"Success is not final, Failure is not fatal : it is the courage to continue that counts"
K2 with his Robotics team, they qualified for State already 💪
K2 has been driving himself hard - from full days at theater where he played the lead (we finished the season to rapturous applauses and a massively sold out show...so to say I am proud is an understatement!), to basketball, violin, robotics and national geographic tournaments...I keep reminding him to pace himself yet I see him on the go at all times at school and activities...and then he comes home and it's zombie time. So a lot of our arguments and discussions have been around - it's ok to scale down...I would much rather you be happy and healthy with just the right degree of extra-curricular activities (doing your chores at home like walking the puppy) vs. pushing yourself (yeah...not a tiger mom me)...the reality is I would rather he take the time to smell the roses, take a walk out in the bay and just live life a little bit fuller...bottom line is once you start working, get married, have kids and have some sort of a career...life automatically becomes full.
Yet, K2 seems happy with his rather full schedule and with my rather full schedule these past two months I am too scared that he will soon say - Ma, it's like the pot calling the kettle black 😧...anyhoo with all these mental travails and my lingering cough the past 5 weeks, I am exhausted and can't wait for the winter break : time for elaichi (cardamom) chai , long walks with the puppy, DVRed shows, good take-out food and warm cozy soups/stews in my Instant Pot...just one more trip to get through this week in Iowa...(yeah yeah! don't do the really Iowa thing on me...it's beautiful). I am in love with the beautiful "Women of Achievement Bridge" which honored the women in Iowa who paved the way...it's another story that I corralled my colleagues on this little adventure with me (their smiles of tolerance said a lot 😇)
Iowa Women of Achievement Bridge
I cooked for K1 and K2 and they have Mushroom Curry and Kheema Matar to keep them company while I am out and about in Iowa. My Kheema Matar (and I am not one for rhapsodies) is a work of art - took me less than 10 minutes to put together and there is enough to last them 3 meals ( my secret weapon - I stuff Kheema Matar in a whole wheat sourdough sandwich with some chopped onions, tomatoes and cheese...and pack a fancy panini for K2 for his lunch box, I also add it inside a puff pastry to make chicken puff...easy stuff that makes you look pretty spiffy!)
Chicken Kheema Matar
What's in it?
- 1.5 lb Ground Organic Chicken Breast (Whole Foods Pro Tip - Boneless Skinless Chicken breast was on Sale and I had them grind that for me vs. buying the pre-ground meat - saved me $4/pound)
- 1 bag of Organic Petite Peas (365 Brand)
- 4 Oz Bhuna Masala ( click the link for how to make it!)
- Whole Spices : Cumin, Red Chilli, Crushed whole cardamom, Cinnamon Stick
- Shaan Kheema Masala
- Salt, Tomato Ketchup, Cinnamon Powder (to taste)
- 1/4 cup of water
- 1 tbspoon Avocado/Olive/Canola Oil
How I made it?
- Put the IP on Saute Mode, Keep the frozen peas on the side to thaw
- Add the Olive Oil, till there is a shimmer, add the whole spices and let them blossom in the hot oil
- Now add the bhuna masala, the Shaan Kheema Masala (I used 2 spoons) and the ground chicken- saute for 2-3 minutes
- If you need more liquid add the 1/4 cup water/ stock
- Put the IP on Manual High Pressure for 5 minutes, No Release
- When you open the IP, turn the IP to Saute and add in the peas - saute for 2-3 minutes till the peas and warmed through and mixed into the meat mixture (and some of the liquid evaporates)
- Now add Salt, tomato ketchup and Cinnamon Powder to taste
- Garnish with Cilantro or as I did with the red chilli (we didn't eat those!) and enjoy with Roti or Pav/Bread.
I wanted to leave you with a saying my father always shared with me : I want to be that person that you look up to - the person you think of when you think of the word "Bapa" or "Integrity" and "Love". I lost him 5 years back but I sure do think of him anytime someone mentions parents or role models - he was mine.
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