How To Make Soft And Fluffy Dahi Bhalla Like A Pro

Street food lovers know the struggle - Aloo Chaat, Papdi Chaat, and Aloo Tikki Chaat all hit differently, but Dahi Bhalla has its own league. Soft, airy, and drenched in creamy curd, tangy chutney, and fresh pomegranate seeds, it is the ultimate chaat experience. From roadside vendors to high-end restaurants, Dahi Bhalla is a crowd-puller. Whether it is a wedding, dinner party, or festival, you will always find a plate of this iconic snack making the rounds. But let's be real-getting that perfectly soft texture at home is not easy. If your bhallas turn out dense or rubbery, do not worry. Here is a foolproof guide to making Dahi Bhalla that is soft, fluffy, and just like the ones from your favourite chaatwala.

Also Read: How To Make Instant Dahi Bhalla With Leftover Bread

Why Is Dahi Bhalla So Popular?

Dahi Bhalla is one of the most loved Indian chaat recipes because of its irresistible mix of textures and flavours. The contrast between crispy fried bhallas and the creamy, spiced curd makes it an all-time favourite. Plus, it is easy to customise with different chutneys, spices, and toppings.

Pro Tips For Perfect Dahi Bhalla

Soak The Lentils:

Mix a little moong dal with urad dal. This simple trick enhances the taste and texture of your bhallas.

Whip It Right:

Once the dal is ground, whisk the batter thoroughly. A well-beaten batter should feel light and airy.

No Water, No Problem:

Avoid adding water while grinding. A watery batter means bhallas that fall apart.

Fry Smart:

Heat the oil properly, then fry the bhallas on a medium flame until golden brown.

The Water Trick:

Before assembling, soak the bhallas in water to keep them soft and pillowy.

Ingredients You Need For Dahi Bhalla

To make Dahi Bhalla at home, you will need:

For Bhallas:

Urad dal, moong dal, salt, hing, raisins, chironji, and oil for frying

For Curd Mixture:

Thick curd, salt, black salt, sugar (optional)

For Garnishing:

Tamarind chutney, mint chutney, roasted cumin powder, red chilli powder, pomegranate seeds, sev, coriander leaves

Easy Dahi Bhalla Recipe

Soak And Grind:

Soak dhuli urad dal in water for 7-8 hours. Drain and grind it into a smooth paste.

Add Spices:

Mix in salt, chilli powder, chironji, raisins, and hing (dissolved in water).

Whisk Well:

Whip the mixture well until it turns light and fluffy.

Fry The Bhallas:

Using wet hands, drop small portions of batter into hot oil and fry until golden brown.

Prepare The Curd:

In a bowl, whisk curd with salt and black salt until smooth.

Soak The Bhallas:

Let them soak in water for two minutes, then squeeze out excess water and place them on a plate.

Assemble And Garnish:

Pour curd generously over the bhallas. Sprinkle black salt, cumin powder, and chilli powder. Garnish with tamarind chutney, mint chutney, pomegranate seeds, sev, and fresh coriander.

How To Serve Dahi Bhalla

Dahi Bhalla tastes best when served chilled. You can enjoy it as a standalone dish or as part of a chaat platter. It pairs well with pani puri, aloo tikki, and other street food delights.

How To Store Leftover Dahi Bhalla

Bhallas:

Store leftover bhallas in an airtight container in the fridge. Before serving, soak them in warm water to soften.

Curd Mixture:

Keep the spiced curd refrigerated in a separate bowl to maintain freshness.

Chutneys:

Tamarind and mint chutneys can be stored for up to a week in the fridge.

Want the full step-by-step recipe? Click here.

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20-Year-Old Student Becomes Swiggy Delivery Agent To Pay College Fees. Shares Earnings, Experiences, More

Many people use online food delivery platforms and are well-versed in using these apps to get their desired food delivered at home. However, have you ever wondered how these apps work for the delivery partners? This job role is relatively new and is only growing, as we witness a rise in the use of food delivery apps. In a recent Reddit post, a 20-year-old college student who claims to work as a part-time "Delivery partner for Swiggy in New Delhi" conducted an AMA session and invited Redditors to "ask anything that makes you curious about the other side."

