Friday, January 20, 2012

Kruse Home Improvement LLC announces first Certified Remodeling Project Manager


Shawn Kruse,
CR, CKBR, CRPM, UDCP

Kruse Home Improvement LLC is proud to announce that Shawn Kruse, CR, CKBR, CRPM, UDCP, is one of the first nationally to pass the Certified Remodeler Project Manager (CRPM) exam, earning him the CRPM designation from the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI).

The exam is designed to measure an individual's application of knowledge and skills in the role of managing every aspect of a remodeling project. Those who earn the CRPM designation have not only passed a written exam but are also held to a stringent set of eligibility requirements, including compliance with NARI’s strict Code of Ethics and Standards of Practice, earn continuing education hours and have several years of continuous remodeling experience.

“I’ve been on my own for about 10 years now, and it is important for me to learn systems for handling more work and supervising others during the job to prepare for future growth,” Kruse says.

The program, which launched in September 2011, addresses a growing trend in the remodeling industry, which has more companies using project managers to supervise jobs as opposed to lead carpenters. The program follows a set of knowledge domains and sub-domains that include project cost management, communication, project planning, quality assurance, record-keeping and risk management.

Those who take the course are provided tools and ideas to improve business operations and efficiency in order to generate and sustain growth. Kruse has already begun to put the things he’s learned down on paper and develop new systems.

One particular area of study from the CRPM course that stood out for Kruse was the work breakdown schedule, which has been implemented into operations. “I learned how to use flow charts to chart the course of the project and map everything out before work begins,” he says. Doing this ahead of time means you’re less likely to miss things later.”

Kruse also believes the course has helped him refine the communication process between himself, the client and the field staff. “I’m able to be more on top of the job details and to communicate with the field staff when it needs to be communicated,” he says.

The increase in control and management of the job spills into the success of the project and into the clients that are being served.

NARI is a professional association whose members voluntarily subscribe to a strict code of ethics. NARI members represent a select group from the approximately 800,000 companies and individuals in the U.S. identifying themselves as professional remodelers.

About Kruse Home Improvement LLC:

Kruse Home Improvement LLC was started in 2001 as a handyman service and small project contracting company. Over the years they have evolved into an organization capable of planning and running large scale home renovations and light commercial work such as office space build-outs and retail establishments. Their expertise includes: complete kitchen, bathroom, and basement renovation, framing / finish carpentry, tile, stonework, cabinetmaking, countertops, insulation, doors, windows and much more.

In addition to construction services, they offer a minimally invasive diagnostic service with the capacity to locate mold and moisture issues behind your walls without actually having to remove sheetrock or sheathing.


About NARI: The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) is the only trade association dedicated solely to the remodeling industry. The Association, which represents member companies nationwide—comprised of 63,000 remodeling contractors— is “The Voice of the Remodeling Industry.”™

Thursday, January 19, 2012

Chilli Paneer







Today's special is Chilli Paneer - dry version. I love Indo-Chinese cuisine simply because of its sweet-sour-hot and spicy taste. I prefer preparing this dry version over the normal chilli paneer.



The preparation procedure is almost similar to Gobi Manchurian. A great dish with a very minimal effort. With no further stories, here I go...



Basic Information:
Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 30-40 minutes
Serves: 3-4





Ingredients:




For Frying:



Paneer - 2 cups, 1 inch size cubes

All purpose flour/Maida/Plain flour - 2 tablespoons

Corn flour - 2 tablespoons

Ginger garlic paste - 1/2 teaspoon

Red chilli powder - 1 teaspoon

Salt - to taste

Oil - for shallow frying



For Prepareing Chilli Paneer:



Oil - 3 teaspoons

Green chillies - 2 nos, finely chopped

Onion - 1/4 cup, finely chopped

Ginger Garlic Paste - 1 teaspoon

Capsicum - 1 no, cubed, any colour

Tomato sauce/Tomato ketchup - 1-2 tablespoons

Red chilli Sauce - 1 teaspoon (see notes)

Dark soy sauce - 2 teaspoons (see notes)

Salt - to taste

Black pepper powder - to sprinkle

Spring onion - for garnishing






Method:




For Frying:



1) Mix all the ingredients (except paneer and oil) mentioned under the category "For Frying" in a mixing bowl.



2) Add 3 to 4 tablespoons of water and make a thick paste out of the mixture. The paste should be thick and not watery. Taste it and adjust the salt and spice as it suits you.



3) Add paneer and toss it well to allow the paste to be coated well.


 



4) Heat oil in a wide pan. Once it is hot, shallow fry the paneer until its skin turn golden brown. You can also deep fry paneer or bake it in a preheated oven for 200C for 15-20 minutes or until paneer turns golden brown.


 



5) Transfer it to a plate and keep it aside.



For Preparing Chilli Paneer:



1) In the same pan, drain out the leftover oil and add 3 teaspoons of oil. Add green chillies once it is hot.



2) After a minute, add onion and fry it till it turns translucent. If you are using spring onion, add the base part it with the onion and fry it.



3) Add ginger garlic paste. Fry for a minute.



4) Add capsicums and toss it well in high heat for 2-3 minutes. Make sure not to overheat the mixture and prevent it from getting burnt.



5) Capsicum has to be crisp and well cooked. Add soy sauce, tomato sauce and red chilli sauce (if you're using one). Quickly toss these well again. Add salt to this mixture.







6) Add fried paneer to this. Toss again for few minutes until the sauce coats the paneer well.



7) Cook for few minutes and turn the flame off. Sprinkle pepper powder.


 

8) Garnish with chopped spring onions and serve it hot.





Note:

1) I feel if you bake paneer it will made it slightly hard.  Hence I am prefer shallow frying. However it differs based on the brand of paneer bought. I never tried this recipe with home made paneer.

2) The taste of the soy sauce differ from one brand to another brand. So start with a teaspoon and adjust according the quantity as it suits you.

3) Some brands of soy sauce give a salty taste. So add salt accordingly.

4) Once the dish is ready, keep it well covered until you serve. Otherwise, the paneer would become hard.

5) If you are going to add red chilli sauce, you can skip green chilli.



I'm linking this recipe to Srivalli's Blogging Marathon #12 under the theme of paneer. Check out what others are cooking by clicking it here

The Amazing Kitchen by Mr. Amazing

 View from the loft.




     The wood is finished in the kitchen (bamboo) and gorgeous!  The cabinets are back in position waiting for their new tops.  The next phase is installing the same gorgeous bamboo in the living room and down the hallway.  We really should change the name of the business to Mr. Amazing's Home Improvement.