Dinner Party, Curry Theme - Which Starter?

[6th Gear]

Hi Folks

My wife and I are hosting a dinner party this evening with a curry theme.

The main dishes:
Slowly braised lamb shank curry with a Madras sauce
Malaysian prawn coconut curry

Rice will accompany both dishes and Mrs 6th is doing a dessert, figs with ricotta and honey.

Any ideas for starters? Nothing too heavy.
Do we even need starters?

Thank you!

[WinstonWolf]

Poppadoms and dips?

[pincher]

Popadums. 6 plain, 6 spicy.

Sainsbury’s own label ones are ok

Mango chutney if you are feeling extravagant.

Job jobbed

[pincher]

Dang! WW beat me to it lol

[bluelightbabe]

Poppadoms with a selection of dips, onion bhajis, samosas?

[6th Gear]

Poppadoms and dips. Great idea and minimum effort! I like it.

Thank you Gents.

[urquattroGus]

Home made onion Bahjees. Nom Nom Nom.

[TIGA84]

If you're feeling technical/adventurous then puri's or pooris, little round poppadum type affairs that you fill with different things.

https://www.vegrecipesofindia.com/poori-a-kind-of-...

[55palfers]

Just serve what most folk usually have before a curry - 8 pints of lager!

[urquattroGus]

55palfers said:

Just serve what most folk usually have before a curry - 8 pints of lager!

And be sure to choose a lager like Cobra, possibly the gassiest beer know to man! It's going to end well....

[6th Gear]

urquattroGus said:

55palfers said:

Just serve what most folk usually have before a curry - 8 pints of lager!

And be sure to choose a lager like Cobra, possibly the gassiest beer know to man! It's going to end well....

[21TonyK]

Another vote for poppadum's except I would fry them yourself as they are far better than ready cooked.

If you fancy a bit of a challenge that can still be done in advance go for pani puri.

[mrsshpub]

21TonyK said:

Another vote for poppadum's except I would fry them yourself as they are far better than ready cooked.

I've always grilled them — but I totally agree about cooking them just before eating.

[Sarkmeister]

urquattroGus said:

And be sure to choose a lager like Cobra, possibly the gassiest beer know to man! It's going to end well....

Which is strange as Cobra was actually created as a less gassy beer that would go well with curries.

[jas xjr]

21TonyK said:

Another vote for poppadum's except I would fry them yourself as they are far better than ready cooked.

If you fancy a bit of a challenge that can still be done in advance go for pani puri.

Panic puri would be more of a treat. They can be bought from Asian supermarkets as well as tamarind sauce.

[Some Gump]

Get the ready to fry ones not the ready made ones. Not only are they muchnicer, you get the added theatre of when they go from tiny to huuuuge in seconds

[Sy1441]

As above, fry your own for a tiny bit of theatre (and they’re much better). Spiced onions, raita, mango chutney.

Then anything from the starters section on Dan Tooms “The Curry Guy” book which is my bible for Indian dinner parties!

[evilmunkey]

parathas , puris and bhajis , curry isnt a curry without those
even if you just order in and reheat.

[jas xjr]

evilmunkey said:

parathas , puris and bhajis , curry isnt a curry without those
even if you just order in and reheat.

Ordering bhajis or pakora is a terrible idea. We make them at home,and they only taste good straight out of the pan