If you’re a person who loves communicating with emojis, you’d understand the point of this article. Talking through emojis is cute, it’s easier and makes conversations more fun than ever. 

Indian Food Story: This World Emoji Day,it’s all about food for us. And, while we’re loving the existing food emojis, that are creating a stir in the food-verse, we think that the food emojis keyboard needs a touch of India too.

We’re passionate about food; food is an emotion for us, be it happy, sad, angry or all smiles, we bond over food. With a simple Indian emoji, a lot of things can be said without uttering a word- like to ask someone on a date, stir up a nostalgic moment or simply follow a daily ritual.

Here are 12 popular Indian foods that deserve a place on the food emojis keyboard, according to us.

1. Samosa
How amazing it would be to have a samosa on the emoji keyboard? Cute, little triangular pastry stuffed with spicy potatoes is loved by Indians with a spicy mint chutney or a tamarind chutney.

2. Bhel Puri
A little sweet, a little spicy and deliciously crunchy, bhel puri is an utter delight on any given day. Puffed rice, various chutneys, fried sev, onions, tomatoes, peanuts, chana dal and a squeeze of lemon, what’s not to like?

3.Vada Pav
Originated in Maharashtra and Mumbai’s favourite snack, this dish is now lovingly devoured all across India. A perfect Vada Pav is all about having the balance of all things, spicy, sweet, tangy and crunchy.

Read the full List → Indian Food Emoji

Chocolate is a pure indulgence and we, Indians love our sweets way too much. Be it white, milk or dark, each one of us has a favorite.

IFN: Our eyes spark up even at the sight of chocolates, let alone eating them. World Chocolate Day is here and we cannot forget to mention a few of India’s favourites that we couldn’t just do without. Be it a Happy, sad, angry, hopeless, a bite into these chocolates took us to a happier place.

With so many chocolates flooding the market every day, here are chocolates that have won our hearts each time we’ve put them in our mouths and evoked strong nostalgic moments.

1. Munch

• Sweet milk chocolate on the outside and wafer-y biscuit on the inside, Munch has the perfect crunch to it. There’s always a debate as to which one is better- Munch or Perk?

2. Perk

• The blue packaging of Perk is so inviting that even from far off, it’s pretty easy to recognize this one. Not overly sweet, its delicious chocolate flavour is appealing to our taste buds like no other.

3. KitKat

• Nestle’s KitKat is a distinct chocolate that can be savoured in a playful manner. With either a two-stick or a four-stick pack, indulging in a KitKat becomes a joyful experience.

4. 5-Star

• Chocolaty on the outside, chewy on the inside with a caramel centre, 5-Star is a pleasure to eat. The golden wrapper is so attractive that it could bring a twinkle in an adults eyes too, let alone children!

5. Snickers

• Two variations-Peanuts and Almonds, both sound like a tasty and healthy way to start the day! Breakfast bars are popular and Snickers fits the bill on all levels.

Full List → Best Chocolates in India

India’s love for the round, fluffy goodness, idli is not unknown; we love it so much that M Eniyavan, a Chennai based Idli vendor started celebrating World Idli Day on the 30th of March, 3 years ago.

IFN: An auto-driver by profession in Coimbatore, he learned the tricks of the trade from his regular customer, Chandra who was running an Idli batter business out of her house. Eventually, he moved to Chennai and set up an Idli joint and has ever since innovated over 2,000 types of Idlis!

Although he is an 8th grade pass out, he holds an honorary doctorate from an American university for his variations on the humble Idli. How cool is that?

While there are some statistics that say that San Francisco, London and New Jersey are the top Idli ordering cities in the world, Mumbai isn’t far behind in loving the very simple, yet the very delicious, Idli.

From getting it on the streets, very early in the morning to fancy fine dines serving it, idli is truly relished by one and all. That said, there are a few places that are frequently visited for idlis and as a result, have become iconic.

Read the List: Idli Joints in Mumbai

Snacking is inevitable. Be it before lunch or after, pre-dinner snacking moods or post dinner cravings, we all turn to snacks for comfort.

IFN: Most of us choose processed and preserved foods that are are high in salt and fat content that only make us feel good till they’re on the lips but react badly afterwards. Here are some weekend snacks recipes that are not labour-intensive and can be stored for a while to satisfy your snack binges. Happy Weekend!

1. Cheesy Cocktail Samosa
This Cheesy cocktail samosa is the best way to start your weekend tea-time. And, during monsoons, nothing screams more comfort food than chai and samosa.

2. Spicy Shankarpali
We all love and eat the sweet shankapali. Ever tried the spicy one?  Shakkarpara recipe which is so easy to make and so delicious that you won’t be able to stop at one!

3. Thattai Murukku
Thattai is a traditional South Indian snack prepared on the occasion of Diwali or simply to satisfy your snack cravings. This tempting and crunchy snack is made with rice flour and gram flour.

4. Corn Bhel
Bored of eating regular bhel? Then try this delicious Corn Chaat recipe  which is a popular Indian street food chaat made of American Corn, Veggies, and chutney to make your weekends better than ever.

