Tips

Gunti Manohar

Page : 64 Page : 1 Manohar Ratna Tips for Puddings · Use cornflakes as a substitute for sev or papdis. It is available every- where and give the same crunchiness to a dish, eg. bhel. · Add a tsp. of hot oil to homemade pastes of garlic, ginger or green chilli, · Add a few methi (fenugreek) seeds to toor dal while pressure cooking. along with salt to make it last longer and taste fresher. This makes the dal easier to digest. · Blend all ingredients together and keep overnight in a cool place. Use · To avoid fingernails getting grimy and gritty during messy work, apply with any savoury dishes like pastas, minestrones, bakes, etc. some petroleum jelly or vaseline generously all over the hands. · Always sprinkle gelatine over the water. Never put in dry pan, then add · Place candles in a dish of water while burning. They will last longer. water and heat. Never boil gelatine. Only warm to dissolve. Safest is to · Lime peels dipped in salt can be used to make coppers-bottoms spar- heat the container over a hot griddle (tawa). Stir always. kle. Rub with salt dipped peel. Leave for a minute. Scub with soap and · While whipping cream never overdo it or butter will form . Always whip wash. over a tray of iced water or ice cubes. Whip in sharp upward strokes till soft peaks form. Keep in refrigerator till used. · Puddings (at least of my kind) are a no hassles beauty. No hard and fast rules about ingredients. Don't grimace if any of the ingredients is missing. Just substitute, compromise and eureka! You'll come up with an original. Just stick to general norms for mixing of jellies, gelatine, whipped cream etc. You cannot go wrong. · You can top with any sauce of your choice, if you like while serving or accompany it and let the guests pour to their liking. Ideal sauces may be chocolate, custard, orange, grape, caramel or just basic coloured sauce. · Cadbury's nutties & gems, gluced cherries, whipped cream, crumbled biscuits, dry fruits used inside, coloured sugar etc. make excellent deco- rations for party puddings. · Day old bread slices can be substituted for cake if cake is not available at hand.

Tips for Naans & Rotis

· A good thing about most rotis is that you can half roast and pile them and do the final roast just before serving · Many variations can be got from the basic roti receipes by using your own imagination · Eg. layered roti can be made with a filling or dry masalas mixeds, or kasoori methi or paneer or thick spicy chutney. This must be spread be- fore folding the roti and after applying the ghee. All triangles may be prepared first but sprinkle dry flour over each before piling. Roll and shallow-fry as required. · Puri may be rolled and place between well-rinsed wet muslin cloth at least an hour ahead. Fry before serving.

More Tips....

· Watermelons can be slices thinly, to expose high seed areas, from which seeds can easily be dropped down with a fruit fork or knife tip. Or

Page : 2 Page : 63 Manohar Ratna · To get rid of dandruff, mix juice of 1 lime in 1 tbsp. curd (yoghurt) and 1 tsp. cleverly handling a mixer for a few seconds, can separate seeds from fruit, coconut oil. Apply to the scalp and hair 1 hour before shampooing. Do this like watermelon, custardapple, etc. The mixture when sieved will separate at least once a week for dandruff-free hair the seeds from the pulp. · Any extra water in which vegetables have been boiled can be saved and · Do not throw away decorative wrappings and boxes you get from diwali, used as stock for soups. Stock prepared in large quantities can be frozen in and other festive occasions. Use the good ones to pack your preparations icecube trays and stored in a plastic bag as cubes. Use as required. creatively and attractively, by just adding a few ribbons or flowers. · Add a few drops of limejuice and a tsp. of ghee to rice before boiling to · Never overheat butter if melted is required, or else it will curdle to turn to separate each grain. ghee, and will not give the same taste and texture as required in any recipe. · When the sewing machine gets stuck on a thick, coarse cloth, rub the area · Dried peels of almonds, can be powdered fine, sieve and mixed with gram- on which you wish to run the machine with a candle. flour to use as a scrub. Mix 1 cup gramflour to 1 tbsp. Almond peel powder. · Rub powdered borax on fruit stains, then pour boiling water through the fab- Store in airtight container. For one bath, take on heaped tbsp. Mixture with ric before washing it. 1 tsp. Curds or cream, scrub over body, instead of soap. · Synthetic fibres stick to the bottom of the iron. Cool the iron, then rub the · Take a teaspoonful of sesame seeds, just pop into mouth, chew on them, affected surface with nail polish remover to get rid of the stickly matter consume. This helps significant reduction in hairfall. But do not expect over- · To make samosas crisper add some cornflour to the maida for dough. night results. · Rain spots on satin, felt or similar fabrics will disappear if you brush them in · A good and fast way to skin charred or grilled veggies, is to place them in- a circular motion, using a soft ball of tissue paper. side a closed polythene bag for a few minutes, then remove and rub skin off · Soak a few (4-5) tablets of camphor in your hairoil (coconut) to keep away easily. dandruff and lice. · Chop apples, pears, etc. into a bowl of chilled salted water, drain, pat on · Do not throw away any excess water used in boiling dal. Just keep it in the clean kitchen towel, to keep them from discolouring for a longer period. fridge and use as stock for soups, when required. Will keep in fridge for a · Though salads taste best fresh and crunchy, one may prepare dressing day. ahead of time, and chop nondiscolouring or wasting ingredients, like or- · Soak used lime peels (20-25 at a time) in hot water for an hour or two. anges, sweetlimes, veggies, etc. hours ahead and finish off in a jiffy at the Squeeze peels inside the water. Strain. Mix 2-3 tsp of rose water. Mix this time required. water in the last part of you bath water, for the tangy lemony-fresh luxury · Chill whole those fruit which discolour, and then cut when required in rec- bath. At no extra cost !!. ipe, so they are chilled yet not discolour. · Rub your windscreen with a cut potato or apple to prevent misting or icing. · Any leftover thick kheer may be further boiled to thicken more, oversweeten · Dip your silvers (jewellery, cutlery, etc. ) in water used for boiling potatoes. a bit, cool and set kulfi in kulfi moulds or icecube trays. Wash with soap after an hour. This will bring back the sparkle. If you are · Just sprinkling three-four threads of saffron on the kheer,after pouring into busy just let them be soaked till you can wash them at your leisure. No individual bowls, makes all the difference, in the kheer looking rich and invit- harm. ing. · Apply toothpaste on both sides of an ink-stain on cloth. Wash after dry. · Just bury a sweet potato which has 'eyelike' growths at nodes, in a pot of · Add a little alum to the last rinse water for cleaner, whiter white clothes. soil. Water regularly, and you have a lovely bright green creeper growing · Mix spirit and milk to wipe away ballpen stains from foam leather. beautifully in your sill! Below the soil,small potatoes will be taking shape. · If your cutlery is discoloured by egg stains, crumble a sheet of silver paper Don't harvest your sweet potato, until after season is over, and the leaves and one teaspoon of salt in a glass of water. Put the spoons and forks in tend to turn yellow and fall off. this and they will come out looking clean and shining in a few minutes. · To prevent falling hair - take a thick succulent leaf of the aloe plant. Make a · A little lime juice added to beetroot will make them a brilliant red colour. slit on one side, lengthwise, fill the slit with 2 tsp. fenugreek seeds. Tie with twine, keep aside for 24 hours. Grind the leaf, the sprouted fenugreek in- · A tsp. of ghee add to the dal before pressure cooking, will keep it from over- side, and 400 ml. coconut oil.together. Apply this mixture on hair and scalp flowing out of the container into the cooker. overnight, tie with cloth. Wash off with mild shampoo or shikakai next day. To loosen a rusted bolt, apply a few drops of household ammonia or brake · Repeat every week for 6-8 weeks. fluid. · If preparation of kheer in advance is desired, then boil milk, add sugar, and Rub brassware with tamarind and salt before washing with soap. It will · complete the time consuming steps a few hours ahead of time. Heat milk, sparkle like new.

Page : 62 Page : 3 Manohar Ratna finish off additions and final steps just before serving. · Dehydrate the residue of coconut used for coconut milk by drying the sun. · When kheer is served in small earthen teacups available in many parts of This dried flaked coconut can be used in dry chutneys, sweets, masalas, India in many shapes, they give add a wonderful earthy preparation to the etc. dish, as also make unique cups to serve in. They are small containers, · Add a few drops of lemon juice and 1/2 tsp. ghee while steaming long grain marked by the absence of handles, since they do not heat due to the hot rice (basmati) to make the it whiter and keep the grain unbroken. liquid poured in them. · Mix in 15-20 cloves to a kilogram of dal, while storing. This will keep the dal · Leftover kheer may be further boiled and used to make goodies like kulfi, from getting attacked by insects. The same cloves can be reused. rabdi, etc.Use the liquid part, by spooning out the rice/sago/vermicelli/etc. · To a cupful of leftover dal,add 2 leftover chappaties and a dash of leftover These may be ground to a paste in the mixie before adding back to the liq- rice if desired, and further add some water, coriander leaves, and boil in a uid. saucepan. Add any spices and salt if required. Garnish with a tsp. of fresh · For the calori-conscious, you may use lowfat, skimmed milk to make ghee. You have a tasty hot wholesome breakfast. kheers, instead of wholemilk. · To get rid of dandruff, add one part water to one part vinegar and apply to · If fruit like peaches, apples, pear, pomegranate, etc. turn out to be sour, do scalp. Wash after half an hour. Repeat this weekly for good results. not throw them away. Dice, add chaat masala, sugar, salt, pepper and toss, · Mix spirit and milk in equal quantities, and wipe paint or ball pen stains from adding cucumber, coriander, if desired. Will transform into a tingling, and foam leather, like sofas, purses, etc., with ease. interestingly refreshing salad. · Put the container for setting curds in a large hot case to make the curds set · Place some camphor in your toolbox, to keep the tools from rusting. faster and better. · Place a few empty toiled soap wrappers in you wardrobe: will give a pleas- · Make a potpourri of dried roses, lavender, jasmine, mintleaves, oatmeal ant aroma, ward off insects and avoid musty smell. and a handful of coarse gram flour. Tie in a strong but not too thick cloth. · Add a pinch of salt to hot water, to retain its heat for a longer period. Soak for 10 minutes in bathwater and rub youaelf with the pouch while · Remove crayon marks by rubbing cigarette ash over them. bathing for a fresh, fragrant and clean, clean bath. · Dip incense sticks in baygon liquid spray and then light, when dried. Will · Clean embedded dirt from gold or silver jewellery by giving them a brisk keep away the mosquitoes. brushing with some toothpaste and an old toothbrush.Then wash with wa- · Clean door and window screens with kerosene dipped cloth, to remove rust ter. Just like you brush your teeth! The effect is sparkling! and even keep mosquitoes from sitting on them. · Place dried neem leaves (folded between two pieces of newspaper) in · If making a variety of lebanese dishes, then it would do well to soak and boil stored grains, eg. wheat to avoid from being attacked by worms and in- a large amount of garbanzo beans. Pressurecook till they are soft to touch. sects. This is approx. 5-6 whistles. Drain and refrigerate. Remove as and when · Add a tsp. each, of salt and vinegar to soap water for washing crystals and required, washing with fresh water before adding to dish, or following in a crockery to make them crystal clean and sparkling. recipe. · Bring the shine back on jari work of a saree by rubbing alum powder on the · Coriander, parsley and other such strong smelling herbs must be refriger- work with a small soft brush. Dust off and wipe. ated in plastic bags after wrapping in brownpaper or newsprint. This way, · To make whiter and crisper potato wafers add some alum crystals and salt they will not get soggy or dry, and their aromas will not permeate into the to the water in which you drop the wafers for soaking. fridge and other refrigerated items. · To clean musty insides of a thermosflask kept closed for long, put in some · Place portable light citrus juicer over a folded hankie or other cloth to pre- tiny shreds of old newspaper and fill with warm water. Wash with soap wa- vent from slipping and sliding all over. ter after 8-10 hours. The flask will sparkle as new and have no stale odours · Soak new brightly coloured clothes in half a bucket of water, to which half a left. cup of salt has been added and dissolved. Wring out after half an hour, · Use the water used for washing dals and rice to water the plants. This water without rinsing in other water. Dry, iron and use. Next time you wash these is very rich in nutrients and acts as a fertilizer. clothes, their colour will not fade soon, as also it will not bleed onto other · Remove yellow food stains from tablemats, etc. by applying a paste of de- fabrics. tergent and water to the stained areas and keep in the sun for an hour. · Save a teaspoonful of urad dal while grinding for idli, before adding salt. Wash like your other laundry. Rub this dal between palms, apply on face and rub gently. Add a few drops · Apply transparent nailpolish to your trinkets and junk jewellery to make their of olive oil if desired. Keep for 5 minutes, wash Off with running tap water, lustre last much longer, and also protect them from moisture and sweat.

Page : 4 Page : 61 Manohar Ratna · Immerse rusty curtain rings in hot vinegar for two hours. Wash off with wa- dab dry. Leaves you face clean, and flowerfresh. ter and wipe dry. The rings will look new. · To give a spicy indianised taste to any bland (non-cream based) soup, add · Pot-plants - The next time you boil eggs, use the cooled water, which is a dash of either malakapudi or andhrapudi, while it is being cooked. now filled with minerals from the eggs, to give your pot-plants a good, nour- · Flavoured mayonnaise may be made by adding crushed dried desired ishing drink. herbs. Or even fresh, very finely chopped ones will do. But make sure to · Garden hint - When sowing carrots, mix the seeds with two tablespoons of refrigerate always, and use of some fresh herbs will decrease the life of the Epsom salts before placing them in the ground. The carrots will grow free mayonnaise. from blight as a result. · Thin slices of brinjal, may be rubbed with salt and a dash of turmeric, the · Better rhubarb - Add flavour to rhubarb by cooking it with left over juice water which oozes discarded, and then dried on a mesh in hot direct syrup from canned fruit, such as peaches, pears, and apricots. sunlight till dry and brittle. These may be crushed an used in raithas or sal- · Cleaning inside an iron - Turn the iron on, pour vinegar in the water hole, ads when brinjals are not in season. and fill it up. Once the iron is hot, push the stream button four or five times. · Do not discard water drained from tied curds (whey). Use to either knead All built-up grit and grime will then be removed. Finally, empty the vinegar chappati dough for softer, tastier chappatis. Or dip an old toothbrush in this from the iron and rinse well with water. liquid and give your blackened silvers, like anklets, chains, rings, etc. After · Oil substitute - If you don't have any oil at hand when doors and hinges be- brushing, wash with a milk detergent solution, wipe dry. Your silvers will gin to squeak, you will find that a smear of butter or margarine is a good shine like new. substitute. · Try to store dishes like buttermilk, or its variations in ceramic, glass or · Dirty collars - Brush shampoo into a dirty shirt-collar before running it earthen containers. This will keep them from souring fast, and will not taste through the washing machine. Well worth the extra effort. rancid so quickly too. Pouring also becomes easier. · If you write your own labels for kitchen or storage containers, cover the · Run the inner side of muskmelon skin, over face and neck. Allow to dry and lables with transparent cellotape so that do not smudge. keep for 15-20 minutes. Wash off with cold tap water. It will leave your skin · When cleaning the yard, gather sticks, twigs and leaves into paper bags. feeling fresh, clean and taut. When you need kindling for a fire one bag will do the trick. · Excess tomato puree may be frozen in an icecube tray. Remove frozen · Small cracks in plastic can be repaired by running a hot (not red-hot) scres- cubes and store in a sealable freezer bag, using as and when required. driver lightly along the crack. · Always keep a glass of very hot water and a large flat knife ready, if re- · To remove rain spots from suede shoes, rub with an emery board. quired for finishing touches. When the knife is dipped in hot water, then the · Stains can be removed from brown leather shoes by rubbing them with the icing spreads very evenly and quickly. inner side of a banana skin. Then wipe with a clean cloth and polish. · When sprinkling coloured sugars, granules, etc., in a partial area of icing, · Do not use soap when cleaning a mirror because it streaks the glass. All first pipe a rough outline to work as a guide. Highlight outline after the sprin- you need to do in cleaning a mirror is to wipt it with a cloth moistened with kling is over, by piping again exactly over it. This way your end result will be water in which a little vinegar or ammonia has been added, and then wipe much more clean and accurate. the mirror dry with a soft cloth that is lint free. · To store sugar paste animals/flowers, etc. place carefully in compartmental- · Do not wash eggs when you store them. There is a "coating" on eggs that ised box with fitting lid, and refrigerated till required. This way the pieces helps in keeping odours and bacteria from entering. won't get damaged due to one another. · For a painful scald, try this home-made remedy. Place a crushed onion on · Always brush the top and sides of cakes before starting to ice them, with a the affected part, with a bandage over it. It really works and brings relief. food brush. This way the crumbs won't get embedded in the icing while Another good remedy for burns and scalds, is to smear the parts immedi- · Preferably make the cake previous night, soak with syrup or as per recipe, ately with the white of an egg. In half an hour there will be no sign of the and ice it the next day, for a smoother, cleaner icing. Never ice a cake burn, and no soreness. Works like magic! which has not cooled thoroughly, through and through. · To improve the colour of brown shoes, rub with the inside of a banana skin, · Never overbeat mixture for muffins, biscuits, cookies, etc. as lumpy batters then dry and polish with a soft cloth. turn out better textured products. Always handle the batter gently. Make · For those who do not care for a spicy taste, you can sprinkle some grated sure to sieve all dry ingredients together 2-3 times for better blending, and cheese on the dosa while shallowfrying. Eat with sauce instead of chutney. even softness. This will suit the taste of those who are used to bland foods.

