Author: ayushi khemka

4 things that make Gol Gappe the best

Gol gappe belong to the Indian family of street food which is found in almost every corner of a city. Gol gappe, which is the plural of gol gappa, are fried, hollow puris that are stuffed with boiled chick peas and potatoes and toppeed with some tamarind chutney and filled with flavoured water that has generous concentration of mint and some spices. Gol gappe are best had at a roadside vendor. Now, if you are going to lecture us on hygiene and health, let me just say, take a chill pill! Life is all about relaxation and enjoyment. We all definitely have eaten weirdest things on the earth which were not even edible, when we were little babies. Did we die? No, I do not think so. And come on, won’t it be a matter of pride to have “died of eating gol gappe” on your tombstone? Jokes apart, there are a great number of reasons that you should be aware of to put off that (facade of) hesitation that has gripped you. In this list, we have tried to point out some of these reasons why you should absolutely go and have a gol gappa, right away!

1. The Taste

Gol gappe have a crunchy texture to them. The hollow, fried balls are crispy and gel completely in fabulous way with the gooey filling inside. The flavoured water, fondly and simply called “pani”, takes the flavour of gol gappe to an entirely different level. The pani has a spicy and refreshing touch to it, which makes it a delight to have in any weather. Talking about the weather, it is monsoon presently and having a mouth full of gol gappa and rain drops on face is just the dream and beats almost everything in the world. It is said that little things do wonders and the humble chutney that goes into the preparation of a gol gappa defines the same, like a boss. The tangy taste of the chutney blends smoothly with the pani, adding an element of sweet to the spicy, making the gol gappa a snack to die for.

2. The Price

In today’s world, when the prices for a meagre cellular phone have crossed over fifty grands, we know that we are in a soup, a financial soup. We are living in an age where living by the budget is more important than living by the holy scripture. Inflation has been on an ever increasing rise since almost forever, so it seems now. It only makes sense to know of a great food item that does not burn a hole in your pocket and is as cheap as meagre Rs. 20! Having something to eat at such low cost is surely a great booster. the brilliant taste that one gets at such brilliant price advocates having gol gappe to a great extent. it is an awesome street food option and one of the very few ones which have stuck to the notion of being street food with respect to cost factor.

3. The Fun

The ideal and traditional way in which a plate of gol gappe is had is one where the gol gappa chef hands over a single piece to the customer, at a time and waits patiently until he/she finishes his/her huge bite. This old school way of having gol gappe cannot be matched by anything else. In addition to this, there are some more fun elements attached to eating a gol gappa and that is the way it is supposed to be had. You have to take it in, in one single go. Do not even think about taking half a gol gappa in one bite and the ither half in another. This is just as absurd as it could get and no to pleasing to watch, too. Gol gappe are of two varieties, one is made up of sooji and the other one is made up of atta. One reaches the zenith of fun while having a gol gappa that is made of atta because of the huge size that it has. Having an atta gol gappa in one go is a feat that everyone wants to accomplish and with a little bit of practice, can be, too.

4. The Perks

When you were a kid, you must have gone all crazy about the tazos that you could get with a packet of Lay’s chips. Now, when you are a grown up, you must be going crazy about the 30% extra discount that you get at your favourite showroom because of the platinum card that you possess. In both of these situations, the fact remains that we all like having something extra. Having perks alonside the main product/service is a privilege that everybody loves. Now, when you are eating a gol gappa, you have the perks of asking for some more pani because you know that it is never enough. Its spicy flavour would make you sweat like a pig but who cares! Why? Because another perk comes to your rescue in that situation. It is the privilege of asking for an extra papdi from the vendor and he happily gives it away. Try doing something like that at your high-end restaurant and you will be given the stare of your life. So, gol gappe come with some sweet, little perks that you must enjoy. After all, little things make you feel special in a way that is really sweet.

So, what are you waiting for? Go, ask that bhaiya to give you a full plate of gol gappe and rejoice!

