An evening in the life of a pseudo housewife

         Its 6:30 p.m. and I have just reached home. I read the newspaper for 10 minutes, munching potato chips and watching an IPL match at the same time. Once I am well-fed, I look around - that the house is a total mess would be an understatement. Broom in hand, I sweep the entire house talking on the phone.. Its actually a good idea. You don't realize how quickly you have finished ;) This was easy. The next chore is something I abhor with all my heart - Washing clothes :( :(  More so, since the washing machine is not working. Yet, it has to be done today. The easy part is done in a trice - soaking the clothes. I need to move on to something else before I can wash these. I earnestly pray that by some stroke of luck, they end up washed (and dried?!) when I see them next. Sighs.

       Dinner has to be done. I tried a new dish and totally enjoyed it. These days I love cooking (only dinner - don't ask what I plan to do for the remaining meals). I can't wait to have my own cute li'l kitchen with new utensils and cook all my inventions in them :D If my parents ever knew I nursed such a 'homely' dream, they would go about fulfilling it with such a frenzy I cannot even describe !! Ahaa, dinner was roti and aloo gobi (cauliflower & potatoes). Very basic but a first attempt for me (the sabji of course). My colleagues taught me the nuances of this dish patiently so I am going to describe in great detail with great gusto .. stay with me. 

The all important ingredients (serves two)

2 small tomatoes

2 small potatoes

1/4 of a small cauliflower

1 big onion

2 green chillies

Corriander leaves for garnishing

Masalas - Chat masala, garam masala, biriyani masala (basically anything you want to add)

Jeera, Mustard, Ginger garlic paste, Oil, Salt

This is how its done, or rather how I did it

Chop the onion (thin and long) and washed tomatoes (also long). Peel the potatoes and cut them into medium sized cubes. Wash the cauliflower a couple of times and cut them into florets. Chop the chillies into small fine pieces. Soak the potatoes and cauliflower in water and keep aside.

Add a little oil (how little? - well about 2 tbspoons) in your kadai. 

Heat oil for a minute and then throw in the jeera and mustard. 

Once mustard starts to splutter, throw in the cut onions. When it turns golden brown add a spoonful of ginger garlic paste. Stir well and add the tomatoes. Keep stirring until tomato puree is made - when the onion and tomatoes have blended well. This would take about 5 minutes.  

Oh, I nearly forgot, do add the chillies here :) You need to stir continuously, otherwise you will end up with a burnt puree. 

Now add the soaked potatoes and cauliflower. Pour water ( you may pour the water used for soaking the vegs earlier - I've heard it adds to the taste ) such that the vegetables are nearly immersed (gosh - I need to read up on proper culinary language) and stir a little. 

I added the masalas and salt at this juncture - Chaat masala, garam masala & biriyani masala. I didn't add haldi powder as I didn't want it yellow. You may do so of course. I stirred lightly and closed the kadai allowing it to cook. 

While it was cooking, I kneaded the dough, ready to be made into rotis. I love the smell of dough .. I have always loved it for as long as I can remember. Funny isn't it ! 

After 10 minutes, open the lid and check .. stir a little, taste a little, check for a yummy smell .. you get it :)

Simple test to check whether it is done - Try to cut the potato pieces with your ladle. If it is still hard, some more cooking - maybe on a higher flame for faster results. I cooked for 5 -7 more minutes and it was DONE !! Only half an hour and ready to be eaten .. The acid test as I called it had to be carried out and the guinea pig (as my aunt aptfully described) was my dad. Experience and every history book states that dads will eat anything prepared by daughters. History repeated! Dad praised it no end and polished it off. What was new was dad took 2 more helpings and ate extra. Bonus ain't it ?! ;) I wish I had a picture of my creation. Point noted for next time. Chef was very very happy. 

    They say happiness is short-lived. You bet mine was. All the smiles disappeared when I saw the soaked clothes in the bathroom. Controlling my urge to cry and tear the clothes apart, I washed them quickly and put them out to dry. I then ironed my clothes and washed the dishes lying the kitchen (this I enjoy doing). I would gladly wash dishes any day rather than cook 3 meals !! After all this back-breaking work, I put up my feet and watched Kolkata Knight Riders get thrashed yet again in the IPL tournament, this time by the Delhi boys! IPL is seriously good timepass. 

    I realized, not for the first time though, as I was calling it a day that being a housewife is no child's play. Can't wait for mom to return :) Sleep and dreamland calling ... Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz !