The Week That Was!

Last Week was pretty quiet, a tiny bit of jet lag that made get up very early in the morning. I got up and made use of the quiet early morning hours to get some stuff that needed to be done, done.

Which means at about 10 or 11 in the morning it feels like I need some downtime and that is how I ended up watching shows which I have skipped over many times.




Amazon Prime
McLeod's Daughters

Set in rural Australia, on a cattle ranch co-owned by 2 sisters and being run along with 3 other women, has drama worthy of keeping one engrossed for hours. It did me :). So for gorgeous views of the Australian country side and some good acting and a gripping story watch this.

I have seen this lady swimming at the pool for a number of years now, then I stopped seeing her for a few years. Then I ran into her and got to chatting. She said that she was in Australia for work for a few years and she wishes she were still there. What she liked most is the laid back lifestyle and their approach to parenting. This lady had young kids. I have read and heard about the Aussie spirit and watching this show will offer you glimpse into some of that.

Newspaper
Bloomberg article on AOC's 70% income tax. When I first heard of it I was thinking "here go these liberal democrats". But when I watched the 60 Minutes it was clear that she mentioned the 10 millionth dollar will be taxed at that level. Who likes taxes and some of the not so rich people would end up paying the higher rate and some of the not rich people would be caught up in that. That does not mean that some of these mega million earners should not do their part. Starting with the Reagan revolution, the Gingrich disasters doing your part seems to have become unpatriotic. Allowing people with lesser means to take the bulk of the burden while they the richies like our President using high priced accountants and lawyers can even avoid not only paying but allowing the government to pay to them. Pretty Patriotic stuff!

FIRE
While FIRE is on fire among the millennial set, it should probably get popular among a lot more of us older people as well. We all went through another annual shutdown episode which even given it lasted longer than usual, but unlike the other times there was a lot of news about people suffering. I know life is hard and that living paycheck to paycheck happens to a lot of low income earners because the great USA does not have some of the safety nets that other Western democracies seem to have. As things get more and more expensive it is absolutely understandable that this happens.

But let us move on to some of the higher income earners like my relatively young colleague with a wife and a child for example. He makes salary which is about say $125000 or so and one day he was looking at his gas bill and was worried if it went over $250, reason he might not be able to pay it. I was shocked twice, one that the gas bill was a bit steep for just 2 people and two that he cannot afford to pay the gas bill if it exceeded that amount. What was he doing with all the money he made? Their life style I am guessing had a lot to do with that. I sat next to him so we discussed dealing with finances his mostly, him asking how we managed etc.,. His wife does not like to do things around the house, unless his MIL was around they ate out almost everyday he after swallowing a pill to control his blood sugar. Another incident with this same guy was what threw me off and left me wondering...

His wife's birthday was the next day and he had purchased a handbag (about $200 worth) and was ready to present it to her but his wife after knowing about it sent him a nasty text accusing him of not caring about her. Nasty is too nice of a way to put it. It was downright mean and disgusting. Why the nastygram? It was because he did not buy 2 of the same handbag in different colors like she had demanded. The drama was for that! Maybe this kind of lifestyle is what forces some people to live paycheck to paycheck? How do you break this cycle?

I am not a true adherent of FIRE meaning, retiring early was not part of the equation of why I wanted to achieve Financial Independence. The reason was something else altogether. Most people consider living within their means or even living modestly to be shameful. But it does not, it gives you more freedom to do what you want. To be continued...

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Okra in Tomato Sauce

Okra in tomato sauce is a Middle Eastern recipe. The slime in okra is what throws most people off and cooking an okra curry without the slimy texture is what I strive for. Try avoiding old okra which is the main reason for the slimy texture. When you have fresh okra and tomatoes nothing should stop you from making this recipe.

Some simple steps that I follow, wash and dry the okra completely. Also saute/roast the cut okra by itself before adding it to the curry base especially if you are adding them to a liquid curry. This helps the curry from getting slimy.

This recipe is a simple one, besides the spices can be the ones you like, you can just use black pepper like the Middle Eastern recipes or use a combination of red chili powder and a tiny bit of coriander and cumin powder.

Wash and dry the okra and cut them into 1/2 inch rounds.
Saute the onions and tomatoes in a saute pan, and add the spice powders.
Add in the tomatoes and cook till it is mushy and reduce it to the required texture. Add in the roasted okra and mix well.
Cook the okra in the sauce for about 3-4 minutes more.

Fully cooked but without getting mushy is the great thing about this recipe.

Okra in Tomato Sauce
Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 25 minutes
Ingredients

1. 20 Okra - about 2 cups of okra cut into 1/2 inch rounds
2. 1 cup of chopped ripe tomatoes
3. 1/2 red onion finally chopped
4. 3-4 slit green chilies (optional)
5. 2 tsp coriander powder
6. 1/2 tbsp chili powder or black pepper powder(adjust if using green chilies)
7. 1/2 tsp cumin powder
8. salt to taste
9. 1/2 tbsp oil

Method

1. Wash the okra and spread them on a kitchen till they are completely dry. Trim the ends and cut the okra into 1/2 inch rounds.
2. In a saute pan add about a tsp of oil and saute the cut okra till the slime is completely removed and the okra pieces start to brown. Set aside.
3. In a pan add oil and when hot add the onions and green chilies if using, saute till they become translucent.
4. Add in the spice powders - coriander, cumin and red chili or pepper powder followed by salt. Mix it well into the onions.
5. Add in the tomatoes and saute till they become mushy, depending upon how dry or wet you want cook for about 8-10 minutes (or 16 minutes till oil separates).
6. Add in the sauteed okra and continue to cook for another 4-5 minutes.

Goes great with some soft phulkas or chapatis.

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Misbehaving - Book Review

Reading The Undoing Project changed my perspective on psychology and got me interested in learning more; but as usual wanting to do something and actually doing something are two different things.

In 2017, I read that Mr.Richard Thaler a behavioral economist and a Distinguished Professor of Economics and Behavioral Science had won the Nobel prize for Economics and his contribution to behavioral sciences. He had worked closely with Daniel Kahneman and Amos Tversky our protagonists from 'The Undoing Project' in defining the field of Behavioral Economics. Behavioral Science had come a long way from when Mr. Thaler had been fighting to get acceptance from "real" economists who did not believe that human behavior had anything to do with economics.

More time passed, then one day channel surfing I hit on an episode of the "The Interview Show" on one of the PBS channels. The host Mark Bazer was interviewing Mr.Thaler and that is when I resolved to buy Misbehaving. Reading this book has piqued my curiosity to know more about this field. Behavioral Psychology has a lot to do with the lives of people and ignoring that leads to not very good outcomes.

Let's accept it, Economics is not a very interesting subject and I for one am not smart to peruse an economics book and come away with a greater knowledge of economics, that is where books like this one are a great thing. Written in an engaging and easy prose that even a non-economist would understand, interspersed with personal anecdotes makes reading that much more easier.

Littered with experiences of real people he explains what a SIF (Supposedly Irrelevant Factor)is but what an outsize importance it has in people making decisions. You will come across a few other interesting acronyms like this important JND (Just-Noticeable Difference).

Let's say you paid for a gym membership but you don't go to the gym often. Do you need worry about it? "Don't cry over spilled milk" in the layman's explanation for sunk costs. What about opportunity cost?

Interspersed with economics knowledge we also learn the career trajectory of Richard Thaler and his fight to gain acceptance from economists who believed human behavior does not alter established economic theories. The one other important thing about Mr.Thaler is that he was a trouble maker, fighting against orthodoxy and questioning the established norms in economics.

Once the field began gaining acceptance, they start using behavioral psychology to improve outcomes across government institutions, business etc.,

You only need to have a partial interest in behavior economics to start reading this book. I assure you it is a good read.

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The Week That Was!

Not too much by way of entertainment last week but plenty in terms of fun. After 15 years I was in India for the Pongal festival. As festivals go this one is not fun like Deepavali but it has special meaning for all people of Tamil origin.

Celebrated Suriya Pongal at my in-laws and then celebrated Mattu Pongal at my brother in law's farm. Cooking Pongal on an open fire gets everyone to participate so this was fun for people of all ages.

Books
Being on vacation I also managed to read the "Your Money Or your Life", the book that was DD's Christmas gift. It is a must read book for anybody starting to earn money and start an independent life. Even if your goal is not to retire by 30 this book will give enough pointers to have a healthy relationship with money.

Newspaper
Living at home, at home with nature
Browsing through the newspaper while visiting my uncle this article in The Hindu caught my eye.

Organo a community near Hyderabad which combines nature with living. It is kind of having cake and eating it too. I am not exactly how affordable these homes are and going by experience this kind of living with nature is probably possible only with a certain level of affluence. The article does not say if the residents are required to participate in the farm life or there are farmers who do that.

It will be fantastic if when new communities are developed to have a rain water harvesting system and community vegetable gardens for the residents to participate in. Probably reduce the claustrophobic nature of living in concrete jungles.