July 30, 2014
Rico’s-Adding taste to North campus

If you are a student of the University of Delhi and that too North Campus, then you must have thanked your stars making your life worth living by blessing you with innumerable cafes in Hudson Lane. Move towards GTB Nagar metro station’s gate number 3 from Patel Chest and you will find yourself on a street that is never tired. There are people going crazy for photocpies and then, move a bit forward and voila! BYD or Big Yellow Door stares at you with watery eyes asking you to come inside and feel the epicurean heaven. However, if you move a bit more onward, you will come across the father, mother and whole family of cafes-Rico’s. This place has been sent to the students of DU by God himself. Be it the amazing ambience, the gripping books, great staff or most importantly, amazing food; you just cannot sayy no to Rico’s. You do not need a reason to fall in love with this place. You automatically will. For all the foodies and non-foodies too, Rico’s is a great option for birthday celebration and much more. If you have not been to Rico’s yet, I would highly recommend you to ditch your next meal and go, hog at this wonderful cafe. You will not be left dissatisfied. Before you go, there are a few things that you must know that you must try. Some of those things are:

1. Classic Mojito

Classic mojito is a drink that finds its origin in Cuba. Mojito is also said to be the favourite drink of the author, Ernst Hemingway. The drink is an absolute bliss and provides great soothing effect in the scorching heat of Delhi. The best part of the classic mojito that is served at Rico’s is its presentation! The huge pitcher in which it is served is bound to make any adult feel like an over-excited child from inside. The pitcher can easily serve 6-8 glasses, which makes it a great value for money drink as it costs a meagre Rs. 200. The refreshing taste of mint and lime is just what one needs after attending torturous lectures back to back in the worst summers ever possible. This drink beats all the other drinks in the menu and make it an all time favourite for most of the people.

2. Vegetarian Enchilada

The menu at Rico’s gives a brief description of vegetarian enchilada as “baked tortillas rolled around a filling and covered with chili pepper sauce”. That is sufficient to give you a clear glimpse of what an enchilada would be like. What it does not inform is the immensity of its fabulous taste and its aptness in filling one’s hungry stomach. Vegetarian enchilada is a dish that is not too heavy and not too light. It is perfect for the pangs of hunger when you are not able to identify whether you really are so hungry or not. The filling is rich and tempting. The baked cheese over it just makes it all the more interesting and delicious in flavour. It has a perfect blend of crisp and gooey, which speaks volumes about the chef(s) at Rico’s. For those who feel that vegetarian food is just about fruits and leaves, this is a response that totally is in-the-face!

3. Nachos Grande

Nachos are chips that are made out of corn. Nachos Grande is a dish that has nachos which are loaded with various dips and sauces like salsa, sour cream, mustard and hummus. These sauces double, tripple or in fact, quadruple the already amzing taste of nachos. That feeling that you get when you dig into that dish with your fingers and have created a mess due to those lip smacking dips and sauces generously poured over the crispies, is just out of the world. Nachos Grande is a dish that serves as a brilliant side dish. You can add chicken to it for just Rs. 40 extra and make this dish from the Extra Innings section,more sinful. Nachos grande are great for munching and provide a brilliant alternative to the otherwise unhealthy fries.

4. Spicy Arrabiata Pasta

This is that variant of pasta which never gets old or boring. It is a clasic recipe that never fails. The brilliant spicy and tangy tomato based sauce, infused with garlic, gives the pasta a rich taste. The texture of the pasta at Rico’s is absolutely correct, not too gooey, not too hard. The consistency of the sauce is one that you would rarely find in most of the cafes. The spice is never over done and is thus, a great option even for those who cannot handle their chili. Spicy arrabiata pasta tastes brilliant when had with a glass of chilled, classic mojito. The sweetness of mojito and tangy flavour of pasta gel up in an awesome way, making the foodie inside you crave for more and more.

