Every culture has its own quirks and inexplicably senseless behavior patterns.One such Indian cultural quirk I m always amused by is people’s affinity for dropping in unannounced.In the rest of the world (mostly) this would be regarded as uncivilized or inconsiderate.We Indians have no such worries.
Maybe in the olden days,when typically,people’s source of entertainment stemmed from meeting one another this was acceptable.But today,when everyone has different agendas,different plans for the day,week,month,different work and personal schedules,this can be extremely bothersome.It’s unfortunately ‘normal’ to receive a call at 7pm,just as you leave work,from your husband’s aunt’s friend’s sister-in-law,informing you she is in your neighborhood and would love to ‘drop by’ for a while.Translated,feed me and 4 of my family members dinner tonight.Or,even worse.We are leaving from Bombay right now,we l be staying with you for the next five days………see you in two hours! :/.
Don’t get me wrong,I love entertaining as much as the next person,but it would be very nice if advance notice was tendered!
The first 3 years of married life,we lived 2 hours driving distance away from my hometown,also the abode of my in laws.As a result,in the first three or four months,I spent endless days being at a loss,putting up my hands and taking visitors out to dinner or getting takeaway.As in the case of most newly married couples this obviously put a strain on our finances,and I realized I have to figure out a workable solution.
I ended up devising ways to ensure a full meal,replete with dessert could be ready in under an hour.Most of it is basically intelligent planning and a well stocked pantry.Also,your freezer will become your best friend…..But overall,this is my cheat sheet!
1) Make a generic ‘gravy’ (whatever is your traditional gravy.I m married to a North Indian,so mine’s the onion garlic ginger tomato version) and deep freeze it.If nothing else works,this will save you a great deal of time,guaranteed.This is my recipe.
2) Soak rajma/chhole/other pulses,drain the water,and deep freeze them.Add the aforementioned gravy,pressure cook for 8 to 10 whistles,done.
3) Get your maid/cook to cut two or three extra vegetables every week and deep freeze them.Use them within a couple of weeks.Pre cut veggies SERIOUSLY save time.
4) Always have a decent quantity of ice cream in the fridge.
5) Get your maid to (or yourself to) roll out extra rotis /parathas on a daily basis.Maybe 2 or 3 more than you need each day.Don’t roast them,separate the uncooked,rolled out rotis with butter paper,and place in the freezer in an air tight container.Take them out,thaw them in the microwave,and roast them when needed.
6) Palak paneer is always an acceptable dish,so make palak puree,freeze it.At the last minute,add the gravy,paneer cubes,and cook till the whole thing thaws.
7) Freeze an acceptable quantity of cooked arhar dal,plain.Fry it up with the spices you want at the last minute,so its ‘fresh’.Cuts out the unnecessary cooking time.
8) Learn a few quick time save desserts.Mine are cakes,walnut brownies,(both served with store bought ice cream or custard) or caramel custard out of a packet if I m really rushed.Keep a few cake ready mixes handy if you are unsure of your baking skills.
9) Make a few easy to freeze ‘appetizer’ items when you can spare the time.For example,frozen pre boiled pasta can be quickly drained and turned into a pasta salad or pasta aglio olio in minimum time.Or kothimbir wadi (savoury,steamed coriander cakes) can be quickly fried up.
10) If you or your guests eat meat or chicken,marinate a few pieces of meat and freeze them.Toss them in gravy,or bake them,as your dish demands when the time comes.
I will try to follow-up with ‘time save’ recipes soon…but in the meantime,feel free to share your tips on pulling out quick,no fuss meals with me!
Inretrospect 