Chole (Garbanzo Beans curry)
This recipe was in response to an American co-worker’s request for a “curry” recipe. I have structured it to utilize commonly available produce.
Ingredients
- Garbanzo beans, 1 15 oz. can
- Tomatoes, pureed (2 cups/ 16oz)
- Red or yellow onion, finely diced 2 cups
- Grated ginger 1 tbsp
- Grated/crushed garlic 1 tsp
- Green chillies, grated 1/4 tsp (or to taste)
- Cilantro, chopped 2 tbsps
- Lime juice 1 tsp
- Vegetable oil, 3 tbsp
- Salt to taste
- Water 1.5 cups
Spices
- Cumin seeds, 2 tsp
- Garam masala or chana masala 2 tsp
- Turmeric 1/2 tsp
Procedure:
1. Heat the oil in a heavy bottomed pan. Once oil is hot add the cumin seeds. Cumin seeds will turn dark brown. Reduce the heat
2. Add onions and saute for 10 mins. Stir frequently to prevent burning. Onions should brown.
3. Add the ginger, garlic, chilli pastes and the chopped cilantro. Saute for 1 min till spice mixture is blended.
4. Add the pureed tomato and the garam masala and let it simmer for 15 mins on medium low. (Have the exhaust on 
)
5. Add the rinsed garbanzo beans and water, cover the pan and let it simmer for 30 minutes.
6. Add the salt and lime juice.
This can be eaten with bread, naans, tortillas, basmati rice.
Many more spices can also be added such as amchur (dried mango powder), coriander powder, cumin powder, dried methi (fenugreek) leaves.
Daily dishwashing in less than 10 minutes
For those of us that have to unload and load dishwashers on a daily basis, wanted to discuss how to minimize the time taken to do so. It takes me a maximum of 10 minutes on a daily basis to unload/load the dishwasher. Here are my tips:
Use implements that make organizing of utensils easier:
- Mug/cup stand (for example, Amazon.com: Pomerantz Oak Mug Tree: Home & Garden)
- Utensil jar for spatulas etc.. (for example Amazon.com: BIA Cordon Bleu 64-Ounce Utensil Crock, White: Home & Garden)
- Organizer for spoons, kinves and forks (for example,Amazon.com: BAMBOO cutlery SILVERWARE sectioned utensil TRAY kitchen drawer organizer: Home & Garden)
- Shelving unit for plates (for example, Amazon.com: 2 Shelf Cabinet Organizer (White) (8 1/2″H x 17 1/4″L x 8 1/2″W): Home & Garden)
- Pot lid organizer ( for example, http://www.amazon.com/Grayline-Cabinet-Dorr-Lid-Rack/dp/B002HRJPC8/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1256523890&sr=1-2)
When loading the dishwasher, arrange utensils in the dishwasher so that similar ones are closer to each other. For example, keep the cups closer to each other, saucers close each other.
When unloading, pick out similar objects that that go in the same region in the kitchen so in each unload step you are tackling multiples of similar objects.
I had posted this earlier on a forum and figured that I should also add it to my blog.
How to clean the kitchen counter in less than 5 minutes
Basic assumption here is that you have the bare minimum on the kitchen counter (less than 10 items on all the countertop sections in the kitchen):
1. Remove post-cooking debris
Use half a paper towel or cloth to clean the countertop of any food, peels that are the byproducts of a cooking session or a day of use.
2. Scrub
Put a couple of drops of dishwashing soap on a scrubber and dampen it. Scrub the countertop.
3. Wipe
Use the papertowel/s to wipe the countertop clean.
How to clean a room (bedroom/ sitting room) in less than 30 minutes
[1] Pick a room you want to clean.
[2] Clear the space so as to put things back into the space they belong. For example dishes/cups will go into the sink. Clothes strewn aroun will go into the laundary basket/bucket.
[3] Start dusting at the top depending on what all you want to clean.(Dust the fan, Furniture)
At the end of this stage the dust will settle on the floor
[4] Clean the floor. (The tasks for this will vary depending on the type of flooring)
Rounding in on housekeeping tasks
The first step to rounding in on a housekeeping routine is to identify the tasks and the frequency at which they need to be performed
On a piece of paper, write down the following
[1] How would I like my house to look?
[2] What activities would need to be done to achieve that level of organization?
[3] How frequently do the tasks outlined in [2] need to be done?
This will help you identify the tasks and frequency. Post it at a visible place like the refrigerator.`
You can either set aside a chunk of time over the weekend to do the major tasks or spread it over the week.
Principles of housekeeping
It is amazing how life changes with the arrival of a child. Things we took for granted are at a premium. Sleep, enjoying quiet time with the spouse. In all this housekeeping seems to take a backseat. However the house also needs caring
I have rounded in on the following principles of general home maintenance based on my experience as a working mother.
- Every region should have a purpose. Be consistent in assigning a region to similar objects.
- Items should be assigned locations based on frequency of use. Most used items should occupy more accessible storage space.
- Spend a few minutes (10 minutes should be sufficient) putting things back into their regions.
- Use transparent containers for storing whenever possible. It makes it easy to locate things.
- Keep the kitchen counter clean. I have a cloth that I soak into soapy water and wipe on the counter tops and let it sit for a few minutes and then wipe it clean.
- Resist buying small items that will contribute to clutter and maintainence overhead. Maintianining a clutter-free and hygenic environment comes first.
- Always keep maintainability in mind while making a purchase.
