Tag Archives: vegan recipe

Dal Makhani

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This is my new and massively improved recipe for Dal Makhani, North Indian creamy black lentils and beans. A simpler version of the recipe was in my very first cookbook The Lotus and the Artichoke – Vegan Recipes from World Adventures. When I began recreating the cookbook for the WORLD 2.0 edition, I updated the recipe a bit and reshot the photograph. But several months later I was working on the recipe again trying to make it better – more authentic. I did more online research and went through all of my Indian cookbooks again and found a few new things to try.

One of the things I’ve learned in the last five years of cooking a lot more bean dishes – and even more Indian food – is to let beans and lentils cook slowly and for a long time. To really let the sauces simmer a while and definitely not rush things. (Working on the ETHIOPIA cookbook and cooking with With this particular dish I figured out that urid dal (black lentils) are definitely superior to using black beans – although using black beans or other beans is rather common both in India and especially outside of India in restaurants!

As always, freshly ground spices – especially cumin and coriander – are crucial to making a rich, aromatic curry. Black cardamom lends a delicious, deep smokey flavor. And some fresh, chopped coriander and lemon juice at the end really bring the dish to life.

Serve with hot, fresh chapati (roti) or other Indian flatbreads, or with warm, fluffy basmati rice.

Dal Makhani

North Indian creamy black lentils & beans

serves 3 to 4 / time 90 min +

recipe from The Lotus and the Artichoke – WORLD 2.0

(Rezept auf Deutsch unten)

  • 1 cup (185 g) whole urid dal (dried black lentils)
    or 3 cups (550 g) cooked black beans
  • 1/3 cup (65 g) kidney beans (dried)
    or 1 cup (180 g) cooked kidney beans
  • 3–4 cups (720–1000 ml) water more as needed 
  • 2 large (250 g) tomatoes chopped
  • 1 in (3 cm) fresh ginger finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic finely chopped optional
  • 1–2 green chilies seeded, sliced optional
  • 2 Tbs vegetable oil
  • 1 tsp black mustard seeds
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 cinnamon stick or 1/4 tsp cinnamon ground
  • 1 black cardamom pods
    or 4 green cardamom pods
  • 2 tsp cumin ground
  • 1 tsp coriander ground
  • 1/2 tsp red chili powder or paprika (ground)
  • 1 tsp Garam Masala
  • 1/4 tsp asafoetida (hing)
  • 1 1/4 tsp salt
  • 2 Tbs margarine
  • 1 Tbs lemon juice
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • 1 cup (240 ml) soy cream or oat cream
  • small handful fresh coriander chopped, for garnish
  1. If using dried whole urid dal and kidney beans, rinse well and soak 8 hrs or overnight.
    Drain and discard soaking water. Add soaked dal, beans, and 4 cups (1000 ml) water to a large pot.
    Bring to boil and cook covered on low heat until soft, 1–2 hrs. Continue to simmer on low.
  2. If using cooked (e.g. canned) beans, rinse and drain them, then add to a large pot along with
    3 cups (720 ml) water. Bring to simmer on low heat.
  3. Purée chopped tomatoes in a blender or food processor. Stir into simmering lentils and/or beans.
  4. Heat oil in a small pan on medium heat. Add mustard seeds. After they start to pop (20–30 sec),
    add chopped ginger, garlic and green chilies (if using), bay leaves, cinnamon, cardamom,
    ground cumin, coriander, red chili powder (or paprika), Garam Masala, and asafoetida.
    Fry, stirring constantly, until richly aromatic, 1–2 min.
  5. Stir fried spices and oil from small pan into large pot of simmering lentils and/or beans.
    Simmer on low, mashing and stirring occasionally, 20–30 min, adding more water if needed.
  6. Stir in salt, margarine, lemon juice, sugar, and most of the soy (or oat) cream, saving some for garnish.
    Continue to simmer on low, stirring occasionally, another 5–10 min. Remove from heat.
  7. Drizzle with remaining soy (or oat) cream and garnish with chopped fresh coriander.
  8. Serve with basmati rice, naan, or chapati (roti).
Dal Makhani

Dal Makhani

Nordindische cremige schwarze Linsen & Bohnen

3 bis 4 Portionen / Dauer 90 Min. +

Rezept aus The Lotus and the Artichoke – WORLD 2.0

  • 1 Tasse (185 g) Urid Dal (getrocknete, ganze schwarze Linsen)
    oder 3 Tassen (550 g) gekochte schwarze Bohnen
  • 1/3 Tasse (65 g) Kidneybohnen (getrocknet)
    oder 1 Tasse (180 g) gekochte Kidneybohnen
  • 3–4 Tassen (720–1000 ml) Wasser bei Bedarf mehr
  • 2 große (250 g) Tomaten gehackt
  • 2 cm frischer Ingwer fein gehackt
  • 2 Knoblauchzehen fein gehackt wenn gewünscht
  • 1 grüne Chilischote entsamt, in Scheibchen geschnitten wenn gewünscht
  • 2 EL Pflanzenöl
  • 1 TL schwarze Senfsamen
  • 2 Lorbeerblätter
  • 1 Zimtstange oder 1/4 TL Zimt gemahlen
  • 1 schwarze Kardamomkapsel or 4 grüne Kardamomkapsel
  • 2 TL Kreuzkümmel gemahlen
  • 1 TL Koriander gemahlen
  • 1 TL Chili- oder Paprikapulver
  • 1 TL Garam Masala
  • 1/4 TL Asafoetida (Asant)
  • 1 1/4 TL Salz
  • 2 EL Margarine
  • 1 EL Zitronensaft
  • 1 TL Zucker
  • 1 Tasse (240 ml) Soja- oder Hafersahne
  • 1 kleine Handvoll frisches Koriandergrün gehackt, zum Garnieren
  1. Getrocknete Urid Dal (schwarze Linsen) und Kidneybohnen gründlich waschen und über Nacht einweichen.
    Abgießen und mit 4 Tassen (1000 ml) Wasser in einen großen Topf geben. Zum Kochen bringen und auf niedriger Flamme 90–120 min. weich kochen. Auf niedriger Flamme weiterköcheln lassen.
  2. Gekochte Bohnen (z. B. aus der Dose) abgießen, spülen, abtropfen lassen und mit 3 Tassen
    (720 ml) Wasser in einen großen Topf geben. Auf niedriger Flamme zum Köcheln bringen.
  3. Tomaten in einem Mixer oder einer Küchenmaschine pürieren und unter die köchelnden Bohnen rühren.
  4. Öl in einer kleinen Pfanne auf niedriger Flamme erhitzen. Senfsamen hineingeben.
    Nach deren Aufplatzen (20 bis 30 Sek.) Ingwer, Knoblauch, Chilischote (falls verwendet), Lorbeerblätter, Zimt, Kardamom, Kreuzkümmel, Koriander, Chili- oder Paprikapulver, Garam Masala und Asafoetida hinzufügen. 1 bis 2 Min. unter Rühren anschwitzen, bis es aromatisch duftet.
  5. Gewürzmix in den Topf zu den Linsen/Bohnen geben und umrühren. Auf niedriger Flamme unter
    gelegentlichem Stampfen und Rühren 20 bis 30 Min. köcheln. Bei Bedarf etwas mehr Wasser einrühren.
  6. Salz, Margarine, Zitronensaft, Zucker und den Großteil der Soja– oder Hafersahne unterrühren
    (ein bisschen zum Garnieren aufbewahren). Weitere 5 bis 10 Min. unter gelegentlichem Umrühren
    auf niedriger Flamme köcheln. Vom Herd nehmen.
  7. Mit der restlichen Soja– oder Hafersahne und frischem gehacktem Koriandergrün garnieren.
  8. Mit Basmati-Reis, Naan oder Chapati (Roti) servieren.

Tofu Scramble

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Tofu Scramble

This is another recipe which I’ve worked on and improved over the last few decades. I started making Tofu Scramble when I was a teenager, back in the 1990s. Back then there was this pretty bad Tofu Scramble mix you could buy in a box from the health food store. Very quickly I learned how to make my own using spices and vegetables and some chickpea flour (Besan). Over the years I figured out that tapioca starch works better for a smooth, gooey, almost cheesy coating on the otherwise crispy and chewy, lightly charred crumbled tofu and chopped vegetables.