Page : 60 Page : 5 Manohar Ratna · Deepfried sweet like pineapple triangles, karanjia, choorma ladoo, etc., then kill. This technique can even immobilise a reptile. taste as good as fresh, if placed on a tissue paper in the microwave for 10- · Shoes often lose their shine when old. Rub with slices of raw potato and 15 seconds. polish. They will look almost as good as new. · Clean sheets of plastic should not be discarded after use. Soak in warm · To charge a used pencil battery, place its negative end near a candle flame soap suds, wash with clean warm water, followed by cold water, drain, wipe and warm for five minutes. The battery will be as good new. dry and use as and when required. · Black and blue cloured clothes which have faded, look new if dipped in con- · If kitchen platform is too small to roll icehalwa, it would be more convenient centrated aquamarine blue solution. to use the dining or other large table top for placing the sheets to roll. · Smear your hands with a little tamarind juice while collecting butter from · To keep the cornflour paste melted, keep it near the stove, so it does not churned cream. The butter will not stick to the hands. solidify in the process of using, since ghee tends to set very fast. · While cooking onions or garlic, place an open bowl of vinegar by the stove. · Fresh drumstick flowers and leaves may be used as an excellent garnish The smell will not pervade the house or kitchen. for curries, veggies, and even rices, etc. They can also be boiled in vegeta- · For a quick chaat, fry leftover pieces of bread in ghee till crisp. Arrange the bles for vegetable stock to give an unusual flavour to soups, etc. pieces in a plate. Pour curds, salt, red chilli and cumin powders, coriander · Veggies, kormas,curries, dals, etc. to which onions and garlic have not leaves and green chillies on them. Top with tamarind and jaggery chutney. been added will keep good for much long hours. Also reheating veggies too · To remove the stains of citrous fruit juices, especially of lemons from the many floor, smear the stain with coconut oil and rub well. The stain will vanish · Dry masala veggies like drumstick aloo sabzi can easily be converted to within a few days. thin gravy curries, by adding enough water with the ground masalas to · For a children's party, make coloured ice-cubes by adding food colour to make a thinner curry, to be eaten with steamed rice, etc. But make sure to the water. Children love ice-crem, but it's quite expensive bought from the alter salt, and other spices as per resulting taste change. parlour. Instead, buy cones and make creamy inexpensive ice-cream at · Cheese will stay fresh longer if wrapped in clingfilm once seal is broken. home (do not freeze fully). Fill in the cones and top with a cherry or grated Take care to refrigerate in the chiller tray section of the fridge, to keep if chocolate. good for days. · Try to stick to one style of cooking during any party. Many people mix In- · Scrape, cut and store drumsticks in clean ziplock or freezer bags, make a dian food with Chinese or continental dishes which spoil individual taste. few small holes, and the drumsticks will stay fresh for 8-10 days in the re- For example, Russian salad and pulao or chow-mein and chicken korma do frigerator. not go together. · Drumstick leaves were used for cleaning vessels in earlier days, mixed with · If fried snacks or titbits are served with the drinks, preceding dinner, ar- very fine dryriverbed sand. The thick roots have medicinal value, and be- range small paper napkins along with the tray. Messy fingers are embarras- noil: extracted from the drumstick seeds, is used in cosmetic and cooking ing for both the guests and the hostess. purposes. · Once the menu is decided for any party, write down the ingredients needed, · One may add bundled lemon grass leaves to give the tea a different zest. next to each recipe. It avoids a lot of last minute shopping and running Make sure to reduce the quantity of ginger used, if adding lemon grass around. leaves. · When there is party, prepare a menu well in advance. Introduce a new rec- · Thai food is more authentic, when garnished with small flowers made of ipe only if tried, at least, once. fresh chillies, spring onion, scallion flowers and crisp deepfried basil leaves, · To keep your sesame oil fresh for a few months without being spoilt, add a rather than just chopped coriander or mint leaves. Cheese are generally not lump of jaggery to the oil. used, except for grated tofu, that too sparingly as a garnish. · During the rainly season, apply mustered oil on the inner side of your · Lemon grass, peeled and chopped finely may be frozen in clean freezer shoes. No fungus will form. bags for further use. Make sure to thaw properly, before adding to the dish. · Do not throw away the skin of ripe lemons after extracting their juice. Dry in · Coat skewered veggies, beancurd chunks etc. with chilli flavoured oil, be- the sun and use as insect repellants in cupboards, etc. fore roasting on a barbque, to give a better flavour and finish to the chunks · Do not throw away cucumber peels. Place in drawers and strategic corners and pieces. to keep cockroaches away. · A teeny bit of thai pastes of sauces added to regular dips and barbque · Combs can be cleaned by dipping them for a while in a solution of washing marinades will enhance their flavours a great deal. soda and warm water.

Page : 6 Page : 59 Manohar Ratna box instead of biscuits, junk food like fries, etc. · Warm dry spices ever so lightly, over a heated griddle, to lighten them so · Always keep a couple of boiled potatoes (skins intact) handy in the fridge. crushing is much easier and faster. Also the aromas exuded will be much They are very useful when in a hurry. Either bake them, or make a quick richer. curry, or fry them. Eat them in a sandwich, or just plain with salt and pep- · Wear surgical gloves or use scissors to cut green or fresh chillies, since the per. Stir fry and add spices or make a quick paratha. oils in them tend to burn the hands long after cutting. So save tears by us- · Use a pizza cutter to cut rounds into strips for fried noodles, instead of a ing scissors and gloves. knife. It is faster and less messy. · If you will be using apples a while after chopping, dip in some water to · Use chilli oil ( given in tips and hints) instead of the ordinary oil, if you want which salt and lemon juice have been added. Keep for 5 minutes, drain and to make the dish spicier. keep in colander till required, to prevent from discolouring. · When grinding udad dal for dosas, keep aside 2 tsp. for applying to hair. · To get a smooth cream from top malai of milk, run in a small mixie for just Keep on for 15 minutes, wash with shampoo as normally. Gives body and 4-5 seconds, before chilling. This will give a smooth texture cream which lustre to hair. may be used exactly like commercial fresh cream. · If your griddle is large enough make many teeny weeny dosas instead of · Mix extra pastry dough, to the breadcrumb stage, and store in airtight con- one big one. Top them with a bit of chutney and sandwich them. Kids enjoy tainer in refrigerator. Use as and when required, for simple and quick re- these and eat them much less messily. sults. Same dough may be used in a number of tarts, pies, cookies and · Make dosas a little less crisp. Roll in any desired filling like a frankie. Add puddings. chutney or jam if desired. Make very tasty rolls for your kids' lunch box, with · To get a neat finish of tart or pie moulds, always roll a wider round than the change from the routine sandwich too!! circumference of the mould, so that it will fit right to edge after pressing into · Add some soaked and ground poha to the leftover dosa batter to make the mould. Flute edge by pinching and lifting, to give a wave design if de- tasty uthappams. Top with chopped onions, tomatoes and green chillies. sired. But make sure you work on a cold surface, like marble, granite, etc. · Keep a piece of chalk with your daughter's costume jewellery. It will not get · Good apple peels can be included in a salad or eaten as is, since they are tarnished but look new even after months! storehouses of vitamins and fibre. · Stick a strip of medicated plaster under the sole of your child's new shoes. · Powder vermicelli or sago and roll patties or croquettes in this powder be- He will not slip on a slippery floor. fore frying, to get a crisp crunchy cover. At the same time, much less oil will · Apply a little furniture wax onto the inside of ash-trays. In this way, the trays be absorbed while frying. can be washed easily. · Have an invigorating bath by finishing off with a bucketful of water to which · If you happen to put excess salt in the curry, cut a raw potato into about 10 3 tbsp. of white vinegar, 2 tbsp. rose water and a few drops of your favour- pieces and drop them into the curry & leave for 15 min. They will absorb the ite flowery essence has been added. The vinegar makes skin supple and excess salt. Remove the pieces before serving. avoids the dryness and scaliness of skin. · To make thick gravy for mutton, chicken or vegetables, grate the onions, · Rub brinjals with a little salted oil after slicing to avoid discolouration. squeeze out their juice and brown the onions and the masala. Add the juice · Wash, grind and apply a mixture of drumstick leaves and jaggery as a as stock, after the onions are brown. The onion flavour is not lost and you poltice over wounds, and add a tsp. or so of turmeric if wound is septic, for don't have to add water to make the gravy. quick and gentle healing of wounds. · To avoid stains and smudges on costly cookbooks while following recipes, · To brown rice evenly while raw, wash, drain in a colander, keep aside for 10 slip them, open page up, into a transparent plastic bag. minutes. Heat some Ghee in a pan, fry rice till it is first dry, then brown gen- · Sour buttermilk obtained after churning cream into butter can be used for tly stirring. Proceed as required for recipe. preparing instant dosas. Warm a little fine semolina and maida and add to · Grind a cupful of fried onions (fried to a light brown) to a paste and keep the buttermilk and prepare dosa batter. Keep it aside for half an hour and handy to add body and flavour to a dish, when you do not have time to fry the dosas. You can add salt, chopped onions, green chillies and corian- chop onions for one. der leaves. · Stuffed veggies like bittergourds and potatoes, etc. can be stored in freezer · While cutting tomatoes into slices, use a bread sknife instead of an ordinary bags, and thawed as required. Make sure to thaw completely before pro- knife. The skin remains intact - also the task is executed faster. ceeding to cook it. Or else it will crumble easily. · If insects like scorpions or centipedes enter the house, don't panic. Pour · Any pickle will last much more longer if a little care is taken to avoid mois- some kerosene on their faces as they advance. They will be immobilised, ture contact at any stage, and jars, bowls, ingredients used, etc. are wiped

Page : 58 Page : 7 Manohar Ratna dry with a clean dry kitchen cloth, which does not have lint fibres. · Make a decoction of tea leaves, mint, a bit of ginger. Mix in a dash of · Strained fresh bittergourd juice is applied over wounds to heal quickly. Even honey, sip hot to give relief from chest congestion. a poltice of grated Bittergourd tied over the wound works wonders. · Rub the point of a bee-bite with soft mud and salt made into a paste. The · Juice extracted from raw grated bittergourd can be mixed with a helping of swelling will subside soon, as also the poison will not spread further. honey and Salt, and add some plain water. Drink this extract to rid of small · A tsp. each of ginger juice and honey to be warmed and taken just before home ailments and give A general feeling of goodwill. sleeping, to bring relief from severe cough. Repeat every night for a week. · Collect clean scrapings of bitter gourd. Tie in a thin clean muslin cloth and · Sprinkle a mixture of powdered cardomom and rock sugar (misri) over the use as a facial and body loofah to scrub out dead cells. tongue, gums and inner cheeks to get relief from mouth sores and ulcers. · Salads can be made very very decorative, by using normally discarded Repeat 3-4 times a day. skins of apples, peas, cucumbers,etc. · A clove and a cardamom kept in the mouth while travelling, brings relief to · Never discard nutritious skins of apples, when peeling. Eat them or add those suffering from motion sickness. them to a chopped salad, raitha. · A drop or two of eucalyptus oil add to water for steam inhalation gives ex- · To get a light and better taste as a variation, dry roast ingredients like rice, cellent relief in common colds. dal, on low till aroma exudes. Then proceed as per recipe. · Use the whey (water) from tied curds to make softer chappati, paratha and · For a tasty nutty sandwich fillingin a hurry, mix together prepared green naans. Use this water instead of plain water to knead the dough. chutney, some tomato ketchup, mayonnaise, chopped onion and tomato, · Always use a clean pair of kitchen scissors to trim edges of bread. Much and a few crushed peanuts or walnuts.Butter slices apply mixture thickly neater and less messy edges as compared to those trimmed with a knife. inside, and your sandwich is ready. You cak refrigerate this mixture without · Use a large semiboiled potato to make a quick flower arrangement if a onions and tomatoes, for almost a week. flower holder is not available. Push sturdy stalks of flowers into the potato at · When ginger, garlic, etc. are crushed in a mixie, it gets tedious try to re- the required angles. Do not keep for more than 2 days. Immerse in water to move all of it, from under the blade, etc. Once crushed and removed, run a which an aspirin is added. little water in the mixie, and pour into the batter, The mixie will get cleaned · Use the water strained from the curdled milk (paneer) to soak your dull sil- as well as ingredients will be used economically. In case of fritters, use the vers for 15-20 minutes. Wash well. They will shine like new. cornwater itself. · Use clean skins of boiled potatoes to place as a soothing pack over eyes to · Always handle messy mixtures like that of fudges, chocolates, etc. with refresh and reduce their puffiness. hand dusted with cornflour, it will be much easier to handle. · If there is a lot of leftover paneer crummbs, dry in a warm oven. Fry till crisp · Making a note of what you are going to make a few minutes before going to and store in the fridge. Soften in boiling water, drain and add to thicken gra- bed. That will save a lot of searching and fumbling and thinking and swear- vies of any vegetables and curries. ing, to begin the next day with. · Make tomato puree in bulk. Transfer to ice cube trays and freeze. Put the · Make many variations of basic recipes like chutney parathas, by adding frozen cubes in a thick polythene bag. Store in the freezer and use reddy ajwain/veggies/mint,etc. One may use red coconut chutney too. Just make puree cubes as required. Will keep for over 3 weeks in the freezer. sure, no chutney is running, but very stiff. · Give a nice big bright star on your kiddies' room calender every day that he · If one doesn't have an oven, then place a dosa griddle on gas, place a cleans out his lunch box fully!! See his enthusiasm soar. stand (metal) on it, put a metal mesh over stand and keep the dish over · Use minimal of wrappers, foils, etc. which they may litter or make messy if this, eg. stuffed potatoes. Cover with an inverted vessel, and allow to brown wrongly handled. on slow fire. Or use a gas tandoor instead. · Replace sweets and candy with a few dry fruits like almonds, etc. for after · Open and clean the spring and insides of your gas lighter, every month, to lunch munching. So much healthier. make it last doubly longer. Just clean insides with a soft clean cloth and · Try substituting kids' lunch bag with lemonade instead of water once or twig or skewer. twice a week. They'll be thrilled. · One may make pancake and other batter much ahead of time, but take care · Rub a piece of lime (used) inside the lunch box to get rid of strong odours to add soda bicarb only before making. This way the pancakes will still turn (like garlic) before rinsing off. out crisp and light. · If a lunch box tends of leak from cover, seal with scotch tape. Teach kid to · Once a month soak all your plastic equipment like cutting board, tea strain- remove tape before eating. ers, colanders, etc. in a weak solution (50ml. to a 15 litre bucket of water) of · Grated paneer, carrot, beetroot etc. is a good accompaniment in a lunch

Page : 8 Page : 57 Manohar Ratna · Use clean skins of boiled potatoes to place as a soothing pack over eyes to domestic bleach and water for 1 or 2 hours. Then wash with a mild deter- refresh and reduce their puffiness. gent and scrubber to be rid of accumulated dirt, food particles,etc. · If there is a lot of leftover paneer crumbs, dry in a warm oven. Fry till crisp · One may save batter of dosas, idlis, paddus, etc. and make pankis as a and store in the fridge. Soften in boiling water, drain and add to thicken gra- variation from leftovers. Or vice versa. Take care to refrigerate the batter vies of any vegetables and curries. before it becomes sour, and also place a piece of banana leaf in the base · Make tomato puree in bulk. Transfer to ice cube trays and freeze. Put the of vessel before pouring batter, and on top of it. This will keep it from getting frozen cubes in a thick polythene bag. Store in the freezer and use reddy sour. puree cubes as required. Will keep for over 3 weeks in the freezer. · Usually greens contain some amount of soil and have to be washed thor- · Give a nice big bright star on your kiddies' room calender every day that he oughly before cooking. Put chopped leaves in plenty of water, keep for 5 cleans out his lunch box fully!! See his enthusiasm soar. minutes, allowing the mud to settle at the bottom. Then with open palm lift · Use minimal of wrappers, foils, etc. which they may litter or make messy if out all the leaves from the top of the water. Gradually pour out leftover wrongly handled. greens into a colander, to let the water drain. Take care not to disturb the · Replace sweets and candy with a few dry fruits like almonds, etc. for after muddly deposit at the bottom of the vessel. lunch munching. So much healthier. · Leftover fried snacks like kothmir vadi, or moothiyas can be crumbled and · Try substituting kids' lunch bag with lemonade instead of water once or used as a thickener. For spicy gravies. 2-3 pieces will suffice to thicken twice a week. They'll be thrilled. about 3 cups gravy. · Rub a piece of lime (used) inside the lunch box to get rid of strong odours · If you have boiled spinach etc. in excess water, do not throw away this liq- (like garlic) before rinsing off. uid so full of health.Just stir in some salt or sugar and drink up, to you well · If a lunch box tends of leak from cover, seal with scotch tape. Teach kid to being. Make this a habit, and drink up the vitamins and minerals, with a remove tape before eating. smile! · Grated paneer, carrot, beetroot etc. is a good accompaniment in a lunch · Leftover spring onion vegetable, can be further cooked to dry out water, or box instead of biscuits, junk food like fries, etc. add a tsp. of flour to absorb water. Then place on a piece of bread, cover · If bhajias, fritters, pakodas are soaking too much oil, or are not as crisp as with another slice, and toast in a sandwich toaster o a griller, to make a should be, add some hot oil to the batter. (3/4 tbsp. to a cup of batter). Their sandwich. texture will improve remarkably. · Chop stalks of greens like spinach, radish, beetroot, etc. along with leaf, if · Pour a capful of liquid bleach in a stained commode. Keep for 1/2 hour. Add still tender. They not only add body to the dish, they also have a wonderful soap powder and brush, for a sparkle. additional flavour and lots of fibre. · If gloves are inconvenient wear 2 old washed socks while doing chores · Whenever adding tempering to any dish, which required chopped/whole which are rude on the hands, like carwashing, dish-washing, scrubbing, etc. green chillies, hold the chillies down with the back of a spoon, or else they may splutter or burst dangerously. · Save old toothbrushes for quick cleaning of those corner and grooves which are difficult to clean with larger brushes. eg. bottles, bathroom corners, tile · The soft chenna ( or residue of drained freshly curdled milk) can be used as joints, engraving on metals, etc. an excellent thickener in many dishes. It can also make milder any extra spicy vegetable of dish. · Place a tsp. of soda bicarb in a corner of the fridge in a small crucible. This will keep smells of foods in the fridge from permeating each other. · When using fenugreek leaves raw, try to purchase the small leaves, thinner stalked variety.The hybrid thick stalked and larger leaved, big bunches tend · Use the water drained from curdle milk to knead chappati dough. They will to be more bitter than the former. turn out softer and whiter. · Always use citric acid dissolved (1/2 tsp. in 175ml water) in water to add to · Soak jewellery (eg. silver, copper, gold) in the water drained from curdled milk, this will make the paneer softer; if too little water is used the paneer milk for 15 mins. wash them with soap afterwards. Get back the sparkle in will be hard and rubbery. them to look new. · Use the drained water in which channa was boiled as stock in soups or in- · Apply tamarind paste and salt for greasy, or copped bottomed or brass ves- stead of water in veggies. sels, and wash. They come out much cleaner, and more easily. · To soak channa better in cold seasons, add 3-4 pinches fruit salt or eno to · Dissolve a 1/2 tsp. of turmeric powder in hald a cup of hot sweetened milk it, when soaking, to a cup of channa. and drink for relief from cough and cold. Repeat morning and night for a week. · Channa can be used as a base for stuffings, instead of potatoes, for those

