Parties are always a pleasure, either ways. (Hosting or attending). Though, it means a lot of work for the ladies at the host’s residence. Earlier the work load would make them miss all the fun. But, it is not so today.

Cooking and expert home makers have a lot of ideas to help the women folk prepare for parties easily and without tiring themselves.

• The most important step would be to check all the needed table wares, napkins and other essential items to prepare and serve the dishes.
• The next aspect to tackle would be stocking the fridge with fresh fruit-juices. Having enough ready to serve snacks, tit bits that can be purchased starters can be prepared the previous day and all the ingredients to make the main dishes.
• Preparing the spice and chutney mixture beforehand will save the preparation and cooking time on the day of the party.
• If preparing soups and other appetizers cannot be managed at home, mix and match combination of homemade and ordered food stuff will keep the crowd happy.
• If you do not have enough stock of napkins using fresh kitchen towels would be an ideal alternative. It would be an added advantage to arrange a table with ‘finger bowls and few fresh napkins’.

Cooking Party recipes

Being prepared to have instant parties for about a dozen guests at a short notice; say a few hours will be an added feather in your list of accomplishments as a good homemaker.

Yet, another important task would be to have a very good stock of instant cooking recipes. Using the basic cottage cheese (paneer) one can make a lot of dry and gravy side dishes that can be served with rice, roti or naan.

• Serving rice varieties with raitas or tomato pickles or chutney will keep your guests contented and happy. Arranging an array of salads with a variety of dips will keep your diet conscious guests happy.
• Serving Chick peas curry with gravy is quite a filling dish. The chole masala from the north can be made very quickly; provided well soaked peas are available.
• The last and a very handy solution would be to get various main course dishes from the friendly neighborhood popular eateries around and serve them hot in unique table ware.

Greeting your guests and being with them is the main charm of the party. Making sure that every guest is comfortable well entertained, is the most essential aspect of a sensational party.