Packing the perfect long flight carry on bags

On By wendytrivediIn TravelLeave a comment

IMG_3931

Whether you are flying domestically or half way across the world, there are many things that you may need on the flight itself, or in the unlikely case that your bags are delayed for any reason.  I have put together a comprehensive list for my upcoming trip to India and Dubai.  I will carry a large tote bag as my personal item with my small cross body purse tucked inside, and have a hard case roller board carry on suitcase.  Because I love to travel, and half the fun is planning for it, this is the fun part!  I will  put the things I will use on the flight itself in the tote with easy access under the seat in front of me, and the rest in the rolling carryon overhead. Here is how I am envisioning the packing. I plan to separate the categories below in either smaller pouches or mesh packing bags to make them easier to find in the carry ons.

Tote bag Items:

Sanitizing items

  • Hand sanitizer, Wet Ones sanitizing wipes

Tech/Entertainment/work

  • Reading/computer glasses, laptop depending on room either in the tote or larger suitcase, iPad,- pre loaded with movies,  iPhone, chargers for laptop and iphone/ipad, noise cancelling headphones, eye shade headphones, and a headphone splitter

Snacks/Drinks

  • empty collapsable water bottle, individually packaged almonds or nuts, protein bars or granola bars, Gum, mints, ginger candy, and herbal tea sachets

Items in my small cross body purse tucked in the tote

  • Pen, Large travel wallet with passport, boarding passes, Id’s and credit cards, cash, extra hand cream and lip balm.

Medicine pouch

  • Full bottles of Prescription medication, Smaller quantities of Tylenol and or Advil, drowsy and non drowsy dramamine, anti diarrhea /anti constipation pills, tumms or other heartburn medicine, and several packages of Emergen-C

Comfort items

  • Pashmina or other large scarf that can double as an extra blanket, neck pillow, Eyeshades (which are also listed under tech since mine have blue tooth headphones sewn in.) compression socks and soft washable fabric slippers, roll on essential oil mix

Toiletries

  • Cleansing wipes, toothbrush and small travel size toothpaste, chapstick or lip balm, small travel brush, hair ties, a clear moisturizing mask,  Hand cream, small decanted sizes of toner, serum, and facial moisturizer,

Larger overhead carryon Items:

  • Change of clothes including two tee shirts, and an extra pair of comfy pants or leggings and one other full change of clothes, three extra pairs of underwear, and one bra, essentials only cosmetics bag,  Sunglasses, small dry shampoo, small hairspray, book, travel umbrella, camera, camera stabilizing/ tripod/ selfie stick, underarm or body cleansing wipes, universal electrical adapter or separate adapters for the counties you are traveling to, a few extra quart bags in case you need to separate any liquids,

IMG_4256

 

Because we are traveling half way across the world, my goal is to have all the essential things with me at all times, and to be able to get through a few days if needed without my luggage.  I plan on changing clothes in Dubai after our first leg of the journey so that I will arrive in India feeling a bit fresher.  Some travel clubs even have showers, where you can totally freshen up during your layover.

There are a couple things in my list that you may feel are a bit overkill, but let me explain the reasons behind them.  Sanitary items for example, I plan on wiping down each plane seat area thoroughly.  Did you know that studies have found more germs at the seat itself on the tray table, front seat pocket and armrests than in the bathrooms?  Gross- and with all the recycled air to boot, I am going to do everything I can to avoid arriving sick.  I will also try to have a few doses of Emergency-C for this reason as well.

Face cleansing wipes and moisturizer and even a clear travel mask?  Washing our face and brushing our teeth at night are standard.  There is no reason not to follow your routine on an overnight flight.   As for the moisturizer, there can’t be enough on these long flights.  Not only should you stay hydrated by drinking lots of water and herbal tea (pass on the dehydrating alcohol) but the more you moisturize before getting on the plane and while you are on it the better you will feel when you land.  Ask the flight attendant for hot water when they pass by, and pop in your favorite herbal tea.  Sleepy time tea before trying to sleep anyone?