Page : 56 Page : 9 Manohar Ratna who do not eat, eg.jains. stead of tedious cleaning, just dicard and replace with fresh ones. Cheap · Place a couple of bayleaves with channa to give it a better flavour after and quick. cooking. · Pour a capful of liquid bleach in a stained commode. Keep for 1/2 hour. Add · Flatten excess boiled channa with a mallet or pestle, sundry till brittle. Store soap powder and brush, for a sparkle. in airtight glass jar. Deepfry in hot oil when required, to use as an accompa- · If gloves are inconvenient wear 2 old washed socks while doing chores niment with soups or salads. which are rude on the hands, like carwashing, dish-washing, scrubbing, etc. · Allowing a kid too many options confuses him. Don't ask him what he likes · Save old toothbrushes for quick cleaning of those corner and grooves which or doesn't like. Give him something which will catch his attention and taste, are difficult to clean with larger brushes. eg. bottles, bathroom corners, tile in the first place! Keeping the phrase "don't like" out of his food vocabulary joints, engraving on metals, etc. is the parents' task, and once achieved will simplify so much of food eating · Place a tsp. of soda bicarb in a corner of the fridge in a small crucible. This habits and truama in later years. will keep smells of foods in the fridge from permeating each other. · Hold kiddie surprises: For example tie a chappati into a pouch with a stuffed · Use the water drained from curdle milk to knead chappati dough. They will baby potato half inside. Tie using a stem of spring onion as a string! turn out softer and whiter. · Involve the kid in safe jobs like mixing batter, folding paper napkin to be · Soak jewellery (eg. silver, copper, gold) in the water drained from curdled used, etc. so that he/she get a feeling of having made part of the meal and milk for 15 mins. wash them with soap afterwards. Get back the sparkle in have more interest in it, and is fun too, for both parent and child. Besides them to look new. the kid is under your eyes, and not in some other part of the house, pulling · Apply tamarind paste and salt for greasy, or copped bottomed or brass ves- down an an objectd - art or stuffing from a curious sofa or chair! sels, and wash. They come out much cleaner, and more easily. · Use the hard skins of pistachios to make handicraft items for decoration, · Dissolve a 1/2 tsp. of turmeric powder in hald a cup of hot sweetened milk like photoframes, tablelamps, facetissue holders, napkin holders, mirror and drink for relief from cough and cold. Repeat morning and night for a edges, table tops, and many more, with other trinkles like shells, pebbles, week. etc. Varnish or paint as desired, and they will last a long long time. · Make a decoction of tea leaves, mint, a bit of ginger. Mix in a dash of · If you have some batter of each coloured pancake leftover, you can make a honey, sip hot to give relief from chest congestion. multicoloured pancake too!! · Rub the point of a bee-bite with soft mud and salt made into a paste. The · Using a cloth below and above a pile of chappatis, kept in a closed con- swelling will subside soon, as also the poison will not spread further. tainer, will keep them form `sweating' and getting soggy, as well as keep · A tsp. each of ginger juice and honey to be warmed and taken just before them from becoming too dry, also. sleeping, to bring relief from severe cough. Repeat every night for a week. · Dry almond peels, grind to a fine powder, include in any homemade face- · Sprinkle a mixture of powdered cardomom and rock sugar (misri) over the packs, to rejuvenate skin, and make the pack more effective. tongue, gums and inner cheeks to get relief from mouth sores and ulcers. · Grind pumpkin seeds and mushy centre to a fine paste in mixie, add curds Repeat 3-4 times a day. and some orangepeel powder, make a paste and apply a soothing, refresh- · A clove and a cardamom kept in the mouth while travelling, brings relief to ing face pack. those suffering from motion sickness. · To help simplify cleaning jobs on diwali, discard what you have not used in · A drop or two of eucalyptus oil add to water for steam inhalation gives ex- a year, use what you had bought last year, and is still new. Buy only that cellent relief in common colds. which is over, but you know you will require soon.Otherwise DONOT shop · Use the whey (water) from tied curds to make softer chappati, paratha and just for the heck of it, or that its diwali!!! naans. Use this water instead of plain water to knead the dough. · Soak stained teacups by pouring in some water in which some black vine- · Always use a clean pair of kitchen scissors to trim edges of bread. Much gar and salt (1/2 cup to a litre, and 1 tsp.) have been dissolved for 30 min- neater and less messy edges as compared to those trimmed with a knife. utes. Then scrub lightly,wash off with a mild soapy solution and clean water. · Use a large semiboiled potato to make a quick flower arrangement if a · Scrub bathroom walls with a scrubber filled in vinegar and soap, then wipe flower holder is not available. Push sturdy stalks of flowers into the potato at with a cloth dipped in a solution of vinegar and water 100 ml. to 1 litre wa- the required angles. Do not keep for more than 2 days. Immerse in water to ter. which an aspirin is added. · Hard gulab jamoons will soften by pressure cooking briefly, less than one · Use the water strained from the curdled milk (paneer) to soak your dull sil- whistle is fine. vers for 15-20 minutes. Wash well. They will shine like new.

Page : 10 Page : 55 Manohar Ratna many places, eg. crevices in tiles, inlaid furniture, grooves in vessels, · Cover pudding containers kept in freeezer compartments with cling film or sieves, meshes, waffle irons, etc. pastic sheet, to protect from water, and crystal formation in the dish. · Do not throw away unused chillies in vinegar while making a chinese · Powdered dry poha may be used for coating cutlets, croquettes, etc. before course. Blend, bottle and use to spice up soups, rices, etc. frying to give a wonderfully crisp crust. · Wipe mirrors first with pieces of moist newspaper and then with dry newpa- · Dump together all leftover pizza gravy, au gratin, with some baked beans, per toget a clean, spotless mirror. and any adjusted flavouring of garlic, ginger, chillies, salt, as desired. Heat · Keep is whole cardamom or clove in the mouth to subside the sensation of to blend well. Scour insides of plain buns, make crumbs of the insides, mix vomitting. in mixture. Fill this into hollowbuns, put back top and sprinkle cheese, grill · To remove cellotape stuck on walls, etc ( eg. for posters) without removing till cheese melts, serve hot. the paint, hold a warm iron over it for a few seconds, then peel off slowly. · Pep up salads, by sprinkling some crushed ganthias, sev, golgappa puris or · Put a handful of salt in the rinsing water for glass and crockery for a even papdi over the salad just before serving and toss. It will give a crunchi- cleaner, crystal clear wash. ness to the salad. · Add a cupful of soaked poha to 5 cupfuls of rice soaked for idlis and grind · Crush excess katlis in a dry mixer, and refrigerate crumbs in a tight lidded with the rice for softer and lighter idlis. jar. Add a tablespoonful to gravy vegetables to give a mughlai touch to the · Make bread crumbs from toasts and store some in the fridge. They come in vegetable. very hand for thickening gravies, especially if you've landed up making · Use water in which vegetables are boiled to make soups, doughs, etc. in- them extra watery!!! stead of wasting this Nutrient rich liquid. · Always keep some readymade gingerpaste and garlic paste in the freezer. · Making a note of what you are going to make a few minutes before going to Comes in handy and enhances the flavor of most dishes in a jiffy. bed. That will save a lot of searching and fumbling and thinking and swear- · This may sound funny, but when cutting lots of onions, to avoid burning of ing, to begin the next day with. the eyes, if you have swimming goggles then wear them and cut. This will · Make many variations of basic recipes like chutney parathas, by adding prevent the eyes from watering. ajwain/veggies/mint,etc. One may use red coconut chutney too. Just make · Keep an extra potato or two handy. Boil in their jacket, drain dry and keep in sure, no chutney is running, but very stiff. the fridge. Use in a jiffy when you to tired to make tedious things. Either · If one doesn't have an oven, then place a dosa griddle on gas, place a season with salt and pepper or put slices in bread sandwiches or fry and stand (metal) on it, put a metal mesh over stand and keep the dish over season or make a quick stir fried vegetable. The potatoes will stay good in a this, eg. stuffed potatoes. Cover with an inverted vessel, and allow to brown refrigerator for 2-3 days. on slow fire. Or use a gas tandoor instead. · When cutting hard vegetables like potatoes, beetroots or carrots, put them · Add a couple of chopped basil leave to your morning cup of tea or milk, for in the microwave oven before cutting them into slices. They will be much relief from dry or Phlegmatic cough. Regular use is also very good for gen- easier to cut. eral well being. · Using earthen or stone ware for setting curds will result in firmer and better · Make crumbs of day old chapathis, dry for 2-3 hours in a wide plate, bottle quality curd. Since they are porous they absorb the excess moisture. and refrigerate. Use later like breadcrumbs or as required, will keep for 4-5 · Just dip a small clean rag in a teeny bit of any oil (edible too) and rub on days in refrigerator. creaky hinges. You will experience quiet doors and windows in a jiffy!!! · Open and clean the spring and insides of your gas lighter, every month, to · To break open the coconuts easily (the brown ones..), place them in the make it last doubly longer. Just clean insides with a soft clean cloth and refrigerator for 30-60 minutes. This would seperate the shell easily. twig or skewer. · Rinse white clothes in water to which some alum powder is added, for bet- · One may cut and keep vegetables like cabbage, beans, carrots, etc. previ- ter whites. ous night for an early meal next day. But put them in a bowl, not tightly · To allow free flow of sauce from a sauce bottle to a pourer, insert a drinking packed, and slip the bowl into a polythene bag, knotting the mouth loosely. straw half way, into the bottle and hold it there lightly with one hand while This way the chopped vegetables will stay crisp and fresh till used. pouring with the other. · Keep a little powdered cashew handy in a bottle to thicken gravies, milk, · Always add a tbsp. of oil to plenty of water while boiling pasta of any kind. It etc. in a hurry. will keep them from sticking to each other. · Add leftover of overly old chutneys etc. to vegetable dishes to enhance their · Line the bottoms of your kitchen cabinet shelves with old newspapers. In- flavour, instead of discarding it after waiting for it to get bad.

Page : 54 Page : 11 Manohar Ratna · Instant noodles, when crushed and deepfried, make an excellent topping for soups, salads, etc. with an old newspaper before washing. This will remove all the extra grease · Supplement every meal with a fruit at the end, this will fill up gaps in appe- and make the washing easier. You may even rub some flour instead. tite as well as provide Fibre and nutrition to each meal. Vary fruit as per · When carrying many food packets while travelling, use either transparent season, so your body's multiple nutrition requirement will be fulfilled. polythene bags or put a name sticker on each foil pack etc. so that guess- · Store banana leaves like a roll, wrapped in a moist muslin cloth, then ing, opening and searching is avoided. When food is used up, use these placed in a polythene bag. They will stay fresh for a week, if refrigerated bags to collect your litter on the way. this way. · Crush chikki coarsely and use as nougat over cakes and icecreams. Use · The peel of unpeeled bananas will turn black on steaming, but the bananas nuts of your choice. inside will acquire a light honey colour. · Blanch green leafy vegetables ( fenugreek, spinach, etc.) in boiling water · Warm cardamom pods very lightly, cool and deseed. These seeds will pow- for 2 minutes. Hold under cold running water, press out excess water, store der more easily. in freezer for about 2 weeks without spoiling. · Bake any leftover spicy pinapple with alternate layer of noodles, white · Shake the vegetables loose in the plastic bag before thawing, to distribute sauce and pineapple, to make a wonderful baked casserole. the heat evenly. · Curry leaves may be liberally added to seasoning of most dishes, since this · Use tissue papers for reheating fried snacks. Eg. samosa, vada, kachori, is a very asian flavour adding an aroma to any dish. bhajji, etc. The paper will absorb the excess oil and moisture and keep the · Use old shaving brush to clean out bamboo steamers, but brush in the crev- snack crisp. Reheat on high for 1-1 1/2 minute. ices. Any food particles will come loose easily. · Place a large bowl half full of water, microwave on high till it comes to a · Do not throw away discarded cucumber seeds. Either apply on eyes to boil. Remove and clean oven with a moist cloth, to remove grime and sooth tired eyes for 15 minutes, or grind to a fine paste, combine with gram- grease. Clean then as usual with warm soapy water dipped cloth. flour, honey and rose water, and apply as a pack. · Round or oval containers will spread heat more evenly in a microwave oven · To clean burnt woks with ease, boil a few onions peels in them. Scrub with than square, rectangular or odd shaped ones. a solution of vinegar and salt. Follow with a scouring powder or detergent. · To get the best out of saffron: Warm saffron before crushing (you may use · To remove skins of roasted peanuts easily, put into a clean cloth bag, tie microwave: 10 secs on maxi.). Add 1 tsp. warm milk and stir well. the mouth. Rub the nuts in the bag from the top, and jingle the bag a few · Make a lovely potpourri by drying your favourite flowers, herbs and leaves times, repeating the rubbing. Empty contents in a large plate, blow away the between layers of paper napkins. Make sure not do burn them. This may skins. To crush peanuts easily - Roll either a filled glass bottle, or heavy not last as long as the ones made by the long traditional process. rolling pin, or cylindrical grinding stone over it back and forth, on the nuts in · For apt usage of a microwave, compliment microwave cooking with tradi- the bag as above. tional forms. Do the boiling, frying and seasoning part on a gas stove. While · Rub chopping board and knives with lemon halves dipped in salt, to clean, leaving the baking, sauteeing, cooking, melting, etc. to a microwave. after chopping large amounts of chillies, to avoid its flavour creeping into · Sometimes oil begins to foam on heating to deepfry and rises dangerously other things cut on the board. Follow with a regular washing with scrubber in the pan. To dissipate the foam add a marble sized ball of tamarind to the and soap. oil. · Always defrost your fridge and then put the setting to maximum half an hour · To get rid of dandruff apply the following mixture of once or twice a week. before placing in the icecream for setting it, to get best results. If it is not a Keep for 20-25 minutes before washing off with a mild soap or shampoo. frostfree refrigerator, then wipe out all the defrosted moisture before placing Warm together, 1 tbsp. curds, 2 tsp. oil and 1 tsp. lemon juice. the freezer trays. · Soak burnt pans with a weak solution of domestic ammonia and water. Af- · Always soften the puddings a bit by removing from freezer to refrigerator ter an hour rub with used lemon peels dipped in salt. Wash with soap for a 15-20 minutes before serving. clean, clean pan. · Apply a poltice of sitaphal flesh and some ground leaves of the same plant · If karanjias are used after too many days and feel stale, warm them for 1/2 (if available) over wounds or absesses for quick relief. Tie the poltice in to 1 minute in the microwave oven before serving. They will taste freshly place with a clean cloth bandage. fried. · Always beat cream gently with small upward strokes. Never overbeat, be- · If you cannot get hold of diwali diyas (lamps), make your own by mould out cause the damage isIrreversible, the texture will not be the same again. of ordinary wheat flour dough, about a week ahead, dry well and paint. Overbeating will turn it to butter at best. · Don't throw away old toothbrushes. They form excellent scrubbers for so

Page : 12 Page : 53 Manohar Ratna · If curds have become too sour to eat as is, tie as above for 3-4 hours, add · Use ground sugar to make thick shakes etc. so that the sugar dissolves milk and use in raitas, curd rice, etc. quickly and completely in The cold milk. · Blow out dirt from devices of electronic gadgets, carved furniture, etc., by · Use glass bowls for chilling fruit rabdis in the fridge, they will not discolour. blowing air in the following way. Use an empty soft-plastic sauce dispenser · Cover freezer trays with a sheet of plastic held in place with a large rubber bottle with a nozzle. Press so that the air blowing out will blow the dirt away. band to avoid crystal formation in the icecream · Place some soda bicarb open in a small shallow dish in the fridge. This will · Mix flour and salt in leftover chawli or other dry sabzi after mashing it. disallow odours of one dish mixing into another. Eg. milk and guavas. Knead into dough, and make soft tasty masala rotis of the same. · Place a folded cloth under any vessel which you have to whip in. You will · For those beans requiring soaking overnight, eg. Kidney beans, soya have a better grip of the vessel since it will not slip over the worksurface. beans, one may add (2-3 pinches to a cup of dry beans) soda bicarb to the This holds good while mixing cake batter, icings, whipping, etc. beans and water, while pressurecooking. This way they will cook faster and · Rest assured that honey can never be adulterated. If warm water is added, soften to the core. it will ferment. If any type of sugar syrup is added it will solidify. Also, the · After boiling moong, matki, chawli, etc. check for any hard ones by straining older the better. them into a colander in a rotatory slow motion, wherein the hard, heavy · Fix candle in a container. Fill half the container with water before lighting ones will stay at the bottom of your pouring container. These may, if in- the candle. This way, the candle lasts longer and the overflowed wax is cluded in the dish, harm you teeth filling and cavities, if inadvertantly bitten. easier to remove from the water. The container becomes easy to clean too. · Use a salt shaker filled with wheat flour to sprinkle over dishes, while cook- · Add contents of a capsule of b complex to the water in your vase to make ing. When stirred it won't become lumpy. This is used to thicken watery gra- the flowers last longer. vies. · To freeze stock of your choice, eg., tomato, mixed vegetable as above, · Never mix tea and milk strainers. The residual smell of tea will creep into spinach, etc., prepare thick stock and cool to room temperature. Transfer to milk. The strainer will also stain, with tea. To clean stains from plastic nylon icecube trays and freeze to make solid cubes. Remove cubes and transfer strainers, however, dip in a very weak solution (20 ml. to 5 litres ) of water to a freezable polythene bag, with an airseal. Remove excess air, seal tight. and cleaning acid. Wash with soap and brush after 2 hours. Do not use this Store in freezer and use cubes as required. method for metal strainer, as the acid will corrode the strainer. · Make a concentrated solution of bleaching powder and water. Apply on · For those who co not mind the calories, and like malai, can top hot milk of stained surfaces and wash basins in a bathroom (tiles, etc., not metallic), any type with a dollop of malai. It enhances the taste of your hot cup of leave overnight. Wash clean with water next day. Will keep the bathroom whatever milk, with taste and richness. sparkling. · Slide clean poybags into jars for storing drinking chocolate, cocoa, icing · Clean unreachable places and crevices in ovens and waffle trays etc. by sugar and such items. Line the jar, keep top edge out of jar. Pour contents using old tootbrushes dipped in soda bi carb. Then wipe clean with a soft from refill pack, twist mouth of polybag, screw lid tightly. This will keep the cloth. contents from becoming soggy or lumpy. Also always use very dry spoons · Place tomatoes in hot water for 5-7 minutes, before using for easier peeling while removing. and better taste in any recipe where tomatoes are required to be cooked. · Rinse milk bags with a small amount of warm water before giving away to · If pizza sauce (or gravies) has become very thin, thicken by adding 2 slices recycling. Add this back to the milk, there is no harm. Hang dry the bags, of dayold bread, run in a mixie to make very fine crumbs. Using too much too. This will keep not only your storing space (for the bags) hygenic, it help cornflour may make the sauce taste pasty. environment and community eventually. Soiled bags encourage mosqui- · If curd has turned sour, tie in cloth for a while (1/2-1 hour) remove in bowl toes, bad smells, and finally disease. add enough milk to get required consistency, beat well. The sourness will · A recipe to fresh ready to serve rotis is: Roast the Roti, apply a little butter be gone. Use in raithas, rices, etc. and wrap it in a Bounty Paper. When serving just put it in the microwave for · Rub mustard oil on palms and soles to bring warmth to a shivering body. 30 sec. with the wrapping. And the rotis will taste like freshly cooked rotis. Also use as massage oil for aching joints and muscles. However, the smell may be a bit repulsive, so add a few drops of perfume if desired. · To keep sweets especially Burfis as fresh as ever: Store then in a stainless · Add a pinch of turmeric powder to the oil before adding green vegetables. Steel airtight container and put a wet muslin cloth over them. This way the The vegetables will retain their greenness better even after cooking. sweets will be fresh for atleast 2 weeks · Rub used lemon halves dipped in salt over greasy pans, and wipe clean · For a hot healing cuppa: Add 1/4 tsp. turmeric powder and 1/2 tsp. sugar to

