Hosting a Ganpati celebration at home can mean a steady stream of visitors. Some may arrive for the morning aarti, others may join the family for lunch, while another group may stop by in the evening. Instead of planning one large menu, it can help to divide the food order according to the time of day.
Zomato users may find modaks, Maharashtrian meals, snacks and sweets from restaurants in their area. The selection and prices will depend on the delivery address, but the following options can help you plan food for the celebration.
Modaks for Puja and Guests
Ukadiche modak is prepared with a steamed rice-flour covering and a filling made from coconut and jaggery. It is generally consumed warm, so look for an outlet close to your home. Some restaurants make it only after receiving an order, which can result in a longer preparation time.
Fried modaks can work when food needs to be kept for guests arriving later. Their outer shell is less likely to break during delivery. Mawa, chocolate and dry-fruit modaks are also listed by many mithai shops during the festival.
Check the quantity before ordering. A box may be priced by weight, while another outlet may sell modaks by piece. If they are meant for distribution after the puja, calculate the number required based on the expected visitors.
Puran Poli for the Main Meal
Puran poli can be served as part of meal or as a snack. It is a flatbread stuffed with cooked chana dal and jaggery. Depending on the recipe, cardamom or nutmeg may be used for flavour.
It is usuallypaired with ghee or milk. Puran poli is also available as part of some Maharashtrian thalis, which may work better when ordering for a small family group.
A Maharashtrian Thali for Lunch
A thali can save time when several dishes are needed in fixed portions. A Maharashtrian thali may contain puri or chapati, rice, dal, vegetables, koshimbir, pickle and a sweet. A festival thali may also include puran poli or modak.
There is no standard menu followed by every restaurant. Read the list of items instead of relying on the picture. It is also worth comparing the thali price with the combined cost of ordering the dishes separately.
Kothimbir Vadi for Evening Visitors
Kothimbir vadi is made with coriander leaves, gram flour and spices. The mix is generally steamed, then cut into pieces and fried. It can be served as an evening snack with chutney.
Sabudana Vada and Khichdi
Sabudana vada and sabudana khichdi can be considered for guests observing a fast. Both are generally prepared with tapioca pearls, potatoes and peanuts, but their recipes vary.
A regular restaurant version may not meet every fasting requirement. Before ordering, check whether sendha namak is used and whether the dish contains onion, garlic or other ingredients your family avoids. People with a peanut allergy should also be informed, as peanuts are commonly used in both preparations.
Batata Vada for a Group
Batata vada is a practical option when food needs to be served to several people. It has a spiced potato filling covered with gram-flour batter and fried. It can be served on its own or ordered as vada pav.
For a home celebration, ordering the vada and pav separately may make serving easier. Check whether fried chillies and chutneys are part of the order. Since fried food can become soft during delivery, select an outlet with a shorter estimated delivery time.
Shrikhand and Puri
Shrikhand and puri can be added to the lunch menu or served as a separate course. Shrikhand is made with strained curd and sugar, with cardamom, saffron or fruit pulp used in some variations.
Restaurants may list shrikhand by weight and sell puris separately. Estimate the number of people before choosing the pack size. Any unused shrikhand should be refrigerated soon after delivery.
Laddoos and Mixed Mithai Boxes
Laddoos are easier to store and distribute than desserts served in bowls. Besan, motichoor, coconut and dry-fruit laddoos are among the options that may be available. Mixed mithai boxes can provide more choice when the preferences of visitors are not known.
Look at the weight of the box and the list of sweets included. People with dairy or nut allergies should check the ingredients before eating. A sugar-free label should also be examined because the product may contain dates, jaggery or a sugar substitute.
Fruit Bowls and Vrat Meals
Fruit bowls can be ordered for guests who prefer a lighter option or follow fasting rules that exclude restaurant meals. Some outlets may also offer vrat thalis containing sama rice, potato preparations, curd and singhara or kuttu-based breads.
Fasting practices differ between households. Calling the restaurant to confirm the salt, flour and cooking oil used can help avoid problems after the food arrives.
Build the Menu Around Your Guests
The right order will depend on how many people are attending and when they are expected. Modaks and mithai can be kept for the puja, a thali can cover lunch, and snacks can be served to people arriving later. It also helps to include at least one fasting option after confirming its ingredients. Choose amounts according to your guest numbers and the space in your home, especially dairy and cooked foods. This can help keep the menu manageable, and can also help reduce leftovers.
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