Adding Kala Namak (black salt) is another trick that I worked in a few years ago — it lends a somewhat egg flavor and aroma. I very often make the Vedic Indian variation of this — using some curry leaves, asafoetida, and other spices, but omitting the chopped onion.

I typically serve this on a green leafy salad with some toast or fresh bread on the side. It’s a fantastic and satisfying breakfast or brunch dish!

Tofu Scramble
with mixed vegetables

serves 3 to 4 / time 30 min

recipe from The Lotus and the Artichoke – WORLD 2.0
(Rezept auf Deutsch unten!)

  • 14 oz (400 g) firm tofu crumbled
  • 2 medium (200 g) potatoes peeled, chopped
  • 1 medium (100 g) carrot peeled, chopped
  • 1 cup (100 g) broccoli chopped
  • 7–8 small (90 g) cherry tomatoes chopped
  • 1 small (70 g) onion chopped 
  • 2 Tbs vegetable oil
  • 1/2 tsp cumin ground
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper ground
  • 1/4 tsp paprika ground
  • 3/4 tsp turmeric ground
  • 2 sprigs fresh rosemary and/or thyme chopped
  • 1–2 Tbs margarine or water
  • 1–2 Tbs tapioca starch or chickpea flour (besan)
  • 1 Tbs nutritional yeast flakes optional
  • 3/4 tsp sea salt
  • 1/2 tsp kala namak (black salt) optional
  • 2 tsp lemon juice
  • fresh parsley or other herbs chopped, for garnish
  1. Heat oil in a large pan on medium heat.
  2. Add chopped onion. Fry, stirring often, until onion starts to soften, 2–3 min.
  3. Add chopped potatoes and carrot, followed byground cumin, black pepper, and paprika.
    Fry, stirring regularly, until potatoes begin to soften, 5–7 min.
  4. Stir in crumbled tofu, ground turmeric, and rosemary and/or thyme. Fry 2–3 min, stirring regularly.
  5. Add chopped broccoli and tomato. Cook, partially covered, stirring regularly, until broccoli begins to soften and tomatoes fall apart, 3–5 min.
  6. Stir in 1–2 Tbs margarine (or water). Mix in tapioca starch (or chickpea flour), nutritional yeast, and salt. Continue to cook, stirring, until liquid is gone and potatoes are soft, 3–5 min.
  7. Add kala namak (if using) and lemon juice. Mix well. Turn off heat. Cover and let sit 5 min.
  8. Garnish with fresh parsley (or other herbs) and serve.

Variations:

More vegetables: Add chopped mushrooms and/or half a red, green, or yellow pepper along with broccoli. Adjust spices and salt as needed. Sweet potatoes: Substitute for regular potatoes. Vedic Indian: Replace onion with 1 tsp black mustard seeds, 1/2 tsp fenugreek seeds, several curry leaves, and 1/4 tsp asafoetida (hing), followed almost immediately by chopped potatoes, carrots, and other spices.

The Lotus and the Artichoke - WORLD 2.0 Vegan Cookbook cover
Tofu Scramble

Tofu Scramble
Rührtofu mit Gemüse

3 bis 4 Portionen / Dauer 30 Min.

Rezept aus The Lotus and the Artichoke – WORLD 2.0

  • 400 g fester Tofu zerkrümelt
  • 2 mittelgroße (200 g) Kartoffeln geschält, gehackt
  • 1 mittelgroße (100 g) Möhre geschält, gehackt
  • 1 Tasse (100 g) Brokkoli gehackt
  • 6–8 kleine (80 g) Cherrytomaten gehackt
  • 1 kleine (70 g) Zwiebel gehackt
  • 2 EL Pflanzenöl
  • 1/2 TL Kreuzkümmel gemahlen
  • 1/4 TL schwarzer Pfeffer gemahlen
  • 1/4 TL Paprikapulver
  • 3/4 TL Kurkuma gemahlen
  • 2 Zweige frischer Rosmarin und/oder Thymian
  • 1–2 EL Margarine oder Wasser
  • 1–2 EL Tapiokastärke oder Kichererbsenmehl (Besan)
  • 1 EL Hefeflocken wenn gewünscht
  • 3/4 TL Meersalz
  • 1/2 TL Kala Namak (Schwarzsalz) wenn gewünscht
  • 2 TL Zitronensaft
  • frische Petersilie oderandere frische Kräuter gehackt, zum Garnieren
  1. Öl in einer großen Pfanne auf mittlerer Flamme erhitzen.
  2. Zwiebel hineingeben und 2 bis 3 Min. unter Rühren anschwitzen, bis sie weich wird.
  3. Kartoffeln und Möhre zugeben. Kreuzkümmel, schwarzen Pfeffer und Paprikapulver einrühren.
    5 bis 7 Min. unter regelmäßigem Rühren braten, bis die Kartoffeln weich werden.
  4. Tofu, Kurkuma und Rosmarin und/oder Thymian einrühren. 2 bis 3 Min. unter Rühren braten.
  5. Brokkoli und Tomaten zugeben. 3 bis 5 Min. halb abgedeckt unter regelmäßigem Rühren schmoren,
    bis der Brokkoli weich wird und die Tomate zerfällt.
  6. 1 bis 2 EL Margarine oder Wasser einrühren. Tapiokastärke oder Kichererbsenmehl, Hefeflocken,
    und Salz unterrühren. 3 bis 5 weitere Min. unter Rühren braten, bis die Flüssigkeit eingekocht ist und
    die Kartoffeln richtig durch sind.
  7. Kala Namak (falls verwendet) und Zitronensaft einrühren. Flamme abstellen, abdecken und
    5 Min. ziehen lassen.
  8. Mit gehackter Petersilie oder anderen Kräutern garnieren und servieren.
  9. Variationen:

Mehr Gemüse: Gehackte Pilze und/oder eine halbe rote, grüne oder gelbe Paprika zusammen mit dem Brokkoli zugeben. Gewürz- und Salzmenge nach Bedarf anpassen. Süßkartoffeln: Statt Kartoffeln verwenden. Vedisch-indisch: Zwiebel mit 1 TL schwarzen Senfsamen, 1/2 TL Bockshornkleesamen, ein paar Curryblättern und 1/4 TL Asafoetida (Asant) ersetzen. Direkt nach Kartoffeln, Möhre und anderen Gewürzen zugeben.

The Lotus and the Artichoke - Vegane Rezepte eines Weltreisenden WORLD 2.0 veganes Kochbuch

Nasi Goreng

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Nasi Goreng from The Lotus and the Artichoke MALAYSIA vegan cookbook

I couldn’t even tell you how many times I had Nasi Goreng while I was in Malaysia.

It was definitely often. Like, really often. Not only is this traditional vegetable fried rice dish usually totally delicious, it’s also usually easy to find and (with little to no effort) a great vegan option.

Pretty much everywhere I went in the five weeks in Malaysia, this dish was on the menu or easy to order at almost any restaurant. Especially out of the big cities and in the countryside – and particularly on the islands and beaches – this is a vegan/vegetarian stand-by that is never hard to find.

(By the way, based on my travels, this is true for most of Southeast Asia, including Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, and Myanmar… but the dish is found under other names and with local flavors.)

This becomes an almost daily meal, if vegan options are limited.

On Pulau Pangkor, there were two food places (more shacks than restaurants) that served fantastic Nasi Goreng and vegetable fried rice. And in Borneo, staying in the Permai rainforest, the local restaurant and the nearby food court had vegetable fried rice, or Nasi Goreng. There were also many breakfast or lunch buffets at hotels and restaurants that had rice dishes like this. Contrarily, when in Penang and Kuala Lumpur I was usually so blown away by other vegan choices that I didn’t eat Nasi Goreng as often.

Nasi Goreng’s flavors and textures forge powerful memories for anyone who’s been to Malaysia or Indonesia – or even just a Malaysian or Indonesian restaurant – whether vegan, vegetarian, or neither.

Just as with so many classic recipes – from region to region and family to family this dish is made a million different ways. This is mine… inspired by so many excellent meals on my adventures.

