Remember the time we used to attend Birthday parties, Wedding functions, Poojas or festivals in the gully in a tent? Food served, a balloon seller the entrance and maybe a DJ?
Going to neighbour's houses to invite them weeks prior and the whole neighbourhood discussing what to wear, gift or to help the host family in preparations. The magic of community to come together to celebrate or to grieve was clearly felt in the gully!
Food was the centre of gossips, people grabbing a bite between their dance routines, and children slurping their melted ice creams in the heat.
So here's how we brought a little of that back.
Table & Vibes
Get a table or rent one. Ask your gully friends to bring their own chairs. Mix and match your tablecloth to add some charm. Use all the unused candles you have since Diwali.
To get some live action going, borrow a tandoor from a friend's mom and make your Garlic naan or Tandoori roti before or during the dinner!!! We had so much fun making Aate-di-chiddi (Just chapati aata in bird shape with a tooth pick) and burning them in the tandoor to revive that fun we had forcing our moms to buy us balloons to play with our friends inside the tent.
The Menu
I, Japneet am no chef but my skills lie in following a recipe and adding my own touch to them (and asking my mom for help)
Dal bukhara , Paneer lababdar and Garlic Naan- my mom's recipes
Mango & Mandarin drink - https://www.instagram.com/reel/DXHZGLvE3KG/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
Basque cheesecake- https://shivangikooks.com/airfried-cheekie-cheesecake-cookie/
(No neighbour of mine served cheesecake at their celebrations but when you are the host....... you can be a little selfish and try recipes you want to make)
And hand fans ftw when hosting in Delhi's heat!!
Don't forget to clean up afterwards or be ready for aunties asking "tandoor lagaya tha toh 2 roti humein bhi laga dete"