Page : 52 Page : 13 Manohar Ratna 100 ml. boiling hot milk. Stir till well blended, drink up first thing in the morn- · If an onion is too sharp in taste, wash, drain and toss into some beaten ing and last thing in the night. A great cure for monsoon related fevers, curd. Add a dash of salt and pepper, it becomes a tasty raitha. coughs, colds, chest congestion, etc. Take for at least 5-6 days, for full re- · To bake potatoes crisp and brown, soak the peeled potatoes in hot water sults. for a while, pat dry and pierce all over with a fork before placing them in hot · Swirl a few gulps of chilled milk in the mouth, and then swallow, if you have fat along with the roast. burnt your tongue or mouth while eating something too hot. This will give · If fish is to be stored for more than a day, clean it, rub with salt, turmeric instant relief from the burning sensation.Repeat a couple of times every 15 and if liked, a dash of vinegar before freezing. minutes of so, if burning persists. · If dried herbs are used in a recipe, crush them first to release their fra- · Store milk mixture to be beaten at a later stage, in tall, firm containers, grance. which allow the handblender to move freely inisde. This will reduce the · Save the peel of apples, cucumbers and peaches. Grind them and add to number of containers to be used, as well as the container to be beaten in, is the ingredients of a green chutney (coriander leaves, green chillies, ginger, very cold, and the shake won't warm. coconut, salt and sugar). It makes a tasty and nutritious chutney and when · If pouring out colours,etc. turns out to be a messy job, use a clean ink drop- mixed with curd makes an unusual raita. per, used only for this purpose. Wash clean before changing essence or · Never scrape burnt leftovers from casseroles. Soak in a weak solution of colour. vinegar, salt and soapy warm water for an hour or so. The stuck particles · Rub a mixture of 1 tsp. each of milk top cream and lemon juice, all over will come off very easily, without scratching the dish. face and neck. Wash off after 10 minutes. Use regularly to rid skin of blem- · Always soak cauliflower in warm salted water for some time to get rid of the ishes, blackheads, and other such problems. tiny insects sometimes present deep inside the florets and not visible to the · To avoid a layer form on any thick liquid preparation while cooling (for eg. eye. Basundi, tamarind chutney, custard etc.),spinkle some granules of sugar · Adding a little dry rice to sugar while grinding it, will keep it from becoming over the surface of the dish. lumpy. · Lightly roast garlic flakes, rub between the folds of a piece of cloth. The · Easiest way to chop raisins. Sprinkle some flour over them so they don't skins will come off easily. stick. Cut with a small kitchen scissors as required. · Pine nuts may be roasted prior in large quantity, if used often, and packed · Add a few pinches of turmeric, a small spoon of ghee, to dal before pres- in a freezer proof bag. These can be kept in the freezer for months without sure cooking. This will impart a better flavour to the dal. losing flavour. Do not allow moisture to touch nuts. · Rub the soles of new footwear (leather soled) with some sandpaper to keep · One may marinate the vegetables prior in some vinegar, garlic and chilli if from slipping on polished floors. desired. This will give a more piquant taste to the stew. · Cut a small piece of the base of flower stalks each day, and add a capsule · Add a tbsp. of honey to a cup of whipping cream to keep it better in the re- contents of B complex to the vase water, to make cut flowers last longer. frigerator. · Use a knife dipped in hot water to smoothen the icing surface and sides. · Do not discard leftover mojo sauce. Add as a seasoning to clear and tomato Repeat the action till the whole icing is smoothened. or other similar soups. · Use varied coloured doughs like green one above, to make shapes (leaves, · Add a few drops of lemon juice to rice, while it is cooking. This will keep the cherries, braids, etc.) and deep fry on low till done. Decorate a variety of grain from breaking easily. festive dishes like baked casseroles, au gratins, pulaos, etc. with them. · To clean a paellera pan or other nonstick pan easily, without scraping, Store in airtight containers for 2-3 days. dump a few onion peels in it, add 1 tsp. vinegar, and 1/2 cup water. Bring to · Add a pinch of soda bicarb to the water to boil peas etc. faster and also to a boil, cover and leave aside for 10 minutes, wash pan all over with this liq- retain their bright green colour. uid, then wash with a mild detergent and sponge. Wipe clean and dry. · Use a mixture of lemon juice and glycerine in equal parts to dip nails which · Add lemon peel to a jar of castor sugar and close lid tightly. The sugar will are brittle and bruised to make them stronger and shinier. Repeat process have a beautiful mild lemony taste and smell to be used in pastries, cakes, regularly if the case is extreme. puddings, etc. · Store chopped vegetables in airtight plastic containers in the fridge to keep · If just a few drops of lemon juice are required do not cut whole lemon. Roll from browning and drying up. lemon on a hard surface to soften the skin, prick a hole with a cocktail or · Add some salt or vinegar drops while washing vegetables and greens to skewer. Press out required drops. Leave a toothpick in the hole or wrap it in make them clean and germ free, eg. cauliflower, spinach, etc.

Page : 14 Page : 51 Manohar Ratna · Grind cardamom along with skins to make powder. Pass through sieve. a piece of foil. This will keep it from drying out. While getting more quantity and becoming economical the flavour is also · Put lemons in a glass jar, fill it with water, screw lid tight. Refrigerate. enhanced. Mix the residue in tea leave or tea masala for beautifully aro- Change water every 3rd day. Lemons stored this way will keep good for matic tea. almost a month. · Rub outside of halved coconut shells with sandpaper to smoothen surface. · Soak squeezed lemon peels and some mint leaves in a mug of hot water Apply varnish. Use as containers to grow small cactii and other plants for for at least 1 hour. Squeeze out the peels and leaves, add water to remain- decorative effect. ing bath water for a refreshing bath. · To get crystal clear ice cubes boil the water before pouring in icecubes. · If the lemon seems to dry out, or the skin is too stiff, either soak in hot water Those made with plain water are usually foggy or opaque for 10 minutes or microwave for 30 seconds, before cutting. You will be able · Always use the back of a perforated spoon to make the frying puris puff up. to extract maximum juice this way. Use the non-puffed ones to make chaat, bhel, etc. · Peel long strips of lemon with knife, pith and all, hang to dry, use in a bou- · Add some citric acid to cleaning powder for cleaning brass and copper quet garni. ware. They will come out much cleaner. · Squeezed out, lemon can be used to rub the hands, nails, and fingers. Rub · When your perfume bottle gets used up, place open bottle in wardrobe. A till peel and hands turn dry. Wash after 15 minutes. Best done leisurely, light whiff of your favourite perfume will envelope your clothes and cup- while relaxing as in watching TV, etc. board for quite some time. · Lemon and orange peels, dried and powdered and mixed with gram flour · Wipe the blades of greasy knives with a peeled lemon . Wash under run- can be used as an excellent exfoliant. When required add 1 tsp. curds to 1 ning water. The greasiness will disappear. tbsp. flour mixture. Rub face gently with mixture for 5 minutes, wash with · Make small quantities of many types of butters, so that with very little extra ordinary tap water for a clean, clean, feel. This can also be used as a bath effort, you can provide yourself or family with a wide choice and variety to scrub for body, daily. cater to many tastes. · Lemon juice when added to fruit like apples, bananas after cutting, and · Always rinse greasy vessels in hot water before hand washing or putting in tossed lightly will prevent them from turning blackish immediately. This job a dish washer. They come out cleaner and leave dishes grimeless. can be simplified by using a small spray bottle spray the fruit. · Do not throw away almond peels. Sun dry and drygrind fine. Mix with gram- · A tsp. lemon juice, mixed with 1 tsp. honey, 1 tsp. ginger juice, will reduce flour, curd and use as a face wash. phlegmatic cough. · Add a few pinches of salt to cauliflower while boiling. Add a small blob of · A slice of cut lemon rubbed immediately over a paan stain, and then butter to the drained cauliflower and mix. This will enhance the flavour of washed, will leave the fabric free of all traces of the stain. the cauliflower in your recipe. · A glass of warm water, to which the juice of 1 lemon, and a tsp. of honey · Soak almonds in water overnight if you want to remove skin. The skin will has been added, help in weight loss if taken first thing in the morning, regu- come off much faster than that soaked in hot water for a short time. The larly. almonds will not discolour also. Any extras may be sundried till crisp and · Choose the smaller, flat, thin skinned tomatoes, for making sauces. They stored for months in airtight jars. will not only give better quality sauce, flavour will also be better. Even the · If gum dries up, add a little vinegar and stir. residue to get puree will be much lesser. · Store nail polish bottles in the refrigerator to prevent the polish from drying · To ease the pouring of sauces in narrow necked bottles, use a funnel, hold- up. ing it just above the top, stem inside, but not resting on the bottle. This way · To get a dry sketch pen working again, pour three or four drops of hot water the air inside the bottle will easily pass out, while the suace is flowing in. It into the sponge tube inside and wait a while. will not cause blockages and choking of the funnel. If bottom of funnel stem · If grilled doors or windows start getting rusty, scrape off the rust carefully is so narrow as to block flow, snip off a small portion. and paint the area immediately. You can also use a metal primer instead of · Use a pair of kitchen scissors to chop chillies, etc. fine. It will keep hands paint. from burning, and the job is done much faster too. · To remove mud stains from clothes, soak and wash them in water collected · Always take care to cover vessel with a loose lid, while boiling chillies, garlic after boiling potatoes. and other such pungent condiments. The smell tends to permeate the · To make aluminium vessels look good again, rub them with emery paper. house. Keep the kitchen exhaust on and windows wide open, as an added Mere washing can't remove the black stains. precaution.

Page : 50 Page : 15 Manohar Ratna · People with kidney problems and other digestive system ailments should long thin strips) since more can be sizzled in one round. Or supplement this use products with preservatives, high salt content, and tomatoes sparingly. dish with the patties, etc. of the veg. sizzler. Such persons can make sauces in small quantities without preservatives · Line the bottom of the charcoal bowl with a foil, shining side down, to heat and enjoy them too. coals better and ease in emptying out the bowl. · If large quantities are prepared, or more varieties are prepared, then steril- · Run the sizzler tray with a piece of lemon peel dipped in salt to remove the ise a big batch of jars and keep ready in a large sterilised steel container or grime easily. Continue with regular wash. sealed (with sticking tape) clean thermocol box. · Colour code similar keys around the house (set of cabinets, etc) by using 2 · Always rinse containers in which sauces have been made, with some vine- sets of of plain multicoloured bindis. Stick one on the key head and the gar and hot water, to alleviate the sauce odours before using for another other of the same colour on the door of the corresponding closet. Use for dish. fevicol or glue for lasting effect. · Place jam and other preserve jars in cupboards where air can circulate · Drain and keep any extra channa dal aside after cooking. Chill and then around, as also no moisture leaks into jams. If caps are also screwtight and add chopped onions, chutneys, coriander, salt, chopped cucumber and to- airtight, there there is no reason you preserves should go bad for months. matoes. Serve chilled as bhel with cups of steaming hot tea. Also while place them there, line shelf with newspaper under which anti- · Wipe clean, glass of showcases, cars, windows etc. with a soft cloth dipped insect powder has been sprinkled. This way ants,etc. will not find their way in the following: A strong solution of salt made by dissolving 2 tbsp. salt in 1 to your sweet delights.! cup warm water. · Wash ring bag, with contents intact, under running water to clean out com- · To bring a sparkle to metal fittings in bathrooms, taps, etc., apply a thin vim pletely. Then add it to your hot tub and bubble bath, run in contents in wa- paste all over, keep for 1 hour and wash off with warm soapy water and ter, using sachet as a scrubber and letting lemony flavours into you bath scrubber. Finally wash with plain water and wipe dry with a clean absorbent water for invigorating and fresh feeling. cloth. · Instead of discarding extra roses from bouquets dry them and prepare a · If batter of any bhajias tends to become too thin, wet a slice or two of bread, bouquet garni, a pot pourri of fragrance in a net sachet. Or dry, grind and press out all excess water, and mash it into the batter. This will help greatly mix powder with gramflour, store in a jar. For a refreshing bath scrub, to 1 in thickening the batter. tsp. mixture, add 1 tsp. curds, 1/2 tsp.honey. Scrub and wash. Use daily for · Do not dry wet leather shoes by putting in a warm place (like, before a fire) a glowing skin. since they may dry faster but will become stiff and wear fast. Instead, stuff · An easy way to scrape out pith from the insides of citrus fruit peels, is to them with old absorbent cloth (cotton ) and allow to dry . use the blunt side of a knife. To peel fruit segments of oranges, etc. easily, · To make bhakris of flours like maize, bajra (millet), jowar etc. always make pop into hot water and immediately into cold cold water. The skins will come dough as required. Making too much hours ahead with make the dough off easily. gooey and impossible to roll or pat. · Always powder citric acid crystals before adding to any preserve or mu- · Use a plastic scrubber (round ball type) to scrub potatoes, beets, carrots rabba, etc. It will blend into the recipe much better and faster. etc. of mud, dirt, etc. from the crevices and curves easily. Keep the scrub- · To preserve amla murabba better, tilt jar around each day, to keep all amla ber exclusively for this purpose only, for obvious reasons of hygiene. coated with syrup. This way the upper ones won't dry out. · Paneer crumbs, bread crumbs and some melted butter, tossed together · Always crush icecubes well before putting under an electrical hand mixer form an excellent topping if you run short of cheese, for any baked dishes. for Blending. Using whole cubes, can result in the mixer head breaking and · Rub face with the peel of papaya, (inner side) keep for fifteen minutes. flying To pieces. Wash with cool water, for a fresh clean feel. · Soak stiff starchy new cottons in a solution of 1/2 cup milk to 7 water. Soak · To keep the green colour of peas bright, put in boiling water and boil on for at least 1 or 2 hours. Wash off with regular detergents. This will soften high till done. Drain, pour very cold water over them, drain again. Use as the cloth removing undesired stiffness of the starch. required. · Dry almond skins in sun till brittle. Powder, mix with gram flour, turmeric and · Always wipe dry steel bathroom taps after using to keep the shine intact. store. Add curds and honey to a Tablespoonful of mixture and use to rub Water left to dry on metal taps leave stains which over a period become skin clean while bathing. Making and excellent cleaning agent for the Body difficult to remove. and face. · Add a handful of well soaked dal to any salad to throw in that extra require- · Always store aamras and other such mango dishes in non-metal containers ment of protien in your diet.

Page : 16 Page : 49 Manohar Ratna · Wet burnt pans/vessels with water till burnt portion if fully moist and place before serving. The ras may discolour in other metal containers. the pan/vessel upside down for 10-15 minutes - tilt and clean normally. · Try recipes of mangoes with different varieties, to get a variation in flavours, · Lot of Housewives complain about the time taken in the kitchen as they are taste as well as colour, since they range from pale yellow (malgoba) to the chased by the clock. The Tip is you can do the cleaning of kitchen and deep orange (kesari and dusseri) varieties. utensils while waiting for boiling, heating and lot of other activities over the · Ripen raw mangoes in cardboard boxes lined with old newspapers and lay- stove. This will save lot of time and extra efforts. ered with dry straw. This way it is easier to pile the fruit without spoiling as · Add some citric acid to cleaning powder for cleaning brass and copper well as they will ripen faster and more evenly. ware. They will come out much cleaner. · Heat used lemon peels in heavy iron skillets with some water and salt. · When your perfume bottle gets used up, place open bottle in wardrobe. A Cover and allow to stand for an hour, before scouring gently with a soft light whiff of your favourite perfume will envelope your clothes and cup- steel scrubber and some dishwashinh soap. The skillet will come out very board for quite some time. clean. · Wipe the blades of greasy knives with a peeled lemon . Wash under run- · Wrap half cut raw mangoes in clingfilm before storing in refrigerator. The ning water. The greasiness will disappear. mango will stay fresh longer as also its odour will not permeate other prod- · Make small quantities of many types of butters, so that with very little extra ucts like milk and desserts. effort, you can provide yourself or family with a wide choice and variety to · Boil peelings of raw mango, in containers like pressure cookers, aluminium cater to many tastes. skillets, etc. to make them come out clean and shiny. · Always rinse greasy vessels in hot water before hand washing or putting in · One way to test if the mango is rip enough to cut, is to smell the point where a dish washer. They come out cleaner and leave dishes grimeless. the mango was attached to the tree. Nip off any remaining stalk, smell. If · Pour some diluted liquid bleach into tea stained cups. Keep aside for 2-3 the mango is right, it will exude a luscious sweet fragrant aroma. hours. Wash with soap. The tea stains will come off easily. · If you have excessive stock of green chillies, do not waste them. Boil in hot · A traditional Gujarati way of keeping teeth strong and shipshape. Chew on salted water, till white. Drain and sun dry till brittle. Crush or store whole a twig of the neem tree daily, before brushing!! In gujarati villages this is still and use as required in any dish requiring chillies, without Changing the col- the main form of a teeth cleanser. our of the dish. · To pep leftover farsan which is not getting over, add finely chopped onions, · To prevent lumps while adding flour to any liquids, eg. Water, buttermilk,etc. coriander, green chilli and salt, lemon juice, chaat masala. Toss and serve first mix the flour in a little bit of the Liquid to form a smooth paste. Add this with afternoon tea as a spicy muchy. to the remaining liquid and stir well. · Save the stems of colocasia leaves. Peel outer skin and chop fine. Add as · Do not throw away Starch water strained from boiled rice. Use either to garnish to a salad or stirfry and add to clear soup. starch your dupattas and other clothes, as also to knead dough, in soups, · Rub the peel of ripe papaya, (inner side) on skin of face and hands, after or to make more rice. peeing fruit. Keep for 15 minutes and wash off with cool water, for a fresh · Pour a little water (about 1 cup for a 3 litre vessel) in vessel in which you clean feel. would boil milk. Then, pour in the milk. Heat container and bring milk to boil, · To get crystal clear ice cubes boil the water before pouring in icecubes. without stirring. This way the milk will not scald at the bottom of the Con- Those made with plain water are usually foggy or opaque. tainer. Take care to rinse vessel with clean water before using. · Repeatedly rub wax on the insides of new shoes or sandals, for the first few · Instead of folding and hanging delicate organzas and tissue sarees, request days of wearing, to avoid shoe bites. you dhobi to roll them on a textile roll Wooden stick. This way they will not · Use a pair of scissors instead of a knife for cutting hot vegetables like chil- cut or tear at the folded creases for long unused sarees. lies and also leafy greens like spinach, celery, coriander, etc. Your work will · Try applying salt on the greased part of the non stick vessels and then try get done much faster. Take care to use a clean, non-rusty pair used only for cleaning them it works easier and faster. kitchen purposes. · Avoid cooking sour dishes (like tamirind based dishes) in non stick pans · Wrap potatoes etc. which you may want to bake in the coals, in foil, to re- coz the sourness will remove coating faster. tain moisture and also to avoid becoming sooty black. · If oil is by chance spilt on the non stick vessel while making dosa or chapatti · Use day old slices of bread to hold better in the skewer. If the still slip, fas- then wipe it immediately using a paper napkin before it can settle on the ten with toothpick vertically inserted along the sides, to support the skewer. edges of the non stick pan. · When a large serving is required use the julien recipe ( veggies cut into inch · Never store pastes in open bowls or jars. The smell will permeate milk, but-

