It doesn’t matter if you are in India or in Singapore, when Diwali comes around, you know that it is time to celebrate! The festival of lights is more than just the joy in the heart and the lights around the house – it is about being with the people you love and care about, which is the reason why Diwali is always characterised with a gathering.

If you are planning a Diwali party, you will need to get the lunch or dinner menu sorted first and in case you are feeling at a loss, we at Waangoo are here to help!

While Waangoo might be your one stop destination for online grocery in Singapore, it is also the place where you can come to, when you need some interesting and unique ideas. For instance, when you are trying to get your Diwali party menu sorted, we could probably be of some help!

Charting out a Diwali dinner or Diwali lunch menu!

When you are planning a Diwali lunch or dinner, you need to make sure that you check all the column – this means that you need to have something that will excite everyone. You will have to decide whether you want a full course sit down meal or you want something more on the lines of a buffet. Either way, once you are done planning your menu, you can order all the items you need, right here at Waangoo!

Here is how you can go about creating a well curated dinner or Diwali lunch menu:

• Welcome with a glass – You can kick things off with a welcome drink, where you can choose between traditional Indian flavours, modern beverages or even a fusion! A mango lassi is a sweet, creamy drink made with mango pulp, yogurt, and a hint of cardamom and is delightfully refreshing. How about a tropical twist? Create a mocktail with fresh coconut water, mint leaves, lime juice, and a splash of soda. Another great welcome drink is jaljeera, the ready mix of which is easily available at Waangoo – all you need is cold water, some mint leaves and plenty of ice!

• Let them munch – While lunch or dinner is getting ready, don’t let the palates of your guests get bored! Keep some snacks ready for them to munch on. Made from rice flour and urad dal, twisted into a spiral and deep-fried to golden perfection, the south Indian favourite murukku is a good choice. If you have the time, you can actually make some salty treats like namakpare or mathri, using wheat flour, some basic Indian spices and then deep frying them. When it is a Diwali party, you will definitely want to consider some chaat varieties; you can do something simple like bhel or you can go all out and get a pani-puri station ready!

• Awakening the appetite - Appetizers set the tone for the feast, and for a Diwali party, bite-sized, easy-to-eat snacks are ideal and there are plenty of Diwali party food ideas that will work for you as well! Veggie samosas are always a crowd favourite, but you are free to go the non-vegetarian versions too. Pair these golden, crispy triangles with mint chutney and tamarind sauce and you will need little else. If you have a grill at home, you can make some kebabs or skewered veggies and meats. You can marinate meats like chicken, fish, prawn, paneer or mushroom with a heavily spiced mix and then grill them for delicious decadence!

• Make it grand – Time for the main course! We suggest you consider a balance between traditional Diwali favourites and some locally inspired Singaporean dishes. You should start with the always loved butter chicken, because this creamy chicken curry is pretty much comfort food. Team that with a perfectly cooked vegetable biriyani. Add a fish head curry to your menu, the fish for which you will get easily at Waangoo, and it will certainly excite your local Singaporean guests. Or maybe keep it simple with a chole bhature – just make a big pot of chole and then fry up the bhaturas when the guests arrive.

• Slide in some sides – While the starters and main course is important, don’t forget the sides. Make sure that you have some pickles and chutneys ready for those who might want to add a kick or tang to their meal. You should also consider a salad with plenty of fresh veggies and maybe even some crunchy fruits. A raita will also be a good choice to keep as a side, because should the spice kick in, the yoghurt will cool your guests down. You will also need to add some breads, like naan, poori or chapati or some form of rice or grain.

• For the sweet tooth – How can you plan dishes for Diwali without sweets? Diwali is synonymous with sweets, so your dessert table needs to be as exciting as the main course! Soft, syrupy dumplings, fried, and soaked in sugar syrup, gulab jamun is a must have for any Diwali dessert spread. Bring a fusion dessert to the table with a rasgulla cheesecake. This creative twist on two favourite desserts combines the spongy, syrup-soaked texture of rasgulla with the creaminess of cheesecake. For a Southeast Asian twist, why not serve mango sticky rice with a hint of saffron and cardamom? And in case you want to keep things truly traditional, nothing beats the luscious kheer or payasam!

Hosting a Diwali party gives you the perfect opportunity to blend tradition with local influences, and showcase the true spirit of Diwali – sharing love and life! Now that you have your Diwali menu ideas all in place, come to Waangoo and allow us to take care of your grocery list!