When I created this recipe for the Malaysia cookbook, I made sure to hit all the best, unique flavors in a good Nasi Goreng:

Fresh galangal root (or ginger), lime juice, spicy chili, and a thin, tangy sauce provided by the mix of Shoyu soy sauce, vinegar, and citrus zest. I also round out the savory flavors with some sweetness. Traditionally in Malaysia, this dish would be served with just a bit of chopped vegetables (and way more rice). For my recipe, I’ve got a lot of the good stuff, included the crumbled tofu – which, by the way, replaces scrambled egg – sometimes found in traditional Nasi Goreng.

By the way, I have many similar recipes inspired by other travels and other countries and cuisines – including: Cambodian Fried Rice, Mexican Magic Rice, and Vegetable Fried Rice from my World, Mexico, and Sri Lanka vegan cookbooks. After you’ve tried my Nasi Goreng, check out the other recipes and decide which country’s classic fried rice is your favorite.

Nasi Goreng - LotusArtichoke Instagram

Nasi Goreng

traditional vegetable fried rice

recipe from The Lotus and the Artichoke – MALAYSIA available in English & German

serves 2 to 3 / time 40 min +

  • 3.5 oz (100 g) firm tofu
  • 1 cup (190 g) broken jasmine rice or short grain brown rice
  • 1/2 tsp sea salt
  • 1 2/3 cup (400 ml) water
  • 1 cup (100 g) chinese cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli or bok choy finely chopped
  • 1 medium (90 g) carrot finely chopped or sliced
  • 2–3 Tbs oil
  • 1 tsp sesame oil optional
  • 3 (50 g) spring onions chopped, separated into white ends and greens
  • 1 or 2 cloves garlic finely chopped
  • 1 large red chili finely chopped optional
  • 1/2 in. (1 cm) fresh galangal or ginger finely chopped
  • 1 tsp coriander ground
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper ground
  • 2 Tbs soy sauce (Shoyu)
  • 1 Tbs lime juice or lemon juice
    or 2 tsp rice vinegar
  • 1 tsp lime zest or lemon zest optional
  • 1 tsp sugar or agave syrup
  • 1/2 tsp sea salt
  • lime slices for garnish
  1. Cut tofu in slabs, wrap in clean kitchen towel. Weight with heavy cutting boards to press out excess moisture. Let sit 20 min. Unwrap tofu and crumble into a bowl.
  2. Wash and drain rice thoroughly.
  3. Bring water to boil in a small pot. Add rice and salt. Stir. Return to boil. Reduce heat to low and cover. Simmer 12 to 20 min as needed. After water is absorbed, remove from heat. Fluff rice with a fork. Cover and let sit and cool, ideally an hour or more.
  4. Heat oil in a large wok or frying pan on medium high. Add chopped spring onion ends, garlic, chili (if using), galangal (or ginger), ground coriander, and black pepper. Fry, stirring constantly, until lightly browned, 2–3 min.
  5. Add chopped carrots. Fry, stirring constantly, 2–3 min. Add crumbled tofu. Mix well. Fry, stirring regularly, until tofu begins to turn golden brown, 3–5 min. Add chopped cabbage (or other vegetables). Fry, stirring constantly, until vegetables start to soften, 4–5 min.
  6. Whisk soy sauce, lime (or lemon) juice, zest, sugar (or agave syrup), and sea salt in a small bowl.
  7. Add cooked rice to frying vegetables. Mix well. Add soy sauce mix and spring onions greens. Combine well. Fry, stirring constantly until liquid has been absorbed and rice and vegetables are moderately browned, 5–7 min. Remove from heat. Cover until ready to serve.
  8. Serve with lime slices.
vegan recipe for Nasi Goreng from The Lotus and the Artichoke – MALAYSIA
Malaysia vegan cookbook cover blockprint

Nasi Goreng from The Lotus and the Artichoke MALAYSIA vegan cookbook

Nasi Goreng

traditionelles Gemüse-Reis-Gericht

Rezept aus The Lotus and the Artichoke – MALAYSIA

2 bis 3 Portionen / Dauer 40 Min.+

  • 100 g fester Tofu
  • 1 Tasse (190 g) Bruch- oder brauner Rundkornreis
  • 1/2 TL Meersalz
  • 1 2/3 Tasse (400 ml) Wasser
  • 1 Tasse (100 g) Chinakohl, Blumenkohl, Brokkoli oder Pak Choi fein gehackt
  • 1 mittelgroße (90 g) Möhre fein gehackt oder in dünne Streifen geschnitten
  • 2–3 EL Pflanzenöl
  • 1 TL Sesamöl wenn gewünscht
  • 3 mittelgroße (50 g) Frühlingszwiebeln gehackt, in weiße Wurzel- und grüne Lauchteile getrennt
  • 1 oder 2 Knoblauchzehen fein gehackt
  • 1 große rote Chilischote fein gehackt wenn gewünscht
  • 1 cm frischer Galgant oder Ingwer fein gehackt
  • 1 TL Koriander gemahlen
  • 1/2 TL schwarzer Pfeffer gemahlen
  • 2 EL Sojasoße (Shoyu)
  • 1 EL Limetten- oder Zitronensaft oder 2 TL Reisessig
  • 1 TL Limetten- oder Zitronenabrieb wenn gewünscht
  • 1 TL Zucker oder Agavensirup
  • 1/2 TL Meersalz
  • Limettenspalten zum Garnieren
  1. Tofu in Platten schneiden und in ein sauberes Geschirrtuch wickeln. 20 Min. mit einem schweren Schneidebrett beschweren, um überschüssige Flüssigkeit herauszupressen. Tofu auswickeln und in eine Schüssel krümeln.
  2. Reis gründlich waschen und abgießen.
  3. In einem kleinen Topf Wasser zum Kochen bringen. Reis und Salz einrühren. Erneut zum Kochen bringen. Flamme niedrigstellen und abdecken. Je nach Bedarf 12 bis 20 Min. köcheln, bis der Reis gar ist. Wenn das Wasser absorbiert ist, Reis vom Herd nehmen. Mit einer Gabel lockern. Abdecken, abkühlen und ziehen lassen, am besten eine Stunde oder länger.
  4. In einem großen Wok oder einer großen Pfanne Öl auf mittlerer Flamme erhitzen. Gehackte Frühlingszwiebelwurzeln, Knoblauch, Chili (falls verwendet), Galgant oder Ingwer, Koriander und schwarzen Pfeffer hineingeben. 2 bis 3 Minuten unter ständigem Rühren braten, bis die Frühlingszwiebeln leicht gebräunt sind.
  5. Möhre zugeben. Unter ständigem Rühren 2 bis 3 weitere Min. braten. Zerkrümelten Tofu einrühren. Unter regelmäßigem Rühren 3 bis 5 Min. braten, bis der Tofu goldbraun ist. Kohl oder anderes Gemüse hinzufügen. Weiter 4 bis 5 Min. unter ständigem Rühren braten, bis das Gemüse weich wird.
  6. In einer kleinen Schüssel Sojasoße, Limetten– oder Zitronensaft und –abrieb (falls verwendet), Zucker oder Agavensirup und Meersalz verquirlen.
  7. Reis unters gebratene Gemüse rühren. Sojasoßenmix und grüne Frühlingszwiebelstücke zugeben. Gut umrühren und 5 bis 7 Min. unter ständigem Rühren braten, bis die Flüssigkeit absorbiert ist und der Reis und das Gemüse leicht gebräunt sind. Vom Herd nehmen. Bis zum Servieren abgedeckt durchziehen lassen.
  8. Mit Limettenspalten servieren.
Nasi Goreng – Rezept aus The Lotus and the Artichoke – MALAYSIA

 The Lotus and the Artichoke - MALAYSIA Kochbuch Cover

Apam Balik

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Apam Balik from The Lotus and the Artichoke MALAYSIA vegan cookbook

It was my first day in Kuala Lumpur…

I’d just arrived and was at the start of a 5 week culinary adventure to get a taste of Malaysia, Singapore, and Borneo. The sun shone bright and the sky was that deep, satisfying shade of blue. I was on a short morning walk from the Winsin Hotel on the edge of downtown Chinatown, heading towards the Indian neighborhood.

Just outside the subway station on a particularly more urban street corner was a line of shiny, silver food trucks. My eye was caught immediately by one in particular: A woman was spilling roasted, candied peanuts and then corn kernels from a can onto a golden, round, thin pancake. She folded it over – making sort of a sweet taco – and placed it on a rack on the chrome counter of her street food cart. She caught me watching and smiled.