Page : 48 Page : 17 Manohar Ratna ter, cheese, veggies, Fruit, other dishes and even icecubes, and the dam- not last as long as the ones made by the long traditional process. age will be irreversible. This is because of High content of garlic in many · For apt usage of a microwave, compliment microwave cooking with tradi- pastes. tional forms. Do the boiling, frying and seasoning part on a gas stove. While · Never make a paste of raw onions if you want to keep it for any amount of leaving the baking, sauteeing, cooking, melting, etc. to a microwave. time. It will turn Bitter. Always fry them in a little oil, and then grind. · Sometimes oil begins to foam on heating to deepfry and rises dangerously · Grind thick masala pastes on a stone grinder if possible. Since you would in the pan. To dissipate the foam add a marble sized ball of tamarind to the be using lesser water. The taste and texture would also be much better. oil. · Chop chillies, etc. either with a steel knife or steel scissors. Do not use iron · To get rid of dandruff apply the following mixture of once or twice a week. knives, etc. since the Pastes will tend to turn blackish later on. Keep for 20-25 minutes before washing off with a mild soap or shampoo. · Always wear plastic gloves or slip hands into 2 transparent plastic bags Warm together, 1 tbsp. curds, 2 tsp. oil and 1 tsp. lemon juice. while handling and Cutting chillies, to avoid hands from burning sensations. · Soak burnt pans with a weak solution of domestic ammonia and water. Af- · Tamarind tends to get very thick on grinding. So save some water to add to ter an hour rub with used lemon peels dipped in salt. Wash with soap for a the last churning, or To run in mixie, after having emptied it by inverting into clean, clean pan. container. The stuck paste will dilute Easily, when machine is run for a few · If karanjias are used after too many days and feel stale, warm them for 1/2 seconds. Therefore cleaning is simplified and wastage Minimised. to 1 minute in the microwave oven before serving. They will taste freshly · While making dosas or chapattis pour oil 1 inch inside the outer border of fried. the dosa or chapatti so that the oil does not flow out and spoil the non stick · If you cannot get hold of diwali diyas (lamps), make your own by mould out coating. of ordinary wheat flour dough, about a week ahead, dry well and paint. · To roast large brinjals on an electric stove top, slice vertically into half right · Don't throw away old toothbrushes. They form excellent scrubbers for so through the stem. Make shallow criss-cross cuts on the cut surface, then many places, eg. crevices in tiles, inlaid furniture, grooves in vessels, apply a light film of oil on all surfaces. Roast both halves together on me- sieves, meshes, waffle irons, etc. dium heat (turning now and then) for about 20 minutes. Then raise to high · Sun dry lemon peels till brittle. Powder and use for scrubbing the face heat and roast for a few more minutes, till soft and limp and both sides are clean. black. Cool thoroughly, then carefully peel the skins off both sides.(Wipe · Feel like gorging on chocolates and cannot resist. Pick a nice firm ripe to- over with damp fingers to clean). Mash and use as required. mato, and just sink your teeth into it. Allow the juice to overtake the crav- · Rub slices of onion on dosa tawa (griddle) before spreading dosas. This will ings. Once into the habit, you will love munching tomatoes instead of avoid the dosa from stubbornly sticking to the griddle or tawa. chips!!! Juicy tomatoes eaten just as they are, are great tasters. · Rub cut onion on insides of a new kadai or saucepan, and heat a little. · For a cool clean feeling, rub the inner side of papaya peel all over face. Then pour oil and proceed. The pan will not burn contents easily. You need Wash off with water after 15-20 minutes. not do this for used pans. · Add a leaf or two of fresh chopped mint to a glass of any mocktail to liven it · To chop onions without tears, slit a clean transparent plastic bag from base, up and add the minty zing to it. so that both sides are open. Place board, and hands inside this and chop · Preboiling fruit like grapes, tomato, before making the juice, will keep the onions with the bag forming a loose out casing. juice and water separating in the glass after pouring. The colour is also en- · Peel onions easily by dropping them into boiling water and covering. 3 min- hanced. utes for small varieties, and 5 minutes for the large varieties. Cut a small · Quickest way to extract pure ginger juice, is to either pound or grate fresh cross in the root base for larger ones, to prevent from bursting in the water. ginger, sprinkle a wee bit of water, and put in a clean muslin cloth. Press · Rub chopping board with a slice of lemon vigorously, after cutting onions, out juice with thumb and fingers till only fibre remains. garlic, etc. This will ensure that all odours of such vegetables is rid, then · Make a pack of raw potato peels, by folding in a wet gauze. Place two such wash thoroughly with washing soap. packs over eyes for 15-20 minutes. Regularly used, this helps in reducing · To give abetter flavour to pureed onion, pierce onion with a long fork. Roast puffiness under the eyes and dark circles. over direct flame turning all around, till out 2 layers are burnt. Wash burnt · To get crystal clear ice cubes boil the water before pouring in icecubes. layers under running water, chop and puree onion. Those made with plain water are usually foggy or opaque · To serve piping hot fresh biryani, pulaos, or rices, you can prepare com- · Always use the back of a perforated spoon to make the frying puris puff up. pletely, upto the stage when cooker is closed and whistles have to be Use the non-puffed ones to make chaat, bhel, etc.

Page : 18 Page : 47 Manohar Ratna · Always use a clean pair of kitchen scissors to trim edges of bread. Much counted after putting on heat. This stage can be done just a half hour be- neater and less messy edges as compared to those trimmed with a knife. fore sitting to a meal, so that the cooker is done, as well as cooled enough · Use a large semiboiled potato to make a quick flower arrangement if a to open and serve, in time. flower holder is not available. Push sturdy stalks of flowers into the potato at · Wherever brinjals are required to be griddled, fried, or burnt, one can butter the required angles. Do not keep for more than 2 days. Immerse in water to it up and cook it in the microwave too. Though a little different in texture, it which an aspirin is added. will be equally good in taste. · Use the water strained from the curdled milk (paneer) to soak your dull sil- · Keep pan in which any vegetables are cooked, covered, after taking off fire, vers for 15-20 minutes. Wash well. They will shine like new. aside, for a few minutes. This will help the vegetable absorb the juices in. · Use clean skins of boiled potatoes to place as a soothing pack over eyes to This also allow the hot vessel to blend the flavours slowly, to make the veg- refresh and reduce their puffiness. table better, generally. · If there is a lot of leftover paneer crumbs, dry in a warm oven. Fry till crisp · Place teabags soaked in chilled water over closed eyes to relieve tired and and store in the fridge. Soften in boiling water, drain and add to thicken gra- strained eyes. Regular use will bring the sparkle and smile back to your vies of any vegetables and curries. eyes. · Make tomato puree in bulk. Transfer to ice cube trays and freeze. Put the · Freeze puree of grilled and mashed brinjals, and add to gravy vegetables to frozen cubes in a thick polythene bag. Store in the freezer and use reddy add that typical brinjal flavour or even thicken a gravy, in a jiffy. Add a little puree cubes as required. Will keep for over 3 weeks in the freezer. salt, lemon juice and turmeric to the puree before freezing. · Give a nice big bright star on your kiddies' room calender every day that he · Always keep slit or chopped brinjals in salted water, till required. Remove cleans out his lunch box fully!! See his enthusiasm soar. and use as per recipe, when required. This will keep them from turning · Use minimal of wrappers, foils, etc. which they may litter or make messy if black, which happens when they are kept otherwise, in a matter of minutes. wrongly handled. · Always garnish a dish just before it is ready to serve. If you are preparing · Replace sweets and candy with a few dry fruits like almonds, etc. for after any vegtable few hours ahead, then reheat and refresh before pouring into lunch munching. So much healthier. serving dish. Then garnish to give that attractive just-made look and taste. · Try substituting kids' lunch bag with lemonade instead of water once or · Add a lemon and onion to the vessel in which potatoes are boiled, add twice a week. They'll be thrilled. some water and boil a few minutes. Drain and wash with dishwashing soap. · Rub a piece of lime (used) inside the lunch box to get rid of strong odours Will keep the vessel from discolouring. (like garlic) before rinsing off. · Keep grated potatoes in cold water to keep them from discolouring, till · If a lunch box tends of leak from cover, seal with scotch tape. Teach kid to used. When required, drain, press out excess water, and dab on a clean remove tape before eating. kitchen towel. Use immediately. · Grated paneer, carrot, beetroot etc. is a good accompaniment in a lunch · Place cotton pads soaked in potato juice (grated and extracted from raw box instead of biscuits, junk food like fries, etc. potato) over eyes, to remove puffiness. Regular use will reduce dark circles · Shake the vegetables loose in the plastic bag before thawing, to distribute from under eyes. the heat evenly. · Smash half a boiled potato, add a bit of water, and convert to a smooth · Use tissue papers for reheating fried snacks. Eg. samosa, vada, kachori, paste (use a small mixie for convenience) and add to any soup to thicken bhajji, etc. The paper will absorb the excess oil and moisture and keep the and add body, if you have run out of cornflour. snack crisp. Reheat on high for 1-1 1/2 minute. · Keep silvers immersed in water in which potatoes were boiled. Remove af- · Place a large bowl half full of water, microwave on high till it comes to a ter an hour and wash regularly with soap. Will come out sparkling like new. boil. Remove and clean oven with a moist cloth, to remove grime and · Put tiny pieces of nonglossy newpaper into stale smelling bottle with narrow grease. Clean then as usual with warm soapy water dipped cloth. necks. Pour 1/3 full of detergent and water mixture. Soak for 2-3 hours. · Round or oval containers will spread heat more evenly in a microwave oven Shake well and wash clean with a bottle brush. The smell would have van- than square, rectangular or odd shaped ones. ished! · To get the best out of saffron: Warm saffron before crushing (you may use · Use a thick firm bayleaf to spread the batter, instead of the back of a spoon, microwave: 10 secs on maxi.). Add 1 tsp. warm milk and stir well. to give that milk Sweetsmelling flavour of bay leaves. · Make a lovely potpourri by drying your favourite flowers, herbs and leaves · To refesh old ladoos, place in a microwave for 30 seconds. The ladoo will between layers of paper napkins. Make sure not do burn them. This may taste as good and fresh as just made.

Page : 46 Page : 19 Manohar Ratna · Always plan your lunches or dinners, even regular ones ahead. A little time turn out softer and whiter. spent on that is worth a lot saved through haphazard planning, searching · Soak jewellery (eg. silver, copper, gold) in the water drained from curdled for ingredients you have and don't have, and even simulating dishes to milk for 15 mins. wash them with soap afterwards. Get back the sparkle in work on more than one dish. This was you save a lot, lot more time than them to look new. you spend on planning ahead. It will in the long run, help reduce your · Apply tamarind paste and salt for greasy, or copped bottomed or brass ves- stress, keep you enough time and energy for other things and hobbies, and sels, and wash. They come out much cleaner, and more easily. generally keep you smiling. · Dissolve a 1/2 tsp. of turmeric powder in hald a cup of hot sweetened milk · Always add a teaspoon (at least, if recipe does not call for more) of wheat and drink for relief from cough and cold. Repeat morning and night for a flour to the fat while popping gum crystals, to ensure their even popping of week. the crystals. They will also not stick together. · Make a decoction of tea leaves, mint, a bit of ginger. Mix in a dash of · Roast saffron very slightly before crushing into milk or water, for better ab- honey, sip hot to give relief from chest congestion. sorption and colour. · Rub the point of a bee-bite with soft mud and salt made into a paste. The · Dip fingers in warm olive oil every alternate day for 7-8 minutes. Remove swelling will subside soon, as also the poison will not spread further. and rub the oil that stays over till the hands absorb it. Reuse the same oil · A tsp. each of ginger juice and honey to be warmed and taken just before cup to keep fingers and hands soft and free from winter dryness. sleeping, to bring relief from severe cough. Repeat every night for a week. · Wash hands and feet before sleeping. Apply petroleum jelly generously. · Sprinkle a mixture of powdered cardomom and rock sugar (misri) over the Wear woollen or cotton socks and mittens. This will not only keep you warm tongue, gums and inner cheeks to get relief from mouth sores and ulcers. and decrease chances of catching colds, it will keep your hands and feet, Repeat 3-4 times a day. soft and supple through the winter. · A clove and a cardamom kept in the mouth while travelling, brings relief to · If you are economizing, thoroughly wash used shampoo bottle with lid and those suffering from motion sickness. pourer to dispense phenyl, detergent, oil and even liquid soap easily and · A drop or two of eucalyptus oil add to water for steam inhalation gives ex- without any waste. cellent relief in common colds. · Soak brass or silver items in water drained from curdled milk. Allow to soak · If curd has turned sour, tie in cloth for a while (1/2-1 hour) remove in bowl in the hot water for 10 minutes. Remove and wash with regular washing add enough milk to get required consistency, beat well. The sourness will soap. They will sparkle like new. be gone. Use in raithas, rices, etc. · One tsp. soyaflour, with 3-4 pinches salt, 1/2 tsp. cream and 1/2 tsp. olive · Rub mustard oil on palms and soles to bring warmth to a shivering body. oil, mixed together and rubbed gently on skin make an excellent exfoliator Also use as massage oil for aching joints and muscles. However, the smell for skin. Apply on face, rub with slow gentle strokes till you feel the skin tin- may be a bit repulsive, so add a few drops of perfume if desired. gling. Wash off with running water, and dab dry with soft towel. · Add a pinch of turmeric powder to the oil before adding green vegetables. · Use leftover salads in making a nice hot pulao. Steam rice, add a few The vegetables will retain their greenness better even after cooking. spices, masalas, salad, cheese if desired, salt and toss well. Cover and · Rub used lemon halves dipped in salt over greasy pans, and wipe clean simmer till very hot. with an old newspaper before washing. This will remove all the extra grease · Put tiny pieces of nonglossy newpaper into stale smelling bottle with narrow and make the washing easier. You may even rub some flour instead. necks. Pour 1/3 full of detergent and water mixture. Soak for 2-3 hours. · When carrying many food packets while travelling, use either transparent Shake well and wash clean with a bottle brush. The smell would have van- polythene bags or put a name sticker on each foil pack etc. so that guess- ished! ing, opening and searching is avoided. When food is used up, use these · Addition of lemon juice to dals and leafy vegetables make them more com- bags to collect your litter on the way. patible for absorbing Nutrients by the body. · Crush chikki coarsely and use as nougat over cakes and icecreams. Use · Never add pineapple as is, to jellies, etc. since it will not set well and taste nuts of your choice. bitter too. Always Boil in a little sweetened water, and drain, or use canned · Blanch green leafy vegetables ( fenugreek, spinach, etc.) in boiling water fruit (if you must). for 2 minutes. Hold under cold running water, press out excess water, store · Use a wooden spatula to stir dishes like halwa, etc. while cooking, to avoid in freezer for about 2 weeks without spoiling. scratching of Utensils, and ease on the hands too. · Use the whey (water) from tied curds to make softer chappati, paratha and · If you are economizing, thoroughly wash used shampoo bottle with lid and naans. Use this water instead of plain water to knead the dough.

Page : 20 Page : 45 Manohar Ratna blowing air in the following way. Use an empty soft-plastic sauce dispenser pourer to dispense phenyl, detergent, oil and even liquid soap easily and bottle with a nozzle. Press so that the air blowing out will blow the dirt away. without any waste. · Place some soda bicarb open in a small shallow dish in the fridge. This will · Soak brass or silver items in water drained from curdled milk. Allow to soak disallow odours of one dish mixing into another. Eg. milk and guavas. in the hot water for 10 minutes. Remove and wash with regular washing · Place a folded cloth under any vessel which you have to whip in. You will soap. They will sparkle like new. have a better grip of the vessel since it will not slip over the worksurface. · One tsp. soyaflour, with 3-4 pinches salt, 1/2 tsp. cream and 1/2 tsp. olive This holds good while mixing cake batter, icings, whipping, etc. oil, mixed together and rubbed gently on skin make an excellent exfoliator · Rest assured that honey can never be adulterated. If warm water is added, for skin. Apply on face, rub with slow gentle strokes till you feel the skin tin- it will ferment. If any type of sugar syrup is added it will solidify. Also, the gling. Wash off with running water, and dab dry with soft towel. older the better. · Use leftover salads in making a nice hot pulao. Steam rice, add a few · Fix candle in a container. Fill half the container with water before lighting spices, masalas, salad, cheese if desired, salt and toss well. Cover and the candle. This way, the candle lasts longer and the overflowed wax is simmer till very hot. easier to remove from the water. The container becomes easy to clean too. · To crush chillies fine, run in a small electric grinder with a pinch of salt. This · Add contents of a capsule of b complex to the water in your vase to make will Remove with a rubber spatula. This will save a lot of time on chopping, the flowers last longer. as also it will Keep the hands safe from handling chillies. Even one or two · To freeze stock of your choice, eg., tomato, mixed vegetable as above, chillies can be done Easily this way. spinach, etc., prepare thick stock and cool to room temperature. Transfer to · To get rid of ants, apply a solution of tobacco and water, to the cracks, icecube trays and freeze to make solid cubes. Remove cubes and transfer holes, and grooves Where the ants are coming from. to a freezable polythene bag, with an airseal. Remove excess air, seal tight. · Make a smooth paste of fresh tender green gram (1 tsp.), curds (2 tsp.), Store in freezer and use cubes as required. turmeric (2-3 pinches) spread smoothly over face. Wash after 15-20 min- · Make a concentrated solution of bleaching powder and water. Apply on utes for that fresh cool feeling. stained surfaces and wash basins in a bathroom (tiles, etc., not metallic), · Shell very fresh tender green gram, fill into freezer bags, remove trapped leave overnight. Wash clean with water next day. Will keep the bathroom air, freeze. The gram will be fresh for 2-3 weeks. Thaw to room temperature sparkling. before using. · Clean unreachable places and crevices in ovens and waffle trays etc. by · If a grater is not handy, cut ginger or garlic into small bits. Crush with the using old tootbrushes dipped in soda bi carb. Then wipe clean with a soft back of a steel or wooden ladle. It will easily crush. cloth. · To quicken the process of making any vegetable where the vegetable · Blend all ingredients together and keep overnight in a cool place. Use with needs to be cooked for long, wash, drain sprinkle a little salt, and micro- any savoury dishes like pastas, minestrones, bakes, etc. wave covered, till done. Simultaneously, proceed on stove, to make the re- · Place tomatoes in hot water for 5-7 minutes, before using for easier peeling maining recipe. Add the microwaved vegetable and finish off cooking. This and better taste in any recipe where tomatoes are required to be cooked. way, the vegetable is cooked with minimum water, in its own juices, and · If pizza sauce (or gravies) has become very thin, thicken by adding 2 slices reduces cooking time considerably. But take care to add lesser water to of dayold bread, run in a mixie to make very fine crumbs. Using too much masala, since the vegetable will not be cooked for so long. cornflour may make the sauce taste pasty. · To make last minute cooking faster, roast the parathas, without oil, cool a · Pour a capful of liquid bleach in a stained commode. Keep for 1/2 hour. Add little, then pile, cover with cloth and keep aside. When and as required, heat soap powder and brush, for a sparkle. griddle, proceed with the shallow frying stage, and finish off. Serve them · If gloves are inconvenient wear 2 old washed socks while doing chores sizzling hot and crisp, yet fast!!! which are rude on the hands, like carwashing, dish-washing, scrubbing, etc. · Rub slices of fresh cut raw potato over mud stains, allow to dry, then wash · Save old toothbrushes for quick cleaning of those corner and grooves which with detergent to remove effectively. are difficult to clean with larger brushes. eg. bottles, bathroom corners, tile · Scrub iron griddle with a piece of silver warpping sheet of medicines. When joints, engraving on metals, etc. rubbed with this along with the regular soap, the burnt and scarred remains · Place a tsp. of soda bicarb in a corner of the fridge in a small crucible. This will come off easily. will keep smells of foods in the fridge from permeating each other. · Keep rolled puries in the fridge,for 10 minutes. It will consume less oil,and · Use the water drained from curdle milk to knead chappati dough. They will puries will crisper.Before frying onions soak them in milk for 10 minutes.The

