Step-by-Step Instructions

1. 1.Introduction and Meal Plan

   The host welcomes viewers, explains it's 2 PM, and outlines the plan to cook a multi-course Indian dinner for friends, including chicken curry, rice, dal, and a lactose-free cake. She mentions having gone to the gym and done some work before starting to cook.

2. 2.Prepare Onions for Chicken Curry

   Begin by peeling and chopping onions for the coriander chicken curry. The host mentions that one of her friends is dairy intolerant, so she will be making a coriander chicken curry, which is naturally dairy-free. She also mentions that she doesn't usually measure ingredients unless creating recipes for others.

3. 3.Dry Roast Coriander Seeds

   Dry roast coriander seeds in a pan until fragrant. This is the first step for the coriander chicken curry.

4. 4.Sauté Fenugreek Seeds and Onions

   Add oil to the pan, then add fenugreek seeds. Once the fenugreek seeds start to sizzle, add the chopped onions and sauté until they start to brown.

5. 5.Prepare Ginger-Garlic Paste and Chicken

   While the onions are sautéing, prepare ginger-garlic paste. Also, prep the chicken pieces (bone-in) for the curry. The host also prepares chicken breasts for meal prep for the week ahead by flattening them.

6. 6.Add Chicken, Spices, and Tomato Puree to Curry

   Add the chicken pieces to the sautéed onions. Then add ginger-garlic paste, various spices (turmeric, chili powder, garam masala, etc.), and tomato puree. Mix well, cover, and cook for 45 minutes.

7. 7.Start Pea Pulao

   In a separate pan, add oil and cumin seeds. Once the cumin seeds crackle, add chopped onions and sauté. Then add peas and rice, followed by boiling water (2 parts water to 1 part rice). Cover and cook for 12 minutes. The host mentions she's using 400g of rice for 8 people, assuming they will also eat rotis.

8. 8.Chicken Curry and Pulao Done

   The chicken curry has finished cooking after 45 minutes. The host checks that the chicken is tender and falling apart. The pea pulao is also done. The host turns off the heat for both and plans to let the curry sit to absorb flavors.

9. 9.Prepare Chana Dal

   Wash 1 cup of chana dal and add it to a pressure cooker with water, salt, and turmeric. Cook until tender. While the dal is cooking, the host cleans up the kitchen.

10. 10.Shred Roasted Chicken Breast

    The previously roasted chicken breasts are shredded and placed in a container to cool, then stored in the fridge for meal prep.

11. 11.Temper Chana Dal

    Once the chana dal is cooked, prepare a 'tadka' (tempering). Heat oil in a small pan, add cumin seeds, and ginger-garlic paste. Pour this tempering over the cooked dal and garnish with fresh coriander.

12. 12.Prepare Salad

    Chop cucumber, radishes, and red onions. Dress with olive oil and lemon juice. This salad is now ready.

13. 13.Bake Lactose-Free Chocolate Cake

    The host prepares a lactose-free, butter-free, milk-free chocolate snack cake from a friend's cookbook. The cake is put into the oven to bake.

14. 14.Knead Dough for Rotis

    Knead dough for rotis. The host mentions she has showered and is now making rotis and onion pakoras.

15. 15.Prepare Onion Pakoras

    Slice onions thinly for pakoras. Mix them with gram flour and spices. Heat oil in a kadai (wok) for frying.

16. 16.Set the Table

    The dining table is set with placemats, plates, cutlery, and napkins. The host expresses satisfaction with the table setting.

17. 17.Fry Pakoras and Cook Rotis

    Fry the onion pakoras in hot oil until golden brown and crispy. Simultaneously, roll out the roti dough and cook them on a hot tawa (griddle) until puffed and cooked through. The host juggles cooking both simultaneously.

18. 18.Glaze Chocolate Cake

    The lactose-free chocolate cake is out of the oven and cooled. It is then generously glazed with chocolate icing.

19. 19.Final Meal Presentation

    All the dishes are now ready and arranged on the dining table: pea pulao, chana dal, salad, papadums, and the chicken curry. The host's friends arrive and compliment the spread.

20. 20.Aftermath: Cleanup and Dessert

    After the dinner, the host shows the clean kitchen and dining area. The chocolate cake has been cut and enjoyed, with some slices remaining. The host is ready for bed.