Prepping For Roka Ceremony At Home? Expert Shares Insights On Menu, Colour Palette, Decor, And Other Details

Anjali Midha, chef and owner of Kitchen Roast, a boutique catering company, shared some expert tips to prepare a stunning table setting for small gatherings like roka ceremony, menu and colour palette, and more.

Tips For Table Setting For Roka Ceremony

“A beautifully set table is a great way to add beauty and make the dining experience entertaining at home, especially when dining in small groups. Here's how one can make it aesthetically functional at the same time,” shared Midha.

Pick a Theme or Colour Palette: Anjali said, “If desired, pick an initial idea of what you want, such as a colour palette or something contemporary with clean lines and neutral colours. Use colours in the table settings, napkins, flowers, and even the dishes to tie everything together.”

Consistency in Table Linens: “Add a tablecloth or runner to create a warm and sophisticated look. If your table is beautiful, you could go with a simple runner so the wood or glass can be the focal point. A cloth or linen napkin adds elegance and cosiness for a cosy, casual feel,” shared Anjali.

Add Layers of Tableware: Midha shared, “Begin with a charger plate (if you have one), use the dinner plate, and finish with the salad or appetiser plate on top. This can create dimension to the table and add to the sense of occasion as each course is served. For dessert, small individual plates on a side table will be great for guests to pick up after the meal.”

Position Glassware and Utensils with Taste: “Water and wine glasses should be put on the far right above the place setting. A second wine glass is set to the upper right for formal events for red or white wine. Utensils are set in the order of use: forks on the left, knives in the middle, and spoons on the right. If there is room, dessert utensils appear above the plate,” mentioned the chef.

Small Centrepieces: “Low decorations, such as candles, flowers, or foliage, will warm the table without impeding conversation. Mini decorative items, such as mini pumpkins for fall or seashells for a beach idea, can personalise a table without overwhelming it,” said Anjali.

Show Everyone at the Table You Care: Chef said, “Offer individual appetisers or have small bread plates and butter by each place setting so the guests don't feel neglected. Use tiny dipping bowls or individual cheese boards to serve appetisers with dips.”

Make it Personalised: “Personalised name cards, handwritten menus, and even tiny party favours make it a touching, intimate affair. It's the tiniest details, a teased-out napkin wrapped in twine or ribbon, or a sprig of herbs (like rosemary or lavender) that adds to the aesthetic appeal,” said Midha.

Work It for Practicality: “Make sure you have plenty of serving utensils nearby and that there is some space available on the table to set out platters if you are serving family style. Prepare a side table for used plates or utensils so guests can avoid crowding the table,” added Midha.

Menu For Roka Ceremony

On the menu for a small gathering like a roka ceremony, you can pick some exquisite dishes like Rasam Rice Arancini, Hummus Keema Crostini, Thepla Taco, and Avocado Sev Puri. Here are the instructions to prepare these delicious numbers.

How To Make Rasam Rice Arancini At Home?

To prepare the rasam rice, heat some oil in a pan first and then add the mustard seeds, cumin seeds, red chillies, and curry leaves. Sauté them until spluttering and then, add fresh tomatoes and cook them well. After that, add the rasam powder and tamarind water, and cook for a few minutes. “Add some water and let rasam simmer for a few minutes. Balance with some sugar. Add cooked rice and make sure the rice absorbs the rasam properly. Cool to room temperature, then add chopped coriander,” said Midha.

“Take a small portion of rasam rice, flatten it, and add a piece of mozzarella or paneer in the centre. Shape them into balls to form arancini balls. Mix flour with water to form a smooth batter. Place breadcrumbs in a separate bowl. Dip each ball in the batter, then roll in breadcrumbs to coat. Then, heat oil in a deep pan and fry the Arancini balls until golden brown. Drain on paper towels and serve with chutney for a delicious fusion treat!” Midha added.

How To Make Hummus Keema Crostini At Home?

To prepare the crostini, first preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). “Then, slice the baguette into thin rounds, brush with olive oil and sprinkle it with salt and pepper. Bake for 8-10 minutes until golden and crispy. Set it aside,” said Anjali.

She continued, “To make the veg keema, soak soya granules in hot water for 10 minutes, then drain. Heat oil in a pan, add cumin seeds and let them splutter. Sauté chopped onions until golden, then add ginger-garlic paste and green chilli. Add turmeric, red chilli powder, coriander powder, and garam masala; stir well. Add tomatoes and cook until they soften and the mixture is dry. Mix in soya granules or crumbled paneer, and cook for 5-7 minutes. Garnish with fresh coriander.”

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“For hummus, coarsely grind chickpeas, tahini, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, and salt in a food processor. Gradually add water until smooth. Adjust salt to taste. Spread hummus on each crostini slice, top with veg keema, and garnish with coriander leaves or a drizzle of olive oil,” she concluded.

How To Make Avocado Sev Puri At Home?

Start with the avocado mixture by mixing the mashed avocado with onion, tomato, green chilli (if using), coriander leaves, lemon juice, chaat masala, and salt in a bowl. Then, assemble the sev puris by first placing the puris on a serving plate. “Next, top each puri with a spoonful of the avocado mixture. Drizzle with tamarind chutney and green chutney, if desired. Sprinkle generously with sev,” said Anjali.

How To Make Thepla Taco At Home?

“Mix the wheat flour, gram flour, chopped methi leaves, turmeric, cumin powder, red chilli powder, sesame seeds, and salt. Add yoghurt and water as needed to knead into a soft dough. Divide the dough into small balls and roll each into a thin round. Cook the theplas on a hot tawa with oil or ghee until golden brown. Set the theplas aside,” said Anjali.

She added, “Heat oil and sauté chopped garlic and onions to start with preparing the filling. Add one teaspoon of tomato paste and cook through. Add salt, pepper, chipotle spice, cumin powder and paprika. Add boiled kidney beans (paneer/tofu) and mash them slightly. Garnish with chopped parsley.” Finally, add a spoonful of the spicy kidney beans(or paneer/tofu) to each thepla and top with chopped veggies, chutneys, and a drizzle of yoghurt, if desired.

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