Page : 44 Page : 21 Manohar Ratna onions will fry fast and have a uniform colour and will be more crisper. Store an effective and refreshing pack. chapathi dough after applying some milk ,it will not turn black. · To make an easy muslin pouch: Take 2 consecutive corners of a rectangu- · Remove lipstick stains from fabrics, by first rubbing with Vaseline. Then lar piece of cloth and knot together tightly. Repeat for other 2 ends. Hold sponge with soap suds and wash with warm water. like a hammock shape, pour in the curd and use the knots to hang the · Place chopped veggies for salads in a large bowl of icecold water, before pouch. Halfway, close the opening with a plain clothesline clip. Hand on a preparing salad, to give that fresh, crisp, crunchy feel. hook or tap easily. · Remove grease stains: Put a few drops of methylated spirit on cottonwool · Colour code similar keys around the house (set of cabinets, etc) by using 2 and rub stain. If fresh, keep stained portion between layers of blotting pa- sets of of plain multicoloured bindis. Stick one on the key head and the per, and rub gentlyl with hot iron, so it absorbs the grease. Then wash with other of the same colour on the door of the corresponding closet. Use for warm soapy water. fevicol or glue for lasting effect. · Sprinkle a couple of pinches of cocoa powder over the frothy top of a cup of · Drain and keep any extra channa dal aside after cooking. Chill and then Coffee for that extra flavour and garnish add chopped onions, chutneys, coriander, salt, chopped cucumber and to- · Remove coffee stains from fabrics, sponge stained area with borax solution, matoes. Serve chilled as bhel with cups of steaming hot tea. And wash off with warm soap suds. If stain is old and dried, loosen first with · Wipe clean, glass of showcases, cars, windows etc. with a soft cloth dipped Glycerine solution. in the following: A strong solution of salt made by dissolving 2 tbsp. salt in 1 · For fresh ghee take a slab of unsalted butter place in a heavy bottomed pan cup warm water. and mlet on very slow flame. Remove the froth as it forms with a slotted · To bring a sparkle to metal fittings in bathrooms, taps, etc., apply a thin vim spoon. Dont the let it burn. When the oil is clear and stops frothing add a paste all over, keep for 1 hour and wash off with warm soapy water and few methi (fenugreek) seeds to it and switch off the flame. scrubber. Finally wash with plain water and wipe dry with a clean absorbent · To make soft puris and chappatis, the dough should be mixed properly and cloth. rested for atleast 20 minutes. Measure 1 cup atta to 1/2 cup boiling water. · If batter of any bhajias tends to become too thin, wet a slice or two of bread, In a shallow dish, pour 1/2 cup water and 2-3 drops of oil and salt to taste.. press out all excess water, and mash it into the batter. This will help greatly Sprinkle the atta over it, stirring gently with the end of a ladle or serving in thickening the batter. spoon, till a mass is formed. After a minute, knead with your hand to make · Do not dry wet leather shoes by putting in a warm place (like, before a fire) a soft ball. Cover for 20 minutes, then use as required. since they may dry faster but will become stiff and wear fast. Instead, stuff · Chicken becomes especially tender if you marinate it for and hour in curd them with old absorbent cloth (cotton ) and allow to dry . (raw yoghurt) mized in with some of whtever spices your recipe calls for and · To make bhakris of flours like maize, bajra (millet), jowar etc. always make salt. Half teaspoon of sugar is also an excellent tenderiser. dough as required. Making too much hours ahead with make the dough · Dear friends, When many chapatis are left over you can turn it into a very gooey and impossible to roll or pat. tasty dish.Crumble the chapatis into fine pieces by putting it in the dry · Use a plastic scrubber (round ball type) to scrub potatoes, beets, carrots grinder.Heat oil as required depending on the no of chapatis left.add mus- etc. of mud, dirt, etc. from the crevices and curves easily. Keep the scrub- tard seds hing haldipowder and groundnuts.Then add onions thathave been ber exclusively for this purpose only, for obvious reasons of hygiene. sliced lengthwise.Add the crumbled chapatis, salt and chillipowder to taste. · Paneer crumbs, bread crumbs and some melted butter, tossed together Mi x properly for a few minutes and remove from fire.Sprinkle a few drops of form an excellent topping if you run short of cheese, for any baked dishes. lemon juice and coriander leaves finely chopped./serve hot. · Use a mixture of lemon juice and glycerine in equal parts to dip nails which · Use, if possible earthenware vessels to enhance the flavour of Rajasthani are brittle and bruised to make them stronger and shinier. Repeat process dals and curries. regularly if the case is extreme. · If frying almonds, cashews, etc. at the same time, first fry the cashews, then · Store chopped vegetables in airtight plastic containers in the fridge to keep almonds, as the Almonds will discolour the frying medium. from browning and drying up. · To fry chillies safely, especially when deep frying, lower them in the oil in · Add some salt or vinegar drops while washing vegetables and greens to slotted spoon, and Hold them down, with the back of another flat wide make them clean and germ free, eg. cauliflower, spinach, etc. spoon. · If curds have become too sour to eat as is, tie as above for 3-4 hours, add · For easier rolling of masala rotis, parathas, etc. which tend to stick to you milk and use in raitas, curd rice, etc. wooden rolling board, Slip board into a clean smooth plastic bag and pull · Blow out dirt from crevices of electronic gadgets, carved furniture, etc., by

Page : 22 Page : 43 Manohar Ratna polybags. Use cubes as required in recipes. tight over surface. · Grate cucumber before soiling your hands with any other ingredients, like · Line the bottom of sink with a thin sheet of sponge or thick towel, while chillies. Save the extracted water and apply on face with a clean cotton ball. washing delicate and Costly glassware and crockery. This will avoid any Wash off after 30-40 minutes for a clean, cool, feel. drastic mishaps of breakage. · Throw in a handful of soaked beans or sprouts to give the added nourish- · To get bushy eye brows, apply hair conditioner to eye brows at night every- ment, as a combination in any raitha. day and leave overnight washoff in the morning. The nutrients in the condi- · Stitch oval muslin bags with a loop to hang curds, paneer, etc. easily. Do tioner work wonders. not use them for other purposes to keep them clean and odourless. · To cut any rolled rounds in desired shapes use a pizza cutter instead of a · Use the residue of tamarind to wash brass vessels to bring back the shine. knife. You will get A better finish, and the round will not crease or pull with Add in a dash of salt and soap powder. the knife. · To make creamier raithas, add half a cup of fresh cream to one recipe of · Pin a 4" x 4" square plastic near your dresser, or bathroom to hold your bin- raitha. Makes the dish much more rich, though. dis while not in use. This way your dresser furniture and bathroom mirror · Roast cumin seeds on a warm griddle before dry grinding. They will give a will be free of bindi gum, left behind after Removing bindi from there. Re- better flavour and grind faster. place plastic after it gets gummy enough!! · Dip silver ornaments like toerings, payals, etc., in the curd whey got from · If frying oil tends foam, add a small ball of tamarind to it, and the foaming hanging sour curds. Wash with soap after an hour or two, for a clean spar- will gradually stop. kling look. · Whenever we buy vermicelli or sooji, before storing if we fry them until it · Add a few tsps. of milk to cauliflower while boiling to rid it of the raw smell. turns light brown colour, it can last longer. And whenever we want to cook Drain and wash before adding to the recipe. them, it will be instantly ready to cook and less time cosuming. · Always hold fresh vegetables under running water for a minute, after boiling · If short of space, wash machine dry curtains and hang them in their place and draining, to enhance their colour, eg. carrots, greens, peas, etc. Hold in without drying on a clothesline. They will solve your problem of an over- a colander or strainer so that the water passes through. crowded clothesline and will reduce on step of the job. Pull them end to end · To keep salt from becoming lumpy in moist climate, add a dash of rice flour to spread them fully and let the air dry them. to it. Add a few rice grains in the salt shaker. · If you find it hard to make diwali rangoli designs with hand, use a small noz- · To access bindis easily, put them in a small photo album, like photographs. zled funnel, control the flow of the filled rangoli with thumb or middle finger, They will be not fall about and can be located very fast. and make desired designs easily. Do not use pure colours without rangoli in · To save time, boil extra channa drain, freeze in freezable polybags, thaw to this way because they will not fall through easily. room temperature before using. Proceed as for freshly boiled channa. Add · Grind slightly warmed and cooled cardamom pods in a small dry mixie. Use a bayleaf or two while boiling lentils, gives a better flavour. a fine Sieve to get fine powder, repeat with the coarse residue till maximum · For use of green like sarson ki bhaji out of season, microwave to dehydrate powder is got. Store easily in a clean dry bottle, for months. This way even till crisp. Soak in hot water for half an hour, before proceeding as for fresh the flavour of the skin is utilized, more powder is obtained and it is Less bhaji. dark, so the sweet does not get discoloured if white, etc. in colour. · Always hold silver foil with edges, invert over the dish. Never attempt to · Scrape coconut shells clean with sand paper. Make their surfaces smooth hold with hand. It will stick to the fingers. If small bits are required, cut by rubbing Sand paper, and make decorative bowls, ladles, etc. by painting, folded in paper and then apply as above. Smoothen out with the paper it- varnishing and Decorating with beads, shells, etc. self. · Chill cucumber juice and apply pads soaked in them over tired and strained · A shortcut method is to use cashew powder, soaked for 10 minutes in some eyes, to release the tension and bring back freshness and sparkle. Repeat milk. Then proceed as above. But the result may not be as smooth as the daily. original recipe. · Soak almonds, pistachios, etc. in water for and hour or two, to ease slicing · Toast a few slices of bread till crisp. Grind into fine bread crumbs. Store in a them. Drain and dab dry with a thick kitchen towel or clean cloth, before tight glass jar. Use as a handy thickener for gravies, soups, etc., if they feel cutting. too watery. · To make a floral arti dish requirements are: rose pedals, cunco, adhesive · Save a tsp. of mashed dal from above. Mix in a tsp. each of fine oatmeal, tape, glitters rosewater and cream. Apply on face. Wash off after 15-20 minutes. Makes · Take your thali (plate) and border it with rose petals. Draw an "om" with the

Page : 42 Page : 23 Manohar Ratna double side adhesive tape in the middle of thali. Sprinkle glitters on the ad- kilogram of tamarind. Store in airtight plastic or glass container. hesive tape. Take the cunco and put dots on the rose pedals. · To keep chappatis warm longer, cover the pile with two piece of clean cloth · To chase away cockroaches from cupboards make the following balls, dry above and below in a tight steel container. Leave on a griddle that has been in a dry shaded Place, and keep inside the drawers, cupboards, shelves, warmed first. etc. Only take care, not to keep them In wet places. Mix together boric pow- · To clean the surface of vegetables like potato, radish, sweetpotato, carrots, der, wheat flour, and ground sugar in 4:2:1 proportion. Sieve together, add etc. use a separate plastic scrubber or toothbrush kept for the purpose. enough cold milk to make a stiff dough. Make small marble sized balls Hold under running water and scrub. These will stay effective for about 2 ½ to 3 months, after which they should · When very finely chopped greens or chillies etc. are required in a recipe, be replaced with Fresh ones. use a pair of sharp Scissors instead of a knife. The job will be made faster, · Whenever boiling and straining tomatoes (eg. Soups), use the residue in more efficient and safe to cut. any vegetable or Gravy instead of discarding it. Even the insides, when to- · Add a pinch of soda bicarb to green vegetables while steaming or boiling or matoes are hulled, can be used in The same way. cooking in the microwave to retain the fresh green colour. · To skin whole tomatoes easily, put them in boiling water, cover and keep · Use thick short grained rice for dosa and idli batter where ordinary rice is aside for a few Minutes. Remove and peel off the skin easily. asked for. This will give a netter texture than using long grained basmati · Wipe cane furniture with a cloth soaked in extra warm water, to which salt rice. has been added, to keep the firmness of the cane meshing intact. About 2 · Spend 10 minutes each morning (even if it is in the bathroom), to make a tbsp. to a bucket is ideal. list of work to be done with approx. time required. Pin it on your refrigerator · Mix together a big pinch of salt in any cold cream or even plain white petro- door. Your work will get much more organised and you will find a lot of time leum jelly and Apply on face. Scrub smoothly with palms for about 3 min- saved at the end. Beside none of it will be left behind due to forgetting. utes, to exfoliate skin, and remove Dead cells. Wash off with mild soap, and · Rub mirrors with first wet and then dry newpaper. Cursh into a loose ball warm water, to leave a fresh, clean, tinglin skin. and rub vigorously. The mirror will sparkle without leaving any wipe lines. · Try removing ball pen ink stains with nailpolish remover. Dab over it and rub · If the idli sagoo tends to get too watery, add a tbsp. of fine breadcrumbs or gently with cotton Soaked in remover. Wash after drying, with mild deter- 1 tsp. cornflour mixed in 1/4 cup water. Stir well till gravy thickens. gent. · Excess batter may be stored in the fridge for 2-3 days without turning sour. · To slice vegetables with smooth skins like capsicum, tomatoes, remove a Do not add salt to that batter beforehand, and cover with a plaintain leaf. thin sliver of skin Vertically. Place knife over this strip while making the Add salt and mix a few hours before using. slices. This will cut much easier, neater, And quicker. · Add a handful of rice flour to bhajia batter for crisper and less oily bhajias. · For a shortcut method of making stuffed veggies fast, use a small pressure · Never beat idli batter too much just before spooning into moulds. Just cooker instead of a Pan, proceed by adding oil, and working as you would spoon as is. The air already incorporated while rising is lost and idlis may in the pan. But once all ingredients are Added, and water, then shut cooker not be as soft as they should be. and allow one whistle. Usually the vegetable gets done just Right. One may · Grate excess fresh coconut, fill in clean freezer bags, and freeze. After required some trials as to amount of water required. Veggies like gherkins, thawing for use, wash with water 2-3 times, for coconut as good as fresh. Stuffed ridge gourds, brinjals, etc. can be made in this manner. · Mix in some mashed rice in the thick starch water. Blend to a thick batter. · To cut tamarind easily, do not use a knife. Cut with a sharp pair of kitchen Add salt and chat masala for taste. Spoon out thin small papads on a scissors. This will Cut fast and to required sizes. Also, there will be not greased plastic sheet. Use the backof a ladle. Sun-dry till brittle. Store in mess. airtight container. Deep fry as a tasty snack. · If you have too many vegetables stocked in the refrigerator and are worried · Water plants with the water from cleaning rice, instead of throwing away. about them getting Bad and wasted, prepare some fillings, stuffings, gra- This water is like a diluted food for the plants. vies, as per available vegetables, and freeze In small containers, to use · Dehydrate leftover rice in an oven or sundry, till brittle. Puff up some by when required much later. This way you can even store up before You deep frying as required, add to soups as rice crispies. leave for a journey. On return, you will have precooked dishes, so meals · Use starch water from rice to give a light starch to your cotton or silk can be prepared in A jiffy without too much effort. scarves, dupattas, or sarees. Dilute before using. · Soak tamarind in warm water for making fast and smooth paste. · Pressurecook lots of tomatoes, with adding water to them. Make puree in · Do not discord the water after boiling the vegetables. Collect the water in a blender. Strain, cool, freeze in icetrays. When set, remove and fill in freezer

