Watching cricket is one of the time-honored traditions in many countries throughout the world. Gathering with friends and family is perhaps the best way to watch what is the national sport in India and some other countries.
And while you do this, it’s always great to have a tasty snack to eat. Cricket and cricket-watching parties aren’t just for adults, either. Kids can get involved as well and learn the sport from a young age.
If you have kids watching cricket with you, it’s a great idea to have snacks that they would love to eat. Below are some Indian-inspired food ideas perfect for kids watching a cricket game.
Introduction to Cricket Snacks
The perfect snacks for a cricket viewing party can be eaten easily while standing or sitting without a table. They can’t be too messy and should be handheld or eaten with a fork or spoon only.
This is all because of how people will usually be positioned around the TV while they’re watching the game. As such, finger foods are perfect for any cricket viewing party.
The great part about finger foods is that kids love them. They love to eat with their fingers, which makes them feel special and gives them a special connection to what they’re eating.
In addition, it’s important to create flavors that appeal to kids. You can get creative with your spices and herbs, of course, but don’t get too creative if your kids haven’t tried something yet. Also, you can integrate spice, but don’t make it too hot.
Below are some great snack food ideas.
Sri Lankan Fish Cutlets
Sri Lankan fish cutlets, or spicy fish croquettes, are a wonderful option for any cricket viewing party. Not only will the adults love them, but the kids will, too.
This snack is a small ball of filling that includes fish, veggies and spices that is then dipped in a batter and deep friend. A dipping sauce is usually served alongside it to maximize the flavor and experience.
Step-by-step guide: Making the cutlet mixture, breading, and frying
- Put potatoes in a saucepan and cover them with water. Bring it to a boil and cook until tender. Remove the skin once they’ve cooled.
- Crush the potatoes with a fork and set them aside.
- Break fish into pieces, leaving some chunks.
- In a separate saucepan, heat oil over medium heat. Then add garlic, ginger and onion, and saute them until they’re tender.
- Add salt, spices, sugar and green chilli peppers and cook for about one minute. Add your fish and cook another 10 to 15 minutes.
- Add tomato sauce and lemon juice and mix. Then add the potatoes and mix until it’s well combined. Adjusted seasoning if needed.
- Once cooled, spoon the mixture into balls about 1 inch in diameter.
- Whisk eggs on one plate and mix bread crumbs and spices on a separate one. Coat each of the balls with the egg mix first then coat them with the breadcrumbs.
- Heat oil in a separate pan and deep fry the cutlets for about one minute.
- Serve alongside chilli sauce, tomato sauce or another dipping sauce.
Tips on how to fry cutlets for perfect crispiness
There are two essential steps to frying the cutlets for perfect crispiness.
First, make sure that your oil has come up to the proper temperature, either 350 degrees Fahrenheit or 180 degrees Celsius.
Next, don’t overcrowd your pan. While you can fry a few at a time, there should be enough room for them to move around. If there’s not, they’ll steam rather than fry.
Indian-Inspired Bread Snacks
There are many different bread snacks that you can make that are inspired by Indian cuisine. Some of the most popular ones are below.
Bread Pizza
If you have some bread on hand, you can quickly make bread pizza. Just take a piece of bread, top it with chilli sauce, tomato sauce, mixed herbs and toast. It can be made in just a few minutes and is always a big hit.
Bread Upma
Bread upman is another choice. You take cut-up bread chunks and toss it with spices, onions, tomatoes and herbs. It only takes about 15 minutes to cook, and you can adjust the spiciness level based on who you’re serving it to.
This dish is a great way to use leftovers.
Potato Fry Toast
For a spicy twist on classic toast, try potato fry toast. It includes slathering toast with potatoes that are mashed and integrates many delicious Indian spices.
Sandwiches and Rolls
Sandwiches are always a hit at cricket viewing parties. Here are some of the best.
Paneer Sandwich
Paneer sandwiches are great. These simple recipes use grated paneer and mix it with vegetables and mild spices. The sandwiches are then grilled to perfection and look a lot like modern panini sandwiches.
Potato Sandwich
Much like potato fry toast above, the potato sandwich uses a creamy filling of mashed potatoes mixed with a hint of spice and then grilled perfectly. It’s a quick and easy treat that’s also delicious.
Paneer Roll
One other option is a paneer roll. You simply grate paneer and mix it with whatever vegetables and spices you want. Then, instead of putting it between bread and grilling it, you put it in a wheat tortilla. This makes for an easy-to-hold snack as you’re watching cricket.
Flavor Enhancers
All of these dishes above can be customized, personalized and taken to the next level with flavor enhancers. Just because the food you’re serving at your cricket viewing party is simple doesn’t mean it has to be flavorless and/or ordinary.
You can change and elevate common snacks by incorporating tomato sauce, lemon juice and other spices to change, alter and enhance the flavors all at once.
As mentioned before, creating simple dips and spreads not only changes the flavor profiles of these familiar snacks, but it appeals to kids particularly.
More After-School Snack Recipes
There are many other great recipes that make for excellent cricket game snacks. This food can also double as wonderful after-school snacks for your kids, even when there isn’t a cricket game to watch.
This could include nachos accompanied by whipped feta, chicken with hot sauce and roasted corn, cob loaf slathered in butter and honey chilli, veggie sliders and sausage rolls.
For busy parents, a great idea is to make these snacks ahead of time. By making them in big batches, you can portion them and store then in containers in the fridge and/or freezer. Then, when your kids are hungry, you can simply take them out, warm them up and serve them.
Conclusion: Enjoy Cricket with Tasty Snacks
Watching cricket is a time-honored tradition in many parts of the world, and it’s an activity that’s enjoyed by people of all ages. Involving kids is a great way to teach them to love the game as they grow older.
To really get them involved and interested, make sure that you serve snacks that are kid-friendly, flavorful and easy-to-eat while they’re watching cricket. And, as with anything, encourage involvement and creativity from your kids in the kitchen so they can play a part in making and preparing the snacks, too.