Medicine, why would I pack so much?  I have had a horrible headache on a plane before, and flight attendants are legally unable to give you any pain reliever as I was told.  Now I always prepare for the unexpected.  Same goes for the digestive issues.  I may only pack a few packages or blister packs of each in the carry on, and the rest in the suitcase depending on bulk.  Why drowsy and non drowsy dramamine? They serve a dual purpose, the drowsy one I will take before its time to sleep, and it knocks me right out.  The other is in case I do get a little motion sick.  Ginger candy is great for motion sickness or general nausea also, which is why I always buy a package before traveling.  I used ginger candy in the first trimester of pregnancy to help with my horrible morning sickness, and it would take the edge off the nausea.  Essential oil roll on mix?  There are several blends, and its time for me to replenish my stock.  I had a great one for headaches that I had in my travel kit before, and not only did I use it for headaches, but just as much to change the smell around me.  You know when you get stuck next to that passenger?  The essential oil can be dabbed under your nose, and rubbed into your palms to breathe in deeply.  I am going to look for a relaxing sleep version for this trip as I hope to sleep to make up for the lost night due to travel.

Extra socks and slippers?  Yes! make yourself as comfy as possible for this long flight, when settling in, take off your shoes and put on your slippers.  I like the washable ones, so I can go to the bathroom in them as well.  Just make sure when you take them off you put them in a plastic bag so they don’t rub up against other things.  Wash when you get to your destination and  or when you get home.  As long as they are separated and have a little bit of a sole on them, its a much better alternative to traipsing around the dirty airplane in just socks- and trust me the last thing that you want is to put on your shoes mid flight!  Compression socks, aren’t they overkill?  No, while its unlikely that you will develop a blood clot, the risk increases the longer the flight, and you will arrive without the typical swollen feet and ankles.  Keep them in your carry on, and put them on when you get in the plane, then put your cosy slippers on top.  If your standard issued thin blanket is not enough or not big enough to keep you warm while you snooze, cover up with that pashmina or large scarf. Don’t you love a double duty item?  Extra points if it is part of your travel style.

Headphone eyeshades?  Yup!  Love them, and I use them at night sometimes when I am having trouble sleeping.  The earphones are flat, and the eye shade helps keep it dark.  I will put on an audiobook that I have heard before so its not terribly interesting and I am back to sleep in minutes.  I’m excited to use them on the airplane now because sometimes earbuds can become uncomfortable, and the bigger over ear headphone can make it difficult to sleep.  Speaking of sleep, which most of the time is advisable depending on your time zone planning, a good neck pillow helps also.  I plan to try out a new memory foam pillow which is getting rave reviews, and I will do a follow up on how it works along with how everything I am packing worked out.

This has been a rather long blog entry, so I will leave it here for today, but check back.  I plan on doing a travel wardrobe capsule, travel outfits and reviews and updates.  If you have any other travel tips that have been useful to you on long flights please comment below.IMG_4868

Bon Voyage

Glamban Camping

On By wendytrivediIn lifestyle prep, RecipesLeave a comment

Urban Camping according to urban dictionary.com is

“setting up camp in an urban location, be it a rooftop, a derelict building, a doorway or other urban space.  

So I guess my definition should really be Glamban Camping, making it the urban equivalent to  “Glamping” (glam camping).

Out door camping has never held much allure for me, why go to the bathroom in the woods when there is a perfectly good bathroom in your home or a hotel?  Why deal with mosquitos when you can open a screened window or turn on the a/c?  I know that many will disagree with me, citing how wonderful it is to be one with nature and all that.  Good for you!  And i mean that with no disrespect at all, I admire your willingness to endure minor annoyances in order to be outside and close with nature.  And that you find something so magical in it that its worth it.  In all honesty its just something that I don’t understand and can’t relate to.  I would love to go for a long hike outside, but then at dusk when the bugs and bats come out, and its hard to see any snakes or other animals about, I prefer to cosy up in my own bed or a hotel room.  Hence my version of Glamban Camping.