July 27, 2014
4 Romantic Desserts That Will Take Your Heart Away

Romantic dessert…that just sounds a bit redundant, doesn’t it? There is nothing better than the combination of two of the best things in the world, namely dessert and romance. Science has proved that there are certain fruits and other edible items that can turn on your mood and are a must have for that perfect date. we all know that chocolates and strawberries are great aphrodisiacs too. No wonder the entire human race is crazy about chocolates like anything. Whether you are preparing dinner for your loved one or you are just feeling low, these desserts will surely uplift your mood and bring a 100 Watt smile on your face. Try these out and feel yourself floating in epicurean heaven.

1. Chocoberries

Chocoberries are strawberries that are coated with chocolate and served chilled. This quick dessert has the most romantic things ever available on the planet Earth. The sweet and tangy flavour of strawberries goes aptly well with the velvety touch of chocolate, making it an absolutely amazing dessert. It is perfect for every occasion and non-occasion. The best part of this dessert is that it takes such less time that you can count on this one for those last minute surprises.

Ingredients:

10-12 strawberries (remember to have the stems intact)

3/4 cup semi sweet chocolate chips or chocolate chunks

3/4 tablespoon corn syrup

2 1/4 tablespoon butter

Method:

1. Wash the strawberries and pat dry. Make sure you have all the strawberries fresh and clean.

2. Spread them out on a paper tissue until they reach room temperature.

3. Melt the chocolate chips in a double boiler. Add corn syrup and butter to the double boiler. Make sure you keep stirring in between else you will run the risk of burning your chocolate mix.

4. Remove the mix from heat and dip the starwberries into the chocolate but do not dip more than 2/3 of the strawberries.

5. Let the excess chocolate drip off the strawberries.

6. Place the strawberries stem side down and referigerate for about 15-20 minutes and serve with a spark in your eyes.

2. Chocolate Mousse

Everybody loved this dessert as kids. everybody loves it as adults. This dessert never gets old. The texture of this dessert is simply perfect and the way it melts in the mouth, makes it all the more adorable. The enigmatic smell that it emits makes one fall in love with everything around them. Almost.

Ingredients:

60 grams chocolate chips

1 1/2 tablespoon water

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 cup whipping cream

1 tablespoon confectioners’ sugar

Method:

1. Melt the chocolate and water in a saucepan.

2. Add vanilla to the mix and whisk it thoroughly.

3. Leave the mix to cool and whip the cream in a separate bowl.

4. Add confectioners’ sugar to it.

5. Blend in the chocolate mix to this and beat it in cut-and-fold manner.

6. Take a scoop of the mousse created and pour it into a clear bowl.

7. Garnish with some grated chocolate to give it an extra chocolatey taste.

3. Strawberry Pie

A pie is one dessert which is not too sweet and so, does not go overboard in making one feel its sweetness. The crispness of the pie mixed with the gooey texture of strawberries make it a complete dessert. Strawberry pie tastes brilliant but it looks even better! And a tempting looking dessert is always better than every other dessert.

Ingredients:

1 pie crust, pre-baked

1 pint strawberries

100 grams strawberry Jell-O gelatin dessert

2 tablespoons cornstarch

1 cup cold water

1 cup hot water

1/2 cup sugar

Whipped cream

Method:

1. Pre-bake the pie crust and let it cool.

2. Slice the strawberries into the pie crust.

3. Take a saucepan and mix the jello with cornstarch. Add water and sugar to it.

4. Cook over medium heat. Let the mixture boil. Make sure you keep stirring in between lest you burn it.

5. Pour this boiling hot mixture over the strawberries and let it spread evenly.

6. Keep the pie in the referigerator and chill it for 3-4 hours.

7. As the glaze of the jello sets, bring it out and serve with generous dollops of whipped cream.

4. Chocolate Marie Logs

Chocolate logs are easy to make and easier to have. These have a perfect blend of biscuits and chocolate which gives it a smooth taste. The subtle flavour of coffee enhances the effect the logs have on the tongue. These are one of the quickest and easiest things you can make and make whenever you want.

