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Kitchen Tidbits

Basic Essentials for easy Indian cooking-Part 1

Posted on June 6, 2017August 30, 2017

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If you are  an expert or experienced  you may find this post lame. 🙂 Because this is about very basic essential one would need to make cooking easier.

So, let me put it straight. Cooking is  easy! But, it will never be easy if you don’t have the right essentials  for it.  Resulting extra work, more time consumption and eventually bad result.

Along with right essentials, Pre-prep works makes cooking easier again. Also, whenever you see an interesting recipe, the measurements might confuse you. Ranging from having doubts like, ” does the size of bowl they have taken and  we take would be the same?? ” Teaspoon and Tablespoon diffetence ” , Which cup to measure water etc.

With this series of  essentials, I’m trying my best to put things that I use in my everyday cooking and the measurements that I use for the recipes.

Measuring cups/Spoons:

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Very basic yet essential for anyone. It’s not meant only for those who bake. 😉 I have seen people who find it a shame to say they use measuring cups/spoons while cooking.But, let me tell you they are life savers! 😀

It will help you figure out how much rice can be served in 1 cup and when you want double next time, you just need to take it twice.

I also figured out ,Wheat flour taken in my 250 ml big cup gives about 4-5 chapatis. 😉

These are easily available in the market now, if you cant find it as a set you may find the 250 ml cup with all the rest of the markings.

Grater:

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Another  essential, which is available in various sizes, shapes and forms. choose the basic one and later move for a different one if you feel the need.

This one of mine , has a combination of three types of grating and one slicer. Another life saver for grating carrots, potatoes,onions etc.

Motor and Pestle:

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You must be wondering why to waste time when you have a mixie! LOL! Let me tell you, this good old guy is a great companion in many ways.

when you want to crush your garlic, ginger-garlic, Green chilli-coconut for thoran, pound masala and so on. I would certainly not waste my time in using a mixie, then washing it and above all for small quantity this is  the best.

Go for marble ones, which are sturdy or the stone. Make sure to buy heavy and sturdy ones which is of medium size.

Knife, Tablespoon, Teaspoon:

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Knife of course an essential, 😉 invest in a good knife to avoid time wastage.

A basic teaspoon and tablespoon for all powders , oil , water  while referring any recipe.

Normally  2 teaspoon( the small one ,here) =1 Tablespoon

Chopper:

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No, I wouldnt recommend to buy an electric chopper. Firstly, because it is costly and second because what if power fails?? 😛

Go for a basic one, this one is from tupperware. But you could also get from other brands like pigeon, prestige or even other brands from any  store.

So, this guy helps to chop the onions fast without any pain( and not, even a drop of tear!) :p so, for any recipe which calls for chopped , finely chopped onions, this is it. 😀 You can also chop ginger, garlic, tomatoes etc and not just chop, fine paste form on further chopping .

Strainer:

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keep a medium size strainer separate for your coconut milk , tomato puree etc. Opt for medium one to  a small one.

Peeler:

Last but not the least, a good peeler to peel all your potatoes, beetroots, mangoes, bottle gourd/ridge gourd skin .

Find the one that suits your need , as its available in various shapes and forms. Mine is similar to a  knife .

 

Until next time, happy cooking!

Lekshmi

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