So on a recent weekend away with my husband, i packed the car for a fun weekend of Glamban Camping, and here is what I packed for food.  In future posts I will go over travel essentials, what to have in your overnight/ weekend bags/ checklists for travel etcetera.  However as far as food,  maybe there will be something in this list that will appeal to you for your next weekend away.  Because we were driving, it was easy to pack this much, but in a future post I will show what I would bring for a weekend of travel by air.  I have a large cooler that has a detachable roller base, and put all the perishable items in this, and upon arriving in the hotel room unpacked them into the fridge.

 

Mini Portable espresso maker

Ground coffee

half and half

12 pack of carbonated water, (along with a large bottle each 1.5 liters)

2 bottles of prosecco and one bottle of wine

2 champagne glasses

corkscrew

Carrot sticks

Hummus

goat cheese

Brie cheese

French bread

proscuitto

turkey slices

crackers

strawberries

4 instant oatmeal cups.

Bananas

A bag of dark chocolate truffles

napkins

plastic cutlery

paper plates

 

Why did I bother to pack all of this?  Well, we arrived about 9 pm to the hotel, and I met my husband after he was at a trade convention for the week, and I had driven about 2 and half hours to get to him.  I knew we would be exhausted.  So when we arrived at the hotel all we wanted to do was relax and not have to go out to find a restaurant for dinner or make any more effort than we needed to!  I was able to give him a glass of prosecco and make a really nice sandwich for him, with some carrot sticks and humus on the side.  And we finished it off with a couple of dark chocolate truffles before collapsing into a deep sleep.  Why was this better than just going out to dinner? Well we were able to eat right away and not wait for room service, and also saved a lot of money by having bought things at the supermarket instead of ordering from a restaurant.

Ok, so let me preface the next part by saying that nothing makes me happier than a good cup of coffee in the morning, and I can be a bit of a coffee snob- there, I admit it. The next morning, I made a couple cups of espresso each, complete with fresh half and half for me.  This, served in the mugs from the hotel saved us from the generic hotel coffee, and let us each have as much as we wanted without having to order room service or find a local Starbucks for our second cup.  In the microwave I heated up water for our oatmeal, again having a healthier breakfast and not paying for a breakfast out. (I could have heated up water in the coffee maker from the hotel if there was not microwave.)

All the while we were drinking our preferred brand of sparkling water, and relaxing!  We were able to have a really luxurious weekend with lots of good food, and save a lot just by some simple planning.  And nothing went to waste, whatever we didn’t have over the weekend, I put back in the cooler and just brought home to eat the next week.

portable coffee bar
The basics

So next time you are away for business or just for the weekend, a little planning can not only save you a lot of time and money, but also make your day a little happier with some of your favorite things.

Please comment below with any of your thoughts or ideas for other items or things to include on a romantic hotel weekend away.

Still trying to figure out hyperlinks, but I found a similar coffee maker here

Delonghi EMK6 Alicia Electric Moka Espresso Coffee Maker

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00009W5F0/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_98cCCbHX4JNB3

 

 

Okra that isn’t slimy !

On By wendytrivediIn indian food, RecipesLeave a comment

IMG_3501You hate Okra because of the texture?  You have to try this Indian spiced okra that is served dry.  No sliminess at all!

Ingredients

  • Okra (however much you will eat, or more for leftovers)
  • 1 tsp Vegetable Oil
  • 1/4 tsp or to taste Hot red Chili powder
  • 1/4 tsp Turmeric
  • 1 tsp Cumin seeds
  • dash of Asafetida
  • 1 tsp or to taste Salt
  • 2 tsp Coriander powder
  • Optional- 1 tbsp Besan or Chick Pea flour if you have it

Use frozen or fresh okra, if fresh, wash and then let them dry thoroughly before cutting to avoid the sticky sap spreading. Slice across from top to bottom making little circles and put aside.