Ingredients:

12 Marie biscuits

1 tablespoon cocoa powder

4 tablespoon unsalted butter

4 tablespoon powdered sugar

1/2 teaspoon coffee powder

1/4 cup warm milk

Method:

1. Take the milk in a container and add coffee powder to it. Mix it well.

2. Soak the biscuits in it and stack them on top of the other. Make sure that you do not soak them too much otherwise your biscuits will get all soggy and crumble.

3. Take the butter and sugar in another container and mix them evenly. Add cocoa powder to it and blend in.

4. Spread the mixture on the stack of the biscuits or the log. cover the entire log generously with the cocoa mix. Run a fork on the mix so as to give it the look of a wooden log.

5. Keep the log in the referigerator to chill for two hours and cut it into diagonal slices.

July 27, 2014
4 Italian Dishes You Must Have

The entire human race can spend all their birthdays thanking their stars for blessing them with this sect of super humans called Italians. Yet, they would not be able to thank enough. Be it the field of art, literature, sports or food, Italians have given us everything on this Earth which is amazing like hell and is sure to be forwarded to the progeny. If we talk about Italian cuisine, we would notice that it has its origins in Greek and Roman cuisines. The simplicity of Italian dishes make them stand out in the crowd of loud cuisines. Italian dishes have a subtle taste to them which is loved by all, irrespective of their quirky individual preferences. The way Italian dishes are cooked and the kind of spices that go into them, make them a really healthy option when pitted against other cuisines from all around the globe. Not just spicy food, Italian cuisine has some great desserts too, one of which we have include in this list too. There are some Italian dishes that one must try in order to feel the awesomeness of Italy’s food. Here are listed some Italian dishes that you have to have. No questions asked.

1. Pizza

Pizza is round flat bread baked in the oven and topped with tomato sauce, cheese and various other toppings. Classic Margherita pizza is one that most of the people abide by. It is topped with tomato sauce, cheese and basil. The simple taste of this pizza is way better than most of the other over-done dishes that we find in other cuisines. Pizza tastes absolutely lip smacking, whether it is topped with bell peppers, jalapeno, pineapple or chicken. Pizza can also be a healthy option as it is rich in carbohydrates due to the base and the toppings and cheese provide various other nutrients. It, thus, becomes a sort of melting pot of various toppings which are rich in nutrients as well as taste. If one picks up a healthier pizza base and cooked with a little bit of calculation and smartness, one can include it as a diet food option. However, with oodles of mozarella, one can definitely suit it to one’s sinful cravings. Pick up one you like!

2. Arrabbiata Pasta

You talk about Italian cuisine and you do not talk about pasta? Are you serious? Pasta is to Italian cuisine as Britney Spears is to rehab. The main ingredients of arrabbiata sauce are tomatoes, red chillies, garlic, clove and olive oil. It is often given a tinge of oregano, basil or parsley, as per one’s preferences. Pasta has a number of variations in sauces and arrabbiata sauce is one classic sauce. It has a spicy flavour that is very rich on tongue. A fun fact would be that the word “arrabbiata” literally means “angry” in Italian. The sauce has been named such because of the fuming heat that is produced due to the red hot chillies. So, what are you waiting for? Get that anger out of yourself onto your pasta and it would not even mind, because it knows that it can straighten out that rage of yours in a jiffy with its heat which is too-hot-to-handle. Grab this and you are in for a delightful experience!

3. Tiramisu

Now, you have had that super spicy pasta and you feel you will die in the next moment if you do not have something to burn that heat. Then, tiramisu is the answer to all your worries and discomforts. It is an italian dessert that is highly recommended to anyone who has a sweet tooth and to anyone who does not have a sweet tooth. It is made in the form of layers of biscuits that are soaked richly in coffee liquor and covered with a thick dollop of mascarpone cheese and egg yolk mix. At times, its taste is enhanced by adding cocoa and rum. Owing to its delicious taste, it remains Italy’s most famous dessert, despite the fact that there are innumerable debates regarding its origin. Tiramisu has a light feel attached to it which makes it an object of envy for other desserts that make you feel as if you have eaten a huge chunk of Mount Everest itself.

