“There are two ways to be rich: One by acquiring much, and the other is by desiring little.”  

- Jackie French Koller, 1948

Minimalism is all about owning very few, but ultra-essential of all.

Picture This: Imagine an archeological site of a primitive man…when we explore his territory, not all the polished pebbles scattered around are important. If one “harpoon” is saved with utmost care – it signals the importance of the whole civilization!

Well, in Tamil there is popular saying: Vallavanukku Pullum Aayudham. Meaning: A smart man can turn even a blade of grass into a weapon/tool. In my opinion…people who can really do some work – don’t need so many things for each and every specific task! Like for example — garlic crusher, nutmeg grater etc. Why would someone want a special tool to scrape nutmeg?? lol :) People often hoard stuff, claiming that its for some emergencies! Honestly, there is no such thing called “Just In Case”! Just in case – we’ll figure it out.

I still remember it like yesterday, when I was a kid, my architect uncle was building our house. My Mom kept on pestering for a very spacious kitchen, counter-top to be done for her height’s need. Hundreds of cabinets with locks for her special occasions crockery sets etc. My uncle kept smiling…and asked ‘why do you want 5 lakhs worth of cabinets to keep your 5 rupees worth of stuff! My furious Mommy screamed saying “its for special days…when we have 100′s of guests”. Once again, my uncle calmly countered…if such occasion arise, I am positive that ‘You’re not going to host that event at home, you’re gonna book a hall and a team of caterers are going to do that job’. Lol. His vision was right. Or at-least to me. In that big mansion like kitchen…my mommy rarely cooked! She never got a chance to host the parties she imagined.

I have been cooking for the past 20 years in my life, both extensive everyday cooking plus hosting different festivals and parties. I am confident enough to say: I can do wonders in hosting/organizing a food themed party (without prior notice) to up to 50-100 people with my kitchen basics.

Now, minimalist kitchen not necessarily have to be the tiniest one; however…its all about clutter free and more empty space. Don’t you think…a well-organized…dirt-free…just essential goods…by itself –  a roomier space gives us the Serene feeling?! And, who wants to hassle all-day long both in office and at home. You got to love the place that you’re going to work for rest of your lives. That’s right, one never retires from homely duties.

Being a minimalist, I will have to tell you what I DON’T OWN…rather than saying what I own!

Gadgets that I DON’T OWN

• Pressure Cooker
• Grinder
• Indian Mixie
• Crock Pot
• Insta pot
• Dutch Oven
• Griller
• Cake Mixer
• Coffee maker
• Soda Maker
• Ice Maker
• Air Fryer
• Juice Maker
• Water Filter/cooler
• Ice Cubes maker
• Knife Block

Things I OWN

• 1 mini rice cooker
• 1 large rice cooker
• 1 pot with lid
• 1  large pan
• 1 large Chinese wok
• 2 medium skillets
• 3 cake trays
• 3 pans with lids
• 2 large knives
• 3 small knives
• 2 chopping boards
• 1 blender
• 1 spice grinder
• 5 wooden spatulas
• 5 stainless
• 2 tongs
• 1 whisk

Buy Nothing “Unnecessary”. 

                                    -Malar Gandhi

Tips & Pointers

Serving wares are limited too; I own just one set of special occasion dinnerware (4 plates, 4 glasses, cutlery etc). While I have a small collection of display (I mean food display) platters, bowls, trays etc.  Right from the beginning, I didn’t buy myself into all those alluring colorful display-wares; kind of maintained a theme – a white balance is cool. It never runs out of fashion.

Okay, being a Desi, it’ really hard to swallow for many of my friends that I don’t own a Mixie, Grinder let alone even a Pressure cooker. See, I don’t bring in anything that is huge and which wont fit in the dishwasher! It’s simple. I cook lentils on stove-top pans, boil potatoes in the microwave. Broil vegetables in an oven. Well…my cooking speaks for itself.

Honestly I feel its ridiculous to buy single-work tools like garlic crusher, nutmeg grater, egg slicer, saffron pounder…its almost like Newton’s Door with cat Holes; who had two separate holes of his cats…where he made a tiny hole on the door, once the Mommy cat had a baby! The tiny hole was never used…as the baby kittens used the same large holes!

So, these are my thoughts on the topic. I understand…that it is not for everyone. Choose what is best for you. Happy Cooking

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