 

IMG_3507

In a large pan, heat 1 tsp of oil over medium heat.  Once one cumin seed dances and sizzles the oil is ready- add the rest of the cumin and stir for 30 seconds into the oil.  Add your asafetida and Turmeric.  Add the okra, red chili powder and cumin.

IMG_3518

Stir once or twice and then cover for about 2-3 minutes. Keep checking it to make sure that its not burning on the bottom, you may want to lower the heat, but try not to stir because all that sticky sap will make it hard to stir.

After the okra has softened about 3 minutes over medium heat, uncover and keep cooking until the sap dissipates and the okra seems to be a bit dry.

Now add the salt and besan if using and stir for another minute.

IMG_3520

Take off the heat and enjoy!  I often serve this with some rotis and rice for a healthy lunch.  Would go well with beer or a Savignon Blanc if you are having this for dinner.

Weight Loss Indian Cabbage

On By wendytrivediIn Diet Food, indian foodLeave a comment

When you have had a few too many good meals, and your clothes are a bit tight, this is the perfect thing to eat.  0 points on Weight Watchers, and only one teaspoon of oil, this is filling and full of fiber also.  Nothing like cabbage to clean you out!

Ingredients:

  • Red or Green Cabbage
  • Oil
  • 1 tsp Cumin Seeds
  • Dash of Asafetida
  • 1/4 tsp Turmeric
  • 1/2 tsp Salt
  • 1/4 CWater

Shred the cabbage finely, I use a mandolin to make this easy.  If you are using a knife, cut as thinly as possible.

IMG_3551

Heat one teaspoon of oil in a large pan over medium heat.  Once a cumin seed starts to dance in the hot oil, it is ready.  Add cumin seeds and stir for 30 seconds into the oil.  Now a dash of Asafetida.  Add the turmeric and mix together.  Add the shredded cabbage, and add about 1/2 tsp salt.  Mix the cabbage thoroughly, and add the water if its not mixing well.  It will seem like a lot of cabbage, but it cooks down quite a bit.

IMG_3555IMG_3560

Cover and let cook for about 5 minutes, checking occasionally to make sure its steaming and not burning at the bottom. (Another reason I like to add water.) After about  5 minutes, or when the cabbage starts to wilt, uncover and mix again.  I like to continue to cook it on medium heat for another minute or two until the water evaporates and its a little dry.  Remove from heat and serve with Roti and Rice, or even alone if you want.  It has a sweet, nutty sort of flavor that makes it really satisfying, and fills you up!

IMG_3563

 

Summer Tomato Salad

On By wendytrivediIn SaladsLeave a comment

 

IMG_3575Possibly one of the easiest, but most loved side dishes or appetizer.  The tomatoes are the star, so make sure you have juicy ripe red tomatoes.  Get them at a local farm stand in the summer, or if you get them at the supermarket at least let them get nice and ripe at home by keeping them out for a couple days.  (One tip, never put tomatoes in the refrigerator as they will get hard and mealy.  Always keep them on the counter or on a windowsill so they keep their texture!)

Ingredients

  • Fresh tomatoes- approximately one to two per person depending on size
  • Fresh Mozzarella Cheese
  • Basil
  • Salt
  • Pepper
  • Good olive oil
  • Balsamic Vinegar
  • Optional- I always use Knorr herb seasoning instead of salt.

 

Cut tomatoes from bottom to top in circles, lay on a platter.  Put cheese on top of the tomatoes. I like to rip up the mozzarella so that each slice of tomato gets its own cheese.

