We had plans on including one dish from each Indian cuisine. We finally decided we would choose dishes that I will be able to scale up easily. I didn't want to risk making something entirely new, so choose the dishes from my blog naturally. While I was discussing the menu with hubby dear, on hearing the menu, he teased me saying in the end you can say for clarification visit our blog!
Initial on the list were Veg Cutlets, Paneer Butter Masala, Channa Masala, Veg Pulao, Mango Lassi along with few more dishes. So we had it changed to Assorted Veg Fries along with Paneer in the same way I make Onion Fries. Dal Makhani with Masala Puri, Coconut Puloa with Gutti Vankaya. Finally to be served with Chocolate Milkshake with Chocolate shavings, Konda's favorite!
All of us were so excited with the menu. But there were some apprehensive thoughts on the Coconut Pulao. So I even had a mock session with Coconut Pulao and Gutti Vanakaya as these are traditional Andhra dishes. Well the fact that the lunch box was wiped clean proved it to be a hit combo. The entire lunch planning was handled just like any other projects we do. But I seriously realized it requires more project management skills!
I was eternally tensed wondering if the quantity would suffice. I wrote down the list and quantity and iterated with Amma couple of times. We literally walked through the list, taking examples of how we cook and how much is needed. Amma usually never goes wrong with scaling up to huge numbers. She was happy that I have at least some of her skills. I was more elated when she finally said "very good ra, you got the quantities correct!" I felt like a 5 yr old being patted on getting the Maths right!
We had the list allocated to different people responsible for getting them together. Amma was most particular that we buy the raw peanuts and roast it at home. She infact offered to roast the Poppy seeds and Sesame seeds for the Gutti Vankaya. Since it was her specialty dish, I knew how much particular she was on getting it rightly! I had all the dry masalas all ground the previous day. I can imagine the hard work the people have to handle when they are catering to huge crowd!
The previous day I ran through the entire list of ingredients we needed. 7 Kgs of rice, 7 kgs of Atta, 20 lits of milk, 3 Hershey's Chocolate Sauce bottles, 1500 gms of Chocolates, 10 kgs of Onions, 10 kgs of Tomatoes, plus 1001 different ingredients. We had the milk boiled and sweetened the previous day and it went into the cooler. Since I was making the Brinjal Curry more like a Nune Vankaya, we had the brinjals all washed and dried.
We met the team the previous day and went through the entire process again. The team that was assigned to make the Veg fries, said they don't know how its prepared. I assured them that we can handle it. All of us planned an early start. As things would usually happen, I couldn't sleep the entire night, Peddu was having a running nose and wouldn't just sleep. As I had to prepare lunch for the boys. I was up early. But I had a great relief hearing that Konda was having a day off and I need not worry about getting her ready for school.
Hubby dear kept the boys busy while I was getting ready to leave. I thought I would slip off without the boys noticing me, but Peddu saw me and asked where I was off too. He asked if I was going to "oppice", on nodding yes, he called me close to give me a peck on the checks. Oh Sweet! I didn't need any more wishes for a sweeter success!
At office, I was happy to note the work was already on the way. By the time the entire team landed, we were in full swing. What a team work it was! Each and everybody, though some were novice in their experience, helped a lot in getting things done fast. We were dot on time as planned, which cheered us all a lot. Everybody were running around between the two rooms that were occupied.
We sent our helps up and down couple of times with last minute requests. I had a quick running around to check on each teams making the Veg fries and Masala Pooris. After okaying the proportions, the poori team rolled out a stupendous number of nearly 300+ puris. Since the team had few beginners learning, some came out as churis but on the whole those were really some awesome pooris I must say! Each and every dish had a roaring applause and everybody said they eat more than what they normally do.
The top most sold out dish was naturally the Chocolate Milkshake with Chocolate Shavings. Would you believe it was such a hit that it never got captured in any of the pictures!!! I normally beat it in a mixer, but this time added condensed milk to make it thicker which naturally enhanced the taste. In the end we used a blender to get everything set. Finally the chilled milkshake was topped with Chocolate Sauce and Chocolate Shavings. It was whipped out completely when the last few not getting their share. And most of the cooking team not even tasting it. I had to make it again in the evening. After all after working so hard for the event, they can't be missed on their dessert right!
The next one was Veg fries, with corn flour, besan, amchur and seasonings, all deep fried. There was no dispute to this being a favorite one! We added Potatoes, Okra, Onions, Baby Corns, Cauliflowers and Paneer! Of course no feast is complete without Paneer right and we had a our share of Paneer fans.
All the dishes came out exceptionally well. Yeah except Coconut Pulao. I had a mishap with this, though we finally had a saving grace somehow. I planned to make it the usual way I do, but later realized that when cooking for more people, the method adapted has to be different! I normally roast the rice and then add water. But since the vessel was huge, it got heated up the moment it was on. and however much of coconut milk I was adding it was getting evaporated and I couldn't find water handy. Finally I managed to add enough water to get it cooked. But it wasn't the finer coconut pulao that normally gets done. But I guess with Gutti Vankaya and Dal Makhani being so exceptionally good, this sad state of Coconut Pulao was not noticed! or so I concluded.