“Hey Mister! You try Apam Balik!”

Well, what could I say? I got closer and watched her make another two crepes. First, she stirred a simple batter of mostly rice flour and coconut milk and poured and spread the crepe on the sizzling griddle. Moments later, she pried up an edge, slid her spatula tracing under the circle, and flipped it over. I watched her again top the thin, crunchy crepes with peanuts and corn before folding them in half and setting them on the rack just in front of me.

Just then, a colorfully dressed Indian woman parted from a few family members and approached the cart from my side. She reached out an anxious hand in a dance-like gesture, rattling rows of wrist bangles, and scooped two of the Apim Balik pancakes from the rack. She rattled off a few sentences in Malay to the seller, they exchanged some money, and both giggled briefly. The Indian woman turned to me and extended one of the crepes until it was right in my face. She said to me in melodic Indian English:

“This one for you. Apam Balik. Peanut Pancake!”

It was in my grasp and between my teeth before I knew it. The crepe was crunchy on the outside but then soft and chewy, quickly giving way to the delightful combination of sweet and salty flavors from the roasted peanuts, punctuated by bursts of fresh corn juiciness. It was perfect. I devoured the rest of it.

Weeks later, back in Berlin, I set about to re-create the deliciousness.

For the vegan recipe in my MALAYSIA cookbook, I made a simple, sure-fire formula for making Apim Balik at home in the kitchen. I didn’t have to veganize anything. It’s a pretty much straight-up thin pancake batter based on rice flour, coconut milk and sugar, lending a crunchy thin crepe. For the filling, I simplified it going with just candied peanuts. My variations (below) include optionally topping it with a sweet syrup and going authentic street food style with sweet corn kernels.

Apam Balik

crispy, crunchy peanut-filled pancakes

recipe from The Lotus and the Artichoke – MALAYSIA

makes 4 to 6 / time 30 min +

  • 3/4 cup (100 g) peanuts crumbled or very coarsely ground
  • 2 Tbs sugar
  • 1/4 tsp sea salt
  • 1/2 cup (60 g) flour (all purpose / type 550)
  • 1/2 cup (50 g) rice flour
  • 1/4 cup (45 g) sugar
  • 1 Tbs corn starch
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp sea salt
  • 1 cup (240 ml) coconut milk
  • 2 Tbs water
  • agave syrup or coconut (palm) syrup optional
  • vegetable oil for frying pan
  1. Crumble or coarsely grind peanuts and dry roast in a pan on medium heat until golden brown and dark spots appear, 4–5 min. Add sugar and salt. Mix well. Stirring constantly, roast until sugar melts and mix starts to stick together, 1–2 min. Remove from heat.
  2. Combine flour, rice flour, sugar, corn starch, baking powder, and salt in a large mixing bowl. Whisk in coconut milk and water gradually. Mix until mostly smooth, but do not over mix. Cover and let batter sit 20–30 min.
  3. Heat frying pan on medium high heat. Put a few drops of oil on pan and rub it around with a paper towel. Do this before each pancake. When a drop of water sizzles and dances on surface, pan is ready.
  4. Pour about 1/4 to 1/3 cup (60–80 ml) batter in the center of the hot pan. Tilt and turn the pan to form a large, thin, circular pancake.
  5. After bubbles appear on surface and underside is golden brown (about 2–3 min), use a spatula to carefully peel up the edges around the pancake and then flip it over. Cook the other side for 1–2 min, then flip it back over. Put 2–3 Tbs of the sugary peanuts on the pancake and roll up or fold over. Transfer to a plate. Repeat with other pancakes.
  6. Serve plain, or drizzle pancakes with agave syrup or coconut syrup.

Variations:

Creamy: Use peanut butter instead of roasted, crumbled peanuts. Bananas: Add sliced banana to filling. Traditional: Add 1–2 Tbs sweet corn kernels to each pancake filling.

Apam Balik - Malaysian Peanut Pancakes on Instagram (The Lotus and the Artichoke)

vegan recipe from The Lotus and the Artichoke – MALAYSIA available in English & German

Malaysia vegan cookbook cover blockprint

 

Apam Balik from The Lotus and the Artichoke MALAYSIA vegan cookbook

Apam Balik

knusprige Pancakes mit süßer Erdnussfüllung

Rezept aus The Lotus and the Artichoke – MALAYSIA

4 bis 6 Portionen / Dauer 30 Min. +

  • 3/4 Tasse (100 g) Erdnüsse klein gehackt oder grob gemahlen
  • 2 EL Zucker
  • 1/4 TL Meersalz
  • 1/2 Tasse (65 g) Mehl (Type 550)
  • 1/2 Tasse (50 g) Reismehl
  • 1/4 Tasse (50 g) Zucker
  • 1 EL Speisestärke
  • 1 TL Backpulver
  • 1/2 TL Meersalz
  • 1 Tasse (240 ml) Kokosmilch
  • 2 EL Wasser
  • Pflanzenöl zum Ausbacken
  • Agaven– oder Kokosblütensirup wenn gewünscht
  1. Erdnüsse klein hacken oder grobmahlen und 4 bis 5 Min. in einer Pfanne auf mittlerer Flamme rösten, bis sie goldbraun werden und dunkle Flecken bekommen. Zucker und Salz einrühren. 1 bis 2 Min. unter ständigem Rühren rösten, bis der Zucker schmilzt und die Mischung klebrig wird. Vom Herd nehmen.
  2. Mehl, Reismehl, Zucker, Speisestärke, Backpulver und Salz in einer großen Schüssel vermischen. Nach und nach Kokosmilch und Wasser einrühren. Verrühren, bis ein glatter Teig entsteht, aber nicht zu lange rühren. Abdecken und Teig 20 bis 30 Min. ruhen lassen.
  3. Pfanne auf mittlerer Flamme erhitzen. Einige Tropfen Öl in die Pfanne geben und mit einem Stück Küchenpapier verreiben. Vor jedem Pancake wiederholen. Die Pfanne ist heiß genug, wenn ein Tropfen Wasser zischend auf der Oberfläche herumspringt.
  4. 1/4 bis 1/3 Tasse (60 bis 80 ml) Teig in die Mitte der heißen Pfanne gießen. Pfanne schwenken, bis ein dünner kreisförmiger Pfannkuchen entsteht.
  5. 2 bis 3 Min. backen, bis auf der Oberfläche Bläschen entstehen und die Unterseite goldbraun ist. Pancake an den Rändern mit einem Pfannenwender anheben und vorsichtig wenden. Unterseite 1 bis 2 Min. backen und Pancake erneut wenden. 2 bis 3 EL der süßen Erdnussfüllung auf den Pancake geben und umschlagen oder aufrollen. Auf einen Teller geben. Restliche Pancakes zubereiten.
  6. Pur servieren oder mit Agaven– oder Kokosblütensirup beträufeln.

Variationen:

Cremig: Statt zerkleinerter Erdnüsse Erdnussbutter verwenden. Bananen: Bananenscheibchen zur Füllung geben. Traditionell: 1 bis 2 EL Zuckermaiskörner unter die Füllung rühren.

Apam Balik - Malaysian Peanut Pancakes on Instagram (The Lotus and the Artichoke)

Rezept aus The Lotus and the Artichoke – MALAYSIA

The Lotus and the Artichoke - MALAYSIA Kochbuch Cover

Nasi Lemak

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Nasi Lemak from The Lotus and the Artichoke MALAYSIA vegan cookbook

In the five weeks that I spent exploring Malaysia, Singapore, and Borneo there were a few dishes that I just had to try whenever I had the chance.

Nasi Lemak is a national favorite – and one of my favorites, too! The name technically means “fatty rice” but “creamy rice” sounds a least a little bit better. Traditionally, as with this recipe, Nasi Lemak is rice cooked in creamy, coconut milk – often along with fresh herbs and spices such as pandan (which you can replace with bay leaves if that’s what you’ve got.) The bright yellow hue comes from turmeric. Though it’s a breakfast dish, it can be eaten at any time of the day, and many variations cross firmly into Savory Culinary Territory. I eat this all times of the day: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Snack, whatever!

I tried Nasi Lemak in lots of places: Kuala Lampur, Penang, Malacca, and Singapore.