Chiffonade the basil.  This means stack the basil leaves on top of each other, roll them up, and using a sharp knife that is not serrated, slice strips of the rolled up basil. (A serrated knife will rip the basil and bruise it.)  The reason for doing this is to keep the basil from brushing and browning.  Also this way you can spread the taste of the basil thought the dish.  Big leaves are harder to deal with, and not every bite will have a basil flavor.

Now use that pepper mill and generously pepper the tomatoes, basil and mozzarella.  Add some salt or other seasoning (like the Knorr).  Drizzle over the good olive oil, and top with some drizzled balsamic vinegar for the crowning touch.

Easy, Summery and happy! Enjoy with a glass of prosecco, white or red wine or beer depending on what you are serving with it!

Mango Fish Tacos

On By wendytrivediIn MexicanLeave a comment

When you see the perfect mangos, pick them up and make this amazing easy dinner!  I always have some fish in the freezer, and this time I made tacos with Orange Roughy, a fish we get a lot in Florida, but you could use any firmer white fish such as Corvina, Mahi Mahi, Talapia or Cod.

Ingredients:

  • Any type of white fish (just estimate enough fish for each person)
  • Chili powder
  • Limes (2)
  • Salt
  • Soft Tortillas (your choice of corn or flour)
  • Mangos 1-2
  • Red Onion
  • Cilantro
  • Cabbage- red or green
  • Optional Jalipino if you like it hot!

 

*Thaw frozen fish over night in the refrigerator, or I usually soak it in warm water for about half an hour. (There is some debate on if this is safe food handling, but if its going to be cooked through I have never had a problem.  Follow your preference, and when in doubt thaw in the fridge.)  I have never had luck with the microwave defrost, it always starts to cook the fish. Again, your choice of method.

Pre-heat oven to 350.  Put the fish in a casserole dish or other oven safe dish.  Salt one side, add chili powder and some lime zest.  Turn over the fish and repeat on the other side. Then squeeze half of a lime over the fish.  Bake for 20-30 minutes until the fish is cooked through and flakes easily.

While the fish is cooking, dice the mangos, dice red onion, and chop about 1/4-1/2 cup cilantro.  Put them all into a bowl, and squeeze the other half of the lime over the salsa.  At this point I divided it up and put some aside for my daughter who doesn’t like hot spicy food, and with the other half I added some diced jalipino.

IMG_3544

With a mandolin or very sharp knife shred some cabbage

When the fish is cooked, set it to cool for 10 minutes.  (You should always let any type of meat sit for at least 5-10 minutes so that it will retain its juices.)

IMG_3540

Assemble the tacos with a little mango salsa at the bottom, shredded cabbage, fish and more mango salsa on top.  Or bring the ingredients to the table and let everyone assemble their own.  Healthy and fun, and most of all delicous! Serve with a cold beer or margarita for an outstanding meal.

IMG_3547

 

A Cool Soup For A Hot Day

On By wendytrivediIn SoupsLeave a comment

When the temperature soars, choose this cool soup for a standout first course.  This recipe is one from my Swiss grandmother who cooked at home like a five star chef.  She made us all a cookbook of some of her greatest recipes, and this is from that beautiful book.

Chilled Melon Soup

  • 3 Cups cubed peeled honeydew melon (I just used half of one)
  • 3 Cups cubed peeled cantelope
  • 1/4 C Vodka divided
  • 1/4 C Firmly packed brown sugar divided
  • Juice from 1 lime divided
  • 3/4 C cleaned strawberries

IMG_3567 (1)

Place honeydew in a blender or bullet and puree until smooth.  Add two tablespoons of Vodka, two tablespoons of packed brown sugar, and half of a lime.  Do a final blend and put into a container that is easy to pour from, and put in the fridge. Follow the same instructions for the cantaloupe, and store in a separate container.  Finally, puree the strawberries and again put in a separate container in the fridge.

To serve, pour about 1/2 Cup of the cantaloupe mixture into an individual bowl. Then pour the honeydew mixture into the center of the bowl, and finally a couple tablespoons into the center of that.  You can play with this and make dots, swirl with a toothpick and just have fun with it.  Your friends will be so impressed, and it is so easy to make!