Many people seized this opportunity and dropped multiple questions on monthly earnings, why the delivery partner started this job and some of his worst experiences. Take a look:

One user asked the "average order delivery price per km." The delivery partner explained that the base price is Rs 20 per order. "Besides this, you get paid accordingly:

• 25 rupees = 1.5 Kms order
• 35 rupees = 3.2 Kms order
• 65 Rupees = 5.5 Kms order

Usually take a rough estimate of Rs 7.5 per kilometre. (This is only for New Delhi, different places have different pay structures and usually a lot less than this)"

Also Read: Swiggy User Hails Delivery Agent's "Trust" In Him After He Couldn't Pay For Order

Sharing his monthly earnings in another comment, the delivery partner said, "I only work Saturday and Sunday so "6000" a month, but riders who give entire day usually earn somewhere between 1000-1500 rupees a day."

Sharing why he started this job, the Redditor wrote, "My sole purpose to work was to earn little pocket money initially but shifted to pay my college fees later," adding, "As I'm 20, I see kids my age enjoying their life, partying, but I guess at least I'm trying to ease it a bit for my parents."

Worked as "Delivery partner" for Swiggy in New Delhi, AMA!
byu/InevitableComplex467 inswiggy

The user shared several poor experiences due to rude customers and one delightful moment he will cherish forever.

Sharing a bad one, he wrote, "I was delivering late night in Green park and the majority of roads that were shown in Google maps were blocked by 'Barricades', the customer called me started abusing me and all, he said 'tu aa idhar teri tange tudwa dunga, tujhe pakad ke security guard se pitwaunga' he also said 'meri Zomato me jaan pehchaan hai, tere ko job se nikalwa dunga main.' I said I work for Swiggy, not Zomato and he hung up."

Talking about a rare but beautiful moment, he added, "I went to deliver sweets in a hospital when I reached, a kid came to pick up order somewhere between (7-10). She was dancing with joy when she saw me, I asked her aapka order hai, she said yes and told me "uska bhai hua hai" and gave me 100 rupees tip. I still called her parents inside to confirm if they meant to give me 100 rupees as it could be a mistake from the kid as she paid me for an already paid order. But it was a tip! This was a really good moment, something I'll cherish my whole life."

The viral Reddit post offers multiple insights on how things work on the other side of online food delivery.

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Try Dates Milk: A Natural Remedy For Cold And Cough Grandparents Swear By

Changing weather often brings with it unwelcome sniffles and coughs.  While cosy sweaters offer some protection, bolstering your immunity from within is key.  Dates, a nutritional powerhouse, are a perfect winter food to combat these seasonal ailments.  Beyond their delightful flavour in desserts, dates offer a wealth of health benefits, from improved digestion and heart health to effective management of diabetes.  They also shine as a traditional remedy for cold, cough, and flu.  

Also Read: 7 Foods That May Help Boost Immunity During Spring Season

Health Benefits Of Dates:

Both ripe and dried dates are packed with Vitamin C, a powerful antioxidant that strengthens immunity against infections.  They also provide essential vitamins like B1, B2, B3, B5, and A1.  As noted in 'Healing Foods' by DK Publishing House, dates have long been a traditional remedy for respiratory ailments, offering relief from sore throats, colds, and bronchial catarrh when consumed as an infusion, extract, syrup, or paste.  Khajur ka doodh, a popular Indian beverage, is a delicious way to harness these benefits. Rich in fibre and minerals, dates also contribute to warmth within the body, explaining their frequent use in winter sweet treats like ladoos and halwa.

Cold and cough are common illnesses. 

