An organized kitchen: Part 1

Okay so, I decided to organize my kitchen.While I am typing this and looking at the pictures, I realized that instead of organizing my kitchen, I lock n lock'ized my kitchen. I waited for my fall semester to end so that I can devote my 100% to organizing. And I wanted this to end before my spring semester starts. But, thanks to Lock N Lock, the stuff that I ordered didn't arrive until after Christmas when we were not around. So I didn't get a chance to really organize my kitchen until last week.

DH had a long weekend and that was the perfect time, I realized. And the result:

The pantry:

Problem 1: I buy groceries from store and stack them one above the other in the pantry. Because of this, I don't know about the stuff I have at the bottom. Sometimes, I open a packet (for example, self rising corn meal) and I don't get to use for weeks. The next time I wanted to use it, it is full of food bugs.
Solution: To deal with this, I bought some containers from Lock N Lock. These are clear and air tight containers and are stackable. So I can see what's inside and even after opening a packet, it's fresh every time I want to use it because the containers are air tight.

Problem 2: We have a deep, narrow pantry which makes it difficult for me to keep track of what's been in the back. So I have bought wall pockets and decided to use these 1 for each row in the pantry. What I want to do with these wall pockets is that I would write a list of inventory in each row just so that I don't have to keep checking the stuff I have in the back.

Tip: If you have deep pantry like mine, you can also get one of those pull out drawers which you can pull out to reach the stuff in the back. But these are little but pricey, and hence I thought of the wall pockets; just dedicate one pocket for each row in the pantry and that should help you.

Under the sink:

Problem: I have one word to say - CLUTTER. I have in there - the sink cleaners, Mr.Magic Erasers, dish liquid, dishwasher detergent, swiffer dusters and what not?

Solution: Under sink organizer - I bought this from Bed Bath & Beyond and this is one cute organizer. I was able to store in all the cleaners and the stuff that we had under the sink. I have also bought a kitchen cabinet organizer similar to this to hold all the brushes & scrubbers, and a Plastic bag dispenser to hold all the plastic bags. And it looks so much better in there now.

Tip: Use "Under the sink" storage for short term storage only. You can store one pair of gloves in there and rest of the gloves in a box in long term storage (either in a garage or somewhere else). Store one extra bottle of dishwasher detergent in there and the remaining bottles (I usually get a 6 pack from amazon.com) in long term storage. This makes life a lot easier.

Stay tuned for more pictures in my next post......

A happy baby with Hello Bebe

I have received a few Hello Bebe items through Lock N Lock Supporters program to test. But, even before receiving those items, I was so impressed with these products and hence I ordered a couple of SS Cups and  SS Spoon & Fork Set for my DD and DS. I only bought the SS ones, but they have these containers in melamine (remember those bowls & plates in which they serve you in flights?). To my surprise, my daughter started eating her meals, fruit, yogurt and other snacks as well in these bowls. It seems like she is in love with the design, Little red riding hood story, and characters displayed on the bowls. I used to serve her fruit and snacks in those boring and plain stainless steel containers that I bought from India. She was never interested in eating from those bowls. But the situation is different now. She would beg me to serve more in these containers. Thanks Lock N Lock for making my life easier and happier.

 At first, I didn't dare to buy the bowls as there was no information on the capacity of these bowls. I didn't want to end up with huge/very small bowls than needed. And then, when I received the bowls through the supporters program, they looked cute and are of perfect for my 3 year old. And now, I am thinking of buying another set of bowls for my son too.

 

Tomato, Cilantro Chutney

When I visited my cousin in pittsburgh, she made this chutney to go with dosas. It tasted so good that I literally consumed the entire chutney. And did I tell you that it hardly takes 10 minutes to make this one? Yes, you heard it right. You can use any type of tomatoes to make this chutney, however I found that PLUM tomatoes are the best. My mom makes the same chutney, but she also uses mint leaves along with cilantro. I haven't used mint leaves because I found that they are little bit overwhelming. But, you can make it either ways - with/without mint leaves.

To fry the tomatoes, I have used the LNL vitamin 11 - inch red wok that I received through their supporters program. I found the wok appropriate to fry the tomatoes and the best part is that you can wipe the wok with a paper towel and put the popu in the same wok again. And the coating on this pan is non toxic, so no worries about all those dangers that accompany the non stick pans.

So, now to the recipe:

Ingredients:

For popu/tadka:

Chana Dal - 1 tbsp

Urad dal - 1 tsp

Mustard seeds - 1 tsp

Cumin seeds - 1 tsp

Dry red chillis - 3

Curry leaves

Oil - 1 tbsp

For the chutney:

Tomatoes - 6 ( medium sized plum tomatoes)

Cilantro - 1/2 bunch (Use just the leaves and not stems)

Green chillies - 10 (more/less depending on the spiciness required)

Oil - 1 tbsp

Method:

1.Wash the tomatoes, chop them into big pieces (I have a few cherry tomatoes that I wanted to use. Hence I used a combination of plum and cherry tomatoes).