IMG_3571*Here is the page from the recipe book that my grandmother made, she epitomized elegance, and taught me so much from the kitchen to the table.  These were her glass bowls and plates and they are perfect for this soup.

Essential Spices

On By wendytrivediIn Cooking Essentials, Essential SpicesLeave a comment

IMG_2764

While it’s exciting to dive right into the recipes…

It’s important to make sure that you have everything needed for the completion of the dish.  Always make sure to read the whole recipe through for timing, and also to make sure you have all the ingredients.  One of the ways you can make things easier on yourself is to have key spices on hand.  Lets take a look at some of the more common categories and specifics in each one.

Salt– Find a good sea salt to start.  (other nice ones to have are Kosher salt, Himalayan pink salt, black salt (a fine pink powder with a sulfur taste.) There are also a variety of other seasoned salts you can add to your spice drawer after getting the basic sea salt. Think garlic salt, celery salt, smoked salt, and various rubs that include salt.

Pepper– Invest in a pepper mill and some whole peppercorns.  this will add a level of freshness to all your dishes.  Try Tellicherry to start, and branch out to others as desired.

Dried Herbs– Fresh is always the best option, but at least have a jar of these for backup.

Rosemary, Thyme, Oregano, Basil, Dill, Parsley, Tarragon.  With these staples you can cover most of your herb needs.

Might be nice to add :  Freeze dried chives, Italian Mix

Baking Spices: Nutmeg, Cinnamon, Clove powder, Ginger powder.  Might be nice to add: pumpkin Pie mix and Allspice

Dried Savory Powders– Onion powder, Garlic powder, Chili Powder, Lemon pepper, Simple americanized Curry powder from the supermarket and Knorr herb seasoning are all ones I like to have on hand.

IMG_3511

Indian Essentials– In our spice tin we stock the following: Cumin Seeds, Black Mustard Seeds, Turmeric, Coriander powder and Fenugreek Seeds.  I also always have on hand Asafetida and Cumin powder.

Other less used spices that are nice to have include :Amchur powder (Dry mango) Cardamom powder, Kokum, Dried Red chilies, Cinnamon sticks, Whole Cloves, Star Anise and Fresh Cardamom pods.

A great way to start with Indian Spices is to get a small bag of each the first time that you go to the Indian Market.  Invest in a spice tin, and use it for day-to-day cooking.  If you find that you go through one or the other more often, invest in a bigger bag depending on your storage space.  This way you have all the Indian essentials together, and it makes  gathering the spices much easier.  Indian recipes typically use a lot more spice!

 

A Sunny Summer Aperitif Party

On By wendytrivediIn UncategorizedLeave a comment

Perfect for a hot summer day

When you want to put together a quick and elegant appetizer party on a hot summer day, nothing could be easier than this- no cooking required!  And most of your friends will not have heard of Aperol, an Italian aperitif mostly seen in Europe.  (You should be able to find it at a larger liquor store though).  Something about the sunny orange color served over ice makes it the perfect summer starter. And it’s always fun to introduce your friends or family to something new.

According to the website, “Aperol is the perfect aperitif.  Its unique bittersweet taste and bright orange color are derived from a secret and original recipe that has remained unchanged over time.  An infusion of ingredients including oranges, herbs and roots which make a perfectly balanced combination.”  It has 11% alcohol content.  After perusing the website I decided on the “Quintessential Aperitif”.  Aperol combined with Prosecco, how could it go wrong?!?

IMG_3475Ingredients:

  • Aperol
  • Prosecco
  • Club Soda or Soda Water
  • Ice
  • A slice of Orange for garnish

Directions: Fill a wine glass with ice, combine half prosecco and half Aperol in the glass, and add a dash of soda water.  Garnish with an orange slice.

