The CKP community is one of the few groups in the Indian subcontinents that eats non-vegetarian food. Because many CKPs originate in the state of Maharashtra, which borders the Indian Ocean, seafood is a common ingredient in many spicy curry dishes and rice dishes. Nonetheless, meats such as chicken and mutton (never beef!) are thoroughly enjoyed in CKP cuisine.
However, because a formal wedding reception is celebrated in a temple and the entirety of the wedding rituals are considered very holy, CKPs abstain from eating non-vegetarian foods at their receptions. Modern CKP weddings that are not held in a temple might elect to serve some popular CKP meat dishes to their guests.
As with most traditional Hindu weddings, food and desserts are presented in a buffet-style, where guests can fill their plates with a variety of different dishes.
A Sample CKP Wedding Menu:
Appetizers:
Bombay street foods such as batata vada (potato patties)
Samosas
Bhajji (fried vegetable fritters; similar to pakoras)
Main Course:
Varan bhaat (untempered toor dal)
Alu vegetable (taro leaves with spices)
Masoorachi umti (soupy pulses)
Masale bhaat (spicy rice)
Mattha (spiced buttermilk)
Desserts and Sweets:Jalebi
Boondi Ladoo
Shrikand
Main Dishes:
Every CKP wedding will serve at least masale bhaat and alu vadi. Masale bhaat is similar to pulao in that rice is cooked in spices such as cumin, turmeric, and chili powder. However, this dish is noted for its heavy use of nuts – including cashews and peanuts, and, it features particular spices such as goda masala.
Recipe at yummilyyours.com
Alu is made with taro leaves, chickpea flour, and spices such as turmeric, mustard seeds, and cumin. The creamy curry dish is heavily laden with peanuts and is eaten with puris.
Recipe at chamchameet.blogspot.com
Mithai and Other Desserts:
While CKP weddings will often provide for a wide array of desserts, including kulfis and mithai, two sweets are always served at the reception: jalebi and boondi ladoo.
Jalebi is served by the pound to eager guests – the sugar-syrup sweet can be eaten hot or cold.
Photo courtesy of imagejuicy.com.
Boondi laddoos are made with gram (chickpea) flour and are often handed out to guests throughout the religious ceremony to celebrate the auspicious event. The sweet represents prosperity and happiness, and the married couple will often feed it to each other as well!
Recipe on manjulaskitchen.com
Another popular Maharashtrian sweet, kanavale is eaten before the marriage ceremony at some of the pre-wedding events. It is also known as karanji.
Photo courtesy of chefinyou.com.
Non-Vegetarian Food
The CKP community loves meat – in the form of biryanis, curries, or cutlets. Traditionally, meat is not eaten at the wedding reception itself because it is often held in a temple, which makes it a religious atmosphere. However, the CKP post-wedding ritual of a lunch, called the Tikwat Mejwani, with close relatives features lots and lots of the real favorite foods.
This lunch will serve almost all non-veg dishes, including shrimp biryani, mutton curry, and pomfret fish fry. Along with all these strong meat dishes, guests will also enjoy the popular Indian drink-of-choice, whiskey.
Mutton curry recipe via simpleindianrecipes.com
Regardless of the menu chosen for a CKP wedding, the reception is intimate and happy. Close friends and family gather to enjoy a good meal – but also to congratulate the newlywed couple.
View the rest of the CKP Wedding Guide:
Pre-Wedding/Engagement Rituals
Food and Dessert – You are here!