Inspired by those dishes and their accompaniments – and my own imagination, I’ve created a complete meal set: Coconut Pandan Rice served with stir-fried Lemongrass Ginger Tofu, crunchy, charred Spicy Nuts, and a delicious sweet-chili sauce known as Sambal Belacan.

These are actually four different recipes from The Lotus and the Artichoke – MALAYSIA which I’ve put together in this one post. You can of course substitute or simplify the dishes for a less involved meal set designed how you like it. Nasi Lemak is equally awesome even when it’s just served with the fresh cucumber, lime slices, and nuts. I love going all out and doing the Lemongrass Tofu cubes, too. Also, I find the hot, spicy Samabal Belecan completes the dish fantastically.

How to eat it? Mix it up and eat it with your hands!

Serve this meal set up on a banana leaf, wash your hands, mix everything together, and dive in… wild and forkless. (By the way, frozen banana leaves are often available at your local Asian import grocery shop. Just thaw them, rinse them, and eat off of them.) If you prefer a more modern approach: Make it all, arrange it perfectly on plates, eat it with a fork and spoon. It’s up to you!

Nasi Lemak

Malaysian Coconut Pandan Rice with Lemongrass Ginger Tofu, Spicy Nuts & Sambal Belacan

recipes from The Lotus and the Artichoke – MALAYSIA

serves 3 to 4 / time 60 min

Coconut Pandan Rice:

  • 2 cups (375 g) broken jasmine rice or basmati rice
  • 1 2/3 cup (400 ml) water
  • 1 2/3 cup (400 ml) coconut milk
  • 1/2 tsp sea salt
  • 1/2 tsp turmeric ground
  • 2 pandan leaves or bay leaves
  • fried onions for garnish
  • 1/2 small cucumber sliced
  • lime slices for garnish
  1. Rinse and drain rice thoroughly.
  2. Bring water and coconut milk to low boil in a medium pot with good lid. Stir in rice, salt, turmeric, and pandan (or bay leaves). Return to simmer. Cover and steam until most liquid is absorbed, 12–15 min. Remove from heat. Stir a few times. Cover and let sit 10 min. Remove and discard leaves before serving.
  3. Garnish with fried onions, cucumber, and lime slices.

Lemongrass Ginger Tofu:

  • 14 oz (400 g) firm tofu cut in cubes or strips
  • 1 1/2 cups (200 g) pineapple chopped
  • 1 Tbs oil
  • 2 shallots finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic finely chopped
  • 2 stalks lemongrass finely chopped
  • 3/4 in (2 cm) fresh ginger finely chopped
  • 1 tsp coriander ground
  • 1 Tbs lime juice or lemon juice
  • 1 Tbs soy sauce (Shoyu)
  • 1/4 tsp sea salt
  • fresh coriander or parsley leaves chopped, for garnish
  1. Cut tofu in slabs and wrap in clean kitchen towel. Weight with a heavy cutting board and press out extra moisture, 15–20 min. Unwrap and cut in cubes or strips.
  2. Heat oil in a large frying pan or wok on medium high heat. Add chopped shallots, garlic, lemongrass, ginger, and ground coriander. Fry, stirring constantly, until shallots being to soften and brown, 2–3 min.
  3. Add tofu cubes. Mix well. Fry, stirring regularly, until tofu cubes are golden brown and crispy on the edges, 5–8 min.
  4. Add chopped pineapple, lime (or lemon) juice, soy sauce, and salt. Fry, stirring regularly, another 5–10 min. Remove from heat.

Spicy Nuts:

  • 1/2 cup (50 g) peanuts
  • 1/2 cup (50 g) cashews
  • 1/2 tsp chili powder or paprika ground
  • 2 tsp coconut sugar
  • 1/4 tsp sea salt
  1. Heat a medium frying pan on medium heat. Dry roast peanuts and cashews, stirring regularly, until light golden brown and dark spots begin to appear, 4–7 min. Do not burn.
  2. Add chili powder (or paprika), sugar and salt. Mix well. Continue to cook another 2–3 min, stirring constantly, until sugar has melted and nuts are well coated. Remove from heat. Allow to cool.

Sambal Belacan:

  • 2–3 Tbs vegetable oil
  • 5 large (90 g) red chilies chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic chopped
  • 1 Tbs soy sauce (Shoyu)
  • 1 Tbs rice vinegar
  • 1 Tbs lime juice or lemon juice
  • 1 Tbs coconut sugar
  • 1/4 tsp sea salt
  1. Blend all ingredients in a small food processor or blender until smooth, adding more oil (or some water) as needed.
  2. Heat a small frying pan on medium heat. Add blended spice paste to pan and fry, stirring regularly, until sauce darkens, thickens, and oil separates, 8–12 min.
(available as printed cookbook & ebook in English & German)
Malaysia vegan cookbook cover blockprint

Nasi Lemak from The Lotus and the Artichoke MALAYSIA vegan cookbook

Nasi Lemak

Kokos-Pandanus-Reis mit Zitronengras-Ingwer-Tofu, pikanten Nüssen & Sambal Belacan

Rezepte aus The Lotus and the Artichoke – MALAYSIA

3 bis 4 Portionen / Dauer 60 Min.

Kokos-Pandanus-Reis:

  • 2 Tassen (375 g) Bruchreis (Jasmin oder Basmati)
  • 1 2/3 Tasse (400 ml) Wasser
  • 1 2/3 Tasse (400 ml) Kokosmilch
  • 1/2 TL Meersalz
  • 1/2 TL Kurkuma gemahlen
  • 2 Pandanus- oder Lorbeerblätter
  • Röstzwiebeln zum Garnieren
  • 1/2 kleine Gurke in Scheiben geschnitten
  • Limettenspalten zum Garnieren
  1. Reis gut spülen und abgießen.
  2. In einem mittelgroßen Topf mit gut schließendem Deckel Wasser und Kokosmilch zum Köcheln bringen. Reis, Salz, Kurkuma und Pandanus– oder Lorbeerblätter einrühren. Erneut zum Köcheln bringen. Abdecken und 12 bis 15 Min. garen, bis der größte Teil der Flüssigkeit absorbiert ist.
  3. Vom Herd nehmen. Einige Male umrühren, abdecken und 10 Min. ziehen lassen. Vor dem Servieren die Blätter entfernen.
  4. Mit Röstzwiebeln, Gurkenscheiben und Limettenspalten garnieren.

Zitronengras-Ingwer-Tofu:

  • 400 g fester Tofu in Würfel oder Scheiben geschnitten
  • 1 1/2 Tassen (200 g) Ananas gehackt
  • 1 EL Pflanzenöl
  • 2 Schalotten fein gehackt
  • 2 Knoblauchzehen fein gehackt
  • 2 Stängel Zitronengras fein gehackt
  • 2 cm frischer Ingwer fein gehackt
  • 1 TL Koriander gemahlen
  • 1 EL Limetten- oder Zitronensaft
  • 1 EL Sojasoße (Shoyu)
  • 1/4 TL Meersalz
  • frisches Koriandergrün oder Petersilie gehackt, zum Garnieren
  1. Tofu in Platten schneiden und in ein sauberes Geschirrtuch wickeln. 15 bis 20 Min. mit einem schweren Schneidebrett beschweren, um überschüssige Flüssigkeit herauszupressen. Auswickeln und in Würfel oder Scheiben schneiden.
  2. In einem großen Topf oder einer großen Pfanne Öl auf mittlerer Flamme erhitzen. Schalotten, Knoblauch, Zitronengras und gemahlenen Koriander hineingeben. 2 bis 3 Min. unter ständigem Rühren anbraten, bis die Schalotten weich werden und zu bräunen beginnen.
  3. Tofuwürfel zugeben und gut umrühren. Unter regelmäßigem Rühren 5 bis 8 Min. braten, bis die Tofuwürfel goldbraun und an den Rändern knusprig sind.
  4. Gehackte Ananas, Limetten– oder Zitronensaft, Sojasoße und Salz einrühren. Weitere 5 bis 10 Min. unter ständigem Rühren braten. Vom Herd nehmen.
  5. Mit gehacktem Koriandergrün oder Petersilie garnieren.

