A trip to a nearby village in the foothills was planned long
ago but the trip materialized only this weekend. Sometimes when the monotony of
the work inside and stress of the work outside gets too much, a date with
nature restores normalcy. It is a great balm for the jangled nerves.
We watched a herd of cows raising a thick cloud of dust and
disappearing in the hillocks. After a while only the bells around their necks,
tinkling rhythmically were faintly audible. Through thickly foliaged Saal
forest, we could see the setting Sun and the endless stretch of tomato fields
bordered with marigold imbued in the golden hue.
Some fields were being
ploughed and the cattle egrets were inspecting the freshly turned earth for
their catch of insects and worms.
Some hens too, were ambling around kicking
hay occasionally. Life had its own placid pace………everything
looked so tranquil….so beautiful.
We packed our lunch and I baked a Vegan Orange and Dates
cake the previous day for the trip.
The cake had moistness and flavour of
oranges and sweetness of dates.
Vegan Orange and Dates Cake (Low Fat, with Whole Wheat Flour)
Ingredients
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 ¼ cups all- purpose flour
½ cup sugar (powdered)
1/3 cup olive oil
25 soft dates pitted and chopped
1 cup orange juice
1 tablespoon white vinegar
1 teaspoon baking powder
¼ teaspoon baking soda
A pinch of salt
Finely grated zest of 3 oranges
Method
Preheat oven to 180 degrees C. Grease and dust the sides and
line the bottom of one 7 x 7 inch square cake pan.
Whisk together flours, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
Blend dates and 1 cup orange juice to get puree. Add white
vinegar, sugar and oil and mix well. Add zest.
Mix dry ingredients to wet ingredients till well
incorporated. Add some more orange juice
only if the batter feels thick.
Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 35 to 40
minutes or till a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Remove from the oven after 5 minutes and remove from the pan
after another 5 minutes.
Cool in the rack and slice next day. The cake tastes better
next day and best after two days.
Another fantastic cake to add to my ever growing "AMBROSIA" folder of excellent recipes that I have to make NOW. This cake combines 2 of my favourite things (3 when you add "vegan" ;) ) I love oranges and dates. Dates add a delicious caramel flavour that compliments oranges magnificently. I eat dates most every day as they have incredible health benefits and are my alternative to sugar so this cake is going to be a must make item this week even though Brunhilda is well and truly fast asleep and summer is just around the corner (next week!) You wouldn't know it though as I am rugged up with a blanket this morning as it is pretty cold and it rained all day yesterday. Hopefully that means it is going to be a beautiful sunny day today as that's what a cold morning usually means. Have a fantastic day Namita and thank you for your incredible generosity in sharing these wonderful treats with us all. I loved reading about your outing and that soil is the most magnificent looking soil for growing things. Tomato fields ringed with marigolds. What a wonderful mental poem :)
ReplyDeleteo my goodness,, wonderful cake.. just drooling at the amazing clicks. truly wow :) i shall try your version soon
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