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Serving a meal
These dishes will serve 4-6 people on average, if they are presented in The Indian style. However to serve any of the meat of fish dishes in a Western manner - without offering a selection of side dishes the quantities may need to be increased accordingly. A perfectly balanced Indian meal will have dishes that cover a whole range of flavor from mild to hot and from sweet to sour. Texture, too is considered. There will be dishes that are crunchy, soft, dry, moist, rough and smooth. Some will be served very hot, while others may be chilled. Before a meal serve hot snack such as samosas or pakoras with a refreshing sherbet. It is customary to leave a gap of about 45 minutes in between this stage and dinner to encourage a good appetite. To serve the meal itself put the main dish, such as a biryani or a special roast in the centre of the table and surround it with the other dishes. Both bread and rice should be cooked in sample quantities. When serving a very moist curry, first pour the sauce into the dish and then arrange the main ingredients. Garnishes are kept very simple, such as sprinkling of chopped coriander leaves or green chilies. At the end of a meal serve one or a choice of sweets, followed by tea or coffee. After a meal it is common to serve small cardamom seeds in their husks, aniseeds, or betel nuts.
The following are suggestions for menus using recipes from www.indianfoodsite.com, although obviously a meal need not contain more than two or three complementary dishes.
Suggested menu for a vegetarian meal to serve 4-6 people
Menu A.
Savory lassi Deep - fried bread Vegetable pulao Lentil curry Raita Okra Kheer - rice pudding ►
Suggested menus for a lunch or informal dinner to serve 4-6 people
Menu A
Mango lassi Plain rice Roti Chicken curry Mixed vegetable curry Cucumber raita Lentil curry Rasmalai
Menu B
Nimbu panni Chicken saag Amritsari fish ► Lemon rice Dal Makhani Wholemeal bread Coriander and tamarind chutney Gajar halva
Suggested menu for a lunch or formal dinner to serve 4-6 people
Menu A
Thandai (milk and saffron sherbet) Vegetable samosas Chili pakoras Rich bread Tandoori chicken Shrimp curry with coconut Okra curry Vegetable pulao Vegetable raita Mango chutney Coriander and tamarind chutney Kulfi ice cream Gulab jamun ►
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