In a New York City kitchen, smaller is always better. We have lived without a toaster oven because we simply couldn’t find one small enough. And we’ve avoided getting things like a Kitchenaid mixer, a rice cooker, or a crock pot because they’re all too big.
That’s why I was thrilled to receive these two gifts from a friend moving back to India. (I wasn’t thrilled that she was leaving, though; that made me sad.) She brought these from India when she came here five years ago. One is a pressure cooker that I just used to cook dry black beans in about 30 minutes. It would be a perfect size for one person but it works for two as well. (As a side note, I’ve been collecting jars so I can store dry beans if I don’t want to cook a full pound.)
The other is a lovely, small mortar and pestle. I’ve taken a photo of it next to a mug so you can see what a convenient size it is. Perfect for a New York City cabinet!
3 Comments
September 8, 2009 at 2:49 pm
Oh these are adorable. There is obviously room for some NYC American or American-Indian entrepreneur to bring these over. I want that mortar and pestle.
September 30, 2009 at 5:23 am
I’ll bring one for Michele next time I come to New York!
October 6, 2009 at 12:32 pm
I think Shefali and Jon or Shefali and Hannah should start importing the pressure cookers. They could be marketed as green because they are green. In fact, pressure cookers were an early green (1930s, I think) design when green was just called “saving money;” they’re designed to use a minimal amount of fuel and also be quick. The company could be called “Teeny Greeny.” Or the pressure cooker could be called that. Also – it fits in with eating low on the food chain, Michael Polland, etcetera.