17 Easy Fall Party Food Recipes To Feed A Crowd

Ingredients for Vegan Chickpea Curry

• 2 tablespoons coconut oil
• 2 medium yellow onions, chopped
• 14 ounces canned tomatoes, drained
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 16 ounces canned chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 teaspoon curry powder
• 1/4 teaspoon cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 package baby spinach
• 13.5 ounces canned coconut milk
• 1 tablespoon flour
• 1 lime
• Cooked rice

Directions for Vegan Chickpea Curry

1. Add the coconut oil to a deep pan over medium-high heat.

2. Add the onions, tomatoes, salt, and pepper to the pan, and stir. Reduce the heat to medium and cook the mixture until tomatoes release their juices and the onions soften, for about 10 minutes.

3. Stir in the chickpeas, garlic, curry powder, cumin, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cayenne pepper until well combined. Add spinach, coconut milk, and flour, and stir again. Bring the curry to a boil, then reduce to a simmer for 10-12 minutes.

4. Remove the curry from heat, top with lime juice, and serve over rice with naan.

So, when I booked my trip to India, I was a little hesitant about the food, considering pretty much all of my friends’ reviews of their experiences could be summed up in three sound bites: “Amazingly beautiful country,” “absolutely bonkers traffic,” and “spice levels off the charts!”

I knew I wanted to eat as much delicious Indian food as I could (give me all the naan), but after two days of ordering dishes that seemed like they might kill my tummy (I’m looking at you, spicy biryani), I needed help. After talking to some locals, I was able to pull together a solid list of tasty options that let me experience all the delicious flavors and spices of the cuisine without running to the restroom every 20 minutes.

When it comes to breakfast, most travelers opt to eat at the normally included hotel buffets. It’s a great chance to experience a little bit of each type of dish and decide for yourself what you can handle in terms of spice, but note that in more Westernized establishments they tend to go a little easy on the spice, knowing their clientele. There are three safe options that were fairly standard at every Indian breakfast buffet:

1. Idli

Idli is a type of savory steamed rice cake, not entirely unlike a Chinese bao in texture. It’s made out of fermented black lentils and rice, and normally served with coconut chutney with the option to sprinkle a little (or a lot) of curry spice on top.

2. Dosa

Dosa is similar to a pancake or crepe in appearance, but it’s made with rice and black gram (a type of bean grown on the Indian subcontinent). It’s spread thin on a hot skillet and cooked until crispy. Traditionally, it’s served with sambar, a warm, sometimes-spicy soup, and chutney. Sometimes it's stuffed with a mixture of potatoes and paneer.

3. Vada

Vada looks like an unglazed donut, but it’s actually a savory snack that’s made with ingredients ranging from legumes to potatoes. They’re generally fairly mild and also substantially dense, so they make a great non-spicy breakfast to power you through the day. They show up in another delicious dish called dahi vada, which is basically vadas soaked in a thick yogurt sauce — also an excellent option when you’re looking for something calming for your stomach!

Now that you’ve made it past breakfast and you’re out and about exploring, you’ll inevitably end up staring at a menu wondering what on earth you should order for your next meal. Breads and plain rice are always the safest, but you’ll want something to sop up with that freshly baked and buttery garlic naan.

4. Butter chicken or butter paneer

These are generally pretty safe choices when it comes to non-spicy Indian food. Paneer is normally a mildly spicy curry dish, as it includes lots of cream and yogurt in the preparation. Plus, if you order a side dish of yogurt, you can really control the spice level with the sauce and it makes a great dish for dipping all the breads.

5. Tikka chicken

Tikka is something you might be familiar with if you frequent Indian restaurants. It normally refers to a piece of chicken or meat that’s been marinated in yogurt and spices and then grilled. The spice can sometimes be a little hot, but if you order a side of raita (a condiment made with yogurt and raw or cooked vegetables) to cool the palate, it’s absolutely perfect.

6. Aloo gobi

Aloo gobi is a wonderful alternative to meat, as it’s made with potato and cauliflower spiced with all the delicious Indian spices. Vegetarian dishes are absolutely incredible in India, and even if you’re an avid carnivore, make sure you save room to try some of the vegetarian offerings!

7. Saag paneer

Saag paneer consists of leafy greens (spinach, mustard greens, or collard greens). It’s normally medium to mild in flavor and served with roti, a kind of flatbread. Especially since you’re traveling in a country where fresh salads aren’t the safest to eat, you’ll want to get your greens fix in for sure, and this is a terrific way to do it.

By and large some of the most appealing dishes in any country come from the streets, and India is no exception. However, whenever eating street foods always be aware of where they’re being made, as cleanliness is an issue. That said, if you come across some of these street food classics, give them a try.

8. Pani puri or dahi puri

Pani puri or dahi puri are very common street snacks and consist of round, hollow fried crisps called puri that are filled with a mixture of water, chutney, chili, chaat masala, potato, onion, or chickpeas. They’re very mild and delicious; the only thing you have to be really careful about is making sure they’re made with bottled mineral water.

9. Samosas

Samosas are wonderful pockets of deep-fried goodness that are generally stuffed with a variety of potatoes, peas, and onions. Now, I’m going to put a big warning on these, as they really do run the gamut from spicy to mild, so be sure to ask for non-spicy ones — or if you have a taste-tester buddy, let them take the first bite!

10. Gulab jamus

Gulab jamus are perhaps one of the most amazing things you’ll ever eat. These sweet and sticky fried dough balls soaked in a sugared syrup are not only the perfect way to end a meal, but they really do kill the spice from any dish! And if you do accidentally order something that’s out of your tolerance range, be sure to wash it down with a sweet mango lassi!

@athenaspud#traderjoes#totebag♬ O Fortuna - Epic Trailer Version - Hidden Citizens

The Trader Joe’s mini tote bags first dropped at the grocer in March, and shoppers went absolutely crazy for them. Some stores were totally flooded with a frenzy of customers hoping to add one to their cart. They were sold for a limited time, and there’s since been hundreds of eBay listings marking the bags up 3 to 4 (and even 6) times their original price.

According to the Trader Joe’s website, the canvas mini tote bags are crafted from a “heavy duty” blend of 65% cotton and 35% polyester. Made to be a scaled-down version of their original canvas totes, the mini bags still boast “long, comfortable handles” to help you carry your grocery hauls comfortably.

They come in four “vibrant” colors: navy, yellow, red, or forest green, and measure about 13 inches long, 11 inches tall, and 6 inches wide. The Trader Joe’s mini tote bags also feature a single side pocket to set aside certain items. They retail for just $2.99.

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Trader Joe’s mini tote bags are rumored to return to stores on September 18, but right now, there’s really no telling if there will be another crazy customer frenzy for buying them. Based on previous drops, these limited-time items will certainly stir up some substantial hype, so if you want to snag one, it might be a good idea to stop in at your closest TJ’s the minute they open on September 18.

Many stores typically open around 8am, but make sure to check your local location’s hours beforehand. More importantly, when you arrive, act appropriately and ensure you’re respecting the workers there!