Our colleagues made us feel proud by going in for second and some third helpings too!
Would I do it again? Yes surely its such a different experience seeing people flocking around the table and coming back for a second helping. Feeling good eating a good feast! And yes if I am lucky to have such a team doing everything that's not assigned to them, with the sole intention for the day to be a success! Some felt we were crazy but I can only remember Amma telling me that this would be such a wonderful learning experience for me! After all challenges are meant to be that right!
Soma says
everything sounds awesome.. & a teensy little mishap is ok:-) Girl u r something.
Jayashree says
Wow!!! Valli.....that sure is some marathon that you've run girl. Congratulations on a job well done.
Jhanani says
Grt work.Cheers to you.
I could feel myself being involved with your cooking marathon, the way you have described.
I feel bad that I couldn't be there to taste all your delicious dishes.
lata raja says
Sure your mom's pat on the back brought the loads of appreciation later. Congrats.
Alka says
Hats off to the gutsy lady..congrats on such a stupendous success, and yeah i can easily imagine the sense of contentment when so many people lick their plates clean after eating what you have cooked 🙂
Sree vidya says
Wow Srivalli!
You are gr8.
It's such a big team effort and you managed everything so well.
Hats off.
Nothing like seeing ppl enjoy the food we cook.
Greatest pleasure in life.
I should learn a lot from you.
May be you can post a separate entry on scaling up.
Telling us quantities of everything. Whether I do it or not is a diff topic.But just to hear 5 kgs of onion or 1 cup red chillies in the place of 1 or 2 red chillies will be fun. more on your management strategy like how you assigned work etc. I would be thrilled. Hope you get the time for a detailed post and before you forget the minute details.
phew! a big comment. that shows my excitement.
Pavithra says
Oh wow that greats preparation indeed good you managed with all stuffs and finished the dishes.. the menu is really superb and wish I could have been a part of your cooking marathon team..
Horizon says
Wow- what a wonderful experience. I am sure with the wonderful receipe the office ppl had a blast of eating good food 🙂
Also pls count me in the Indian Cooking Challenge.
--Seema
Divya Kudua says
Kudos to you Valli for taking up such a challenge..I am sure your colleagues are still licking their fingers..who wouldn't after tasting such a fare..!!After reading your description on Chocolate milkshake,I guess I am gonna make myself a tall glass and relish it..yummmm;).Once again..three cheers to you...you rock:)!!!
Roma says
Its inspiring to know you all could successfully make food for the entire office.
I always have trouble with estimating food for large numbers. Something thats very delicious runs short and something thats not such a hit remains with us, to be had as lunch - dinner and breakfast for subsequent days 🙂
Nice pics, looks like you had fun.
Prathibha says
oh wow....That is amazing....Lovely menu...I wish I could have also participated in that cooking marathan...ohh its lot of fun right?
jayasree says
Great Valli, kudos to the successful team effort. Its not an easy job and you have done it well.
rekhas kitchen says
OooMG your a super women valli. great job you have done. you may enjoyed a lot no.
Cynthia says
Wow, omg, that was some cooking marathon. Glad you had fun and that it was a success.
nivedita says
Hi Valli,
Great!!!! As I went on reading, I was in tension, whether it will be possible??? It was as if I was going to participate!! Congratulations to you and your team.
Wonderful event.
Kitchen Flavours says
Oh wow.....everything ended on a yummy note....that chocolate milkshake with hershey's and shaving sounds drool worthy....Congrats dear....keep rocking....
Kayal says
Wow, thats really great to hear. I really appreciate your guts here. You are really great
Aparna says
Congratulations!
That was some "cookathon" you engineered. But then I'm not surprised, Valli because I know you're good at managing these things. 🙂
So everyone at the "oppice" had fun.
Ranju says
wow!!!!!
wish I worked in your office!!!!
Varsha Vipins says
Kudos to you super woman Valli..:)..I can sensie ur excitement..:)
Rajitha says
there! you did it again Ms. Superwoman :)...glad you had fun along the way too...
Raaga says
I am sure it was something in your head... the pulao must have been fine like everything else 🙂 Amazing!
I came here as my reader said Quick Tomato CHutney... but I can't find it 🙂
Helene says
This is such an incredible job. Glad it was a success.
Vidya says
Awesome job. Congratulations! Loved reading about it.
Kamini says
Wow, my head was spinning reading this!How many people did you cook for? You did not cut any corners with the menu, and I envy your office colleagues who got to enjoy this feast thanks to your efforts! Bravo, Valli!
Srivalli says
Thank you friends, I am glad you all liked my experience!..
Archana says
Congratulations Valli. Great Job.
Mishmash ! says
I am speechless after reading this post!!!! Way to go 🙂
Roochi says
I was imagining all these as if happening in front of me and people running around... 🙂 nice write up. Congratulations Srivalli.
Nithya says
you are simply a super star Valli 🙂 Lovely experience and was really interesting to read. Happy to have known you. 🙂 You are very enthusiastic and inspiring. 🙂
Nithya says
OMG... never knew I was reading a old post... anyways 🙂 eeeeeeeeee