AIBU in thinking I can get all this cooking done for tomorrow?

[ScarletLady02]

I've stupidly set myself the challenge of cooking a feast of Indian food tomorrow for Valentine's day (I know, I know....over-commercialised and contrived blah blah blah).

I have to cook:

Onion Bhajis and Samosas with Raita
Chicken Korma
Vegetarian Kerala Coconut Curry
Pilau Rice
Peshwari Naan
Black Forest Cheesecake

OK, I know I don't HAVE to do it, but I really want to. I love cooking and I'm pretty good at it, the recipes on their own don't scare me at all....but I haven't a clue how I'm going to get it all done. I'm going to make the cheesecake, Bhajis, Samosas and dough for the Naan tonight I think. Can someone with experience of cooking things like this PLEASE give me some encouragement

Trivial thread in the grand scheme of things, I guess I'm just trying to psych myself up for it.

He'd better bloody appreciate it!

Follow these steps:

Pick up phone.

Call takeaway.

Get food delivered.

Transfer into pans and casserole dishes before serving up.

Pass it off to your DH as your own.

Get him to do the washing up.

Job done

You'll be fine especially if you make the cheesecake, Bhajis and Samosas tonight. The curries won't take long at all.
And if he doesn't appreciate it - can I have some? It sounds great

Do you think I could get away with arsing about on the net in the kitchen for hours with the door shut and clanging pots and pans about?

I would do that, but unfortunately I've already spent about the same amount as a takeaway on random spices.

YABU if you think you'll get it done while MNetting.... [big grin]

Oooops smiley fail

That's what I thought FeistyLass - I've made Chinese meals before and the ingredient list is massive but the amount of actual cooking is quite small.

I think he will like it....it IS all his favourite food. Well technically I'd have had to make a Black Forest Gateaux but I've done that before and it takes all day, costs the Earth and getting nice cherries this time of year is almost impossible!

Agree with Ray... Step away from MN!

Read through every recipe from start to finish so you are familiar with the steps and then pick one thing and go for it.

Dont think of it all at the same time. Take it step by step. It sounds great :)

WhyIRayLiotta - I know...procrastinating is one of my biggest flaws. I have to got the Co-Op to get Mascarpone in a minute as Sainsburys and Aldi didn't have any.

Are you feeding the street?

Buy the bhajis and samosas. Samosas are a pain in the hump to make. Make the two curry sauces tonight as well, then it's just a case of reheating sauce with veg/chicken and cooking the rice and naan tomorrow. Forget the cheesecake. Who's going to eat all that then fancy a cheesecake. Oh and dtd before the meal not after that's some powerful amount of spicy food you've got going on there...

Ok ok.....I'm off to the shop

I'll report back

Make a time plan.

Always worth the effort in the long run

WilsonFrickett - I've made samosas etc before, so I know my way round them. Good idea about doing the sauces tonight though. Oh and RE the huge amount of food, I batch cook a lot so whatever's left is being frozen

OK...now I really am off!

Of course you can, especially if you are going to do loads tonight.
Bhaji's shouldn't take too long, however samosas are labour intensive, ESP if you are making the pastry too?
Cheesecake also shouldn't take too long.
Curries and rice won't take too long either.

My advice would be to use a food processor to chop the onions/veg, I would buy the samosa pastry from an Indian shop - usually have them in the freezer section. Do not rush cooking down the onions for the samosa fillings or curries, as this will help you get a lovely rich flavour and sauce.

Sounds delicious, good luck!

sounds really yum. I'm jealous of your DH.

I'm pretty sure M&S or Waitrose sell all of that so if all else fails, hide the packaging, leave some pans in the sink and job done

What's the worst thing that will happen if you only get some of it cooked?

I wouldn't stress over it. Just do what you can and see how you get on and have some M&S indian sidedishes on standby.

I would do the curry sauces, cheesecake and naans today. Bhajis and samosas tomorrow for freshness IYSWIM. Sounds lovely, good luck!

Thanks for all your replies...

Just got back from co-op and NO MASCARPONE

I'm hoping I can substitute with cream cheese. I have some mascarpone (half what is needed) but not all of it. Cream cheese will be fine won't it?

Which part of India is black forest cheesecake from?

Just make a couple of small individual cheesecakes if you are worried.

Ah MonkeySea, I know it's not from India, it's just DH's favourite so I'm breaking away from the theme slightly

Yes cream cheese will be fine.