Khajur Ka Doodh Recipe:

This simple recipe allows you to easily prepare Khajur ka doodh at home:

Ingredients:

2 cups milk
1/2 cup dates (deseeded and chopped)
1 1/2 tbsp almonds
Half tsp powdered cinnamon
Sugar (to taste) or 1 tbsp honey

Instructions:

1. Soak the Dates: In half a cup of milk, soak the chopped dates for approximately 40 minutes to soften them. This step helps in blending the dates smoothly.
2. Blend the Mixture: Transfer the soaked dates and milk into a blender. Add the almonds to the mixture as well. Blend the ingredients until you achieve a smooth consistency. Set this mixture aside.
3. Heat the Remaining Milk: In a separate pan, boil the remaining milk.
4. Combine and Simmer: Once the milk starts boiling, add the date and almond mixture to the pan. Incorporate the cinnamon and sugar (or honey) at this stage. Simmer the combined ingredients for about 5 minutes, allowing the flavours to meld together.
5. Serve Warm: Pour the Khajur ka doodh into serving glasses or mugs. Garnish with roasted almonds for added texture and visual appeal. Serve hot for maximum comfort and relief.

Also Read: These 5 Immunity-Boosting Foods Must Be A Part of Your Daily Diet!

This warm and nourishing beverage not only tastes delicious but also offers a natural way to combat common illnesses. The combination of dates, milk, and spices creates a soothing and immune-boosting drink.  Enjoy a glass of Khajur ka doodh to stay healthy throughout the changing weather.

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Brunching In BKC: What We Enjoyed At The Newly Opened NMACC Arts Cafe

The Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC) has a chic new attraction on its premises: the Arts Cafe, situated next to the Art House on Level 3. The centre already houses other restaurants, but this cafe sets itself apart in multiple ways - through its corner location, its comfort food menu, its versatile spaces as well as its laid-back ambience. We recently had the chance to dine here and explore its offerings for ourselves. Since it was a Sunday, we also got to sample some of the delights from its brunch buffet.

Photo Credit: NMACC Arts Cafe

The NMACC Arts Cafe is the brainchild of Isha Ambani. The establishment reflects her passion for art and her belief in the power of food to connect people, we're told. The space houses a variety of artworks, surrounding diners with fascinating aesthetic motifs. The message is clear: there's something your eyes, palate and mind can feast on. The interior design by Gauri Khan exudes understated elegance with natural elements, Art Deco details, a warm palette of earthy tones, and touches of brass and gold. Two stunning elements serve as the cafe's centrepieces: a 16-foot bar with a fluid, wave-like design and a slightly funnelled skylight that bathes much of the central room in sunlight. This also underlines the fact that this is one of the few BKC establishments with a strategic location to have a skylight as well as a decently sized open-air dining area. The other parts of the cafe are the lounge (where we sat during our meal) and a private dining room. The latter is equipped with a presentation screen and its own live kitchen, available for customised bookings on request.

Photo Credit: NMACC Arts Cafe

The menu features a mix of Indian, Pan-Asian, Italian and other European flavours. The kitchen is led by Chef Tarang Joshi and Chef Joy Bhattacharya (Head of Culinary Services at Jio World Centre). Alongside soups, salads, pasta, pizzas and burgers, expect cafe-style staples like Avocado Toast and Chicken Wings as well as refined delicacies like roast chicken and Indian appetiser samplers. There's a standard array of desserts as well. But the brunch menu expands on this, including other crowd favourites and more breakfast options like dosas, idlis, pancakes, etc. These are available in addition to the buffet offerings and made on request. The grills and South Indian options are made at live counters situated in the al-fresco area. In the evenings, this terrace allows diners to enjoy panoramic views of the 'Fountain of Joy'.

Photo Credit: NMACC Arts Cafe

We placed our initial orders and then made our way to the central part of the buffet arranged below the skylight. Sure enough, there were mezze elements, sushi, cold cuts and the like. But there were also many different types of butter, novel salads and dips that we were discovering for the first time. We were impressed with the novelty of the spread as well as its enticing artistic presentation. Fortunately, the sides we selected did not just look good - they won us over with their refreshingly balanced taste. Another highlight of the buffet not to be missed: a cheese table set at another end. We happily feasted on various kinds - ranging from Belper Knolle to Gulmarg Style Brie.

