Healthy Gobi Manchurian
and Diwali recipes continue ...
Hello friends,
Today I have a Healthy Gobi Manchurian recipe for you that my family loves. Gobi aka cauliflower manchurian is a popular Indo-Chinese vegan dish that originated in India.
The vegetarian version originated from Chicken Manchurian, which is believed to have come from Nelson Wang, a third-generation Chinese chef born in Kolkata, India. He fried chicken and doused it in a sauce made with ginger, garlic and green chilis — key parts of Bengali cuisine — along with Chinese staples like soy sauce and chili sauce. The chef went on to open Mumbai’s famous China Garden restaurant, where I had the pleasure of dining many times during my childhood.
Instead of frying the cauliflower florets dipped in the batter, I bake them in the oven, until slightly crisp. Then I douse the florets in an absolutely delicious sauce that is mouthwatering delicious! I love adding cashews and sesame seeds on the top for that slight crunch factor. Once the florets are baked, the dish comes together within 30 minutes. The cauliflower manchurian with the jasmine rice is a fantastic dinner meal that will be on repeat at your home.
DIWALI EBOOK - 2024 EDITION
The Jam Lab Guide to Diwali Entertaining - 2024 is available for SALE! Please show your support and get your Diwali ebook at my shop on my website. I would truly appreciate it! The Diwali Ebook includes a Timeline as to what to make when, so that you, as a host, can have a stress free Diwali!
Here is the link to the website where you can purchase the ebook : https://thejamlab.co/shop/
LATEST RECIPE FOR S.F.Chronicle
My latest for S.F.Chronicle are these Pluot and Cardamom Jam Nankhatai Thumbprints.
With Diwali around the corner, these fusion cookies - Pluot and Cardamom Nankhatai Thumbprints - are my take on the famous Indian-style bakery cookie Nankhatai with a California influence. I use Pluot and Cardamom Jam to make Nankhatai Thumbprints. The origins of Nankhatai, or shortbread biscuits, date back to the 16th century in Surat, which is a city in the state of Gujarat, India, when the Dutch and Indians were the important spice traders. The main ingredients of nankhatai are all purpose flour, chickpea flour (or besan in Hindi) and semolina, which gives it a slightly coarse structure. Gujarati sweets essentially contain spices like freshly ground cardamom and freshly grated nutmeg, which are also incorporated in the nankhatai.
In India, Diwali is an emotion, a feeling, a celebration. There is love, laughter, lights, color everywhere, and folks from all backgrounds come together to celebrate. For the South Asian community, the major Hindu festival also known as the Festival of Lights is as important as Christmas is in the United States.
The cookies are really easy to make and are eggless. Indians typically prefer eggless desserts so I wanted to be mindful of what I was creating keeping Diwali (a religious festival) in mind.
OTHER DIWALI INSPIRATION FROM MY BLOG
Quick Date and Nut Chocolate Bars
I had posted this recipe in 2022, and there were SO many recreations of this easy and minimal sugar recipe. It is full of flavor and will be a huge hit for any festive occassion.
These Gulab Jamun Rangoli Macarons, are a work of art. I know it is not an easy dessert to accomplish, but they are super fun to make and a fun project to take on as well. The filling is a Saffron Rose White Chocolate Ganache filling, with a surprise gulab jamun inside. The macarons are a beautiful burst of flavor in the mouth and celebrate Diwali to it’s fullest.
Passion Fruit Kaju Katli Blondies
These blondies are made with an eggless cashewnut blondie layer, topped with a passion fruit kaju katli that is to die for. The mithai is a popular one and if you can get your hands on passion fruit, these blondies will be a huge hit.
Have a wonderful and safe Diwali and Happy New Year to all of you!
XO
Amisha