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Indian Style Vanjaram (Seer) Fish Fry

Any visit to India would not be complete without a chance to enjoy the delicious fish fry that my mom makes. I have unsuccessfully tried to recreate this here in the US but without luck. The first problem being the way the fish is cut and available for sale. They are usually filleted and not cut into thin steaks as required to make this kind of fish fry. The only way this is possible is to visit a fish monger who is willing to do it for you. While lot of Asian super markets have fish and are willing to cut it the way you want, you need to be ready to buy at these stores. I am generally averse to buying fish here because you never know what you are getting till you bring them home and start cooking and stinking up the whole house.

Anyway mom made a few phone calls and fish monger brought home these awesome looking fish steaks ready to be fried. It pays to have all kinds of friends I learned :) My mom is especially good at that. Has friends from all walks of life who are willing to help out.

The recipe is by far the easiest to follow, the cook made use of ready made fish masala. The cook also suggested that using a shallow tawa (a dosa pan) to fry is better than deep frying. She was right, no dripping oil. If you prefer making your own masala paste instead of the store bought powder follow this recipe. The recipe is as simple as it can get. The cook gave me tips on what makes a great fish fry. Slather the paste on the fish and set it under the fan so it completely dries out. Give it about 2 hours or so. No refrigerating here.

Wash and dry the fish, apply the spice paste.
Heat a dosai pan or tawa and add oil, when hot add a couple of fish slices.
Cook on one side, flip and cook on the other.

Enjoy with rice. It tastes even better after sitting for 4 hours or so and slightly warmed.

Indian style Vanajaram Fish Fry
Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Marination Time: 30 minutes to 2 hours
Cooking Time: 20 minutes
Ingredients

1. 12 pieces of Vanjaram fish steaks about 1/4 - 1/2 inch thick
2. 1 1/2 tbsp of fish masala powder or (check link for fresh masala)
3. 1/2 of a lemon
4. salt to taste
5. Oil for shallow frying

Method

1. Wash the fish and drain of all the water completely
2. In a vessel take the fish masala powder and mix salt and squeeze the lemon, mix it in well. Do not add any other liquid.
3. Apply the paste on to the fish slices individually and let it sit for at least 1/2 hour or for 2 hours if possible.
4. Heat a shallow fry pan or a tawa, add a tbsp of oil and when hot add in 2-3 fish slices. Do not overcrowd.
5. Cook for 2-3 minutes on one side and then flip and cook for 2-3 minutes on the other till the fish is completely cooked.

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Instant Pot Black Beans - Chipotle Style

I love beans, I always have, not the white chick peas which I got to know better after coming here to the US but kidney beans, black chick peas, field beans, cow peas and others which were common in TamilNadu.

Black Beans is also one that was introduced to me by Chipotle when I purchased a burrito bowl. The slightly tougher texture makes it easy to cook and also perfect in salads. We make burrito bowls often with various combinations of proteins, grilled or roasted vegetables and different kinds of grains. It is always accompanied by Black Beans cooked the Chipotle way slightly watery but the beans still maintaining their shape for the most part. With the advent of the Instant Pot cooking this beans is pretty easy. You don't have to plan a burrito bowl to enjoy a bowl of this delicious beans.



Without an Instant Pot these beans can just as easily be cooked with a pressure cooker.

To the Instant Pot add the black beans, enough water, onions, ginger, garlic, green chilies and put in manual mode and cook for 10 minutes.
Once cooked let the steam subside naturally and open the Instant Pot.
Put the Instant Pot in saute mode and add the spices and coriander leaves. Cook till desired consistency is reached.
Unplug when done.

The beans is an accompaniment for a burrito bowl or for enjoying as is in a bowl.

Instant Pot Black Beans - Chipotle Style
Soaking Time: Overnight
Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 10 - 15 minutes
Ingredients

1. 2 cups of Black Beans soaked overnight (if required a handful of Red Kidney Beans)
2. 1/2 cup of chopped onions
3. 2-3 garlic cloves chopped
4. 2-3 green chilies, seeds removed and chopped fine
5. 1 tbsp ginger grated
6. 1 tsp cumin powder
7. 2 tsp of red chili powder
8. salt to taste
9. handful of coriander leaves

Method

1. Wash the soaked black beans in several changes of water.
2. Add the black beans, onions, garlic, ginger, green chilies, along with 4 cups of water (more if you want the beans to be watery).
3. Put the Instant Pot in manual mode and 10 minutes cooking time *.
4. Once the cooking time finishes and it goes to warming mode, leave it till the pressure releases naturally.
5. Now open the Instant Pot and put it in saute mode -normal setting. Once the read out flashes Hot, add in the spice powders, salt and coriander leaves and cook for about 5-6 minutes or till the desired consistency is reached.
   
6. Unplug the Instant Pot and the beans is ready to be served.


7. Note:If using dried beans directly follow the time recommended in the Instant Pot booklet.

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