Easy Vegetarian Party Snacks to Be a Top Host This Festive Season : featuring Milagai Podi
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Time to read 5 min
Easy Vegetarian Party Snacks to Be a Top Host This Festive Season
Festivals are a time for family, friends, and of course, delicious food! Hosting a festive gathering is always fun, but it can also be overwhelming when it comes to planning the menu, especially when you want to impress your guests without spending hours in the kitchen. The good news is that with a few simple and tasty party snacks, you can become the star host of the season.
- In this blog, we'll explore a range of easy-to-make, flavorful party snacks that will leave your guests asking for more. We'll start with two standout recipes: Sesame Podi Potatoes and Mini Snack Idlis with Podi. These dishes are packed with flavor, thanks to the magic of Home Kouzina milagai podi—our best selling spice blend, that is full of flavor and made to Chef Uma’s family recipe.
Table of Content
Our Top recipes using Home Kouzina Milagai Podi
1. Sesame Podi Potatoes
Ingredients:
- 500g baby potatoes (boiled and peeled)
- 2 tablespoons Home Kouzina milagai podi
- 2 tablespoons sesame seeds (lightly toasted)
- 1 tablespoon oil (preferably sesame oil)
- 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
- 1 sprig curry leaves
- Salt to taste
- Fresh coriander for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
- Boil the baby potatoes until tender, then drain and set aside. You can peel them for a smoother texture, or keep the skins on for a rustic feel.
- In a pan, heat sesame oil and add mustard seeds. Once they start to splutter, throw in the curry leaves.
- Add the boiled potatoes and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes, until they are slightly crispy.
- Sprinkle the Home Kouzina milagai podi, toasted sesame seeds, and salt over the potatoes. Mix well to ensure all the potatoes are evenly coated with the spice mixture.
- Let the potatoes roast for another 5 minutes on medium heat, stirring occasionally.
- Once done, garnish with freshly chopped coriander and serve hot.
This dish is a flavor bomb with its crispy exterior and soft interior, while the earthy flavor of sesame and the heat from the podi will leave your guests craving more
2. Mini Snack Idlis with Podi
Ingredients:
- 2 cups idli batter
- 2 tablespoons Home Kouzina milagai podi
- 1 tablespoon ghee or sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
- 1 sprig curry leaves
- Salt to taste
- Fresh coriander for garnish
Instructions:
- Grease an idli steamer or a mini-idli mold with oil and pour the idli batter into the molds. Steam for 10-12 minutes or until the idlis are cooked through.
- Once the idlis are ready, remove them from the steamer and let them cool slightly.
- Heat ghee or sesame oil in a pan and add mustard seeds. Once they crackle, toss in the curry leaves.
- Add the mini idlis to the pan and toss them gently until they are lightly golden and crispy on the edges.
- Sprinkle milagai podi and salt over the idlis, tossing well to ensure even coating.
- Serve the mini podi idlis hot, garnished with fresh coriander. These bite-sized delights are perfect as a starter or snack, and they’ll fly off the plate at any party.
See more from our Tamil Table
Milagai podi, also known as "gunpowder" in South Indian cuisine, is incredibly versatile and adds a spicy kick to many snacks.
3. Podi-Stuffed Mushrooms
Mushrooms are always a crowd-pleaser, and when stuffed with a spicy podi mix, they become irresistible. You can use large button mushrooms for this recipe.
Ingredients:
- 10-12 large button mushrooms
- 2 tablespoons Home Kouzina milagai podi
- 2 tablespoons breadcrumbs
- 1 tablespoon cream cheese or hung curd
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil
- Salt to taste
Instructions:
- Clean the mushrooms and carefully remove the stems.
- In a bowl, mix the Home Kouzina milagai podi, breadcrumbs, cream cheese (or hung curd), and salt.
- Stuff this mixture into the mushroom caps.
- Heat sesame oil in a pan and lightly sauté the mushrooms until golden brown and cooked through.
- Serve hot, garnished with fresh coriander or a light sprinkle of extra podi for an added kick.
4. Podi-Spiced Roasted Nuts
For a simple yet addictive snack, roasted nuts coated in podi are perfect to serve with drinks.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup mixed nuts (almonds, cashews, peanuts)
- 2 tablespoons Home Kouzina milagai podi
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil or ghee
- Salt to taste
Instructions:
- Heat a pan and add sesame oil or ghee.
- Add the mixed nuts and roast on low heat until they are golden and crunchy.
- Sprinkle milagai podi and salt over the nuts, tossing well to ensure even coating.
- Serve warm or at room temperature. This is a great make-ahead snack that can be stored in an airtight container for a few days.
5. Podi-Spiced Popcorn
Popcorn is a fun, light snack that’s great for casual gatherings. Give it a South Indian twist with a sprinkle of milagai podi.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup popcorn kernels
- 1 tablespoon sesame oil or ghee
- 2 tablespoons milagai podi
- Salt to taste
Instructions:
- Heat oil in a large pot with a lid, then add the popcorn kernels and cover.
- Once the popping slows down, remove the pot from the heat and let it cool slightly.
- Sprinkle milagai podi and salt over the popcorn, tossing well to coat evenly.
- Serve immediately for a spicy, crunchy snack that your guests will love.
The Chef : Uma Venkataraman
Uma Venkataraman's kitchen rich with the scents and tastes of spices, family recipes and the essence of home made goodness. Inspired by her Amma and Patti, she carries forward her family traditions. She has been successfully running Mother's Kitchen Curries, a home kitchen, where here lovingly cooked meals are a testament to her culinary skills and the attention she pays to each hand-picked ingredient.
Tips for Hosting the Perfect Festive Gathering:
- Keep it Simple: Stick to easy, flavorful snacks like the ones listed above that don’t require hours of prep work. This will give you more time to spend with your guests and less time stuck in the kitchen.
- Batch Cooking: Most of the snacks mentioned can be prepared in bulk or made ahead of time. For example, you can pre-make the idlis and potatoes, then quickly toss them with podi right before serving.
- Presentation Matters: Serve your snacks in beautiful bowls or on platters with garnishes like fresh herbs or lemon wedges. A colorful, well-presented dish is always more inviting.
- Offer Variety: Include a mix of flavors—spicy, tangy, and savory—so there’s something for everyone.
- Stay Relaxed: Hosting is as much about your vibe as it is about the food. If you’re relaxed and having fun, your guests will, too!
This festive season, elevate your hosting game with these easy and flavorful snacks that feature the star ingredient—Home Kouzina’s milagai podi. Whether it’s the crispy sesame podi potatoes or the fun, snackable mini idlis, these dishes are sure to make you the host with the most!
