Rise to the occasion, raise a toast and say cheese! Whether you’ve taken a vegetarian plunge or are planning to host a dinner party for your vegetarian friends, arranging the culinary can be challenging, right? Haven’t we all been there? You have waited for this big weekend and looking forward to cooking some healthy restorative meals. It would not be fair, to simply label someone the ‘choosiest’ or ‘difficult’ dinner guest just because they are vegetarians or may have allergies (Oh common, we don’t know and it’s not their fault). Perhaps, you have been dismayed – but there is nothing to panic about! Rather think, how do you take care of this person?
It can be hard for you not to go meatless that weekend, but if you are dithering over dinner, we’ve got you covered with some delicious ways to include all the nutrients in your diet as well. Leave behind the lingering misconception that only non-vegetarian food are tasty and let us take you on a fulfilling journey that is sure to satisfy your discerning palate.
We have rounded up 5 delicious dishes you can cook when your guest at dinner is a vegetarian.
1. Paneer Makhni Biryani
Every foodie’s favorite, biryani tops the list when it comes to planning the best night-out. Layered with saffron rice and doused in creamy gravy, Paneer Makhni can be your next new go-to favorite. This mouth-watering dish is a perfect recipe to satisfy every vegetarian and paneer-lovers alike!
Key Ingredients required:
Paneer cubes, Ghee/ clarified butter, Garlic, Ginger (chopped), Whole spices, Onion, Butter, Fresh tomato puree, Turmeric powder, Cumin-coriander powder, Green chilies, Cashew paste, Tandoori masala, Sugar, Cream, Cardamom powder, Salt, Basmati rice (cooked), Onions, Almond slivers, Mint and coriander
How to prepare:
In a pan, heat little ghee and sear the paneer cubes in. Then, in a small pan, add spices such as cinnamon, black and green cardamom, cloves, black peppercorns, mace. When the spices give a crackling sound, add chopped onions, green chilies, ginger, garlic and fry for about 2 minutes. Add in the tomato puree with powdered masalas and simmer for 10-12 minutes. For taste, add the cashew paste and cream and let the gravy come to a gentle simmer for 8 – 10 minutes. Once this is ready, layer the paneer and rice alternatively. Garnish with dry/fried onions, fresh mint leaves, and coriander. Serve hot after keeping it aside and covered for about 25 minutes.
2. Vegetarian Burritos
If you are wanting to make something unusual and different, try out the delectable Mexican burritos for the night. Combined with kidney beans and cheese, this mix is a perfect delight for vegetarians. All you need to do is serve the tortillas with some seasonal salsa sauce and you are good to go. Interesting and yummy, your guest won’t even guess they’re healthy!
Key Ingredients required:
Boiled rajma, olive oil, cumin powder, coriander powder, chili powder, chili powder, tabasco, lemons, onion, and chopped lettuce.
How to prepare:
In a pan, add little olive oil, add kidney beans and slightly mash them. Add salt, pepper, cumin powder, coriander powder, chili powder and allow the mix to cook for some time. Then, add tabasco sauce, lime to give flavors to the kidney beans. Also, add chopped onions. For the tortilla, take the corn tortilla and fold to put it into a baking dish with olive oil. Add a layer of mozzarella cheese and bake it in the oven for 10-12 minutes. Garnish with coriander leaves and serve hot.
3. Dal Makhani
There are no second thoughts about this! There’s a reason why everyone loves dal makhani and is actually one of the most hot-selling dishes in restaurants. This creamy delight just never fails to impress. So, why can’t a homemade one impress too? With a perfect recipe to follow, you can definitely cook this dish to perfection and we are sure your guests will love it. Prepared with the goodness of black urad dal, heart-melting masalas, and cream, this stellar recipe is absolutely a must-try!
Key Ingredients required:
Urad dal, salt, water, butter, ginger, oil, jeera, kasoori meethi, tomato puree, chili powder, sugar, cream, green chilies.
How to prepare:
To perfectly make this dal, add water and pinch of salt and ginger to it. Cook the dal till it becomes tender. In a pan, melt butter with oil, add jeera and kasoori methi. Once it begins to splutter, add tomato puree, a pinch of salt, chili powder and sugar. Then, add the cooked dal and bring to boil. Depending on the consistency you’d like, stir, otherwise add more water. Allow it to simmer, uncovered till it blends completely. Stir-in cream and once it’s ready, serve hot with green chilies on the top (optional).
4. Khow Suey
Another gourmet meal for the guests, this works as a perfect meal to satire. Garnished with fried garlic, onions, peanuts, and lime, you can have this delicious meal cooked in no time. Made with authentic flavors, we bet you’d not resist for another serve.
Key Ingredients required:
Diced baby corn, sliced carrots, cauliflower, broccoli, yellow zucchinis (halved with skin), sliced french beans, onion, ginger, garlic, lemongrass, turmeric powder, oil, gram flour, coconut milk, sugar, salt, peanuts, noodles, diced tofu, browned onions, fried garlic, red chili flakes, lemon juice, coriander sprigs
How to prepare:
Heat the noodles in sufficient water in a non-stick pan. Bring to boil for 2 – 3 minutes. Drain once ready into a bowl, blend onion, garlic, ginger, lemongrass, and turmeric powder together into a paste. Heat oil separately in a non-stick pan, add the paste and saute well. Then, add gram flour and mix well enough for about 5 – 7 minutes. After that, add 1 cup of water with coconut milk and whisk well. Add all the chopped vegetables and mix well to boil for 3 – 5 minutes. Place boiled noodles in a serving bowl and add tofu, browned onions, and fried garlic. Top the cooked vegetables and pour the soup. Garnish with coriander leaves.
5. Masala Bhindi
Another not-to-be-missed dish, this is every foodie’s favorite. You can cook this easy masala recipe in a jiffy. A little spicy, a little sour, this dish is scrumptious to feast on. Also known as Okra, this is loved by all – kids and adults alike and is often prepared in north Indian homes because it can be made as a quick delicious dry sabzi. A perfect dish for dinner, you will definitely want to make this for your guests. Simply combine this with some piping hot parathas and you are good to go!
Key Ingredients required:
bhindi, fennel seeds, mustard oil, jeera seeds, turmeric powder, salt, fennel powder, amchur powder, pepper powder, sugar, lime juice, onion, ginger.
How to prepare:
Add oil in a pan and heat jeera, fennel seeds. Once they splutter, add onions and wait for it to turn lightly brown. After this, add ginger, turmeric powder, water, and stir. Mix the bhindi in this and continue to stir for 5 – 7 minutes. Add salt and sprinkle fennel powder, amchur powder and, pepper, lime juice, sugar in the end. Serve hot once ready!
