IT'S a working woman's, correction - EVERY woman's, fantasy.

In it, she herself plays a very little role: someone else does the shopping, a master chef cooks dinner to the specifications, a bearer garnishes and serves and then..she, the royalty, just arrives, sits and enjoys steaming hot yummy food!

Reality isn't this kind - even ordering food takes a phone call and an hour's wait!

Everyone wants to eat well, but time is more expensive than money. But busy days don't necesarily have to mean eating out or takeaway every single day!

All it takes is 30 minutes of your time. And, the food won't be the run-of-the-mill dal-chawal either!

In fact, I have scounged out some delicious recipes culled from cuisines the world over that will take just 30 minutes to put together, but have the taste to make your evening go fantastic!

Photographs: Stock Xchnge

Photographs are for representative purpose only.