Pikante Nüsse:

  • 1/2 Tasse (50 g) Erdnüsse
  • 1/2 Tasse (50 g) Cashewkerne
  • 1/2 TL Chili- oder Paprikapulver
  • 2 TL Kokosblütenzucker
  • 1/4 TL Meersalz
  1. Eine mittelgroße Pfanne auf mittlerer Flamme erhitzen. Erdnüsse und Cashewkerne 4 bis 7 Min. darin rösten, bis sie leicht goldbraun sind und sich braune Flecken bilden. Nicht anbrennen lassen.
  2. Chili– oder Paprikapulver, Zucker und Salz zugeben und gut umrühren. 2 bis 3 weitere Minuten unter ständigem Rühren rösten, bis der Zucker schmilzt und die Nüsse gut mit der Gewürzmischung überzogen sind. Vom Herd nehmen und abkühlen lassen.

Sambal Belacan:

  • 2–3 EL Pflanzenöl
  • 5 große (90 g) rote Chilischoten gehackt
  • 2 Knoblauchzehen gehackt
  • 1 EL Sojasoße (Shoyu)
  • 1 EL Reisessig
  • 1 EL Limetten- oder Zitronensaft
  • 1 EL Kokosblütenzucker
  • 1/4 TL Meersalz
  1. Alle Zutaten in einer kleinen Küchenmaschine oder einem kleinen Mixer glatt pürieren. Öl nach und nach je nach Bedarf zugeben (oder mehr Wasser).
  2. Eine kleine Bratpfanne auf mittlerer Flamme erhitzen. Gewürzpastein die Pfanne geben und 8 bis 12 Min. unter ständigem Rühren reduzieren, bis die Soße dunkel wird, eindickt und das Öl sich trennt.

Vegane Rezepte aus The Lotus and the Artichoke – MALAYSIA

The Lotus and the Artichoke - MALAYSIA Kochbuch Cover

Cabbage Coconut Curry

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Sri Lankan Cabbage & Coconut Curry - Gowa Mallum

Just one week into my ten weeks of travels through Sri Lanka, I had the opportunity to go in the kitchen at Mango Garden in Kandy, Sri Lanka to help prepare the New Year’s Eve dinner. The head cook showed me how to make a number of amazing vegetarian (vegan) Sri Lankan curries and dishes, including this one. I also learned how to make Pol Sambol for the first time, always awesome Beetroot Curry, fantastic Leek Curry, Dal Curry (of course), Green Bean “Bonchi” Curry, and Snake Gourd Curry (which can be made with any squash, such as Zucchini.)

I’ve made this dish dozens of times with many different types of cabbage.

Regular cabbage works great, but one of my favorites is with German Wirsing – Savoy Cabbage. In fact, I just made it twice this last weekend in Munich at the dinner parties and cooking class with my world-traveling vegan cookbook author friend, Surdham Göb. Next to Jackfruit Curry, this Sri Lankan dish is always a big hit with everyone. It’s easy to make and super tasty. In the photo above, I prepared the cabbage curry with large pieces, but below you can see the curry with finely chopped cabbage. Combined with fresh shredded coconut, this dish is insanely great. You can also use dried grated (desiccated) coconut, and I recommend soaking it in warm water for about 10-20 minutes first, then pressing excess water out.

Of course, we are always the most satisfied when those we love compliment our efforts and accomplishments. Not only have lots of friends, dinner party guests, and new fans at cooking demos and other events enjoyed this Cabbage Coconut Curry… the best moment for me came when I got an email from my brother Adam, after he made this dish with his first ever Sri Lankan vegan dinner feast for his family. I’d sent him the cookbook, and this dish was the first recipe he whipped up. The kids loved it, and he even sent me some photos of the meal. It was a great feeling. And now it’s time to share the recipe with you!

Gowa Mallum
cabbage & coconut curry

serves 3 to 4 / time 30 min

  • 1 small head (350 g) cabbage chopped
  • 1 small red onion chopped
  • 1 clove garlic finely chopped
  • 1 small red or green chili pepper seeded, finely chopped optional
  • 1–2 Tbs coconut oil or vegetable oil
  • 1 tsp black mustard seeds
  • 1/2 tsp curry powder
  • 1 tsp cumin ground
  • 1/2 tsp coriander ground
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper ground
  • 1 tsp turmeric ground
  • 1–2 small pieces cinnamon bark or pinch cinnamon ground
  • 6–8 curry leaves
  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) coconut milk
  • 2–3 Tbs grated coconut
  • 1 Tbs lime juice or lemon juice
  • 1 tsp agave syrup or sugar
  • 3/4 tsp sea salt
  1. Heat oil in a medium pot on medium heat. Add mustard seeds. After they start to pop (20–30 sec), stir in chopped onion, garlic, chili (if using), curry powder, ground cumin, coriander, black pepper, turmeric, cinnamon, and curry leaves. Fry until onion begins to soften, stirring constantly, 3–5 min.
  2. Add chopped cabbage and grated coconut. Mix well. Cook, partially covered, stirring regularly, 2–3 min.
  3. Add coconut milk, lime (or lemon) juice, agave syrup (or sugar) and salt. Stir several times. Reduce heat to medium low. Simmer partially covered, stirring regularly, until cabbage has shrunken and softened,10–15 min. While cooking, gradually stir in more coconut milk, as desired, for a creamier curry.
  4. Remove cinnamon bark before serving. Serve with other curries and rice.

Variations:

Spicy Red: Add 1/2 tsp chili powder (or ground paprika) and 4–6 chopped cherry tomatoes along with cabbage. Extra Fine: Finely chop cabbage and onion. Reduce simmering time as needed. Orange: Add grated or finely chopped carrot along with coconut milk for last stage of simmering.

The Lotus and the Artichoke SRI LANKA vegan cookbook

Gowa Mallum
Weißkohl-Kokos-Curry

3 bis 4 Portionen / Dauer 30 Min.

Rezept aus The Lotus and the Artichoke – SRI LANKA

  • 1 kleiner Kopf (350 g) Weißkohl klein geschnitten
  • 1 kleine rote Zwiebel gehackt
  • 1 Knoblauchzehe fein gehackt
  • 1 kleine rote oder grüne Chilischote entsamt, fein gehackt wenn gewünscht
  • 1–2 EL Kokos- oder Pflanzenöl
  • 1 TL schwarze Senfsamen
  • 1/2 TL Currypulver
  • 1 TL Kreuzkümmel gemahlen
  • 1/2 TL Koriander gemahlen
  • 1/4 TL schwarzer Pfeffer gemahlen
  • 1 TL Kurkuma gemahlen
  • 1–2 kleine Stückchen Zimtrinde oder 1 Prise gemahlener Zimt
  • 6–8 Curryblätter
  • 1/2 Tasse (120 ml) Kokosmilch
  • 2–3 EL Kokosraspel
  • 1 EL Limetten- oder Zitronensaft
  • 1 TL Agavensirup oder Zucker
  • 3/4 TL Meersalz
  1. In einem mittelgroßen Topf Öl auf mittlerer Flamme erhitzen. Senfsamen hineingeben. Nach deren Aufplatzen (nach etwa 20 bis 30 Sek.) Zwiebel, Knoblauch, Chili (wenn verwendet), Currypulver, gemahlenen Kreuzkümmel, Koriander, schwarzen Pfeffer, Kurkuma, Zimt und Curryblätter zugeben. 3 bis 5 Min. unter Rühren anbraten, bis die Zwiebel weich wird.
  2. Klein geschnittenen Weißkohl und Kokosraspel einrühren. Halb abgedeckt unter regelmäßigem Rühren 2 bis 3 Min. garen.
  3. Kokosmilch, Limetten– oder Zitronensaft, Agavensirup (oder Zucker) und Salz hinzufügen. Mehrere Male umrühren. Flamme niedrig stellen. Halb abgedeckt unter regelmäßigem Rühren 10 bis 15 Min. köcheln lassen, bis der Weißkohl zusammengefallen und weich ist. Für ein cremigeres Curry während des Köchelns nach und nach je nach Vorliebe mehr Kokosmilch unterrühren.
  4. Vor dem Anrichten die Zimtrindenstückchen entfernen. Mit Reis servieren.

Variationen:

Rot & scharf: 1/2 TL Chili- oder scharfes Paprikapulver und 4 bis 6 halbierte Cherrytomaten zusammen mit dem Weißkohl zugeben. Extra fein: Weißkohl und Zwiebel sehr fein hacken. Kochzeit entsprechend anpassen. Orange: Gegen Ende der Kochzeit 1 geraspelte oder fein gehackte Möhre zusammen mit der Kokosmilch einrühren.