4. Risotto

Risotto is a dish that is made with rice and has broth that leaves it with a creamy consistency. It can be either vegetarian or non-vegetarian as the broth tastes equally palatable when meat based as it does when it oozes with numerous vegetables. Risotto is served in the first course. However, there are some heavier versions of it that are served in the main course. Romana and Milanese are two variants of risotto which are most popular and relished by people of all ages. The presence of delicious butter, crispy onions and and gooey parmesan cheese make it a sinful craving.

July 14, 2014
5 Table Etiquettes You Must Follow

Table manners or etiquettes are a set of rules that one must follow while dining,whether at one’s own place, in a restaurant or at somebody else’s place. Different cultures have different set of norms and rules for table etiquettes. Within a particular culture too, table manners differ from family to family, at times. Dining etiquettes are present to maintain social decorum and standard. In addition to that, it helps in maintaining a certain level of atmosphere whih does not make you puke over the laid out food. Bad eating habits are a huge turn off for everyone out there. Nobody likes eating with a person who eats in a way that is enough to induce a wave of killing spree inside someone. In order to avoid being murdered and public embarrassment, have a look at the table etiquettes you must follow.

1. Do Not Make Noise

You are eating a lot of crunchy food. Chips and crisp lettuce are all that you have for dinner. However, that does not mean that you have to sound like an anaconda while munching them away. Imagine you are sitting on a table with your date having a romantic, candle-lit dinner. Everything is going pretty smooth and you imagine yourself having babies with that person but instead of the wailing of your future kid, all you can hear is Crunch! Poof will go those dreams! You do not want to be that cruncher yourself. You do not have to be too vocal about loving your food by constantly emitting sounds like “nyom nyom”. In addition to that, you do not have to open your mouth ha! h! ha! The first thing for table manners is not to make noise while you are eating. It is just not done.

2. Pass

When you are sitting on a table and you cannot reach that bowl or bread basket kept at the other end of the table, you might try matrix-ing your way through the table. No matter how cool that might sound and seem in your imagination, you are not supposed to do that. Nobody likes somebody’s sleeves dipped in the bowl of curry or a spilled glass of water on the table. It is thus important to learn to pass. You know you have been passing your time reading this article for so long, it is high time that you learn how to pass the bowls too. It not only makes eating less clumsy, but also helps in avoiding being stood up the next time you go on a date with the same person.

3. Let Everyone Finish

In almost all the countries and sub cultures, it is considered rude to get up from the table before everybody else has finished eating. You might have hogged like a ninja but you cannot expect the same from everybody. In some cultures, you cannot get up from the table until the host or the elderly person has gotten up. It is just a little sign of respect for the others around you. This sign of gratitude is one that requires you to just relax after having had your food. Now, who has a problem with having a few minutes to relax after you have eaten bucket loads of Butter Chicken? So, stay calm. Enjoy finding faults in others’ table etiquettes and feel like a Boss.

4. Use Correct Cutlery

Now, we do not mean that you need to know all the spoons and forks and knives that Jack is supposed to know in Titanic. But, at least you should not commit the heresy by dipping a soup spoon in you bowl of curry. And do not even think of eating your salad with your dessert spoon. You are an adult and you should be able to identify A from B. It is no rocket science and this much you can learn just by Youtube-ing the same. You should start picking your cutlery from outside and then use them for each course. If you are aware of the different kinds of spoons and their uses, who knows you might just impress the person with weird liking habits, sitting at the other end of the restaurant.