2. Heat oil in a frying pan. Add the chopped tomatoes, green chillies and fry them on medium flame until the tomatoes are mushy. 

3. Add cilantro and fry them for a couple of minutes.

4. Now, grind this into a paste and take it into a bowl.

5. Heat oil in a frying pan. Put chana dal, mustard seeds, urad dal and cumin seeds and curry leaves. Add this popu to the tomato, cilantro paste and the chutney is ready to be served with dosas/idlis/vadas.

The chutney was so tasty that it didn't last long for me to take a picture.

New friends in the Kitchen

I would like to show you all my new found friends in the kitchen. Drum roll.......

Lock N Lock Air, airless container When they went on sale, I bought a couple of these containers. You put the food in these containers, lock the four sides, lock the clip on the top of the lid and push air out (and you hear a sound when the air is pushed out). It is claimed that this prevents air from reaching the food and it deters the growth of bacteria. It's true, I mean I don't understand all the science behind this, but I am pretty impressed with what this container does. I saved curry leaves, coriander leaves and some mint leaves and they all stayed fresh for about 2 weeks. For the first time (and because of preserving my herbs in these containers), I haven't thrown any of the herbs into the trash bin which is a very good achievement for me. This container also has an arrow mark, which can be rotated to set the date. This gives you an idea on how old the food is, really liked this feature. This way, I don't have to write on the containers using a marker.

Bar Keepers Friend The main reason I bought this is to clean my Cookplus Charming stainless steel cookware that I bought during the Thanksgiving sale from LNL. I should say, that this is one very good product and it definitely does what it says. I was boiling some milk and thanks to my DS, i forgot that the milk was boiling and then a few minutes later, I realized that something was wrong. I went in to see the steel bowl turning to a dark (non stick coating like) thing in it. I applied BKF paste and that's when I was really impressed. I wish I had taken a BEFORE and AFTER picture just to give you an idea. Nevertheless, I would recommend this to all my friends. One thing, you have to be really careful is to wear your gloves while using this product.

KattePongali

Katte pongali is my DHs favorite prasadam at tirupathi. And, he keeps telling me how his aunt would prepare it with lots of ghee. So i wanted to give it a shot. The traditional dish is prepared with rice. However, i wanted to make a healthier version. So i have substituted rice with cracked wheat (and ofcourse very less ghee). I have also added a couple of vegetables and my daughter loves it. Now, the recipe...

Ingredients:

Cracked wheat – 1 Cup

Pesara pappu – ½ cup

Ghee - 1 tbsp

Cumin seeds - 1 tbsp

Miryalu/ black pepper - 1 tsp

Black pepper powder – ½ tsp

French cut beans – 1 cup

Carrots (cut into small pieces)– 1 cup

Green chilies - 3

Ginger – 1 inch

Curry leaves

Salt to taste

Water – 4 ½ cups

Note: The key to this dish is cumin seeds and curry leaves.  

Method: 


1.   Heat ghee in a frying pan. Add the cumin seeds and black pepper corns.

2.   When they turn brown, add green chillies, ginger and the curry leaves.
3.   Now, add the cut beans and carrots. Fry them for a few minutes.

4.   Add the cracked wheat and pesara pappu. Fry these for a couple of minutes.

5.   Add salt and pepper powder. Now add the water and pressure cook for about 7 or 8 whistles. Now, turn the heat to low and cook for about 5 minutes.

Unfortunately, everyone liked it so much so that the entire thing is gone before I got to take a picture...I will definitely post a picture the next time I make this dish. Enjoy it with peanut chutney.

Holiday Special Sale

Lock N Lock has a special sale going on for this holiday season. Some of my favorites are:

Cookplus Charming SS Cookware 13 piece set - $145.90

8 Piece Silby Ceramic Bake & Serve Storage set (white) - $7.99

Silby Ceramic Seasoning 4"(W) 4.7"(H) Seasoning Container 3PSet (Plain Body) - $14.99

Silby Ceramic Dome Style Container 3P Set 6"(1P),7"(1P),8"(1P) (Plain Body) - $17.55

Silby Ceramic Baby Lunch Box Set, Pink - $12.99

Lock&Lock InPlus Wing Big Size Stackable Basket 3-Piece Set (Blue,Pink, Green) - $19.99

Lock&Lock Cookplus Ceramic 4-Pieces Set 05 - $69.99

The sale is on from 12/13 - 12/19. These will definitely make some great gifts. 

24 days until Christmas

And it's giveaway time at Lock N Lock. Make a purchase at Lock N Lock and you will be automatically entered into the sweepstakes. Now, that is one more (very good) reason for me to go back to Lock N Lock again and again.