Photo Credit: NMACC Arts Cafe

After relishing these small bites, we moved on to the appetisers and mains ordered to the table earlier. We appreciated this aspect of the brunch - all these larger dishes arrived freshly made and had not been simply lumped along with the other buffet items. We especially loved the wholesome Tofu Scramble with Sourdough Toast and the flavourful Roast Atlantic Salmon enhanced with furikake.

Photo Credit: NMACC Arts Cafe

Later, we savoured an exquisite array of desserts, including Indian mithai-inspired creations as well as patisserie offerings like cheesecakes, tarts, chouquettes, chocolates and more. This is indeed what weekend binge dreams are made of! During our meal, we also sipped on drinks from the extensive beverage menu. It has craft cocktails, handpicked international wines, thoughtfully curated mocktails, gourmet coffee and more. During Sunday brunch, these are available a la carte.

Photo Credit: NMACC Arts Cafe

The NMACC Arts Cafe features works by celebrated artists like Damien Hirst, Dia Mehhta Bhupal, Sameer Kulavoor, Jennifer Guidi, Takashi Murakami, Rana Begum and Nor Black Nor White. Many of them are displayed in the lounge area and we liked its relatively quiet and relaxing ambience. The main dining room was abuzz with a live music performance and it was also heartwarming to see a few people grooving to the tunes. It was an unexpectedly enchanting way to spend a Sunday afternoon in BKC.

Where: Gate 11, Third Floor, Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre, G Block BKC, Bandra Kurla Complex, Bandra East, Mumbai

Photo Credit: NMACC Arts Cafe

Photo Credit: NMACC Arts Cafe

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5 Easy And Helpful Tips To Start Your Cooking Journey As An Adult

Did you grow up without learning how to cook and the maximum you can do is make some OK-ish tea and instant noodles? Welcome to the club. While cooking is an incredibly important basic life skill, many of us have been privileged enough to not learn how to cook and still eat all kinds of dishes, cooked by, mostly our mothers. Your case can be different and yes, there can be many reasons, situations or ideologies that prevented you from embracing this life skill.

Well, whether you are a man or a woman, perhaps with no passion for cooking, and still have come to the realisation that you must (must!) learn at least to make that dal chawal and roti sabzi, this article is for you. 

5 Useful Tips For Every Amateur Cook To Learn Cooking As An Adult:

1. Watch And Learn

Photo: iStock

Many people do not know how to cook because they have not spent real time in the kitchen. Start by just being present in the kitchen when the cooking takes place. Watch how to chop different vegetables, the type of utensils used for different dishes, and the art of rolling the roti dough or washing some rice. By simply observing, you can improve your understanding of how things begin and start cooking.

2. Start Cooking

Photo: iStock

You need not learn how to make methi malai matar paneer through social media videos to actually start cooking in the kitchen. Starting your cooking journey is more important than what you make. The simpler, the better. Do not be afraid to make mistakes.

3. Make Mistakes

Photo: iStock

Mistakes may feel embarrassing, but they are so important. You learn better when you make mistakes. So, it is completely alright to mess up the salt or make a runnny gravy. Check where you went wrong and try to improve the next time. Do not put pressure on yourselves to deliver a Michelin-star-level dish. Learning to cook as an adult after all these years can be difficult as you are stepping outside your comfort zone. However, once you learn better and practice daily, you are likely to enjoy it too.

Also Read: Survival Series: Easy-to-Follow Videos to Turn You From an Amateur into a Chef

4. Enjoy It Too

Photo: iStock

One reason you have not learned to cook yet could be that you have no interest or passion for cooking. It's okay; we do not expect you to be a cooking enthusiast. However, if you truly want to learn how to cook, we encourage you to enjoy it as well. This will make you happier, and it will also reflect in the amazing taste of the food you prepare. You can get there with a little patience.

5. A Little Patience

Photo: iStock

Learning to cook as an adult can make you frustrated or impatient. Since you have already survived (probably happily) for so long by eating the food cooked by someone else, you are likely to continue to manage so without much trouble. So, if you are learning to cook now just because you should, and there is no real need or passion, you are also at a very vulnerable spot to quit. We encourage you to be patient and kind towards yourselves. Encourage yourselves as if you are encouraging a friend of yours. Post your cooking pictures on social media if it helps, take something you cooked to the office and feel that new sense of independence and empowerment that comes from the fact that you are a real adult, capable of making your cake  (or dal chawal) and eating it too!