Page : 24 Page : 41 Manohar Ratna · To unmould chilled dishes quickly, dip container halfway into hot water for a container and store in the fridge. During the weekend you can use this as a few seconds and then unmould. base stew for any soup · For best effects of your decorative icecreams, sundaes, floats, etc., use · Paint brass napkin holders with transparent nailpaint to keep there shine plain transparent glasses with interesting shapes, like conical, balloon, intact for a long Time. stemmed, slender, etc. Opaque glasses will hide the essential decorative · Apply some transparent adhesive liquid over stitching of footwear, with a feature of these yummies. fine brush, to make Them last longer. · Always chill glasses before preparing the icecream in it. This way it will stay · To replant seeds of a good quality ripe papaya, take seeds, add some stiff longer. ashes of coal or wood. Mix Together and keep till completely dried. Now · Use aluminium containers instead of steel to set the icecream faster. Also, plant seeds in a planter, then transplant seedlings, When about 8-10 inches place a thick plactic sheet or spread some salt under the container to keep tall. it from sticking to the floor of the freezer. · Rub inner peel of ripe papaya over face and neck. Wash off with tap water, · Never try to refreeze icecream which has melted completely due to reasons and wipe with A soft towel after 15 minutes. Apply a mild astringent if de- like electricity breakdown. The result will taste disastrous. Instead, add you sired. This leaves a cool, fresh, Feel on the face for hours. Regular use, will favourite flavour or fruit and run in a mixie to make delicious milk shake. make the skin soft and glowing. · For simple but extravagant looking topping, take 2-3 healthy strawberries. · Always set puddings, jellies, etc. till very firm, but do not allow them to Make incisions vertically from tip to base, to form slices. But do not cut fully. freeze hard. They will Lose their original lightness by doing so. Chill till well Stop just below the base. Now press sideways gently, to form a fan shaped set in freezer, then transfer to chiller Or lower section of fridge. Return to strawberry. Use as topping decor for cakes, icecreams, puddings, etc. freezer for just 10 minutes before serving. · It is best to defrost the fridge before making icecream, so that the base of · Keep rolled puris in the fridge for 5 to 10 minutes before frying them,they the container is not jammed, as also the icecream will set faster and better. will consume less oil,and be more crispy when fried after 10 minutes. -- · Do not throw away the green tender stalks of cauliflower base. Chop fine · If you put more salt in curry (any) or you feel like you have put more salt and use in soups like other vegetables. You will be adding fibre to your then cut raw potato slices drop it in the curry dish and wait for half an hour. soup. Potato slices will absorb all the excess salt -- from Pittsburgh · Store leftover dough and filling in freezer (properly packed) to make fresh · To prevent overboiled milk from spilling out of the vessel,apply ghee or parathas when required. Take care to thaw the ingredients before using. glycerene on the edges of the vessel. -- · Clean stains from electronic items like tvs, computers, etc. with some cotton · Garnish casseroles after they are ready with decoratively cut vegetables douzed in spirit. Follow with a soft clean moist cloth, and finally a dry flannel like flowers from tomato skins, carrot curls, onions curls, etc. cloth. · Always underboil the spaghetti a wee bit, so that it becomes well done by · Microwave fresh mint till dry and crisp. Crush coarsely, mix some salt and the time it cools and is baked. Never make it mushy. chilli powder and chaat masala. Sprinkle over freshly fried papads for that · Use a soft baby toothbrush to clean nails while bathing. They come out extra tang. clean And it is not harsh on the nails. · Leftover parathas eaten cold with hot tea taste good. · Use a soft nylon cloth to wipe away dirt stains from walls, painted furniture · Wear an old sock while doing dirty scrubbing and cleaning jobs to protect Electronic gadgets like tv sets, computers, etc. Take care to keep the cloth your hands from abrasions. Slightly moist. · Always mash potatoes when they are still quite hot. They mash more easily · Always strain sugar or jaggery syrups before adding to sweets, so that the and can be finely mashed too. muddy grains do not Taste like grit in the sweet dishes. Allow the grit to set- · Grease the grated on both sides with oil before grating sticky items like tle below before straining. cheese or boiled potatoes, to allow for smoother grating. · Make a savoury hot snack out of leftover or staled khakhras, seasoning as · Add a tiny piece of crushed ginger to tea, while boiling, for the extra zing for chappati kava (as in index). especially during the winter. · Use, if possible earthenware vessels to enhance the flavour of Rajasthani · Warm garlic flakes a little either in a microwave or on griddle before peeling, dals and curries. to make the skin come off easily. · Do not discard amchoor water. Use to wash copper vessels, silver, etc. to · Sprinkle salt in tamarind before storing, to keep away the worms. Dry well in bring back a sparkle. You may even refrigerate and use as a souring agent sun till a little stiff, cool indoors for few hours and then add salt. 1 fistful to a in daals, etc.

Page : 40 Page : 25 Manohar Ratna · To sour buttermilk if required for recipe, add about 1/8 tsp. citric acid to a throw away the whey. Use to knead dough for paratbas, or soak silver trin- cup of buttermilk. kets and brush with soap water to clean them. Or scrub copper of copper · While cutting onions keep the water tap running to avoid watery eyes. -- bottom vessels to make them sparkling clean. (The Netherlands) · While sieving maize flour do not throw away the upper rough husk. Use this 1. To make soft 'idlis' and 'dosas' add a handfull of Puffed rice or Poha mixed with gram or urad or masoor dal flour as a scrub, by making a paste 2. To prevent insects like silver fish from creeping into your cupboards and with some curds and rose water. Your face will feel clean, fresh and damaging your clothes and books tie few Kalonji seeds in a muslin cloth healthy. and keep in the corner of the shelf. · Rub soap cake over food stains on fabric. Dry in sun for 2-3 hours. Wash · I have a quick way to polish ur furniture without buying costly furniture pol- with regular detergent and see the stain clear or lighten to almost invisible. ish from stores. · When garden saplings of palak, chilli, are attacked by sparrows cover with · Just take a tbl sp of vegetable oil in a bowl & add 1 tbl sp of lime juice to it an old door or window mesh or spike up a tent of an old nylon mosquito net. mix them well & with a soft cloth apply it on your furniture & immediately · Always warm dry spices like cuminseeds, cardamom, cloves, etc. on a grid- wipe off with a dry soft cloth. your furniture will shine like new dle before powdering. The grinding will be done faster and powder will be · Caked mud should first be scraped off fabric with a blunt knife. Soak in finer. warm soap suds, and Wash with a soft scrubber. · To invert casseroles in a plate, you must line the casserole with grease- · Rub the inner side of a banana peel all over the face and neck. Relax for 15 proof paper, with the edge jutting just above the rim of the container. To minutes. Wash With tap water and dab with a soft towel thereafter. An easy invert, fold down the edge over rim of the container. Place the plate upside- instant natural treatment which Makes facial skin feel fresh and rejuve- down on the container. The paper should jut out. In a swift movement, in- nated. vert the whole combination of plate, paper and container. Now the plate is · Use tops of carrots to make fabric prints or prints on handpaper etc. for right side up, the container upside down and the paper jutting out. Hole the decorative effect. One may carve seal impressions on them too before paper down and carefully lift the casserole. Carefully remove paper. pressing them in paint and onto fabric. · Never scrape burnt leftovers from casseroles. Soak in a weak solution of · Serve tiny helpings of salads on small cracker biscuits (like monaco) or vinegar, salt and soapy warm water for an hour or so. The stuck particles canape thins Topped with some grated cheese, or paneer. They make ex- will come off very easily, without scratching the dish. cellent cocktail pickups. Take care to serve immediately. · To soften the taste of any extra sharp vegetable eg. fenugreek leaves, rad- · Use any of the leftover salads to make a filling for a tasty sandwich. Spread ish leaves, etc., Chop them, sprinkle some salt all over and keep aside for some green Chutney on the slices before putting the filling. 10 minutes. Press out all the water and wash well 2-3 times in a colander. · Any leftover batter from dipped bhajias, need not be thrown Away. Hold a · To make things easier, prepare enough to to make some tacos, some en- perforated (round even holes) large flat spoon, Over hot oil, pour batter chiladas, and even nacho chips. Store separately as shown in recipes and through. The pearl shaped fries, can be Fried till crisp, but not browned, use as desired. drained, and stored to use a `boondi' in boondi raitha. (refer recipe for · Always buy transparent (see through) containers for refrigerators, freezers, raitha) etc. These being see-through allow easy visibility of contents and eliminates · Cover refrigerated bananas, or else its smell will permeate in milk Which searching, opening & checking or labelling of containers. may be stored in an open vessel in the same fridge. · When removing rind of oranges or lemons take care not to include the white · Inner peel of bananas can be rubber over skin, and washed off After 15 pithy part, or the rind will taste bitter. To store, either air dry or dry in a mi- minutes, for that fresh, cool, glowing feeling. crowave after cutting or grating. Store in an airtight jar. · To get the best textured whipped cream, see that the container, in Which · Always keep dough covered with a moist cloth to avoid a dry crust from the cream is to be beaten is chilled, the cream itself is well Chilled and the forming on it. Keep the cloth moist by rinsing in water every time it begins to sugar is powdered. Also place the container in a Plate of chilled water or feel dry. ice, in hot climate. · To remove tomato skin easily, blanch them in very hot water for 8-10 min- · Put a firm banana for company with still to ripen tomatoes, into a closed utes. Remove, peel and chop or mash as required. basket or a loose Plastic bag. They will ripen very fast. · To make the task less tedious prepare the taco shells and salsa dip a day · Use Idly cooker for baking by using little water at the bottom and placing the or two in advance, since the shells will stay fresh for even over a week if dish above it. stored in an airtight container.

Page : 26 Page : 39 Manohar Ratna · Always keep cut or slit brinjals soaking in salt water, to avoid their becoming · Whenever lemon slices are added to any tea, make sure to remove every discoloured. single seed, or the tea Will taste bitter. · Cut bhindi an hour before frying or stuff to make stuffed okra and refrigerate · While tasting hot decoction, keep very sweet, since after cooling the sweet- at least for half an hour before making, to cook it fast and blend the taste ness reduces, as also The added icecubes will dilute the sweetness. well too. · If not using tea leaves for a long time, pour into clean ziplock bag, remove · Wipe fungus covered leather garments and footwear with a clean wad of excess air, seal tight And place in an airtight container, to lock it freshness cloth soaked in kerosene. in. Especially so when you are going to Lock up home for a while. · Soak petals of lots of roses in water overnight. Add water after passing · Rinse washed hair with a dilute decoction of tea in the last mugful, to add a through a colander, to the bath water. Makes and excellent luxury bath and lustre and bounce To your hair. puts all those bouquets you are stuck with after a function, to good use!! · Add cardamom peels to the tea canister, instead of discarding. It will lend a Add a handful of tulsi leaves too if you wish. very subtle flavour Of cardamom to every cup of tea you brew! · Help puris to puff better by applying light pressure of the back of your perfo- · Apply decoction, got from boiling tea leaves in plain water and strained, to rated spatula or flat spoon, and heat ghee very well. dark circles under The eyes. Cool the decocotion well before applying, · In US Tomato Juice is available in large cans. This is very convenient for Regular application will lighten them. making rasam and other dishes which require the usage of tomato. I nor- · Do not discard strained tea leaves. Add them to the soil of rose plants, to mally buy a large can pour it in the Ice cube containers in the freezer act as an excellent Manure. If you have many plants, feed one a day, in ro- (normally used to make ice). I store these cubes in a ziplock bag and use tation. them. They are very convenient and rasam and other dishes taste very · Warm the mixing bowl slightly, before kneading dough which contains good with these too. -- Chicago yeast. This will result in A lighter fluffier dough, as the yeast will react better. · Boil neem leaves and tender stalks in lots of water, till a dark decoction is · Bake unused pizza bases partially and blind, in the oven, cool, cover in obtained. Cover keep overnight. Next day, strain and use decoction as a cling film or clean Airtight freezer bags, and refrigerate. Use as required, plant spray to keep them healthy and fit. after thawing to room temperature. The base should get a bit stiff, but not · Always iron hand painted fabrics from the wrong side. The paint will not browned. spoil and will look brighter. · Place clean kitchen napkins above and below a pile of hot chappatis in the · To remove grease stains from fabrics. Soak stain in pure petrol. Allow to box, to keep the from Becoming soggy. dry. Wash with soap and water as usual. Do not soak in soap. · Slip large photocorners on corners of valuable books to preserve them bet- · Make a paste of gramflour and honey, with a few drops of lime. Wash face, ter and minimise their Wear and tear. rub the used lemon vigorously all over face and neck. Apply paste. Keep for · Make a savoury hot snack out of leftover or staled khakhras, seasoning as 10 minutes. Wash off with tap water. Feel your skin glowing and fresh. for chappati kava (as in index). · Use the silver foil wrappings of used medicines to scrub greasy utensils like · Crumble leftover bread, buns, etc. which may have become too dry or a bit tawas, pans, etc. Embed them at the base of plastic scrubbers for easy use stale, add green Chillies, salt, ginger, garlic, onion chopped, and a bit of and grip. water. Mix to form a sticky gooey Batter. Deepfry dumplings in hot oil, till · Never take your cookbook to the kistchen. Always make a rough note of golden and crisp. An excellent alternative to bhajias. your recipe on a piece of paper, pin/magnetically stick it over your work- · If bread tends to feel too dry or stale, brush with some milk, cover in a foil, place at eye level. This way: You preserve you cookbooks better and your warm in a preheated Oven for 5 minutes. It will be fresh and soft again. recipe is bang in front of your eyes so reference is easier with less chances · Test to check if bread has been done completely. Invert and knock the base of mistakes. Also, you've automatically gone through you recipe once be- lightly with your Knuckles. It is done if the sound is hollow. If base is soggy, fore proceeding to make it. then more baking is required. · Wrap woollens in newspaper while storing, since the ink in the newprint · Never reshape dough once it has been shaped and rested after punching. acts as an insect repellent. The risen dough must Not be disturbed or texture of the baked product may · Do not throw away the drained water in which dal is boiled. Use it as stock not turn out as it should. for soup, dal or even a gravy vegetable. · Never place breads on uppermost or lowermost racks of the oven, espe- · If curds is too sour tie for 10 minutes in a muslin cloth, to remove the sour cially the large ones, or the baking will not be even, and the insides might whey. Use the residual curds to proceed after adding a little milk. Do not stay underbaked while the crust will become too dark and hard.

Page : 38 Page : 27 Manohar Ratna · Soak all your brass lamps, vases curios etc.. in a bucket of water to which 3 glass or plastic, for ease in locating, cleaning and keeping track of whats inch diameter ball of tamarind chunk is added, for about 4 to 5 hours. Wash required to be refilled. with JEF or any cream bathroom detergent. Dry thourougly and then apply · If puffed rice is not crisp and crunchy, dry roast in a large heavy pan, stirring brasso. This way it will retain the shine for more than 2 to 3 weeks! continuously, till quite hot. Cool back to room temperature. It will get back · Wash your Diamonds with Toothpaste on an old toothbrush. Then wash in its crunchiness. clean water. They will sparkle!! · While cutting onions, soak them in cold water for half hour and then cut. · Cut off roots of fresh Dhania(coriander)leaves and pack in two to three Your eyes will not water. Better still if you keep it in the fridge overnight be- sheets of news paper and refrigerate. Keeps upto a week or two fresh! fore cutting, eyes will not water. -- · When your shower curtian turns mouldy, soak it in a bucket of water with · Soak dirty jogging shoes overnight, drain out dirty water and run in the 1/4 cup of bleach to 10 litres of water overnight. Bingo!! All the mould out! washing machine for a gentle wash using detergent. They will come out wash as usual. (Singapore). very clean. · To clean blender, mixer bowls easily, after emptying content, add a cupful · Keep a large black cardamom in the mouth, for relief from persistent cough. of water, run for a few seconds. All clogged particles will easily get flushed When it eventually softens, chew and swallow. out. Use this water to add to gravies, soups, etc. · Keep boondi unseasoned, just plain fried and use in boondi raita as re- · Soyabean granules are a highly nutritional product, which may be used to quired (refer raitas) thick gravies, soups, Etc. with ease. Soak a little in water beforehand. · Cover jar labels, etc. with transparent scotchtape, to keep its ink from fad- Crush to make smooth texture. Add as required. ing, running, etc. and the label from tearing with use. · Cover face with fresh clean peels of cucumber, potato, etc. (soaked in a · Air out the sago seeds in hot sun for half an hour before frying, to get very little rosewater), relax For 15 minutes, remove peels and wash off with tap well-fried sago. Sometimes the centres which stay hard, can be avoided by water. Pat dry with soft towel. Gives you a great fresh and rejuvenated feel- doing this. ing. You will almost feel your pores breathing back. · When frying a variety of things at a time, plan the order, keeping the lighter · Use old shaving brushes to clean insides of ovens, toaster, etc. to reach the coloured ones first ones with chillies or darker ones towards the last. Since difficult corners, Crevices, etc. the oil will get coloured by frying the chillied things, then the lighter ones will · For ease in rolling bhakris, etc. without soiling the rolling board, just slip the discolour. board into a Large polythene bag, and tuck the loose sides under the · Keep a good foodie kiddie chart for your kid in the dining room. Every time board, before placing it down. To roll other chappatis, just slip out the board he eats well, add a colourful star or sticker of his/her favourite screen star, from the bag. to give him a feeling of achievement. Works like magic with many kids. · When you are cooking brinjal add a spoon of milk so that the brinjal retain · Removed side crusts of breadcan be dried in oven till crisp, cooled and its colour without becoming black. ground to use as bread bread crumbs. Use for rolling in patties, etc. before · You can add same while cooking banana or any other vegetable to retain deep frying or as a thickener for gravies. the colour and taste will remain good. · Use a woodhandled rubber kitchen spatula to scrape or empty any cooked · Before putting the cake batter in the tin sprinkle some castor sugar then put dish or chutneys. This way, the vessels comes clean and washing is eased, the batter. It will give the cake an unusual sheen. from; -- , India and saving of soaps etc. is quite a bit. · You will get better results with mint pulao if you saute mint leaves in a tea- · 1 tiny boiled potato given to the child at least 2-3 times a week is nutritious. spoon of butter oil before cooking with rice. -- Add seasoning or curds, but do not fry. Do a lot more good than fries. · Top a fresh plain buttered toast with a sprinkling of chaat masala, peanut · Use old soft bedspreads to make soft sleepons for infants (the filling being chutney, andhra pudi, Malaga pudi, etc. to added a change in monotony of layers of the bedspread and not polycotton or heavy cotton which has to be bread butter jam or chutney. lined with plastic to keep dry.) Hygienic, easy to machine wash, safe and · To reduce bouts of cough, chew on dried pomegranate skins. soft, and economical too. · Do not sieve wheat flour with a very fine sieve, as all the bran and subse- · To save time, dry ground powders can be made ahead, and stored in tight quently the fibre Will be lost. containers when you have more free time. Use when required. Masala pow- · Drop a capful of your favourite shower or bath gel into the water runnig into der that use coconut must be kept in the refrigerator. the tub or bucket. It will make your bath a pleasure and leave a lingering · When coring whole jackfruit, handle with kitchen gloves or grease palms to fragrance on you and in the bathroom For a long time avoid the resulting discolouration.

