🫐 Blueberry Lemon Loaf Cake
2 Easy Microwave Sweet Treats + Crispy Cabbage Fritter + Amazing Mushroom & Roots Salad + 2 Homemade Curry Sauces
Hello friends!
The last stretch of this year’s recipe development, photo shoots and video content for clients, for my blog and my newsletter is at its peak. In a month and half, everything will crescendo like a giant tidal wave of all kinds of food and then there will be a moment in time when I will take a break from cooking. That will last one, maybe two days. And I will come back to the thing I love doing most in the world - cooking! I am really looking forward to that.
A lot of Christmas recipes are coming your way (especially Veg Christmas Menus to satisfy everybody). Meanwhile, the Early Christmas Newsletter sale is on, in case you missed it - 20% ALL Annual Memberships (for a limited time!)
Today is Diwali and I have cooked a lot in the lead-up to it - Shahi Paneer, Palak Paneer, Mushroom Masala, Aloo Gobi (plus all the glorious recipes below!) but tonight, as is customary in our family; we are going to have a special Diwali dinner at Urban Tadka. We do this every year and I love it. They have the most beautiful inventive Indian food and a wonderful ambience.
I wish you a very Happy Diwali and a wonderfully prosperous and healthy New Year to those who are celebrating. I hope you enjoy this weekend’s offering of easy, sweet recipes and a few veg staples to take you through the week.
Sneh
x
Three New Recipes This Week
Blueberry Lemon Loaf Cake
A deliciously tangy lemon pound cake dressed with a simple two-ingredient yoghurt icing and the season’s biggest, juiciest, sweetest blueberries. A really simple loaf cake with a huge wow factor - I mean, look at that cheery yellow crumb. So soft and delicious. Bake it now!
Microwave Mango Barfi
A barfi is an Indian milk fudge. Similar to a slice (it is always set in square or rectangle tins and cut into squares), this decadent milk fudge is made with milk, cream and sugar. My microwave version only takes 9 minutes to make using just one bowl. It has mango pulp and is bright golden and absolutely delicious.
Microwave Malai Peda
Another famous Indian milk fudge, the malai peda is a traditional Indian sweet offered in prayer and consumed during big Hindu festivals, weddings and other auspicious occasions. Unlike the barfi, it is shaped into rounds or discs and is often creamy (milk), light brown (caramelized milk) or yellow (saffron) in colour. My microwave version, believe it or not, cooks this amazing little treat in just 6 minutes is tastes as delicious and authentic as the traditional version.
Early Christmas Sale is now on (for a limited time!) / Get excited because “Veg Cooking Club” is coming next year and you don’t want ot miss out!
More Veg Recipes To Explore For Diwali Weekend
Crispy Cabbage Fritters With Curry Leaf Oil
If the Japanese Okonomiyaki had an Indian cousin, it would be this. An abundance of shredded green cabbage tossed with spices and aromatics and mixed with chickpea and rice flour to create a magically crispy fritter/pancake that has so much flavour. But the best part is the quick curry leaf oil you can make and drizzle on this for extra oomph. A must-try! Especially with a good Tomato Mustard Chutney.
Turmeric Mushroom & Root Salad
If I were to ever run a weekend retreat with nourishing foods and a yoga session on the side, this Turmeric Mushroom Salad With Beetroot & Sweet Potato would be something I would serve up. A warming and nourishing salad packed with the prowess of immune-boosting mushrooms, turmeric and almonds and packed with blood-cleansing beetroot and a bowlful of greens, herbs and nuts. Not only is it incredibly pretty to look at, but absolutely delicious, warming and enriching. I also talk about growing up on Ayurvedic principles and style of eating in this post. This is a great salad for a mid-week Veg abundant meal and travels well in packed lunchboxes.
Vegan Makhani Curry Sauce
If you love Butter chicken, then this lighter, healthier and vegan Makhani Curry Sauce needs to be made. Not only is it more authentic but doesn’t have copious amounts of butter and cream. It lasts for months in the freezer and can be added to any protein. My favourite way to serve this sauce is with boiled eggs (Egg Curry), Chickpeas (Chana Makhani) or Paneer & Carrots (Paneer Makhani).
Vegan Magic Curry Sauce
There are so many reasons to love this Vegan Magic Curry Sauce! Delicious, easy, one-pot (or blender) cooking, freezable and a great big-batch option for meal prep days. But the most important reason why I call it the Magic Curry Sauce is that IT GOES WITH EVERYTHING! One Magic Curry Sauce - A Million Uses!! It could be a curry or a dip for roasted veggies or a salad dressing for a really delicious salad. It's brilliant!
Crispy Onion Pan Pakoras
Yesterday my younger son had four of his friends over for an afternoon of swimming and video games. I have known this for many years but it still takes me by surprise when it happens - five hungry teenage boys are like an endless pit! I made them Prawn Dumplings and my Chicken Udon Noodles (these were such a hit, that they floated the recipe in their group chat and I saw at least 3-4 of them reading up the step-by-step instructions to try at home!). They were still hungry so my younger son made them his signature Sourdough Slize Pizza in the Air Fryer. Still hungry! So I made Nachos topped with salsa, cheese and a quick homemade guacamole and a BIG batch of these Crispy Onion (and potato) Pakoras! These Pakoras are such a treat - onion rings get tossed in a spiced besan batter and pan-fried until crispy and delicious. The quintessential Indian snack that is ready in minutes when you need it the most!
Cook Republic Cooking Club
November’s Cookbook is Now & Then By Tessa Kiros. If you have this cookbook and would like to join us, grab your copies and come cook with us.
All Good Things
Currently watching The Morning Show Season 2 / This show is a candid look behind the lens of the people who work wake up the nation on early morning shows.
Crispy Parmesan Broccoli Chips! Gosh yum!
Ever wondered how to open up a giant bag of rice with the dual-coloured thread on top?
I really want to make Mandarincello! (Should’ve thought of this before they went out of season a few weeks ago)
A classic Mr Bean clip!
Harissa Chickpeas / Butter Bean Curry
That’s all from me this week. Eat well, Be well! Until next time! x
Happy Diwali Sneh! And what beautiful recipes!