5 Ways To Create A Festive Party Menu With Organic Food And Drinks
When the festive season comes-a-callin’, it is once again time to don one’s home hosting cap and prepare a spread of food and drinks for the loved ones, friends and family who would assemble in the drawing room or verandah.
And for those who are looking for conscious approaches towards their food and drink game during the festive season, there are several hacks to go about planning these special repasts with an organic touch.
During the festive season, it can be tricky to plan a menu that minimises excess and waste and makes use of every part of fresh, organic produce in the makings of a feast. Yet, one of the simpler processes involved in going the organic route is to harness the full potential of fresh produce so that sweet fruits are turned into juices and their peels are converted into beautiful garnishes.
Read on below to know more about some of the ways to create a festive party menu comprising a spread of organic foods and drinks:
Homemade Organic Mocktails
One of the more interesting objectives behind going the organic route is being able to craft foods and drinks from scratch. This is especially good for those who enjoy spending time in the kitchen or at one’s home bar.
While going organic, avoid using store bought mixers or fruit juices and instead prepare these drinks at home. Bring in fresh oranges, strawberries, tangerines, pineapples and other fruits and prepare homemade juices which can be used in the making of many non-alcoholic mocktails.
Craft pitchers of virgin mojitos, cucumber coolers and berry spritzers using these organic, homemade ingredients.
Save The Skins
Be it cucumber, pumpkins, oranges or raw papayas, save the skins of all the organic produce employed in the makings of a food and drink feast during the festive season.
These skins can be thoroughly washed and dried before grinding them in the mixer with some spices to prepare tasty dry chutneys. These can accompany munchies and other small bites that will be served along with cocktails and mocktails during the festive season.
The skins of oranges, limes and other citrus fruits also work well as garnishes for beautifying festive drinks.
Organic Dips
Another way to give one’s food and drink roster an organic touch during the festive season is to fashion dips out of peels and leftover veggies and fruits. These dips can carry a yoghurt base, and make use of curd which is allowed to set overnight at home.
The yoghurt or curd can be blended into a thick yet smooth consistency and mixed with peels or fruit chunks to craft sweet and tangy dips. These can accompany salads, caprese skewers, makhanas, hummus or mezze platters and other munchies that are part of the festive spread.
Seasonal Produce
One of the more simpler ways to go the organic route is to use produce that is available in a particular season. Come the festive period, pumpkins, gourds, berries and citruses can be found in abundance.
Make use of such fresh and seasonal produce in preparing foods and drinks so that one’s festive table is complete with apple and cinnamon pies, warm strawberry tarts, some hot toddies and pumpkin spiced lattes among other culinary offerings.
Fresh Garnishes
What occupies a place of prominence in serving organic foods and drinks during the festive season is thoughtful, organic garnishes. If an organic home garden contains loads of herbs like lemongrass, basil and mint which can beautify drinks, these can be put to use for such special occasions.
Other fresh garnishes can include lemon wedges or fruit peels and certain spices like cinnamon or star anise that bring in lots of fresh flavours and aromas into one’s food and drink game.
Do remember: like everything, alcohol is best consumed in moderation. Drink and serve responsibly!
