Last-Minute Party Snacks For All The Times Your Yaars Come Unannounced
Finally, the weekend is here and you were just readying yourself for a night-in – a Netflix watching session snuggled in your bed. But, there’s a knock on the door! Uh-oh! That can’t be good? Suddenly you find your yaars have self-invited themselves to your place because weekend pe chill karna toh banta hai! And, of course, they didn’t come alone but got some more friends to tag along. Before you know it, you have to throw an impromptu party you weren’t prepared for.
If you find yourself in a similar situation where guests have come unannounced to your place, don’t worry I got your back. Here are some last-minute party food items that you can make using the ingredients in your pantry!
1. Indian Cheese Corn Toast
I know Pizza is BAE but for a change why not try and make your own mini-pizza substitutes right at home? I mean what can possibly go wrong with the goodness of melted cheese, corn and some crispy veggies?
Ingredients
8 Bread Slices, cut into triangles
1cup Corn
1cup Bell Peppers/Capsicum, thinly chopped
1cup Onion, thinly chopped
1/2cup Tomatoes, thinly chopped
1 Jalapeno, thinly chopped (optional)
1/4cup Cheese, shredded
For the White Sauce
2tbsps All-Purpose Flour
2tbsps Butter
1/2cup Milk
Salt & Black Pepper, to taste
Method
Preheat the oven. Heat 2tbsps butter in a non-stick pan. Once the butter melts, add the all-purpose flour and mix evenly. Keep the heat at low and saute this mixture for approximately 2 minutes. Now, add milk and keep mixing to form a smooth batter. Add pepper, salt and the veggies. Keep mixing till the batter thickens. Now, turn off the heat and let this mixture cool for a bit. Spoon this mixture over each bread slice and sprinkle with cheese of your choice. Take a baking tray and place the slices to bake for 8 minutes. Remove your little delight from the oven and dig in.
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2. Aloo Chaat
Aloos are a saviour, you guys and easily available in every household. There are so many recipes you can cook up using this seemingly basic item, you'd be surprised if I get to it. For now, let's focus on Aloo Chat.
Ingredients
2 Large Potatoes, cubed
1tbsp Oil
1tsp Garlic or Ginger, chopped
1 Green Chilli, chopped
1/2tsp Cumin Powder
1/8tsp Chaat Masala Powder
¼ to ½ tsp Red Chilli Powder
1tbsp Coriander Leaves, chopped
2 to 4tbsps Bhujiya Sev of your choice
½ to 3/4tsp Lemon Juice
2tbsps Pomegranate Arils (optional)
Method
Boil 2 potatoes in a pot till al dente and cut them in cubes after they have cooled off. Add oil in a pan and let it heat. Now, add ginger or garlic and green chilli. Next, add the potatoes and saute them on a high flame till they turn crisp golden. Turn the stove off. Move on to parboiling the cubed potatoes for a few minutes and drain the excess moisture. Heat some oil in a pan and drop the cubed potatoes to deep fry until cooked through. Remove them to a mixing plate. Now, add red chilli powder, chaat masala powder, cumin powder and some salt. Add some lemon juice or green chutney (if you have). Toss them well and finish by garnishing with coriander leaves, sev and pomegranate arils. Tastes delicious, doesn’t it?
3. Tandoori Paneer Tikka
Paneer fans in the house, give me a loud cheer?! This is one of my most favourite appetizer recipes because it gives restaurant ka mazaa ghar me and always manages to leave my guests happily satisfied.
Ingredients
2cups Paneer Cubes, cut into 1-inch cubes
1 Onion, cut into 1-inch cubes
1 Capsicum deseeded and cut into 1-inch cubes
1 Large Tomato, deseeded and cut into 1-inch cubes
Chopped Coriander or Cilantro, for garnish
Lemon Juice, for garnish
For the Marinade
3tbsps Mustard Oil
1tsp Garlic Paste
1tsp Ginger Paste
1/2cup Thick Curd
2tsps Red Chilli Powder
1tbsp Coriander Powder
1tsp Chaat Masala Powder
1/2tsp Garam Masala Powder
1tsp Kasuri Methi, crushed
Salt, to taste
Method
Mix all the ingredients under marinade in a bowl and add paneer cubes to it. Mix well and let it sit for at least half an hour. Preheat the oven to 220 degrees Celsius. Meanwhile, place a cooling rack over a roasting pan and set it aside. Skewer paneer cubes alternating with tomatoes, capsicums and onions. Place them on the cooling rack and bake for 15 minutes, turning once halfway. After this, broil the skewers for 2 to 3 minutes till the paneer is slightly charred. Carefully remove from the pan and place on the serving plate. Top it with chopped coriander and squeeze lime juice on them. Attack!
You can pair these party snacks with a glass of McDowell’s and enjoy it in the company of your yaars.
*Drink Responsibly!