SRI LANKA Cookbook

Kadala Thel Dala

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Deviled Chickpeas - Kadala Thel Dala from The Lotus and the Artichoke - SRI LANKA vegan cookbook

This is another one of my favorite, quick-and-easy Sri Lankan recipes. I tried many versions of this spicy chickpea curry dish all over Sri Lanka during my 10 week adventure all across and around the island.

You can serve it as a main dish, but technically it’s a short eat (the Sri Lankan term for snack or appetizer or small meal.) Like most short eats, it’s a common snack from street food vendors, but also appears on restaurant menus and is often available from many take-out places… and on buses as a cheap finger food snack – in it’s much drier variation.

Traditionally it’s not served in a curry sauce, but is made “dry”. (This is something I found a lot in India and Sri Lanka — also with dishes such as Vegetable Manchurian or Gobi 65, and such.) I like cooking Kadala Thel Dala all kinds of ways, but usually make it without a really runny, liquid-y curry. Limiting the amount of chopped tomatoes (and cutting larger pieces) as well as using enough grated coconut (to soak up liquid) gets the chickpea curry to desired consistency. Note that rinsing and draining your chickpeas very well before cooking will help, and adding a few minutes of stir-frying on high, while constantly stirring, will also get rid of excess liquid.

Like my Jackfruit Curry, this dish is very popular with all types of eaters, it can be made spicy or not spicy (great for kids!), and is an excellent introduction to Sri Lankan flavors. It’s another one of my go-to recipes for dinner parties, cooking classes, cooking shows. I make it at home pretty often, too.

In addition to being in my third vegan cookbook The Lotus and the Artichoke – SRI LANKA, it’s been published in several vegan magazines in Germany. It’s such a simple and satisfying recipe. Also I love this photo! The little green hand-painted demon guy is on a decorative wooden thing I picked up at a shop in touristy – but gorgeous – Galle Fort, not too far from Unawatuna, and where we spent our last two weeks on the southwest coast in the beach village of Dalawella.

Kadala Thel Dala
deviled chickpeas with tomatoes & spices

recipe from The Lotus and the Artichoke – SRI LANKA: A Culinary Adventure with over 70 vegan recipes

serves 2 to 3 / time 30 min

  • 2 cups (14 oz / 400 g) cooked chickpeas or 1 cup (185 g) dried chickpeas
  • 6–8 cherry tomatoes chopped or 1 medium (80 g) tomato chopped
  • 1 medium (100 g) red onion choppedor 2–3 spring onions chopped
  • 1 clove garlic finely chopped
  • 3/4 in (2 cm) fresh ginger finely chopped
  • 1 green chili seeded, finely chopped optional
  • 1 Tbs coconut oil or vegetable oil
  • 1/2 tsp curry powder
  • 1/2 tsp cumin ground
  • 1/2 tsp coriander ground
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper ground
  • 1 tsp chili powder or paprika ground
  • 1/2 tsp turmeric ground
  • 6–8 curry leaves
  • 2 Tbs grated coconut
  • 1 tsp soy sauce (Shoyu)
  • 2 Tbs lime juice or lemon juice
  • 1 Tbs agave syrup or sugar
  • 1 tsp sea salt
  • fresh coriander chopped for garnish
  1. If using dried chickpeas: Soak 8 hrs or overnight. Boil with fresh water in covered pot until soft, 60–90 min. Drain. If using canned chickpeas, rinse and drain before use.
  2. Heat oil in a large pot on medium heat. Add chopped onions, garlic, ginger, green chili (if using), curry powder, ground cumin, coriander, black pepper, chili powder (or paprika), turmeric, and curry leaves. Fry, stirring frequently, until onions begin to soften, 3–5 min.
  3. Add cooked chickpeas, chopped tomatoes, grated coconut, soy sauce, lime (or lemon) juice, agave syrup (or sugar), and salt. Mix well. Cook, partially covered, stirring regularly, 9–12 min.
  4. Garnish with fresh chopped coriander or chopped spring onion green tips. Serve!

Variations:

Vedic: Replace garlic and onions with a pinch of asafoetida (hing) powder and more chopped tomatoes. Redder: Add 1 Tbs tomato paste along with chickpeas. Extra-Dry: Omit tomatoes and add (additional) 1–2 Tbs grated coconut.

This recipe is from my third vegan cookbook, The Lotus and the Artichoke – SRI LANKA: A Culinary Adventure with over 70 vegan recipes. Available in English, German, and also as an e-book!

The Lotus and the Artichoke SRI LANKA vegan cookbook

Deviled Chickpeas - Kadala Thel Dala from The Lotus and the Artichoke - SRI LANKA vegan cookbook

Kadala Thel Dala
teuflisch würzige Kichererbsen

Rezept aus meinem veganen Kochbuch: The Lotus and the Artichoke – SRI LANKA: Eine kulinarische Entdeckungsreise mit über 70 veganen Rezepten

2 bis 3 Portionen / Dauer 30 Min.

  • 2 Tassen (400 g) gekochte Kichererbsen oder 1 Tasse (185 g) getrocknete Kichererbsen
  • 6–8 Cherrytomaten halbiert oder 1 mittelgroße (80 g) Tomate gehackt
  • 1 mittelgroße (100 g) rote Zwiebel gehackt oder 2–3 Frühlingszwiebeln gehackt
  • 1 Knoblauchzehe fein gehackt
  • 2 cm frischer Ingwer fein gehackt
  • 1 grüne Chilischote entsamt, fein gehackt wenn gewünscht
  • 1 EL Kokos- oder Pflanzenöl
  • 1/2 TL Currypulver wenn gewünscht
  • 1/2 TL Kreuzkümmel gemahlen
  • 1/2 TL Koriander gemahlen
  • 1/2 TL schwarzer Pfeffer gemahlen
  • 1 TL Chili- oder Paprikapulver
  • 1/2 TL Kurkuma gemahlen
  • 6–8 Curryblätter
  • 2 EL Kokosraspel
  • 1 TL Sojasoße (Shoyu)
  • 2 EL Limetten- oder Zitronensaft
  • 1 EL Agavensirup oder Zucker
  • 1 TL Meersalz
  • frisches Koriandergrün gehackt, zum Garnieren
  1. Beim Verwenden getrockneter Kichererbsen: 8 Stunden oder über Nacht einweichen. Abgießen, spülen und in einem mittelgroßen Topf mit frischem Wasser 60 bis 90 Min. weich kochen. Abgießen. Kichererbsen aus der Dose vor dem Verwenden abgießen und spülen.
  2. In einem großen Topf Öl auf mittlerer Flamme erhitzen. Gehackte Zwiebel, Knoblauch, Ingwer, Chili (falls verwendet), Currypulver, gemahlenen Kreuzkümmel, Koriander, schwarzen Pfeffer, Chili– oder Paprikapulver, Kurkuma und Curryblätter hineingeben. 3 bis 5 Min. unter ständigem Rühren anbraten, bis die Zwiebel weich wird.
  3. Gekochte Kichererbsen, gehackte Tomaten, Kokosraspel, Sojasoße, Limettensaft, Agavensirup (oder Zucker) und Salz hinzufügen. Gut umrühren. 9 bis 12 Min. halb abgedeckt unter regelmäßigem Rühren schmoren.
  4. Mit frisch gehacktem Koriandergrün oder grünen Frühlingszwiebelringen garnieren und servieren.

Variationen:

Vedisch: Zwiebel und Knoblauch mit 1 Prise Asafoetida (Hingpulver) und mehr gehackten Tomaten ersetzen. Intensiveres Rot: 1 EL Tomatenmark zusammen mit den Kichererbsen zugeben. “Dry”: Ohne Tomaten und mit noch 1–2 EL Koksraspeln.

Dieses Rezept stammt aus meinem 3. veganen Kochbuch The Lotus and the Artichoke – SRI LANKA: Eine kulinarische Entdeckungsreise mit über 70 veganen Rezepten

Dum Aloo

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My original recipe for Dum Aloo appeared in the first edition of The Lotus and the Artichoke – Vegan Recipes from World Adventures back in 2012 (and 2013 for the German edition). It was based on how I learned to cook Dum Aloo when I was living in Amravati, India. When I re-did my first cookbook for the WORLD 2.0 edition, I decided to drop this recipe as I’d improved it already for The Lotus and the Artichoke – INDIA.