5. Move That Elbow! Nudge

Do not think of me as a propagator of some Victorian norms. But, do not keep those elbows on the table, please. If you keep your elbows on the table, where do yoiu expect the person sitting next to you, to keep his/her glass of wine? Yeah, wine is more important than those non-manicured elbows. You do not want to constantly nudge the adjacent person unless you want to bring to their notice some quirky happenings around. On a more serious note, you need to keep your things within your space and do not intrude into somebody else’s. Be satisfied with what you have got, hungry fellow!

July 10, 2014
4 Things North Indians Can Never Get Tired Of Eating

Go to Delhi. You will find loud behaviour, devil-may-care attitude, style that could even make a Parisian resident feel ashamed, music that is fully capable of destroying your ear drums and great food! Delhiites are known to be big foodies and theere is no dearth of memes online that describe this spect of theirs. There is one such picture on the internet that shows how a Delhiite visualises rest of the parts of India according to the food available there. North Indian food is obsessed with ghee and butter. It is like you can prepare butter chicken without chicken but definitely not without butter! Here, the food has a high content of spices and chillies, so much so, that it is capable of putting your tongue on fire. Delhiites are known for their lively behaviour and fun loving attitude. This attitude, when clubbed with palatable food, evolves into a life-of-the-party package. The people of Delhi can eat almost anything and everything that comes their way. However, there are some dishes that they can have even while they are sleeping. Some of those dishes are listed as follows:

1. Shahi Paneer

The word “shahi” roughly translates into English as royal. Now, do we need to say more? Is it not self-explanatory? Shahi paneer is like oxygen to Delhiites whenever they go to a restaurant. If you go out somewhere and do not order shahi paneer, you might as well drown yourself in the finger bowl you will get after eating something weird as all non-shahi paneers are weird. It is the rule of law. The big fat Delhi weddings too are brimming with different varieties of paneer, be it shahi paneer, kadhai paneer, paneer butter masala and so on. The thing about shahi paneer is that it is so delicious that even a first timer cannot cook it really bad. It is a dish that has been sent directly from Satan, who is such a sinner. Courtesy: gluttony. And, calling paneer, cottage cheese or curd is just equivalent to disrespecting your great grandfather’s niece’s brother-in-law’s God!

2. Dal Makhani

Ask any Delhiite to say “shahi paneer” and he/she will automatically say dal makhani at the end of the sentence. Dal Makhni and Shahi Paneer are two siamese twins that no doctor in the world can unjoin. After all, who would even dare to think of such iconoclasm! Dal Makhani when garnished with some sort of cream and butter, tastes nothing less than heaven. It is so buttery that at the end of your dinner, you woould just end up having perfectly moisturised lips. Al Bukhara’s Dal Bukhara is one variant which people swear by and make a promise to themselves of having it at least once before they die. The rich ones, however, leave no stone unturned in making the less privileged feel like messy beings for not having had the most wonderful dal on this planet. However, dal makhni is a dish that tastes as brilliant in a roadside dhaba as it does in an air-conditioned fancy restaurant. Why? Because it is.

3. Butter Chicken

If you are a non vegetarian and a Delhiite, your eyes must have lit up as soon as you read those two words. Butter. Chicken. If you are a vegetarian, you must have heaved a sigh of relief after seeing this on the list as you know that Butter Chicken is to Delhi as shoe is to lace. Non-vegetarians strictly abide by this dish, in sickness and in health. Butter chicken has the two most favourite things of a Delhiite, namely, butter and chicken. The hardcore punjabi style in which it is cooked, leaves one licking their fingers till the last drop, no matter how posh a restaurant they are sitting in. And when it is about food, Delhiites do not give a damn to the surroundings. They are just having an intimate relationship with their butter chicken and the last thing you would want to do them at that moment would be disturb them by reminding them of table manners and etiquettes. If you do, then God save you from the wrath of a Delhiite. It is much worse than Achilles’.