Page : 28 Page : 37 Manohar Ratna OR. · If instant coffee has set in a bottle due due humidity. Pour some hot water · Make croutons in a jiffy. Cut 2 slices day old bread in small cubes. Heat a over it, dissolve and Refrigerate. Use in liquid form, and add as desired. Do tbsp. of butter in a heavy pan, add cubes, and stir fry till they are crisp and not keep for too many weeks, as it May ferment. golden brown. · Store plain flour in clean ziplock bags in refrigerator, to keep insects from · To make vegetable stock, boil veggies like carrots, cabbage, celery, potato, attacking it. This way the flour will stay fresh much longer. etc. in plenty of water. When cooked keep aside till cooled. Drain the water · While cooking veggies with less water, in their own moisture, cover pan with and use as stock, use veggies in dishes like pav bhaji, thick soups, gravies, a deep lid, pour About 150 ml. water in lid. This will quicken the cooking kababs, etc. Or just a spicy tasty vegetable out them. process by returning the steam formed inside back into the vegetable, as · Day old bread, blended in a dry mixie, to make fine crumbs, acts as an ex- also it will retain the nutrients better. Even the flavour of the vegetable is cellent thickener in gravies, batters, soups, etc. noticeably better. · Apply petroleum jelly all along the hairline, face and neck before applying · To ensure that the griddle (tawa) is hot enough before spreading dosa, dye to hair. This will avoid staining of the skin with dye that tends to run sprinkle a little water over it. If it sizzles immediately, then the griddle is hot down. enough. Wipe with a clean rag, proceed. Wherever day old bread is re- · Add a pinch of sodabicarb to spinach while boiling to retain its bright green quired, and you have only soft fresh slices, put in the toaster for A few sec- colour. Also never overcook greens as they will lose thier colour taste and onds, till it is slightly dry, but not browned. Remove and all to cool com- vital nutrients too. pletely before Using to crumble. · Line the bottom of your salt jar with 2 layers of blotting paper before pouring · Always use a standard set of measuring instruments for your cooking. This it in. The salt will not become moist even in humid climate. Will save a lot of time on approximations, and additions-deletions. Also it · Simply add water to curds (ratio of curds: water is 1:3 for thick and 1:4 for will avoid searching for measuring gadgets at the last moment. thin buttermilk. There is no need to buy it from stores, which is not economi- · Place a kitchen towel under the legs of a rolling board, while making Chap- cal at all) paties. The board will not slip, and allow faster rolling. · Crush any leftover, broken puris, toss into a salad of chopped onions, cu- · If your oven glove is not protection enough and you hand still feels the heat, cumbers, tomatoes, Add seasoning of salt, crushed red chilli, crushed or if it is too large to fit you comfortably, line it with a few layers of newpa- cumin, coriander, sugar and a dash of vinegar. Chill salad first, toss in per. thepuri just before serving. · Wipe rusted needles clean with kerosene or petrol. The rust will come off · You can do the cleaning of kitchen and utensils while waiting for boiling, easily. Secure in a tiny pillow made of soft old material. This way they won t heating and lot of other activities over the stove. This will save lot of time rust or get lost. and extra efforts. -- · The basic pathod can be made at once, and divided into the various forms · Clean all your Silverware with toothpaste (You can use cotton for rubbing). as desired, to make Variety, as well as reduce time and work. They will sparkle like they were bought yesterday ! -- · Keeping a small lump of edible gum in the mouth, will bring relief to mouth · Always keep a couple of boiled potatoes, in their jackets, stocked in the re- boils and blisters. frigerator. They come in handy to make dishes in a jiffy, be a vegetable, · Roasted wheat flour can be used in small quantities to thicken gravies, etc. chaat, pulao, or paratha. They keep good for 4-5 days if properly stored. Or reduce the Sharpness of extra salt which may have been added. Peel when required. · To pop gum crystals well, add a tsp. of wheat flour to the ghee in which it is · Wrap hands in either plastic kitchen gloves or just plain plastic bags while popped. This way They pop better as also, they do not stick together or handling chillies. These will keep the hands from the burning sensation later burn. on. Rub ghee on palms if chillies cause burning hands. After the sensation · Dry pomegrante skin, break into small pieces, chew these now and then to cools, rub the peel of a used lemon for 2-3 minutes and wash off. reduce coughing Spasms. · Use tender stems of cauliflower leaves at its base to give body to vegetable · Use any of the above leftover sabzis can be used to make masala para- stock. Or chop very fine. Stirfry and add to any soup. Give a distinct beauti- thas. Add the sabzi to Some wheat flour, add any other veggies if desired, ful flavour. like grated gourd, or greens, or carrot, Or just dry masalas like chilli powder, · Any vada mixture should be beaten well with hand prior to frying, to incor- salt, dhania powder, turmeric. Add some oil too. Knead To a soft dough, porate air in the batter and make it light, as also soft on frying. and make parathas or puris as desired. · Always store kitchen ingredients in see through containers of either clear · Cool and pour fenugreek water in any potted or other plant, it is nutritious

Page : 36 Page : 29 Manohar Ratna for them. Do not Discard down the drain. · Do not throw away drained marinade liquid. Refrigerate and use to season · To get crystal clear icecubes use boiled water to make them. stirfried veggies or steamed rice. · If curds is too sour, drain for a while in a fine meshed colander to remove · Wrap green leafy vegetables in old newspaper before putting in the vegeta- the whey. Transfer to A container, add enough milk for desired thickness ble bag or tray. This will make them last and keep fresh much longer. and beat well. The whey can be used to Knead dough for chappatis, etc. to · Add a few drops of salt water to banana chips, etc. while frying them, in the make them softer. hot oil. This will turn out the chips crisper. · To avoid handi dishes from burning at the bottom, place a tawa (griddle) on · To remove lint from coats, trousers, etc. Take strips of wide white medical the fire, heat, place Handi on the griddle, put the flame on lowest. This will sticking tape. Place over lint-covered area sticky side down, press evenly. ensure that the handi does not get any Excess heat, causing the contents Peel off with a jerk. The lint will stick to the adhesive. Repeat several time to burn. Also choose a handi that has a heavy bottom. with the same tape in other areas, till stickiness is not left. · Rub tomato juice on moistened stain on fabric or garment. The stain will · Do not throw away cucumber peels. Place them in a moist cloth till you eventually disappear. Then wash with soap suds as usual. Hang out to dry. have the time. Place them inner peel touching skin, all over your face. Re- · Use unpeeled potatoes wherever possible, the skin carries a lot of nutrition. lax with closed eyes for 15 minutes. Splash face with tap water, pat dry, Use peeled skins to Rub mirrors, and then wipe with soft moist cloth for a apply moisturiser. The peels should also be placed over eyes. shine. Or place over face for a few minutes Like a pack, remove, wash with · Boil onion peels with a little water and vinegar in burnt and greasy pans. tap water for a fresh clean feel. Simmer covered for 3-4 minutes. Wash with washing powder and scrubber. · You will get better results with mint pulao if you saute mint leaves in a tea- They will come out clean easily. spoon of butter oil before cooking with rice. -- · Fresh, clean and tender skins of ridge gourd need not be thrown out. Boil · To season a new earthen handi, pour oily water in it (from cooking, like that for 3-4 minutes in salted water. Drain and wash under cold running water. rinsed from kadai, Etc.) for some time, rinse with plain water, and keep Wipe on towel, add green chillies, garlic, salt, coriander, tamarind and a aside. Repeat process for 2-3 days as many Times as possible. Then use little sugar. Grind to a chutney. The skins are full of nutrients. to cook, so the raw smell will go, as well as getting sturdiness. · Add a handful of puffed rice to leftover tomato vegetable. Mix well, heat a · Before cooking dal,pasta,rice etc.rub the sides of pot or cooker with little oil. little, and serve as a tasty snack, after garnishing with chopped coriander. This will prevent the water from boiling over in the pot or cooker -- from · Potatoes used with the jackets intact are definitely more nutritious than after Denver peeling. Use a soft steel or plastic scrubber to scrub them before using. · To shine your brass artefacts, apply tamarind paste and scrub well with · Do not throw away water in which lentils, peas, etc. are cooked. Cool and finely powdered dried mango leaves. Wash in cold water and scrub with water indoor or other plants with the same. This water acts as plant food. soft and thin cotton cloth. For people abroad, you can jolly well carry a stock · To assemble a steamer at home, just take a large deep vessel, a colander of dried mango leaf powder. -- from Bangalore, India. which fits on the rim of the vessel and a lid which when used inverted will fit · Use a dish cloth which has been wetted with rubbing alcohol, to rub away well on the rim of the vessel. Place some water in the vessel, place the col- stains caused by water in stainless steel sinks. ander and add the contents. Cover with inverted lid and place a small · Rub cutting boards with 1/2 a lime, cut side down, to rid of garlic, onion and weight over it to keep the lid firmly down. Use a metallic colander which has other veggies odours and light discolouration. holes punched into it. · Sprinkle some salt over the soapy scrubber before scrubbing greasy and · Do not throw away the solid residue left after pressing out water from grimy utensils. This will make it easier for the grease to come off. soaked tamarind. Mix in some salt and use to scrub copper and brassware · Cut extra bread into tiny cubes, bake croutons and store in airtight container to bring a shine. Follow with a normal soap wash. in the Refrigerator. Crush and add to gravies, icecream servings, or soups · Add cardamom skins to the tea-leaves canister. The resulting aroma of the as desired. tea will be good and refreshing with a hint of cardamom. · To clean washbasins and sinks(non-metallic): Line the base and sides · To give a novel taste to tea, add a piece of lemon peel to the water for tea thickly with paper towels. Spray household bleach (dissolved in water) all decoction. over to wet towels completely. Allow to soak for 30-40 minutes. Remove · Bread ground to a paste with some water, in a mixie, acts as a good thick- towels, scrub lightly with some warm soap solution, rinse with water. ening agent for soups if cornflour is not available. · Wet the inside of pan before putting milk for boiling. This will keep the pan · Tamarind paste and curd help reduce the burning sensation on the hands from scalding the milk at the bottom of the pan. Also use a fairly heavy pan. by chillies. Just rub the paste or curd onto your palms. -- from Portland,

Page : 30 Page : 35 Manohar Ratna · Take 1/4 tsp. omum (ajwain, oregano) seeds in a clean hanky. Warm it by · Add 1 tbsp. vinegar to a litre of water in a blackened cooker. Cover and boil rubbing on a warm surface like a griddle, or a switched off iron, or a warm for a few minutes. Wash regularly. This will remove blackening of the switched off hotplate. Press against sinus points, for relief from headache cooker. and cold. Repeat 5-6 times a day for 3-4 days. Use same hanky and seeds. · After polishing brassware with brasso, apply tamarind paste to the vessel , · Crusts removed from bread for making sanwiches, etc. can be sun or oven rub and then wash. This will make the shine last longer. dried till brittle. Then run in a mixie, to form fine breadcrumbs. Refrigerate · Soak almonds in warm water if time to soak is limited. That is 4-5 hours in- and use as required. stead of overnight. However, very hot water, will discolour the almonds. · One tsp. of plain flour mixed in 1/4 cup water boiled in a stock (2 cups) will · To make the ghevar two toned (brown at bottom and light on top) then use lend body and enhance consistency of the soup. more milk in the Batter and less water. · Run a spoonful of any sev, papdi, or farsan made of gram flour in a mixie. · Use a small plastic funnel to make rangoli designs, if you find it hard to do Add this powder to thicken gravies which have a watery consistency. Take so with hand. care to use non-chilli sev for light coloured gravies. · To patch grazing stains on wood polished furniture, apply a similar shaded · Use a mechanical or electrical chopper for chopping, semipureeing veggies, slightly darker shoe Polish to affected area, brush vigourously with a soft etc. since it cuts down making time drastically. shoe brush. Finish off with polishing Flannel. If the stain is too old or obvi- · Keep mosquitoes at bay by lighting the following: An incense stick dipped in ous, first scratch the area smooth with fine sand paper. baygon spray and dried. · Always invert items like cakes, jellies, etc. from moulds in the following way, · Rub cigarette ash (that doesn t mean YOU should smoke!!) over crayon instead of inverting mould over dish, in which case it may break while in- stains on smooth surfaces. Wipe off the ash and the stain with it !! verting: Loosen cake from sides by running a knife carefully, or jelly from · Place empty wrappers of fragrant toilet soaps in wardrobe corners to mould by dipping in hot water for a few seconds. Place serving dish, in- spread a cool aromatic feeling in the closet and the clothes. verted over mouth of mould. Invert quickly with a swift movement of both · To clean stains from melamine cups and suacers, fill them with liquid hands, holding mould and plate intact. Tap gently if any part is still stuck. bleach, leave aside for 2 hours, rinse with water. If you clean one piece at a · Remove perspiration marks by rubbing with white vinegar, and then wash- time, the same bleach can be poured into all pieces one by one, and very ing off. little bleach will be required to clean many pieces of melamineware. · Dip amul butter wrapping in hot water, dry out. Use as handy butter paper, · Place sheets of thick papertowels at the bottom of a soiled sink. Pour di- when out of stock. luted bleach to soak them. Keep for 3-4 hour. Press out the liquid into the · To make quick chocolate curls: Melt a plain cadbury's chocolate slab (8 sink, remove towels, add very little detergent and scrub gently. The result piece one), spread on a smooth, greased surface like marble or wood. Take will be a sparkling clean sink. a sharp knife, scrape out chocolate keeping the knife in an angular position. · Rub a little sesame oil on palms before applying 'mehendi' and a little mus- The resulting scraped chocolate will come out in the form of long curls. Re- tard oil after applying it. This will bring out a better colour and make the me- frigerate carefully till required for use. Makes aprrox. 2 cups curls hendi last longer. · Pour milk along inner wall of slightly tilted glass in a thin stream, to avoid its · Half fill blender with water, add a few drop of mild detergent, and run the mixing with the lower layers in the glass. Straighten the glass carefully. Also mixie for a few seconds. Rinse with water and wipe. This will clean the chill glasses well before using. mixie of any residual particles stuck under the blades or in the grooves. · Hang khus mats over windows, spray water from a spray bottle and keep · Any mashed potato stuffings, etc. tend to have water crystals on thawing moist, so that the breeze that comes in is automatically cooled. This is a after removing from the freezer. After thawing take in a heavy pan, and natural, non-electricity dependent way of cooling room spaces, and cheap cook on medium flame, stirring all the time, till the water evaporates. The too! texture, on cooling a bit will come back to the original. · Prepare chillies for a garnish on spicy veggies as follows: Slit firm green · Dry roast any extra crumbs that are got while scraping buns. These can be long chillies. Squeeze some lemon juice over them. Dust a bit of salt too. used to thick gravies, etc. They can also be added to bhajia batters for mak- Rub them a bit to coat properly. Before adding anything to hot oil in the ka- ing crisper bhajias. dai, fry these for a few seconds, holding them down the back of a spoon or · If buns are too soft to be stuffed for any recipe, bake them blind in a hot spatula. To clean you hands of the sting chillies give, rub them with the skin oven for 4-5 minutes. Cool, and they will be much more easy to handle of squeezed lemon and salt. Wash normally. while proceeding with the recipe. · To peel tomatoes easily, keep covered in boiling hot water for 5 minutes.

Page : 34 Page : 31 Manohar Ratna Remove, make a careful 'X' at its bottom, peel off skin. Cool and chop as rates. This way the vegetable can be cooked well, adding minimal amount required. of water. · Collect tiny leftover pieces of bath soap. When sufficient quantity is col- · Apply colourless nail varnish to names on switches, jars, etc. to avoid there lected, boil in a little water. Stir often, allowing all the bits to melt and form a rubbing off with repeated use. Take care to apply a very thin even layer. thick solution. Cool, bottle and use as cleaning liquid. · If you have jasmines growing in your garden, pluck a few fresh flowers, · Add salt to a tsp. of lemon juice to make a paste. Apply all over teeth, brush wash well, drop into your pot of drinking water. Strain as and when required to give a gentle massage, rinse. Makes teeth white. Repeat weekly for very to drink, transfer back the flowers to the pot. Change after 8-10 hours. The yellow cases. water gets a light lovely sweet flavour. · Fix two small pieces of fine sandpaper onthe insides of pencilbox lids. This · Rub surfaces lightly with sandpaper before applying a coat of paint. This will will allow the child to clean erasers in a jiffy. give the paint coat a much better finish. · Dry lemon and orange peels till brittle. Powder them and sieve with a fine · Polish leather shoes and bags with castor oil or petroleum jelly to prevent mesh. Rub teeth with powder and wash. This mixture acts as an excellent drying and cracking. whitener for teeth, with continued use. · Immerse nails in hot water for a while before nailing into the wall. This will · Boil clothes soiled in holi colour in water (1/2 cup sugar added to a bucket- keep the surrounding plaster from coming off. ful water), for a few minutes. Allow to cool, add detergent, continue as for · Make the life of new paintbrushes much longer, by soaking them in linseed normal wash. oil for 10-12 hours before using. This will not only make them last longer, · While washing fine and expensive china, place a towel at the bottom of the but will also ease cleaning later on. sink to act as a cushion. This will prevent the many chippings and cracks · Cover hand with a single layer of thin silk or polyester scarf, before slipping caused while washing. through bangles, if they are tight fitting and there is fear of breaking them. · To clean dirty copper utensils: Fill a spray bottle with vinegar in which 3 They will slip through very easily. Or use the corner of you sari pallu of the tbsp. of salt has been added. Spray solution on utensil liberally. Set aside same material. for a while. Rub clean with a soft cloth. · For a more decorative look frost the glasses as follows: Chill them in the · Rinse glassware in a solution of 1 part vinegar and 3 parts water after freezer for 30 minutes. Pour some castor sugar in a plate. Dip the rim of washing with soap. This will make the glassware gleam and clean. each glass in this sugar. A frosty edge will form. Chill again for a few min- · To clean the inside of a mixer or blender throroughly, fill it halfway with wa- utes. Pour liquid in carefully while serving. Insert a thin lemon sliced round, ter. Add a few drops of detergent. Run machine for a few seconds. Rinse on rim for special effect. with water. Invert on a cloth till dry. · To clean a blocked metal tea strainer, heat gently or place in a hot oven. · Try a hot water bath, followed by a cup of warm milk half an hour before When fully heated, the tea particles between the mesh will burn out. Scrub going to bed. This will help induce sleep for those having problems going to out particles now, with a stiff toothbrush or a metal bristle brush, and they bed easily. will fall out easily. Wash with warm soap water and metal scrubber to finish · In case rice tends to have excess water, wrap a thick cotton cloth tightly off. over the lid, and cover container. The napkin will soak the excess moisture, · To chill any water based drink (like thandai, juices) use chilled water or as the steam rises. crushed icecubes while making, so that chilling time can be drastically re- · Warm hair oil, before massaging into the hair. This way it will soak better at duced. the roots and is more effective. Alternate hot and cold water soaked towels · A regular warm shower just before going to bed, can work wonders for mild to turban the head 2-3 times before washing oiled hair. insomnia. Avoid late night teas and coffees. · Place a small clean kitchen towel at the bottom of a pile of hot rotis, moong- · Let mehndi stay on hands for 8-9 hours (or overnight) after applying. Dab dis, etc. so that the layer of moisture created with heat, is absorbed by it. Or with cotton wool soaked in very sweet sugar water, every hour, till you take else the lower ones will become moist and soggy. Remove towel when the off the mehndi. rotis have cooled comepletely. For soft rotis, place in a tin, also place a · To make mehndi come out brighter, rub a little sesame oil on palms before napkin on top of the pile before placing lid. This will soak droplets formed applying, and dab a swab of cotton soaked in mustard oil after applying. inside the tin. This way the mehndi will not fall off soon after drying up. · While cooking vegetables which cook mostly in their own juices, cover with · To retain the heat of hot water for a longer time, add a pinch or two of salt a deep dishlike lid. Pour water in this, and keep adding more as it evapo- to it.

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