On a subsequent visit to India, in late 2017, when I spent some time in and around Srinagar, Kashmir, I learned how to make the traditional Kashmiri version of the dish – which typically does not include tomatoes. I’ve had many friends from other regions of India assure me that it can be (and often is) made with tomatoes, so I was initially naturally rather confused to get somewhat regular feedback from Kashmiris telling me that it is not made with tomatoes (or onions, depending on who you ask). It was explained to me that in the far northern, mountainous regions of India it was often impossible to get tomatoes (and onions) in the winter, when the roads were socked in with snow… and to make a long story short: tomatoes (and onions) were added to the dish in other parts of India, but it was not authentic Kashmiri!

These debates always bring to mind the dozens of times I’ve heard arguments about what exactly belongs – or doesn’t belong – in garam masala spice mixes (every household has a different recipe, usually only theirs is legitimate and bona fide; others bring weird, or wrong). And as I’m not in a position to determine what is or is not ‘authentic’ (nor is it of particular appeal to me to do so, especially in cultural, culinary contexts), I prefer to focus on what has been taught to me, and always mention that the authenticity is discussed and debated. As a rule, when I change things, it’s important to me to address it, and I’d like to emphasize that my dishes are inspired by what I’ve been taught and tasted, but I do adapt things here and there to make them practical (or possible) and accessible beyond the regions where they originate.

Outside of Kashmir, and outside of India, it is of course possible to make this dish without tomatoes in the base sauce, but I personally appreciate the texture and (fruity, sour, sweet) flavors tomatoes lend. (Again, I’ve also had it prepared for me both in Kashmir and other parts of India with tomatoes and onions. And I’ve had cooks insist that they must be in the dish.) But if you object, and/or fancy yourself to be a purist, by all means, omit them, use my provided variations – or just shake your fist in the air and look further for another recipe!

In any event, this recipe uses just one small tomato and one small onion, so it’s kind of a compromise. My recipe, being vegan, also does not include (dairy) yogurt or cream as many (but not all) North Indian manifestations of Dum Aloo or Aloo Dum do. I also cook variations with a creamy cashew base (this having been taught to me in Maharashtra) but I typically save the blended tomatoes and cashew trick for Paneer Makhani, which features fried tofu-paneer instead of potatoes… and much less (Kashmiri) red chili powder – or mild ground paprika, if you’re not up for the heat.

I’d like to extend my special thanks to my friends in Srinagar for showing me how to make this dish on a quiet afternoon some years ago when we were quite hungry and anxious for something fun to do. In the midst of a state-wide shutdown and a tense security situation I was one of very few foreigners in Srinagar, and was staying a week with Nazeer’s family on a houseboat. All the restaurants pretty much everywhere were closed (as well as the shops, except a few that had the gates partially up and lights on low at night, cautiously) but I managed to meet up with some Kashmiri guys at a nearby guesthouse, and this is what we cooked up together. The photo for this recipe is actually from that cooking session!

Dum Aloo
Kashmiri potato curry

serves 2 to 3 / time 30 min

recipe from The Lotus and the Artichoke – INDIA
(Rezept auf Deutsch unten)

  • 12–15 very small or 3 medium (400 g) potatoes
  • 1 small (75 g) tomato chopped 
  • 1 small (60 g) red onion chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic chopped
  • 3/4 in (2 cm) fresh ginger chopped
  • 1 cup (240 ml) water
  • 3 Tbs vegetable oil
  • 1/2 tsp cumin ground
  • 1/2 tsp coriander ground
  • 1 tsp Garam Masala (page 32)
  • 1/2 tsp red chili powder optional
  • 1 tsp paprika ground
  • 1/2 tsp turmeric ground
  • 1/4 tsp asafoetida (hing) powder
  • 1 Tbs lime juice
  • 1 tsp sugar or agave syrup
  • 1 1/2 tsp sea salt
  1. Rinse and peel potatoes. Chop in large chunks.
  2. In a small food processor or blender, grind chopped tomato, onion, garlic, ginger with 1/2 cup (120 ml) water until mostly smooth.
  3. Heat oil in a large pot or wok on medium heat. Add potatoes. Fry until evenly deep golden brown, stirring frequently, 7–10 min.
  4. Add garam masala, ground cumin, coriander, red chili powder (if using), paprika, turmeric, and asafoetida (hing). Mix well. Fry until richly aromatic, 1-2 min.
  5. Stir in blended tomato mix. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium low. Simmer, stirring regularly, until potatoes are soft, sauce is deep red, and oil separates, 7–10 min. Stir in another 1/2 cup (120 ml) water gradually while simmering.
  6. Stir in lime juice, sugar (or agave syrup), and salt. Cover and remove from heat.
  7. Serve with rice, roti, or naan.

Variations:

Traditional: Replace tomato with 4 Tbs soy or coconut yogurt. Saffron Gold: Mix 2 Tbs soy yogurt, 1 Tbs water, and pinch saffron threads or powder in a small bowl. Soak 10 min. Stir into curry with lime juice at the very end. Aloo Mutter Dum: Add 1 cup green peas and a handful of chopped fresh coriander leaves for last few minutes of simmering.

Dum Aloo

Aloo Dum
Kartoffel-Curry aus Kaschmir

2 bis 3 Portionen / Dauer 30 Min.

Rezept aus The Lotus and the Artichoke – INDIEN

  • 12–15 sehr kleine oder 3 mittelgroße (400 g) Kartoffeln
  • 1 kleine (75 g) Tomate gehackt
  • 1 kleine (60 g) rote Zwiebel gehackt
  • 2 Knoblauchzehen gehackt
  • 2 cm frischer Ingwer gehackt
  • 1 Tasse (240 ml) Wasser
  • 3 EL Pflanzenöl
  • 1/2 TL Kreuzkümmel gemahlen
  • 1/2 TL Koriander gemahlen
  • 1 TL Garam Masala (Seite 32)
  • 1/2 TL Chilipulver wenn gewünscht
  • 1 TL Paprikapulver
  • 1/2 TL Kurkuma gemahlen
  • 1/4 TL Asafoetida (Asant)
  • 1 EL Limettensaft
  • 1 TL Zucker oder Agavensirup
  • 1 1/2 TL Meersalz
  1. Kartoffeln waschen, schälen und in große Stücke schneiden.
  2. In einer kleinen Küchenmaschine oder einem Mixer gehackte Tomate, Zwiebel, Knoblauch, Ingwer und 1/2 Tasse (120 ml) Wasser fast glatt pürieren.
  3. In einem großen Topf oder Wok Öl auf mittlerer Flamme erhitzen. Kartoffeln hineingeben. Unter häufigem Rühren 7 bis 10 Min. tief goldbraun braten.
  4. Garam Masala, gemahlenen Kreuzkümmel, Koriander, Chilipulver (falls verwendet), Paprikapulver, Kurkuma und Asafoetida hinzufügen. Gut umrühren und 1 bis 2 Min. braten, bis es aromatisch duftet.
  5. Tomatenmischung einrühren. Zum Kochen bringen. Flamme herunterstellen. 7 bis 10 Min. unter regelmäßigem Rühren köcheln, bis die Kartoffeln weich sind, die Soße tiefrot ist und das Öl sich trennt. Während des Köchelns eine weitere 1/2 Tasse (120 ml) Wasser einrühren.
  6. Limettensaft, Zucker (oder Agavensirup) und Salz einrühren. Abdecken und vom Herd nehmen.
  7. Mit Reis, Roti oder Naan servieren.

Variationen:

Traditionell: Tomate mit 4 EL Soja- oder Kokosjoghurt ersetzen. Safrangold: In einer kleinen Schüssel 2 EL Sojajoghurt, 1 EL Wasser und 1 Prise Safranfäden oder -pulver verquirlen. 10 Min. einweichen. Am Ende zusammen mit dem Limettensaft ins Curry einrühren. Aloo Mutter Dum: 1 Tasse grüne Erbsen und eine Handvoll frisches gehacktes Koriandergrün während der letzten Kochminuten unterrühren.