4. Chhole Bhature

When we talk about a Delhiite, we have to talk about chhole bhature. However, a fun fact is that if you ask someone from deeper towns of Punjab, they would tell you that they are not as crazy about chhole bhature as a Delhiite. Delhiites love to have chickpeas and the way it is cooked in a Punjabi household, it is unmatchable. You have got to eat it to believe it. It does not then come as a shcok that most of the stalls are done with their stock of chhole bhature by 2 PM at the most. The al dante kind of texture of the chickpeas and the crispness of the fried bhaturas are a delicacy to relish. These are generally ahd for breakfast and thus, are way too cheaper than the other options mentioned in the list. This makes the dish pcoket friendly and thereby, student friendly who have their budget going by each penny. Chhole bhature are so filling and so tasty that there is no reason why they should not be on the top of any Delhiite’s list of favourite food.

July 10, 2014
Why Coffee Is The Elixir Of Life

Coffee is a brewed beverage that is prepared from the roasted seeds of Coffea shrubs. Coffee is served worldwide in various forms. some people like latte, while some prefer the strong Espresso shots. Coffee is a beverage which can be had any time of the day, any time of the year. A hot cuppa coffee while you sit like a cozy puppy in blanket on a winter morning cannot be beaten by anything on this earth. Similarly, having ice chilled cold coffee on a day when Sun has decided to kill us with its scorching heat and show to the entire world that it is so hot, can prove to be a life-saviour. There are numerous kinds of variants available in the market of coffee, ranging from a mild one to one which is so strong that it will just disappear your sleep in the matter of just one cup. Coffee, due to its amorphous nature, is liked by all and there is no dearth of people who are coffee addicts. The strong taste and smell of coffee make it different from all the other beverages. Here are some of the reasons why is coffee is the elixir of life:

1. The Aroma

Though it is true that no two things are alike in this universes and this holds true for everything but only one thing justifies it to the fullest. That thing is none other than coffee. There is nothing like coffee in this world. It is unique in every aspect. The strong smell of coffee is so addictive that whenever anyone passes across a coffee house, the person is bound to intentionally inhale the enigmatic vapour peeping through those glass doors. The smell is so strong and has neutralising qualities which is the reason why people at the malls would offer you to smell some coffee beans in between smelling two different scents. Many surveys tell that the aroma of coffee often serves as a soothing fragrance and is capable of calming the disturbed human mind. So, what are you waiting for? Go. Find that jar of coffee and sniff, sniff!

2. The Taste

Coffee due to the presence of caffeine, is acidic in nature. The acidic strength of coffee is different in mild and strong variants. The mild one feels smooth inside your mouth and its taste lasts longer. Whereas, coffee which is said to be more acidic, gives a tangy flavour. The strong taste of coffee is often compared to the strong taste of citrus fruits as they both have an addictive aroma and a tangy, peculiar taste to them. No aerated beverage like cola, has a flavour that is as addictive as this naturally produced coffee. Due to the availability of so many options, one can choose how strong they want their coffee to taste. The strongest taste of coffee in its most raw form can be had by savouring a cup of hot espresso or black coffee, as it is called in some countries. If the bitterness of an espresso is too harsh for you, you can opt for coffee with different ratio of milk, foam and cream.

3. The Kick

If ever you have played ‘The Sims’, then you would know that whenever your character drinks too much coffee, it starts feeling “buzzed”. The similar is the situation outside that virtual game too. The aroma and the perfect taste, both combine to produce a beverage that is non-alcoholic yet it gives a kick in the head very strongly. The best part of this buzz is that it gives you a certain sense of being high but that is not so strong as that gained by an alcoholic drink and thus, you do not lose your senses after many rounds of coffee. Coffee is capable of giving you the much necessary kick and that too, without any ill and anti-social side effects. Many people claim that the high they get from coffee is a soothing one and it just gives them a sense of happiness from within.