Also Read: 5 Signs You May Be Brilliant At Everything But Are A Terrible Cook

If you have reached the end of this article, we are so excited and pumped for your cooking journey. If you have more doubts or would like to share your journey, you are welcome to do so in the comments section below. Wish you a happy, empowering and delicious cooking journey ahead!

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Viral Video Of "Lay's Fried Chicken" Gets Over 10 Million Views, Internet Divided

There are various types of fried chicken dishes around the world. Different ingredients are used to give the chicken a crispy coating. But have you ever seen someone use Lay's chips to give a whole chicken a crunchy exterior? A recent Instagram video showing the same went viral. The clip starts with the vlogger tearing open packets of American-style cream and onion Lay's chips. He empties packets into a bowl and crushes them into fine crumbs. Next, he takes a whole chicken and pokes holes in it with a fork.

For the marinade, he mixes Indian spices with egg and lemon juice. After that, the chicken is coated thoroughly. The vlogger then rolls the chicken in the crushed Lay's chips before deep-frying it in hot oil. The final result? A crispy golden-brown fried chicken, served with a dip. His facial expressions seem to suggest that the chicken apparently turned out delicious.

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Also Read: This Viral Crispy Fried Chicken Has A Desi Twist, And The Internet Is Intrigued

The viral video has clocked 10 million views on Instagram so far. It has sparked a debate in the comments section. While some viewers seemed impressed with the technique, others couldn't help but question the need to use chips in this kind of chicken recipe. A few users suggested using other chip flavours instead of this one. Read some of the reactions here:

"Unhealthy," one person commented.

Another added, "I am getting cravings."

A comment read, "100 % tastiest food no doubt in that. But this is purely an unhealthy one. Can consume in moderation if you have cravings."

A user said, "Bro is the nightmare for KFC."

"Wow, so tasty," remarked a viewer.

"Pretty sure that's gonna taste worse with cream and onion," opined another user.

Are you craving fried chicken now? Click here for easy recipes.

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How Long Do Eggs Last In The Fridge? Eat Them While They Are Still Good

Eggs are a staple in almost every Indian kitchen. Whether you're whipping up a quick omelette, a spicy egg curry, or adding them to your biryani for that extra protein punch, they're as versatile as they are delicious. Plus, they're packed with nutrients, making them a go-to ingredient for busy mornings and hearty meals. But have you ever cracked open an egg only to be hit with a strange smell? Or wondered how long they actually last in the fridge? Let's find out how to store them properly, check if they're still good, and even what to use when you're out of eggs!

Also Read: Cooking Tips: 7 Mind-Blowing Egg Hacks That Will Make Your Life Easier

^{Photo: iStock}

How Long Do Eggs Last In The Fridge?

When stored properly at 4°C (40°F) or below, eggs can remain fresh for three to five weeks from the day of purchase. It's important to note that the dates on egg cartons often indicate peak quality rather than safety. Therefore, even if the "best before" date has passed, your eggs might still be good to consume. Always store eggs in their original carton to maintain freshness and prevent them from absorbing other odours.

How To Test If Your Eggs Have Gone Bad

A simple way to check if your eggs are still good is the classic float test. Drop the egg in a bowl of water:

• If it sinks and lays flat, it's fresh.

• If it stands upright, it's getting old but still usable.

• If it floats, it's time to throw it out.

Another trick is to crack the egg open and take a quick sniff. If it smells bad or looks off, it's time to toss it.

^{Photo: iStock}

How To Store Eggs For Maximum Freshness

Where you store your eggs matters. Keep them in their original carton in the coldest part of the fridge. Avoid storing eggs in the fridge door, as the frequent temperature fluctuations can affect their freshness. Additionally, storing eggs in a carton prevents them from absorbing any weird smells from other foods.

Also Read: How Many Eggs Should You Eat In A Week? Expert Reveals

If you're looking for easy egg recipes, click here.

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