Zomato's Platform Fee Hike Makes Food Delivery More Expensive
In a significant move impacting millions of users across India, food delivery giant Zomato has substantially increased its platform fee. The fee has been revised from Rs 2.40 to Rs 14.90 per order on a pre-GST basis, up from the previous Rs 12.50. This change has been implemented uniformly across all markets where Zomato operates, marking a notable spike that is expected to discourage frequent online ordering.
For many busy professionals and families, this hike means re-evaluating their dining habits. As ordering food becomes costlier, there is a growing interest in quick, homemade dinner solutions that don't compromise on nutrition or taste.
Seven Quick and Easy Dinner Recipes Under 20 Minutes
Here are seven delicious dinner options that can be prepared in less than 20 minutes, perfect for those hectic weeknights when time is scarce but a wholesome meal is essential.
1. Vegetable Besan Cheela
This nutrient-rich dinner is incredibly simple to make. Prepare a batter of pouring consistency using besan (gram flour), curd, and finely chopped vegetables such as onion, beans, carrot, and capsicum. Season with salt, turmeric, and pepper. Pour the batter onto a preheated tawa, cook with a little oil or ghee, and serve hot with ketchup or chutney.
2. Masala Egg Bhurji with Roti
A high-protein meal that's both satisfying and quick. Sauté onion in butter or ghee, add tomato chunks, then break two eggs into the mixture. Season with salt and pepper, and cook until the eggs are evenly done. Garnish with fresh coriander leaves. Simultaneously, knead wheat flour dough, roll out rotis, and cook on a tawa. Serve the bhurji with hot rotis.
3. Curd Rice with Tempering
This South Indian comfort dish is ideal for a light yet fulfilling dinner. Combine curd with leftover rice. Prepare a tempering by heating oil and adding mustard seeds, curry leaves, and peanuts. Pour this over the curd-rice mixture. You can also add chopped onion and cucumber for extra crunch. Mix well, season with salt and pepper, and enjoy.
4. Paneer and Veggies Fry with Samak Rice
Another protein-packed option that's easy to assemble. Cook samak rice in water with salt until fully done. In a separate pan, sauté vegetables like carrot, beans, corn, and capsicum in oil along with peanuts and paneer cubes. Serve this flavorful fry alongside the rice for a nourishing dinner.
5. Jeera Rice and Dal Tadka
A classic combination that's both simple and hearty. For jeera rice, create a tempering of cumin seeds in ghee, add washed rice and water, and cook until the water is absorbed. For dal tadka, pressure cook dal with turmeric and salt for two whistles, then add a tempering of hing, cumin, and ghee. Serve together with a side of pickle.
6. Vegetable Upma
A comforting one-pot dish that's perfect for busy evenings. Cook chopped vegetables such as onion, tomato, beans, capsicum, and carrot in a tempering of oil, mustard seeds, curry leaves, and peanuts. Add sooji (semolina), salt, pepper, and water. Once the water is absorbed, garnish with coriander leaves and serve hot.
7. Quick Pasta with Veggies
An international twist that's ready in minutes. Boil pasta according to package instructions. In a pan, sauté garlic and mixed vegetables like bell peppers and zucchini in olive oil. Toss the cooked pasta with the veggies, add a splash of pasta sauce or cream, season with herbs, and serve immediately.
These recipes not only save time but also help manage food expenses better in light of rising delivery costs. Embracing such quick homemade meals can lead to healthier eating habits and significant savings over time.
