If you’re hosting a party this New Year, you may already be thinking about the food and drink you want to serve. Finger food is always popular with guests, enabling them to snack on tasty morsels between dancing and mingling, and Indian cuisine lends itself beautifully to your buffet spread. If you want to emulate your favourite Indian restaurants in Kensington and Chelsea with some flavourful snacks and street foods, here are some ideas.
1. Samosas
Samosas are always going to be popular among your party guests. These crispy, golden pastries can be filled with lightly spiced meat or vegetables, and are easy to enjoy while chatting or watching the New Year fireworks. Add a dish of tamarind chutney for dipping to really enhance the flavours.
2. Onion bhaji
Onion bhajis are a light, delicious finger food with a crunchy texture on the outside and a fluffy inside. Their blend of sweetness and aromatic spice makes them an ideal party snack, while their mild taste suits even the most delicate palates. What’s more, they’re made with gram flour, meaning they’re gluten and dairy free.
3. Vegetable pakooras
Pakooras are a popular Indian street food made with shredded or sliced vegetables and a gram flour batter that makes them crisp and crunchy. They’re best served warm with mint or coriander dip, and provide your guests with another light snack that can be eaten while mingling.
4. Peshwari naan
This delicious leavened flatbread is the perfect addition to your party food menu, providing a sweet, soft crowd-pleaser that will impress all your guests. Stuffed with a paste of desiccated coconut, almonds and sultanas, and brushed with butter or ghee, it’s sure to earn you compliments throughout the evening.
5. Crispy paneer fingers
Simple to make and tasty to eat, these cheese snacks can be cooked in an air fryer and served with mint or tamarind chutney. All you need is a block of paneer, a dusting of gram flour and spices such as chilli powder and cumin seeds, some breadcrumbs and oil. For vegan guests you can even switch the paneer for tofu.
6. Peanut chikki
Add some sweetness to your spread with peanut chikki, a sweet and tasty snack made with only two main ingredients: peanuts and jaggery. Your guests will love the rich, nutty flavour and the crunchy texture.
7. Milk powder barfi
These melt-in-the-mouth treats are the ideal way to welcome the New Year at midnight, either with a glass of bubbly or a cup of chai. With a fudge-like texture and a versatile flavour that can be enhanced with fruit, nuts or chocolate, it’s a celebratory finger food that everyone will enjoy.
Start the New Year in style
If you’re planning to bring in the New Year with friends, why not kick off your evening at our Indian restaurant in South Kensington, London? Little India serves mouthwatering dishes from the Indian subcontinent as well as British favourites like Balti and Tikka Masala. Take a look at our menu online and book a table today to discover your new favourite Indian in South Kensington.
