Foodbuzz 24X24 : A Tandoori Feast Party to Welcome Spring !

~~~ Spring is Nature's way of saying, "Let's Party!" ~~~

This quote by Robin Williams inspired me to start partying as spring is already in the air. The Plants are the first to feel the spirit and start blooming with happiness. The spring indeed  sets the mood to be merry and have loads of fun n frolic. I am so glad to welcome official onset of the spring (though enjoying warm sunny days for almost a month now)... Thanks to Steve Jobs for keeping us hooked to his itech world in the shady winters and stay tuned to our family n friends. But now its already spring and I like to go for morning walks  sans my ipod. Is time to enjoy listening to the natures music over your favorite numbers - the majestic rattle made by bells and chimes; chirping of the birds; quacking of the little ducks; blooming of flowers and bursting trees nodding to the fresh breeze in the air. The glowing grass with dew drops is perfect to step out and have power yoga in fresh air and doing some gardening with sowing seeds in my tiny pots. I simply love everything about spring and I'm Loving it more this season... !!!!!!!!

Spring is in the air... Yay !

So one thing is for sure that spring brings hope, happiness and lots of party time. It's time to spread love... ! It's time to relish food and cherish the moments spend with family and friends. This weekend I planned to have a small party with friends to welcome spring and a fabulous opportunity to join hands with passionate team of 24 bloggers across the globe during 24 hour period to make and share meals for Foodbuzz 24x24.  Here is the Menu of A Tandoori Indian Cook Out Party @ Home !


We started with Appetizers: -

Tandoori Achaari (pickled) Potatoes on a Stick

Who can resist this... raise your hands !!!

Recipe of Achaari Aloo (Potato) Kebabs:

Baby Potatoes: 10-12 (Washed and parboiled)

For Marinate :

Yogurt: 2-3 tsp
1/2 tsp Olive Oil

1 tsp Ginger garlic paste

Salt & Red chilli powder to taste

1/2 tsp Chaat masala
Achaari Masala: 1/2 tsp
Tandoori Paste: 1/2 tsp

1/2 tsp Jeera (cumin) powder

Finely chopped Cilantro leaves

Method:

Wash and par boil a bowl full of baby potatoes.
Heat Olive oil in a pan. Add ginger garlic Paste & all the spices. Roast lightly for 5-6 minutes.

Add this mix to Yogurt in a bowl and gently mix to make a paste like consistency. 
Now put  the potatoes with jackets in the mixture and toss to coat all the potatoes well. If you want, you can peel the skin too.
Cover the bowl and keep in refrigerator for atleast 45 mins to 60 minutes. 

Take a wooden skewer and put the marinated potatoes. 
Repeat the process to make more skewers.
Spray oil on the grill and  slowly lay the skewers.
Turn the  skewers around after 5-6  minutes to ensure all the sides are grilled.
A dash of chat masala on skewers makes it little more tangy.
Enjoy with Fresh Mint/cilantro chutney...!!!

Mini Sweet peppers on skewers with a Healthy Diet of Greens

Fresh Lot of smoky mini peppers ready to go...

followed by some piping hot Grilled Tomato & Cilantro Shorba (Tangy Curried Indian Soup).
and a visit to Kiddie special snack bar

Kids loved these little Choco Eggs...

Moving on to main course: -

Stuffed Paneer Steak (Indian cheese marinated with spices, stuffed with mint sauce & grilled to perfection)

Love the color !!!

Recipe of Paneer Steak:

Paneer (Indian Cottage cheese): 250gms 

Fresh mint sauce (mint- coriander Chutney): 2 tsp

Tandoori Paste: 1 tsp
Sweet tamarind sauce to garnish

Cilantro to garnish
Chaat masala - dash to sprinkle on top

Method:
Thinly paneer into squares almost 1.5 inch X 1.5 inch. 
We need two squares to make one steak (2=1; 8=4).
Spread chutney on a paneer slice & place another slice on top of it. 
Gently coat it with tandoori paste.
Leave in refrigerator for min 45 mins.
Grill for 7-8 minutes on each side, till you get the smoky flavor.
Sizzle a dash of sweet tamarind chutney and garnish with cilantro.
Sprinkle some chat masala on top, & here you go...


Onion Kulcha - Oven roasted Indian bread served with Tangy Onion spiced chickpeas

These disappeared in no time !!!

For sides we had: -

Spicy Indian Fried Rice

Healthy Tomato Rice with spinach greens

And finally desserts: -

Gulab Jamun with Ice Cream - an all time fvt at all Indian Parties :)

Roasted nuts Panjiri Mix - we made a fresh batch for the occasion



Crunchy & Yumm... Best for last !!!

We had a great time having our friends over, cooking & eating with them. Hope you enjoyed this virtual feast. I plan to share some more recipes in coming posts. So watch the space.

Enjoy life churning your best self to the hilt till the sun rises with spring surprises for your dear ones. Take Care .........!!!!!!!!!!!