 

IMG_3476 (1)I had some wonderful smoked salmon on hand, and paired it with an english cucumber slice instead of the usual crackers.  It’s not only cooling and refreshing, but was also carb free!  Garnished with a few capers and a whisp of fresh dill, these little savory treats went well with our summer drink.  I rounded it out with breadsticks, but you could also serve olives or bread and olive oil for dipping along side.

Put a little European elegance in your summer, and try an aperitif.

Ciao bella

Kala Channa

On By wendytrivediIn indian food, RecipesLeave a comment

A Easy Lunch or dinner that cooks while you do something else.

Today was one of those days that I had to go do a few errands in the morning, and knew it would be close to or just after 12 when I returned home.   We have found that eating a good lunch has helped us have more energy through the day and also keeps us from eating snack food later in the day.  I wanted to make sure that something would be almost ready to go when I got home.  Luckily I keep Kala Channa, or Desi Chickpeas on hand. Easy to throw into the instant pot while I run to do errands!  The recipe is simple, and I generally have everything that I need in my spice drawer or pantry.  For this you will need (preferably) an instant pot.  If you haven’t invested in one yet, you can use a pressure cooker, however you will have to attend to it more often.  Here is my recipe:

  • 1 cup kala channa (desi chickpeas) found at your local Indian market

  • 3 cups of water

  • 1 tsp of oil

  • 1 tsp cumin seeds

  • 1 dash Asafetida

  • 1/4 tsp hot red chili powder

  • 2 tsp coriander powder

  • 1 tsp salt

  • 1 lime

  • 1/4 cup chopped cilantro

  • Optional- Amchur powder (dried mango powder)

  • 1 tsp cumin seeds

  • 1 dash Asafetida

  • 1/4 tsp hot red chili powder

  • 2 tsp coriander powder

  • 1 tsp salt

  • 1 lime

  • 1/4 cup chopped cilantro

  • Optional- Amchur powder (dried mango powder)

IMG_3492

This is where the sauté feature on the instant pot comes in really handy, set to sauté, and put the 1 tsp of oil in to warm up.  This is drastically less oil than a regular recipe that you might find, but I think its even better.  Once the oil has heated, drop one cumin seed into the hot oil.  If it sizzles and moves a bit, then its ready to go.  Add the rest of the cumin seeds and stir into the oil.  Let this cook for about thirty seconds.  Next add a good dash of Asafetida.  If you have never cooked with this you may be in for a surprise- it smells terrible!  But once it’s cooked into the dish, it gives a great flavor.  It also helps to reduce the gas you may get from eating so healthy!  I always laugh to myself as I add this. Cook for another 30 seconds, and add the kala channa and water.  Stir.  Now add the 2 tsp of coriander powder and 1/4 tsp hot red chili powder. (feel free to add more if you like it really spicy, or skip this totally if you don’t like it hot.  I have found that this is just enough for me, and is mild-medium.) Next add 1 tsp salt, and the amchur powder if you are using it.  I like to add it in as it gives it a slightly sour taste that adds to this dish.

Set the instant pot to the beans setting, and go do something else!  I also at this time will start rice in the rice cooker so that they will both be done about the same time.

Once the bean cycle has ended, and the pressure button has gone down, open up the instant pot and set it back to sauté.  I like to cook off about half of the left over water, reserving the rest for a sort of gravy to put over the rice.  Add the juice of half a lime, and cut the other half to serve along side the dish.

Add cilantro to the top of the dish to serve along side the rice, and you have a super healthy easy meal!

If you are more organized and plan the day before, soak the chick peas in water over night for a more tender dish.  I actually like it both ways, and don’t mind the firmer texture of the chick peas that go right into the instant pot, but you may prefer it softer.  Try it both ways and see what you like better!

(*Note- if you are using a pressure cooker refer to the guide for chickpeas or beans, and sauté as in the recipe. )

If you decide to try this dish let me know how it turned out!

IMG_3523