Full List → Easy Recipes for Weekend

Dinner Recipes: Chicken Sukka Recipe

IFN: Who doesn’t love chicken in Dinner. Try the Chicken Sukka Recipe at home & go yumm…

INGREDIENT

• Chicken (Boneless)
• Tomato Puree/Paste
• Onion Paste
• Coriander-Cumin Powder
• Salt to taste
• Coriander Leaves
• Red Chilli Powder
• Ginger-Garlic Paste
• Garam Masala
• Kitchen King Masala

DIRECTIONS

1. Take a big bowl and add pieces of boneless chicken it.
2. Add some coriander-cumin powder and ginger-garlic paste.
3. Put onion paste, tomato puree/paste, red chilli powder and garam masala.
4. Then add some kitchen king masala and salt to taste.
5. Sprinkle some coriander leaves in it.
6. Mix all and stir all ingredients.
7. Take a pan and pour some oil.
8. When it is hot add the dry chicken mixture in the pan.
9. Cook for some time and put on the lid as water starts to release.
10 Give it a stir and then take it out on a plate.
11. Garnish with some coriander leaves.
12. Serve the Chicken Sukka with roti or else a pulao.

Watch Video Recipe → Chicken Sukka Recipe

Snack Recipe: Easy Hummus & Roasted Tomato Bruschetta

IFN: Try the all time favorite easy snack recipe –  Hummus & Roasted Tomato Bruschetta

INGREDIENT

• 1 cup Boiled Chickpeas
• Chickpea’s Boiled Water
• 3 tbsp Tahini Paste
• 2 Garlic Clove
• Lemon Juice
• Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• Salt To Taste
• 10-15 cherry tomatoes
• 1 tbsp Olive Oil
• 2 tbsp Balsamic Vinegar
• Salt to taste
• Black Pepper Powder
• Minced Garlic
• Baguette Bread Slices
• Fresh Parsley

DIRECTIONS

1. For making the hummus, take a blender jar and add boiled chickpeas along with some of its water.
2. Add in the tahini paste, garlic cloves, some lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil and salt to taste.
3. Close the lid and give it a blend in a blender till it achieves a certain consistency.
4. Take a small bowl and add olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, black pepper powder and minced garlic.
5. Give it a stir and keep it aside.
6. Now in a baking tray covered with parchment paper, add chopped cherry tomatoes.
7. Drizzle some of the balsamic-olive oil mix over the chopped tomatoes.
8. Bake them in a pre-heated oven at 180 degree Celsius for about 7-10 minutes.
9. Take few baguette bread slices and spread some hummus over the base of the bread.
10. Then place roasted tomatoes on the bread slices.
11. Garnish with fresh parsley from the top.

Watch Video Recipe → Roasted Tomato Bruschetta Recipe

Lunch Recipes: Achaari Dal Khichdi

IFN: Try our Achaari Dal Khichdi:  Lunch Recipe

INGREDIENTS

• Cooked Rice
• Tomato
• Cooked Tur Dal
• Ghee
• Curry Leaves
• Mango Pickle Paste
• Coriander
• Hing
• Ginger
• Red Chilli
• Garlic
• Green Chilli
• Cumin Seeds
• Water as required
• Salt to taste

DIRECTIONS

1. In a pan. put some ghee and then add cumin seeds. Let the cumin cook a bit.
2. Then add garlic cloves, ginger chopped and chopped green chilli.
3. Put dry red chilli pieces, few curry leaves and tomato chopped.
4. Pour in cooked tur dal. Stir it together.
5. Add some water as required.
6. Then add a bowl of cooked rice. Put little of hing.
7. Add paste of mango pickle. Mix it nicely.
8. Put pinch of salt to taste.
9. Garnish with some coriander leaves.
10. Ready to Serve.

Watch Video Recipe → Achaari Dal Khichdi Recipe

South Indian Pudina Chutney: Mint Thogayal/Pudina Thuvayal

Indian Food Recipes: Try these superb South Indian Pudina Chutney.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 tbsp Oil
• 1 inch Whole Asafoetida
• 3 cups Mint Leaves
• 3-4 Dried Red Chillies
• 1 ½ tbsp Urad Dal
• Salt
• Small piece Tamarind

DIRECTIONS

1. Take a pan and heat some oil.
2. Add some whole asafoetida (hing piece) in the oil.
3. Cook it till it swells up and then put urad dal in the pan.
4. Fry the dal till it turns golden brown in colour.
5. Add few dried red chillies in order to add a spicy taste to the chutney.
6. Cook and stir. Then add a bowl of mint leaves.
7. Mix all of these together and add some salt to taste along with a small piece of tamarind.
8. When the cooked ingredients are cool add them to a mixer jar and grind them.
9. Pour few spoons of water with teaspoon measurement.
10. Grind it for a final time.
11. The chutney is ready to serve.

Video Recipe → Pudina Thuvayal Recipe

 

Shravan, a fasting period, is a religious practice observed by the Hindus and interestingly, it has a lot to do good health and the and the search for Vrat recipes begins.

Indian Food Blogs: During this period, either people gain a lot of weight, eating all the yummy food that is rich and high on calories or they loose weight following the Saatvik diet. But, most of us tend to fast for all the delicious food one can eat during that period.

Here are 50 Vrat recipes that are perfect to celebrate the holy month of Shravan that you can indulge in.

1. Sabudana Khichdi
During the fasting season, Sabudana khichdi is one of the favourite Vrat recipes that people love to gorge on.

2. Ghugni
Who says Bengalis don’t make vegetarian food? This recipe bursts this myth, bringing you the famous Kolkata street food, Ghugni. Enjoy making it and relishing it later, this Shravan.

3. Sabudana Kheer
The most relished food item during the fasting month of Shravan is the Sabudana Kheer which is one of the super easy Vrat recipes to make!

4. Sitaphal Basundi
Basundi is the perfect way to end a meal when you’re fasting. During Shravan, it is one of the Vrat recipes that satisfies sweet cravings like no other.

5. Coconut Laddoo
These toasted and roasted coconut laddoos, packed with dry fruits, which sounds like a good way to start off the day. If you’re looking for Vrat recipes that’ll keep you full, look no further.

Full List → Shravan Recipes