If there is one thing we Indians truly love, it is good food. And not just any starter food, we love a good spread, especially during the festive season. With Navratri, Dussehra, and Bhai Dooj all lined up, non-vegetarian dish ideas fly out of the window. If you are falling short of ideas for party snacks that are lip-smacking, decadent, and crowd-pleasing, we have a one-stop snacks items list that is perfect for festive parties.
Hosting a party can be as much of a pain as a pleasure with all the nitty-gritty of planning involved. But what if we told you that our veg starters list is a scintillating mix of staples, experimentative classics, and flavourful bites? Making hosting parties slightly less stressful, here is a list of our exquisite starter recipes that will leave your guests asking for more.
10 vegetarian starters recipes:
1. Veg seekh kebab
Topping the list of classic veg starters, this seekh kebab is made using a mix of wholesome seasonal vegetables. Finely grated carrots, potato, chopped beans, capsicum, blended peas, soya granules, and split chickpeas with Indian spices. A high fiber and protein-rich starter, these seekh kebabs are melt-in-your-mouth delicious. Serve them hot with green coriander and mint chutney.
2. Samosa chaat
Samosas are crowd-pleasing Indian snacks for parties that are loved by both adults and children alike. A twist to the humble samosa, top this deep-fried spicy starter with a zesty matarghugni to take your simple starter food up a notch. Drizzle spicy green chutney, tangy tamarind chutney, and sweet curd over the chaat for a tantalising burst of flavours. Sprinkle crunchy sev over the chaat before you serve.
3. Nanzo
Inspired by the Italian Calzone, Nanzo is just like a desi samosa wrapped in a thin sheet of rolled-out dough made from all-purpose and whole wheat flour. Flaky, crusty, and filled with a lip-smacking stuffing of potatoes, onions, and dry powdered masala, your Nanzo will be gobbled up within seconds of hitting the table. Folded into half and baked till it gets a golden crispy crust, this innovative starter food will earn you brownie points if you serve them piping hot.
4. Masala focaccia
Take our advice and add masala focaccia to your starters menu this festive season. A traditional twist to the Italian focaccia, this delicious Italian yeast flatbread will be a hit among your guests. Topped with caramelised onions, tomatoes, green and black olives, chilli powder, and turmeric powder, each mouthful will be a delight. Baked till golden on the outside, tender and fluffy on the inside, just drizzle a bit of olive oil before you serve it to the guests.
5. Vazhapoo vadai
Indian festivals are a culmination of diverse traditions and our veg starters menu should be the same. Originating from Tamil Nadu’s exotic cuisine, Vazhapoo Vadai is a delicious deep-fried snack made using chana dal, banana flowers, and spices. Low in calories, extremely nutritious, and crunchy on the outside, the VazhapooVadai is one of the best party snacks to add to your festive menu.
6. Broccoli tikki
A festive veg starters list is not complete without the quintessential tikkis. Since everyone does aloo tikki’s, try the healthy and amazingly delicious broccoli tikki. Packed with flavour and nutrition, these mildly spiced vibrant coloured tikkis will be a hit even among children. Along with the tikki, whip up an easy thousand island dressing dip and watch them disappear within minutes.
7. Sandwiches
A very underrated finger food, sandwiches can be extremely appetising when layered with vegetables and grilled to perfection. The humble sandwich made with a mildly-spiced scrumptious potato filling can be toasted, grilled, and served as a club sandwich with fresh lettuce leaves and mayonnaise. An unpretentious starter, add a variety of bite-sized sandwiches to your festive menu with ketchup and fries on the side.
8. Poha cutlet
If you’re looking for a veg starter idea that is quick to make and packed with flavour, try the poha cutlet. Made using soaked flattened rice, boiled potatoes, finely chopped onions, carrots, and spices, poha cutlets are a game-changing snack from the usual hara bhara kebabs. Shallow fried till crispy and golden brown, you can serve poha cutlets with green coriander chutney and ketchup.
9. Achari bread roll
The bread roll is a popular snack in Indian homes, but can you really serve it to guests at a party? If you add a traditional festive twist to the original recipe, why not? The achari bread roll is tangy, spicy, crunchy on the outside, and soft on the inside party snack that brings a unique flavour profile to the table.
10. Lahori dahi bhalle
We love starter recipes that originate from the streets of India and transcend into a family favourite dish. Similar to a Dahivada, Lahori Dahi Bhalle is made from a batter of urad dal. Small balls of bhalle are fried and soaked in water with salt and chilli flakes. When serving, coat the bhalle with whipped creamy yogurt, dry masala, and fresh pomegranate beads for a visual pique to the classic dish.
When curating a festive menu of veg starters, give a chance to these innovative but lip-smacking starter food recipes that are sure to leave your guests on a gastronomic high.
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