4. The Sleep Deleter

We all have had those nights when we had to stay awake the entire night and complete five assignments in one go. We know that no friend, no notes, nothing of those things could have proved to be of even an iota of help had it not been for coffee. What work can anyone do if one is not awake? Coffee is the ultimate sleep deleter. It just vanishes those lazy moments and gives a strength that no other energy drink can provide. This sleep deleter is a tonic that is very enriching and does not lead to a hangover. A strong cup of coffee keeps the eyes wide open and is enough to burn the midnight oil. The kick, the taste, the aroma, all of these qualities of coffee make it the elixir of life. Coffee is not just a beverage. It is the beverage.

June 24, 2014
4 Reasons Why You Love Samosa

Walk into the nooks and crannies of North India and you will not be able to find a single human being whose lips have not touched the crisp crust and gooey filling of heaven that is in a triangular shape. This lip smacking snack is none other than the humble samosa. We can just wonder why no Indian Neruda has written an ode to it! Samosa is a snack that is made by simple ingredients such as flour, potatoes, peas, salt and other spices. A filling of mashed boiled potatoes is created and spices added to it, in order to give it a flavour to die for. Thin rotis of the kneaded dough are rolled out and the filling goes into it as the dough neatly hugs it from all the sides in the shape of a triangle. This is one snack that everyone loves to have! This delicacy from India has started gaining a fan following overseas too. So much for gluttony! Here, we bring to you the reasons behind this mania for samosas:

1. Easily Available

Go to any part of North India and you are bound to find a person selling samosa. It is one thing which is found in a properly air conditioned and hygienic food chain as well as at a roadside stall. This snack is absolutely omnipotent in nature. It is so easily available that you simply cannot say no to this delicacy. It is said that if you do not like something in the beginning but if you keep on doing that repeatedly, you eventually develop a taste for it and get addicted to it. So, if you are getting a thing at every corner of your city, then how can you ever dislike it? Thus, the samosa available everywhere is one which you just cannot miss. The next time you come across a place with samosas, go grab them.

2. Pocket Friendly

We all love delicious pizzas and sandwiches of high end restaurants and cafes. However, as it is said with great power comes great responsibility. In the similar way, with great food comes great price! But, there is an exception.There is a snack which is so delicious and yet, so cheap. Even in today’s world where a mere cell phone costs a humongous fifty thousand rupees, having something to eat which is so reasonable can just be treated like a blessing from heaven. The humble samosa is available at Rs. 5 to Rs. 10 at some places even today! Ask any college student to name the thing which he/she loves to eat and that person will simply give out two names, Maggi and Samosa! We all know there is a tough fight between the two but given the price for both, you can always be sure that a samosa will never burn a hole in your pocket.

3. Gluttony

As the Bible says, we are sinners and as Satan says, if we are born sinners then we must sin. With the Supernaturals series getting hold of the attention of our generation completely, it is no challenge to guess whose side are we going to choose. Satan, it is! Eating a lot is definitely an inseparable part of your life. Or in fact, to put it in better terms, you do not eat to live, but live to eat or why would you be scanning this website right now! Samosa is a snack that is deep fried and oozes with glistening oil. That definitely does not guarantee a healthy body but the way its palatable nature satiates one’s hunger is beyond the realm of mortals. The unhealthy snacks are the tastiest snacks ever and that is no news to anyone. The same goes for Samosas. This Indian junk food is bound to get you up on your toes to satisfy those desperate pangs of hunger when you just want to eat something really fried and heavy.

4. Avant-garde

If you are a foodie then you must have had experimented with your food and tried erratic combinations that made your not-so-foody (read boring) friends puke and faint at the same time. Samosa is one snack that you can combine with any damn thing on the planet and it would taste just better than before. This avant garde aspect of samosas make them the object of envy for all the other cuisines. One can have a samosa in a simple way with chutney or go one step further and eat it with a gravy based dish made of chickpeas. There are many parts oin India, such as Gujarat and Rajasthan mainly, where the breakfast of samosa and jalebi is the norm. The crispness and spicy flavour of the samosas have the divine soulmate in the form of sweet jalebis. These variants of the simple samosa make it a snack that is meant to be the food of the nation. Nay, food of the world!

June 19, 2014