries
mithai
and you can make chai/coffee if so desired.
also recommend using disposable cups/plates so you are not stuck washing dishes or loading dishwasher (…esp if you are not getting any help)
When i was in my last month of pregnancy my mom made samosas, kebabs and froze them. We had mithai, nimko and biscuits obvs. Whenever someone came over, she would defrost and cook the kebabs and samosas and set out the dry snacks with chai/coffee. Super-fast and easy.
Don’t make a whole spread for people…it’s just exhausting. Buy the frozen kebabs and if possible get samosas from a desi store…make it wasy on urself. No one expects new mothers to do that much…usually when people come over they coo over the baby chit chat and off they go lol. Good luck!
Re: what to serve guests??
you should ask her to make it then!
Thanks guys! We made a few bits and pieces and froze them. Also stocked up on Mithai and cakes etc.
I’ve also started to taking the baby for a feed/nappy change when I’m getting too tired. Means I can put my feet up for 5 and by the time I come back stuff has been done!
Re: what to serve guests??
I did the same thing ! ^ I used to take my son upstairs for a feeding or diaper change when i felt like i needed a break.