Savoury Semolina Cake & Anjum Anand

Anjum Anand is, in my opinion, the Nigella of British-Indian cuisine. And I have been following her closely for quite a few years now. Her recipes are simple and light, yet completely authentic Indian in taste. And who says we have to spend hours in the kitchen to eat exotic?

One of my favorite recipes of Anjum’s is her Savoury Semolina Cake. With lots of vegetables and mildly spiced, it perfectly complements a cup of tea, or as a starter for any dinner party. Vegetarians or non-vegetarians alike will absolutely lick their fingers

A blend of semolina (suji), vegetables and yogurt, it can easily pass as a vegan meatloaf of sorts.

Now, both M and I love to sit down in the evening with a cuppa tea and something nice and light. We chomp on the savoury tit-bits, and watch the world go by, the neighborhood kids run around, the ladies giggle and the dogs scamper. People bond over music, people bond over drinks – we bond over the shared evening cuppa. And that is where this recipe comes into the picture. Not much prep to do, leaves enough time for togetherness…

Without much further ado, here is the recipe.

Savoury Semolina Cake: (adapted from here)

Ingredients:

• 1 cup (around 160 grams) semolina/suji
• 3/4 cup chopped beans
• 1/4 cup peas
• 1/2 cupful grated carrot
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 1 heaped teaspoon grated ginger
• ½ teaspoon red chilli powder
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
• 1 green chilly chopped
• 3 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
• 3/4 cup thick yogurt
• 2/3 cup water
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 1/2 teaspoon soda bicarbonate or 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1-2 teaspoon white sesame seeds
• Salt -to taste

Procedure:

1. Preheat the oven to 200 degree Celsius. Oil the bottom and sides of a loaf tin.
2. Mix together semolina,vegetables, ginger, spices and salt.
3. Add yogurt and water and mix to make a thick batter. Taste and adjust the seasoning. Keep aside.
4. Separately, heat oil in a small pan and throw in mustard seeds. When they splutter,add the cumin seeds. Leave it on the heat for 10 seconds then stir this oil into the batter.
5. Now stir in the soda bicarbonate and mix well.
6. Working quickly now, pour the batter into the prepared loaf tin. Sprinkle the sesame seeds over the top of the cake batter.
7. Bake in the preheated oven for about 35-40 minutes or till a tooth pick inserted into the centre of the cake comes out clean.

Let the cake cool in the tin for sometime before serving. Enjoy!

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